A few weeks ago, I introduced myself as a Trainee Diabetic, but now I’m not so sure. After hearing stories from others, and reading some of the posts on this forum, maybe it should be Fraudulent Diabetic.
Don’t get me wrong, I am diabetic, but I’ve had nothing compared to some:
1) First thoughts – from what I hear and read, reactions to the diagnosis range from “Why me?”, to outright fear and panic. I’ve had none of that. When my doctor gave me the news I was more amused than anything. I’ve only seen my doctor a couple times in the last few years. The first time he told me I’d suddenly developed hay fever, at 54 for gods sake, then it was diabetes, at 57. For crying out loud, the man’s a flaming jinx on my health.
2) Testing – I don’t test. I’ve been strongly advised against it, for now anyway. I’m type 2 and it’s being controlled by diet so they’ve recommended I don’t get into a fluster over testing.
3) Injecting – Nope, not me. Diet only. And I’m still trying to figure out what I should and shouldn’t be eating.
4) Diet – When I was first diagnosed, I had to keep a Diet Diary for a few weeks. They only comments they made were, “Watch the balance of what you eat”, and “Eat some breakfast”, which I still haven’t got the hang of. Beloved is a great cook and does most things from scratch anyway. (No, she isn’t looking over my shoulder). No fast food and very little pre-prepared rubbish. They did raise an eyebrow at a piece of chocolate cake, every day for nearly a week, but hey, it was my birthday cake.
5) Hypo’s- I’ve never had one, and I wouldn’t know what one felt like.
6) Vision problems – Nope, none of those either. I had my first retinopathy exam last week and I’m still waiting to hear the results, but I can still fulfil the DVLA requirements.
7) Pumps – Only on my feet when I was a kid, (plimsolls to the posher ones amongst you).
I suppose what I’m trying to say is that being diabetic is not all doom and gloom. Not everyone has to stab themselves several times a day. You don’t have to give up all your favourite foods. I love cake, biscuits, chocolate, crisps etc., but I don’t have to give them up, just be sensible about when and how much. For some people, being diabetic seems to lead to massive changes in lifestyle, and it can be very disturbing and upsetting, but that doesn’t apply to everyone.
Talk to your doctor or practice nurse, listen to what they have to say, take it on board, do your own research, this forum and the Diabetes UK web site has been an enormous help to me already.
By it’s very nature, this forum will highlight the problems of diabetes, people asking for help or information, or just sounding off, and that’s a good thing. If you have a problem, or are worried about something, then there seems to be someone here who has been there, done it, solved it, and is more than willing to pass on what they have learnt. This forum is an amazingly deep well of knowledge, use it.
I’m not knocking all those people who do have to think about all the above. For some, being diabetic must be traumatic, especially those with a family history of diabetes, or the parents of young children with diabetes, but it’s not that way for everyone.
If you’re newly diagnosed, remember, being a diabetic is not the end of the world, it doesn’t mean you’re going to pop your clogs tomorrow. Get out there, live your life, don’t hide the fact that you have diabetes, shout it from the roof tops, you’ll be amazed how supportive people will be.
EEjit
Don’t get me wrong, I am diabetic, but I’ve had nothing compared to some:
1) First thoughts – from what I hear and read, reactions to the diagnosis range from “Why me?”, to outright fear and panic. I’ve had none of that. When my doctor gave me the news I was more amused than anything. I’ve only seen my doctor a couple times in the last few years. The first time he told me I’d suddenly developed hay fever, at 54 for gods sake, then it was diabetes, at 57. For crying out loud, the man’s a flaming jinx on my health.
2) Testing – I don’t test. I’ve been strongly advised against it, for now anyway. I’m type 2 and it’s being controlled by diet so they’ve recommended I don’t get into a fluster over testing.
3) Injecting – Nope, not me. Diet only. And I’m still trying to figure out what I should and shouldn’t be eating.
4) Diet – When I was first diagnosed, I had to keep a Diet Diary for a few weeks. They only comments they made were, “Watch the balance of what you eat”, and “Eat some breakfast”, which I still haven’t got the hang of. Beloved is a great cook and does most things from scratch anyway. (No, she isn’t looking over my shoulder). No fast food and very little pre-prepared rubbish. They did raise an eyebrow at a piece of chocolate cake, every day for nearly a week, but hey, it was my birthday cake.
5) Hypo’s- I’ve never had one, and I wouldn’t know what one felt like.
6) Vision problems – Nope, none of those either. I had my first retinopathy exam last week and I’m still waiting to hear the results, but I can still fulfil the DVLA requirements.
7) Pumps – Only on my feet when I was a kid, (plimsolls to the posher ones amongst you).
I suppose what I’m trying to say is that being diabetic is not all doom and gloom. Not everyone has to stab themselves several times a day. You don’t have to give up all your favourite foods. I love cake, biscuits, chocolate, crisps etc., but I don’t have to give them up, just be sensible about when and how much. For some people, being diabetic seems to lead to massive changes in lifestyle, and it can be very disturbing and upsetting, but that doesn’t apply to everyone.
Talk to your doctor or practice nurse, listen to what they have to say, take it on board, do your own research, this forum and the Diabetes UK web site has been an enormous help to me already.
By it’s very nature, this forum will highlight the problems of diabetes, people asking for help or information, or just sounding off, and that’s a good thing. If you have a problem, or are worried about something, then there seems to be someone here who has been there, done it, solved it, and is more than willing to pass on what they have learnt. This forum is an amazingly deep well of knowledge, use it.
I’m not knocking all those people who do have to think about all the above. For some, being diabetic must be traumatic, especially those with a family history of diabetes, or the parents of young children with diabetes, but it’s not that way for everyone.
If you’re newly diagnosed, remember, being a diabetic is not the end of the world, it doesn’t mean you’re going to pop your clogs tomorrow. Get out there, live your life, don’t hide the fact that you have diabetes, shout it from the roof tops, you’ll be amazed how supportive people will be.
EEjit
