Restrictions due to the big D!

[xMenace]

Ok, there have been a lot of apparently suicidal noobs come to the boards lately, and they are annoying me. One common response by noobs, and remember we were all noobs at one time, is that they think that everything they enjoy in life is over! They will not be able to do it because they are now diabetic.

I thought it would be a good idea to post all the things I and we have not been able to do or have not been able to do to the fullest of our abilities. I don't want to know what you can do -- maybe I'll start a post for that -- just the bad stuff.

I want the truth people.:bandit: Lets make it as depressing as possible.

And while you post yours, I'll try to think of one.:banghead:

[2high]

Ok, here's what I havent been able to do since dxd...

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10...



Wow, what a list!!!

[xMenace]

Got one. 19 years in I get lasered for retinopathy. My peripheral vision sufferred somewhat. I've read that others suffer more and can't drive at night or even lose significant vision. I could still do everything but judge a fly ball well. I was ok in the day time, but at night I was lost. I also couldn't play catch with my brother who has a major league arm. Too dangerous! I also stopped playing the hot corner. Odd that tennis and hockey aren't a problem though.

[parrotletzoo]

Outside of drive truck interstate, join the armed forces, or become a police officer. none of which I'd like to do, there is nothing I can't do because of my diabetes.

Ok, maybe I can't eat an entire cake in one sitting. Actually, I could but I'd feel like **** afterwards and ****, who whats that?

I have to add that I can't drive due to vision loss. but I also have glaucoma in addition to retinopathy and my lack of driving is due to the glaucoma and not so much the retinopathy. Plus I don't feel driving limits me. yay for public transport.

[Funnygrl]

The only restriction I can think of that has personally affected me is that instead of being able to go someplace without bringing stuff, I have to bring my meter and glucose and such.

[camjen1]

Dont you know diabetics are constantly having toes and fingers and noses and legs fall off for minor reasons such as walking around their own houses barefoot? In fact, while we are on the subject, lets not forget to mention that we should also avoid filing calluses, trimming toenails, waxing legs and wearing socks with seams. Dont even get me started on the subject of contact lenses...

Ohh yes, we are sick, SICK I tell you, and we should live in fear that the everyday thing we do may result in heinous consequences, loss of life or indeed, limb. So next time you pick up a kitchen knife to chop some salad, consider the possible consequences. You could cut yourself, a minor injury, which you may well not even feel (due to lack of sensation, neuropathy), let alone see (cos you are blind, retinopathy), which then becomes hideously infected due to the inherent poor healing of all diabetics. Dont you think it would be wiser to buy pre-shredded lettuce leaves and save yourself the possible suffering? In fact, I'm quite suprised kitchen utensils do not yet come with a warning about the possible dangers to people with diabetes.

I think Diana say's it all here! :laugh:

[jeggeman31]

Ok, here's what I havent been able to do since dxd...

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10...



Wow, what a list!!!

Your list is the the same as my list :bebored:

[parrotletzoo]

OMG cam!! lol

Ok on the whole "don't pick up a kitchen knife to chop salad" thing. a couple of months ago I was doing dishes and dropped a fork on my big toe and it got infected. I ended up on antibiotics and got laughed at by more then one doctor while I got the "wear shoes 24/7" lecture. lol

bad me, dr told me it was his first case of infection due to fork stabbing. ;)

So, um, yeah diabetes limits my ability to do dishes too now! woot! yay!

[BriOnH]

The one and only thing I can not do because of diabetes is go without insulin. Preferrably a bg meter as well, but could survive fine without. That is it. Other then that diabetes hasn't and can't stop me from doing what most non d's can't.

[Cyborg]

There are a few restrictions due to the pump, but on MDI I don't recall any...

[2high]

OMG cam!! lol

Ok on the whole "don't pick up a kitchen knife to chop salad" thing. a couple of months ago I was doing dishes and dropped a fork on my big toe and it got infected. I ended up on antibiotics and got laughed at by more then one doctor while I got the "wear shoes 24/7" lecture. lol

bad me, dr told me it was his first case of infection due to fork stabbing. ;)

So, um, yeah diabetes limits my ability to do dishes too now! woot! yay!

