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Things must be so much easier nowadays...

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Flower

Flower

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
I had this said to me today in relation to living with diabetes.

It got me thinking. Things are infinitely better thanks to amazing leaps forward in technology from when I was diagnosed in the 1970's but the basic challenges of running my own insulin supply and maintaining a steady blood glucose level around the clock by whatever means available remain as they always were.

I really don't find any of it easy. It's a whole lot better with the fantastic tech and whizzy gadgets I am now able to use but managing diabetes to my mind does not come under the category of easy.

Whatever the era of diagnosis 1950's,60's 70's pre home blood glucose testing or nowadays with pumps, cgm etc none of this to me is easier or easy it's just better with a wealth of information to help me make informed choices. Am I just being an old grouch in getting wound up by someone telling me my diabetes must be easier to live with in 2018 than it was in 1978?
 
I totally agree with you Flower about it not being easier, the longer we've had it for some/the majority (I'm not saying all) of us the harder it gets. I had to have a tick box review with my surgery's DSN today and I said that without the pump I would probably be dead by now - and I wasn't exaggerating. Also to my consultant whom I saw two weeks ago without the Libre I would have ended up/nearly ended up in hospital at least twice in the last year with diabetic emergencies. Yes the technology is moving on from 1971 but so is my body and at the age of 49 it is definitely not easier, just different technology helping.
 
I would say perfectly put Flower. I totally agree. Yes the whizzy gadgets are great and we do now live in a whizzy gadget busier world, so they are brilliantly helpful and time saving I guess, but basically we're still doing the same as we were back in 1978...trying to juggle everything and hopefully get it right.

I'm sure (hope) the person meant well and was trying to be positive, just a little lacking in appreciating what's involved.🙂

In the last two years I've had two people (one was a pharmacist), tell me I'm lucky to have got diabetes as a child, because it meant I got used to the diet early on! Don't think you're a grouch at all...if you are then budge up and I'll join you in the grouchy step.x
 
Thanks Amanda 🙂 It really annoyed me that someone would imply that diabetes is easier to live with the the longer you've had it! 🙄

I love your description of technology moving on but so is my body, I will bank that and use it next time! 🙂

Plenty of room on the grouchy step for the class of '78, Lisa ! 🙂
 
Just apply that comment to other illnesses (eg cancer, heart disease) and the answer is definitely “No!” You’re not being grouchy, Flower. Diabetes is HARD WORK however advanced the tech and whizzy gadgets (nice description @Lisa66) get.

Having said that, looking at it from a non-diabetic point of view, it sounds like the poor muggle that made the comment was trying to say something positive.

See you on the grouchy step, ev1...
 
Agree with that Flower. I've never found it easy at any point. I can't understand how you get a completely flat line on a Libre and although I like to be positive about it, work with it and achieve things in spite of it and it could just be a type, age of diagnosis or length of diagnosis difference but when people come on and say 'I feel great and I'm the fittest and healthiest I've been since being diagnosed' I think to myself f*** off I wouldn't wish this on anyone. 🙄 Make room on the step. :D
 
For me it's like I have two arguing grumps in my head when I hear comments like the one Flower got. I had one today and get it every time someone finds out about the pump - oh, that must make it so much easier. Part of me thinks, yes you are right and I'm very grateful etc and the other part things, NO it can't make it easier, for that would mean it was easy in the first place, which it bloody well isn't. A bit like Alice in wonderland, who said she couldn't very well have more tea when she hadn't had any in the first place.
It makes it different. I do feel more guilty when I get high numbers as I feel I am somehow wasting this great technology.
 
Matt Cycle said:
but when people come on and say 'I feel great and I'm the fittest and healthiest I've been since being diagnosed' I think to myself f*** off I wouldn't wish this on anyone. 🙄 Make room on the step. :D
Click to expand...

Yes! Count me in too on that one... we are gonna need a MUCH bigger step! 😛
 
Life Flower ! It is hard work at times but it is getting better :D T1 since 1966
 
Not easy when you get type 3c diabetes as a result of major pancreatic surgery. Surgery for chronic pancreatitis. Nearly died 3 times . Still have chronic pancreatitis and about 10% of pancreas left. But now have uncontrollable diabetes. All i’m Happy about is I survived operation.
 
Is there room for more on this step? :confused:

Had a diabetes appt this morning at my local hospital and the dietician joined myself and the nurse. Was interesting. A lot more information to take on board!

But just the questions i'm asked by people i work with...
Clueless!

Ps. I'll bring cushions for the step!
 
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