T1 worries and depression

[Warren Grynberg]

I have been a T1 on insulin for 48 years. Control has been good over many years. although my consultant constantly tells me not to worry with reasonable HBA1c's last was 7.3 I am getting depressed because I cannot seem to keep my blood sugars under control. They won't put me on a pump because my control is 'too good'. Not sure if I want a pump to follow me around for 24/7. Whatever the professionals tell you they do not suffer from diabetes. I am finding that if I put my arm up in the air too fast, walk in the wrong direction, breath the wrong air etc etc etc it has an effect on my control. You realise of course that I am exagerating but the medics only know diabetes from their textbooks and from the medical point of view not from the psychological aspects. Although I see a diabetes psychologist and when I wrote to her she wrote back saying 'I know how you feel'. Well she b-----y well does not know how I feel because she is not cursed with this horrible disease. I think about it when I wake up, first thing I do is a blood test. Have my breakfast I have to work out my carbs. go to work and do blood tests, get into the car and do blood tests. Lunch time more blood tests and maybe a correction dose, lunch. After work get back in the car more blood tests, home and what I do in the morning repeats itself until bed time. Happens the same the next day. Low bloods = jelly babies, glucose etc. more things to think about. Anyone got neuropathy = more worries, eyes ok = more worries and no one understands unless they've got it. I have only just realised that I don't know anyone else to talk to in depth who has T1. I am not going to the local diabetic club where most have T2 and discuss the latest jumble sale or trip out to the seaside even though they do raise a lot of money for Diabetes UK. So what to do? I live in the East London, Gants Hill, Ilford area. If anyone out there has the same or similar problems we could form a small group of 6 or 8 people to meet and discuss and reasure ourselves.

 

[Lynn Davies]

Sorry you're feeling 'burned out' with your relentless regime. I am little or no help with insulin dependent types but I am sure plenty will be along soon to empathise with you xx

 

[grovesy]

Sorry you are feeling this way, I am sure one of the other long standing Type 1 will be along soon.

 

[Copepod]

Not easy to advise you, Warren, but welcome to the forum and respect for living with the condition for so long. I lived in London for only 6 months with type 1 diabetes, for my MSc at Imperial College, before research in Northern Ireland. This forum does have members get togethers, but for all members, not exclusively type 1. I've never been able to get to one, due to other commitments at weekends.
I have found online group Mountains for Active Diabetics suited me and my interests best - it's now on Facebook. I hope some East London T1Ds will spot your post and you can get together.

 

[stephknits]

Welcome to the forum, Warren. I am a late developer, Type 1 at 42, now 45, so only on my third year in. I agree, though, it can be very helpful to have someone to talk to who is in the same boat. I guess that is why lots of us are on this forum, a lovely friendly place to be where we can let of steam and know there are people who understand where we are coming from. As we come from all over the place, it can be hard to physically meet up, although, as Codepod said, there are meets - check out the events section for the suggested meets this year.

 

[trophywench]

We all 'get it' Warren so you don't actually have to tell us what a PITA it all is every bloody day relentlessly - cos we have it the same.

Incidentally you missed several reasons for BG not behaving - for starters - whether there's an R in the month? and Is it raining?

I don't have a cure of course but you know that anyway as we all do. But I've found it really helpful to come online to a forum - not necessarily this one - and have a bit of a rant or just a moan, or preferably try and see the funny side of whatever disaster befell me today. And of course, sometimes with most of a lifetime's experience behind me, I find I can help people by just suggesting something they haven't thought of trying. We've all been there. I know DSNs and consultants have said to me Have you tried whatever? in the past and I've thought it sounded batty and it wouldn't work - and said so - but nothing I've done so far has helped either, so what the hell, I may as well try that I spose - and Blow me! - it's only darn well worked. You must have a wealth of info like that in your repertoire too.

It takes you mind off your own troubles when you see some of the stuff (not necessarily diabetic stuff, we're more like an extended family and talk about all sorts of other things too) others need to cope with. It fades a bit. Helps me, anyway!

 

[Annette]

Incidentally you missed several reasons for BG not behaving - for starters - whether there's an R in the month? and Is it raining?

And is the moon rising in virgo, and what colour socks do I have on, of course.
Welcome Warren. Yes, we get it. No, most HCPs don't get it. But we have to just feel sorry for them and then come find someone who does 😉

 

[khskel]

Welcome. Another late bloomer here not quite 2 years in but experienced enough to know that unpredictability and diabetes are practically synonyms. You are in a good place for support and advice. Hang on the wind direction just changed and I need to recalculate my ratios.

 

[Austin Mini]

The last thing I worry about is my T1 diabetes. I have been T1 for thirty years now. When you look around there are people with far worse conditions than T1. Have you a hobby to distract you from diabetes? Do you do something different every day? Can you join a club of some sorts? The more you can put on your plate the less time you will have to think about it. I have been doing car boot sales, a bit of part time car maintenance body work and mechanicals etc just keeping busy. Now we are planning to go camping in New Zealand later this year and thats going to take up heaps of time and distraction for me. Last year we re decorated a whole house never gave diabetes a look in. One thing about being diabetic is the constant reviews at surgery ensure you are in the best of health!