I want that limitation!!!

[Gangrel]

I can't become an NHL star and play Right Wing for the Edmonton Oilers.

Oh, wait, that has nothing to do with diabetes, rather my lack of skill.....hmmm./....

[Ricros]

The only one I was given besides the carbs, which is a good thing, is no bare feet but to me that is not a restriction because I don't like walking in bare feet any way.

[belyro]

I have some temporary restrictions.....e.g. when my bloodsugar is low I can't go to the gym. But then when it's back up again I can.

I'd also probably never win on Survivor, b/c I'm not good enough at managing my bloodsugar in such weird situations and I'd end up being the weakest player and getting voted off. But I also don't swim well, so that might even get me voted off first.

[KMP]

Hmmmmm.... At first (18 years ago) I had some down thoughts like the ones that we have seen ...but I have done some pretty amazing things (some pretty amazing things that a lot of non-diabetic people cannot do). I ride 100 miles on my bike without too much issue (I just have to remember to eat and check my blood sugar) I finished 2 - 101 mile mountain bike races through the mountains of Pennsylvania. OMG a diabetic beat some non diabetics in a bike race???? Say it ain't so. He/She must be doping (sorry... cyclist joke) Get out and do something you'll be surprised.

[KMP]

Sorry I posted stuff I have done !!!
OK...I caught my foot on a stump while mountain biking and I crushed my big toe. The nail got all purple... it has been a year. It still looks like ****.
I AM worried about that one...I need my feet so I can pedal more. :laugh:

[2high]

Sorry I posted stuff I have done !!!
OK...I caught my foot on a stump while mountain biking and I crushed my big toe. The nail got all purple... it has been a year. It still looks like ****.
I AM worried about that one...I need my feet so I can pedal more. :laugh:

I dont worry about hurting my feet like that... I'm usually too busy trying to keep them outta my big mouth... LOL

[Noemie]

get absolutly wasted and dont remember a thing the next day... no sorry, done it!
go climbin... no done it

seriously, like funnygirl says, the only thing is the having to have ur glucometer and insulin pens wit u, so u cant go out with just ur wallet, u gotta hav a hand bag. and u cant just go to the airport and catch a flight wherever to u fancy, u gotta go home and get some supplies. well, i couldnt afford it anyway but that is the one thing i see in movies and think gosh i'ld love do to that!

[Ed-In-TX]

Things I can't do anymore:

1. Eat the whole half gallon of ice cream all at once.
2. Eat the whole bag of candy/cookies/chips all at once.
3. Eat that second (sometimes third, even fourth) piece of pie all at once.
4. Wear some of my old clothes (lost 20 lbs so far).
5. Complain about how miserable I feel (I feel great now).
6. Take handfuls of Tums for the indigestion from constantly overeating.

Gee. I'm actually GLAD I can't do these things anymore. It's amazing how eating right has totally improved my whole outlook! Wish I had started doing it earlier!

[grace girl]

I can't unknowingly kill myself with the horrible eat habits that I had before, nor pass those same habits on to my kids!
In a weird way I'm actually better for it, to be honest.

[ladytaz]

From what I knew THEN .... EVERYTHING that tasted good was FORBIDDEN!!!!

From what I know NOW .... nothing! Well, except I can't sit and eat a buttload of Krispy Kremes anymore (especially the sugar glazed ones, YuM), if I so desired to! LOL

Now, I just have ONE bite of someone elses, and walk away, cuz they're VERY addictive yanno! Outta sight, outta mind :wink:

[Noemie]

Things I can't do anymore:

1. Eat the whole half gallon of ice cream all at once.
2. Eat the whole bag of candy/cookies/chips all at once.
3. Eat that second (sometimes third, even fourth) piece of pie all at once.
4. Wear some of my old clothes (lost 20 lbs so far).
5. Complain about how miserable I feel (I feel great now).
6. Take handfuls of Tums for the indigestion from constantly overeating.


