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T1 - Struggling with moodswings

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Manda

Manda

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi,

I was diagnosed with T1 about six months ago. I've got into a routine with the blood testing and medication, and mostly okay with diet changes - although still feel left out a lot and get upset every now and then. The main thing I'm struggling with is that I've become really irritable around friends and family... I've become snappy and I don't have the enthusiasm to talk to them. I feel really guilty immediately after as I know I'm pushing them away and it's not in my nature to be this way, but I can't seem to take control of my mood. I understand being like this when my blood sugars are low, but mostly they're between 7-12. Could anyone offer any advice? Is this normal to begin with and will it settle down?

Thank you for any help you can give! 🙂
 
Manda said:
Hi,

I was diagnosed with T1 about six months ago. I've got into a routine with the blood testing and medication, and mostly okay with diet changes - although still feel left out a lot and get upset every now and then. The main thing I'm struggling with is that I've become really irritable around friends and family... I've become snappy and I don't have the enthusiasm to talk to them. I feel really guilty immediately after as I know I'm pushing them away and it's not in my nature to be this way, but I can't seem to take control of my mood. I understand being like this when my blood sugars are low, but mostly they're between 7-12. Could anyone offer any advice? Is this normal to begin with and will it settle down?

Thank you for any help you can give! 🙂
Click to expand...
Hi Manda, welcome to the forum 🙂 I think this sounds fairly normal to me for the early months after diagnosis. Being diagnosed with Type 1 has meant a huge change to your daily life, having to constantly consider what you are eating and when, whether your levels are going to go low or high, feeling excluded (as you say) from some of the activities that your friends and family take for granted, like eating out. It's not easy being a pancreas! 😱 🙂

I felt pretty much the same after my diagnosis, but as I became more experienced and looking after my diabetes just became a part of my routine, things improved, and hopefully this will be the case for you. I would say it's best to be as open as you can about your diabetes, don't try to hide it or you may become resentful and as you're stuck with it until they find a cure that's not a good mindset to have. People don't understand diabetes - it's hard enough for those of us who have to deal with it at times! - so try to be patient if they ask questions. I'd suggest printing off a copy of the Diabetes Etiquette Card if people are bugging you about things or offering unasked for advice, it covers most of the general situations you might be dealing with 🙂 Also, something I found immensely helpful when I was diagnosed was the excellent book Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas. It covers all aspects of living with Type 1 and is written in a very positive, easy to digest style 🙂

What insulin regime are you on? Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns - there are lots of friendly, knowledgeable people here and it helps to draw on others' experiences 🙂
 
Sorry you’re feeling like this Manda and northerner is right that this may be an adjustment period because it must be very hard to come to terms with.
If this continues however, see your doctor because anger and irritation is a symptom of depression and you may need a little bit of help. Best wishes.
 
Hi Mandy

I think that dealing with all the practicalities of Diabetes can be quite consuming. It is hard to explain this to others however keen they are to be helpful, and there are times when it is difficult to be patient, especially when you are having to deal with this on a daily basis. I too got snappy with people especially early on, when they were wanting me to explain things tat at that time I did not understand.

I find it hardest when hypo as others want to help and I just want to be left alone to get on with it, except when it is a bad one when I want someone around. I used to expect my OH mindread and work out what he needed to do!!! Now we have agreed that I will simply ask for help by telling him the number on my meter then he knows what to do. That has taken a while to establish!!

I thoroughly recommend the Ragnar Hagnas book that Northerner mentioned. I am nearly 10 years in to T1 (and definitely not a young adult) and I still find it a useful reference, as it explains things so clearly and is well indexed.

Keep in touch on here and feel free to ask anything, nothing is a silly question. Also if you fancy a rant, that’s fine, as people on here will understand exactly why.
 
Hi Manda and welcome to the forum. 🙂 I'm sorry you are feeling like this. As you mention, changes in mood are often associated with fluctuations in blood glucose levels but a T1 diagnosis is also a massive event in anyone's life and although our family and friends can be supportive they won't be able to understand what it's really like living with it and this can be where irritability with them comes in. Places like this are very useful to let off steam or discuss things with people who do understand.

Six months after my diagnosis I was 18 and off to university which is quite an event in itself but throw T1 into that and I struggled a bit with it all at times. Although my family were great at that time (and still are) I didn't have anyone to discuss it with (this was before the internet and I didn't know anyone else who had T1 at that time) who would really understand and this may have lead to bad moods with those closest to me. I found it quite a lonely experience. Things did improve in time for me and now there are places like the forum and other online resources. You could also discuss things with your DSN as they are used to things like this or as mentioned if there is no improvement maybe speak to your GP.
 
