Would you agree ?

[Hanmillmum]

Hi,

Saw daughter's DSN this week , she passed comment that diabetes is addressed at least 20 to 30 times a day, if not more, by the individual/parent (by thought and/or actions). This has stuck in my mind and can quite agree with it - just wondered what others think about this ?

 

[FM001]

20-30 times would be the minimum I would say, can't speak for others but diabetes is never far from my thoughts.

 

[Gareth]

20-30 times would be the minimum I would say, can't speak for others but diabetes is never far from my thoughts.

Nor mine, I would say I think about it more like 40-50 times a day. I'm constantly watching myself since I'm still learning to recognise my body's warning signs.

 

[vince13]

This confirms what I feel too and, in a way, is a relief to read this post. I had thought it was just me not yet come to terms with what diabetes means with respect to my everyday living. I don't want my life to be defined by being diabetic but it sometimes seems as if it is.

 

[Copepod]

Nowhere near that many times a day for me - as long as I know I have my insulin & testing kit & emergency food in my rucksack when out & about or to hand at home, I don't need to think about it. Just have to consider what dose to have at each of 5 injections per day, most of which are preceded by a fingerprick test. Plus a few extra times whenever I need more supplies by prescription - once to tick items on repeat prescription form, once to take form to chemist & once to collect, a few days later, all of which happens approx every 6 to 8 weeks.

I think it must be more times for parents, gradually reducing as children grow up and become able to express their feelings and take control of some aspects of kit, management etc. Plus, they have to negotiate with child's school, clinics, their employers etc. So, for parents, 20 - 30 times seems reasonable.

 

[Caroline]

I think it is an idnvidual thing and we all think about it differently. Bit like food, or cups of tea, we each have our own indvidual needs and there is no righ or wrong answer.

 

[MeanMom]

I think it is an idnvidual thing and we all think about it differently. Bit like food, or cups of tea, we each have our own indvidual needs and there is no righ or wrong answer.

Agree - I have found I think about it less now on average than I did say a year ago, but that is because of experience. But each day is different and today for example will be constantly in my thoughts due to - gulp - missed Levemir last night 😱

 

[Robster65]

It does vary so could easily be that many times. Some days it gets put to the back but others, it has to be considered more.

It's a bit of a habit I suppose.

Rob

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Doing blood tests and carb counting are just part of my life I can't say I actually think about them as such, it's just automatic.
For newly diagnosed and parents it must and is a big factor every day
Have to admit to never thinking about it in such a way as x amount of thoughts a day.

 

[Robster65]

Doing blood tests and carb counting are just part of my life I can't say I actually think about them as such, it's just automatic.
For newly diagnosed and parents it must and is a big factor every day
Have to admit to never thinking about it in such a way as x amount of thoughts a day.

A bit like controlling speed, changing gears and watching other traffic when you're driving. It's all there, being done, but not consciously unless something needs to be addressed specifically. Hence the "how many units did I just inject?" dillemmas 🙄

I find I pretty much constantly monitor my senses for signs of hypo or hyper, but not really in a conscious way unless I'm about to do something physical.

Rob

 

[Estellaa]

i don't really think as of it as my diabetes being addressed like people have said having for an amount of time it just becomes routine.

 

[Hanmillmum]

I considered her comment to include those automatic thoughts we have about it, not always aware of them, just like when we are driving on "automatic pilot", part and parcel of the day not necessarily forefront of the mind always.

 

[GlucoseGary]

You're probably asking quite a biased sample on this forum, tbh, but yes, I think about it at least a couple of dozen times a day - though mainly because I'm still trying to establish a controlled routine.

 

[trophywench]

Well precisely Estellaa ! - we just do it - yes it is conscious because depending on what that meter says, you then need to react accordingly so is work out carbs, test, jab ONE thought or is it several? eg.

1. What carbs are in the spuds
2. and the carrots
3. and the gravy
4. The total, must remember that
5. Must test
6. Turn meter on
7. Take lid off strips
8. Get strip out, close lid
9. Shove strip in meter
10. Prime stabber
11. Stab
12. Apply blood
13. Answer = X
14. Enter 'pre meal' label
15. Enter carbs
16. Enter
17. Bolus Y, do I agree? - confirm
18. Deliver bolus
19. Remove strip
20. Turn off meter


And what about any of us reading a post on here - do we not think 'What do I do when that happens?' - yes, we do when it's regarding something we know about, and if we can add anything to the conversation, we do. So is that another thought or was it all the same one?

 

[Robster65]

Well precisely Estellaa ! - we just do it - yes it is conscious because depending on what that meter says, you then need to react accordingly so is work out carbs, test, jab ONE thought or is it several? eg.

1. What carbs are in the spuds
2. and the carrots
3. and the gravy
4. The total, must remember that
5. Must test
6. Turn meter on
7. Take lid off strips
8. Get strip out, close lid
9. Shove strip in meter
10. Prime stabber
11. Stab
12. Apply blood
13. Answer = X
14. Enter 'pre meal' label
15. Enter carbs
16. Enter
17. Bolus Y, do I agree? - confirm
18. Deliver bolus
19. Remove strip
20. Turn off meter


And what about any of us reading a post on here - do we not think 'What do I do when that happens?' - yes, we do when it's regarding something we know about, and if we can add anything to the conversation, we do. So is that another thought or was it all the same one?

I just tell people the first thing that comes into my head. I hope no-one's actually following my advice ! 😱

I thought this was an online game in a fantasy universe 😱

Oops

Rob

 

[trophywench]

This is a fantasy universe innit? - the whole Interwebnet????

 

[Robster65]

This is a fantasy universe innit? - the whole Interwebnet????

I hope so. I'm actually called Doris and live with 20 cats in a shed on the Isle of Wight. But here I can be who I want to be !

(none of that is true btw 😱)

Rob

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Come on Rob.... we all know you're a [diabetic] dog.

Living in a shed surrounded by cats? Clearly a canine pseudo-utopian fantasy

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I would find it very hard to put a number on it (or to work out which were individual thoughts, and which were all part of the same thought stream).

20-30 a day would seem to work out thinking about something D related approx once every 30 minutes during waking hours which probably isn't too far off for me, especially when those thoughts/interactions/pre and post checks group together around meals.

 

[FM001]

Hi,

Saw daughter's DSN this week , she passed comment that diabetes is addressed at least 20 to 30 times a day, if not more, by the individual/parent (by thought and/or actions). This has stuck in my mind and can quite agree with it - just wondered what others think about this ?

Looking at what the dsn has said I suppose it depends on what you call 'addressed'

I took it to mean the thought process earlier but is this her meaning also?