I'm bad. i def do 1, 2 and 3


From what I know NOW .... nothing! Well, except I can't sit and eat a buttload of Krispy Kremes anymore (especially the sugar glazed ones, YuM), if I so desired to! LOL



and the original glazed Krispy Kreme is one of my favorite snacks! I actually had one on Thursday, just after a chocolate cake glazed one. :flute: :lollypop: :laugh:

[gettingby]

I have to say that the only restriction that I actually had was the fact that I could not join the Air Force after graduating since I was diagnosed at age 13.
I don't let anything stop me now!!!

[ladytaz]

and the original glazed Krispy Kreme is one of my favorite snacks! I actually had one on Thursday, just after a chocolate cake glazed one. :flute: :lollypop: :laugh:



That's SO not fair! :eviltongu :laugh:
My second fav is the sugar glazed with chocolate glaze just on the top *sigh*

[Stuboy]

well i can't be a blue light driver in the police force now... thats a restriction.

oh, and when the other guy that goes to my group was diagnosed, it put him out of work due to the fact he was a long haul delivery driver... that's also a restriction.

You know i think this thread is quiet arsey to be honest, just because you haven't had many or any restrictions in your life because of your diabetes, there are those that do. Not being able to work or pursue a career because of being diagnosed is a big thing for some people. So maybe you should keep that in mind that not everyones life is the same as yours, before posting a thread like this next time.

[gettingby]

well i can't be a blue light driver in the police force now... thats a restriction.

oh, and when the other guy that goes to my group was diagnosed, it put him out of work due to the fact he was a long haul delivery driver... that's also a restriction.

You know i think this thread is quiet arsey to be honest, just because you haven't had many or any restrictions in your life because of your diabetes, there are those that do. Not being able to work or pursue a career because of being diagnosed is a big thing for some people. So maybe you should keep that in mind that not everyones life is the same as yours, before posting a thread like this next time.
Then why did you post to it if you feel this way??
I'm sorry that I have not had the problems some have faced. I'm also sorry that a positive attitude in dealing with this is a problem to some. I've dealt with this disease, illness, whatever you want to call it, for 22 years and I've learned to deal with the restrictions but I don't allow the restrictions, if any, to stop me !!!

[JediSkipdogg]

So far I have not found anything that I have not been able to do. There are restrictions placed on some jobs, however, not all.

Here are some things I have done that some don't think is possible....

~Biked 50 miles in a day (this was for a Bike-A-Thon for diabetes about 10 years ago.)
~Rock climbing. I'm still looking at heading to the Grand Canyon sometime and scaling the side of one of those walls, but for now, I'm happy with the 300 feet cliffs we have around here.
~Police Dispatcher. I even brought this up in the interview myself. They asked a few questions, I said I was in great control, no excellent, just great, and they had no problem with it. As for Diabetes Police, we have a type 2 on our force and the city next to us has a type 1 on their force. There is nothing stopping a diabetic from being a Police Officer. If you are a pump user, you just have to figure out how to safely protect the pump in a scuffle. Same applies to fire fighter but protecting your pump from heat and making sure the sweating doesn't run you low.


There are some restrictions, but I feel most can be worked around or a solution on how to complete it can be found. If anyone has one that they want help on, I'll research the law for that area and court cases to help you get around it. Nothing is impossible. You just may not be able to live it to the fullest (like only being a simulator pilot instead of full F-18 test pilot).

[andypoo]

My daughter tells me I can't sing,but I do it anyway! HA!HA! I don't think it has a thing to do with the big D. Seriously ,though guys, I try to do whatever I WANT to do, Just more cautious about some things, It's not what you're doing that injures you,it's what injures you that has to be treated more diligently.

[Stuboy]

Then why did you post to it if you feel this way??
I'm sorry that I have not had the problems some have faced. I'm also sorry that a positive attitude in dealing with this is a problem to some. I've dealt with this disease, illness, whatever you want to call it, for 22 years and I've learned to deal with the restrictions but I don't allow the restrictions, if any, to stop me !!!