Thank you all so much for your advice, it's such a relief to talk to people who understand - makes me feel much less alone 🙂

I'm taking 2 units of levemir twice a day at the moment (no fast acting insulin currently) - so mostly using diet and exercise etc to control my levels. I'm going to try some yoga and meditation every day to see if that helps with my mood. I will speak to my GP/DSN if no improvement. I have definitely been trying to hide my feelings when I get upset or frustrated as I haven't wanted to put that on anyone else, but I'll start opening up more with friends and family, and see how that goes. I'll also order the book by Ragnar Hana, thank you for the recommendation! I am struggling with explaining it all to people as I haven't got my head round everything, so this will help!
 
Good to hear Manda 🙂 Out of interest, how did your diagnosis come about? The media often paint a very negative and over-simplistic picture of diabetes, which really doesn't help, because everyone then formulates their own views of what you need to do without really knowing anything about it 🙄

This forum was actually originally set up by a lady who had had Type 1 since being a small baby (it's her birthday today, actually, so Happy Birthday, and thank you Kati! 🙂), but in 30+ years had never met another one - it's relatively rare in the population, so even healthcare professionals rarely come across it, and may find it almost as bewildering as you at times!. This is where a community like this can really help, and you've no fear of our eyes glazing over whenever you want to talk about it! 🙂
 
I found out I had diabetes as I went to the doctor's regarding a urine infection that wouldn't go away.. they took a urine test and found it had traces of sugar. So it was completely unexpected, as I didn't have any other symptoms at the time. Yes, I agree! I admit my initial thought was okay, so I just need to cut out all sweets and cake etc.. before doing some research and finding there is sugar in carbs and many other forms too!! I have found it quite exhausting at times explaining it to people, as some don't seem to believe sugar exists outside of what you'd expect haha.

That's an amazing thing she has done - happy birthday Kati! 🙂 I'm so grateful this forum exists, as I haven't come across anyone else with type one outside of here yet.

Thank you so much, that's so good to hear! 🙂
 
Manda said:
I found out I had diabetes as I went to the doctor's regarding a urine infection that wouldn't go away.. they took a urine test and found it had traces of sugar. So it was completely unexpected, as I didn't have any other symptoms at the time. Yes, I agree! I admit my initial thought was okay, so I just need to cut out all sweets and cake etc.. before doing some research and finding there is sugar in carbs and many other forms too!! I have found it quite exhausting at times explaining it to people, as some don't seem to believe sugar exists outside of what you'd expect haha.

That's an amazing thing she has done - happy birthday Kati! 🙂 I'm so grateful this forum exists, as I haven't come across anyone else with type one outside of here yet.

Thank you so much, that's so good to hear! 🙂
Click to expand...

That's quite an unusual T1 diagnosis Manda and only being on 4 units of Levemir with no fast acting insulin after 6 months. Have the docs said anything about blood tests such as the GAD antibody test?
 
I am relatively new to diabetes - recent tyoe 1 diagnosis - and it is exhausting trying to get your own head around it all, plus trying to explain to others when you don't fully understnd it is hard!
It does help to try and explain how you feel. I shut my partner out alot at first. Now he comes to appts with me to get a better understanding. My moods have been all over the place... emotional over all sorts, frustrated too.
 
It was quite a strange way of finding out I had diabetes! The GAD antibody test came back as positive. The doctors said I'm in the 'honeymoon phase' at the moment and still making some of my own insulin, which could last for days, weeks ,months or years, they can't tell. It will stop at some point and then I'll be using the fast acting insulin.

My partner has come to all my appointments as well and been amazing - he understands it so much better than I do, which is really helpful 🙂 I shut my family out as I know it upsets them, which then makes me feel more isolated and down as I'm holding things in. Yes me too, very up and down, it's not easy to come to terms with. It's mentally exhausting having to think about it all the time, every decision you make. I'm hoping in time things will become more of a habit and feel less stressful 🙂
 
Doing some charity work is good for your head. Good luck 🙂
 
Manda said:
Hi,

I was diagnosed with T1 about six months ago. I've got into a routine with the blood testing and medication, and mostly okay with diet changes - although still feel left out a lot and get upset every now and then. The main thing I'm struggling with is that I've become really irritable around friends and family... I've become snappy and I don't have the enthusiasm to talk to them. I feel really guilty immediately after as I know I'm pushing them away and it's not in my nature to be this way, but I can't seem to take control of my mood. I understand being like this when my blood sugars are low, but mostly they're between 7-12. Could anyone offer any advice? Is this normal to begin with and will it settle down?

Thank you for any help you can give! 🙂
Click to expand...
 
Hi Manda

Hope you are feeling a bit better and Christmas and the New Year were good. You need to hang on to the fact that feeling low is one of the most common side-effects of diabetes. After all, this is a life-long diagnosis with no time off for good behaviour. We all get like this from time to time. You could mention it to your diabetes nurse, if you have one, or your GP if you are concerned. Otherwise try to get enough sleep, which I find really helps. I sometimes use a bit of aromatherapy oils - e.g. a bit of lavender or some such. You need to make sure that you are able to use this - that there are no medical reasons for you personally not to use scented oils. But I feel it helps me drop off to sleep and is far better than taking more medication. Just a thought.
 
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