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Tips for somehow controlling / reducing stress?!

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T

Twitchy

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hello all...can't go into details of the situation on a public forum, but utterly under attack & stressed today - I know my basal rates are fine, yet despite bolusing carefully for the toast I had for breakfast & not feeling up to eating anything else today I was over 16 this afternoon!! :( This is a situation that looks like it's going to turn really nasty, so I guess the stress is here to stay for the next whilst at least :( So I'm wondering if anyone has any good tips/suggestions? Going for walks etc is not an option at the mo, & I have low BP so not even sure if/what I can ask the doc to help with? (guessing beta blockers etc would knock me out!) I've had my hands shaking all day due to this, feeling awful but need to function for kids, work etc. Help please?!! Really feeling awful!! :(
 
Could you adjust your carb ratio so you are getting more bolus for the carbs to avoid those higher readings ? What about your insulin sensitivity rate too. We have to do this with growth spurts which create some insulin resistance. I believe stress can do the same.

If you can't get out, get a nice bath run, some relaxing music, something like reading you can get absorbed into to take your mind off things ?

Take care 🙂
 
Reading books or listening to audio books really helps me. I have been under a lot of stress/depression recently and find books have been excellent to help me stop making lists and worrying about all the things I have to do.

I don't have the energy to be out either and don't even like going out (only if absolutely necessary) I subscribed to adubile and have downloaded some excellent books, turn the light off and listen. I really enjoy this or reading some of the classics either in book form or iBooks

I have turned into a bookworm!
 
Thanks Hanmillmum & pippin! I guess it's a case of take the hit on test strips & just test, correct, repeat in an hour or so for the forseeable whilst trying to distract myself then! 😱 Thanks for the tips. x
 
I can relate to the stress, especially if it is work related.
If you put each problem into one of two categories, i.e. things I have no influence over, and things I do, I find it halves the problems.
I used to stress and worry about things that were beyond my control, and worrying about them just made things worse. Matters that I could influence, I tried to improve, but if I couldn't, then it joined the 1st list and I stopped thinking about it. The worst thing I ever did was to do nothing at all, forget about it, only to find upon waking that the problem was still there.
I would say that 99% of the things I have stressed over in my life, either didn't happen, or weren't as bad as I thought.
Good luck.
Kelly.
 
Hi Twitchy, sorry to hear you are going through a stressful time. There's some really good books out there and when me and the OH were going through a stressful time we downloaded some guided meditation mp3s off amazon (they were really cheap and def helped us relax).

x
 
Just a tip, Twitchy, which may help you as it helped me.

My stress was the sort that sent my BG violently up shortly after each 'attack' - which I would then correct and go hypo, so I was on a seesaw 4 or 5 times a day (ie meter said HI and LO, and all points in between the two). My lovely DSN suggested halving my correction rate when I thought it was stress as opposed to not enough blus or whatever. OK it doesn't cure it entirely but it gets you to a level where you are functional.

But then I wasn't pregnant.

I think you need urgent, expert, medical advice.
 
I find music helps me, or finding a quiet space to sit for 5 minutes. Also been knitting a lot lately too.

I hope things sort out for you soon
 
Hi

Why not check out MIND website, there have some factsheeets on stress and tips on dealing with it.

www.mind.org.uk/help/medical+alternative care/mind_troubleshooters_stress


Not sure if that will work as not done before - lol but use it as a reference on the site itself. 🙂
 
Thanks all! I'm trying to keep on top of this...i tried a 110% tbr last night which worked well...was 5.5 this morning, didnt feel able to eat so went backto 100% basal rate for school run etc, havent eaten anything still but just tested and was 13.2! 😱 Have been shaky & nauseous due to this ongoing situation so struggling to get food down...not at all hungry which is not like me! 🙄 Oh well, temp basal back on i guess. Thanks again, the tips are much appreciated. Xxxx
 
Hi Twitchy, sorry to hear about your stress.

Probably not practical right now, but for the future, have you considered doing something like Tai Chi? I did it when I was at university as I used to struggle with stress and it was great. Really helped me sleep, fewer colds, and you learn breathing techniqes that you can do any time to try to focus your mind and de-stress. Helped me no end!

My other favourite stress-buster is swimming.

Hope things improve for you soon.
 
Stress

Hello I'm sorry to hear you are having a bad time at the moment and with high levels it will make u feel even worse. Have u thought about doing gentle exercise at home. Exercise really does make you feel better and if you can't get out right now you can do it at the comfort of your own home. Have you used a temp basal increase on your pump? I usually increase it for four hours then check it to see if it has worked. I really hope you feel better soon.
 
Thanks everyone...you're all so kind - this past week or so just popping in to this forum & seeing the efforts people will go to, to reassure & support people they often don't even 'know' has been a lifeline. It's gone a long way to propping up my faith in humanity!! 🙂 I'm still trying to get my head around this current situation, i really really need to find a way to stop it getting to me so, esp as I've noticed little spots of blood in my eye again - hope to God it's just old blood. In a way this situation's been a good thing (albeit flippinh well disguised!! 🙄) - i'm a very rusty christian & it's given me a kick up the bum to try & stand strong, taking strength from my faith & the support of lovely people like on here. Thanks again, all of you. Xxx
 
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