Because i feel that if someone who has just been diagnosed, and is feeling down about it, which is understandable, may not feel welcome here after reading something like the opening post of this thread.

Sorry, it's just my opinion.

[Mister Q]

well i can't be a blue light driver in the police force now... thats a restriction.

I am no expert but I am sure the Disbility discrimination Act (DDA) mean you can be a blue light driver.

BBC NEWS | England | London | Police forces widen recruitment (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3704834.stm)

The only barrier I have found is I can now no longer eat all the **** I used to, no barrier at all in fact, and in a peverse way its done me a favour.

As one door closes another opens.....

[ladytaz]

Because i feel that if someone who has just been diagnosed, and is feeling down about it, which is understandable, may not feel welcome here after reading something like the opening post of this thread.

Sorry, it's just my opinion.

Honestly, if doctors, nurses, diabetes educators and nutritionists/dietitians were as educated on the subject of Diabetes as they SHOULD be, and they were educating their patients as they SHOULD be, there wouldn't be a reason for a newly diagnosed Diabetic to be scared of all the things they are!!!

It's from all the MISinformation they've been fed by their doctors, nurses, diabetes educators and nutritionists/dietitians, the media, and others in their lives that they derive these "limitation" and "woe is me" thoughts from!

If someone who was newly diagnosed were to read this thread, and they actually read past the first post, they'd quickly learn that those thoughts are unfounded, that there are actually very few limitations to their lives, AS LONG as they do what they NEED to do to keep themselves healthy!

[camjen1]

Honestly, if doctors, nurses, diabetes educators and nutritionists/dietitians were as educated on the subject of Diabetes as they SHOULD be, and they were educating their patients as they SHOULD be, there wouldn't be a reason for a newly diagnosed Diabetic to be scared of all the things they are!!!


Are you kidding me? Diabetes is a life changing disease and no matter how much info a new diabetic gets they are still going to be scared.

I agree the opening post was harsh and it just might have turned a few new members away. I sure wouldn't want to share my diabetes story with people who act like its a hassle to deal with the problems a newly diagnosed person brings.

[ladytaz]

Are you kidding me? Diabetes is a life changing disease and no matter how much info a new diabetic gets they are still going to be scared.

I agree the opening post was harsh and it just might have turned a few new members away. I sure wouldn't want to share my diabetes story with people who act like its a hassle to deal with the problems a newly diagnosed person brings.

No, I'm not kidding! I never said it wasn't life changing! It IS, it's a LIFESTYLE change! In the beginning, had I been properly educated, I can honestly say that I would not have been as afraid as I was. Instead I got ZERO education! I got, Oh, by the way, you're Diabetic, here's some prescriptons, get them filled, and take them as prescribed, watch what you eat, lose some weight, and come see me in a couple/few weeks! That was the extent of my Diabetes education! So of course I was scared! I had to educate MYSELF!!

And I never said it was a hassle, for the newly diagnosed to present their fears! If I came across that way, then I'm sorry! It was NOT intended! I'm MORE than happy to educate them and help ease those fears! If it weren't for other diabetics, along with my own research, I wouldn't know what I do now!

[2high]

No, I'm not kidding! I never said it wasn't life changing! It IS, it's a LIFESTYLE change! In the beginning, had I been properly educated, I can honestly say that I would not have been as afraid as I was. Instead I got ZERO education! I got, Oh, by the way, you're Diabetic, here's some prescriptons, get them filled, and take them as prescribed, watch what you eat, lose some weight, and come see me in a couple/few weeks! That was the extent of my Diabetes education! So of course I was scared! I had to educate MYSELF!!

And I never said it was a hassle, for the newly diagnosed to present their fears! If I came across that way, then I'm sorry! It was NOT intended! I'm MORE than happy to educate them and help ease those fears! If it weren't for other diabetics, along with my own research, I wouldn't know what I do now!

14 years on and sometimes I'm still scared... Sometimes I hate this disease... mostly, i just live with it :)

Lissa, Sandi didnt say YOU were harsh , or that you thought it was a hassle... and I know John doesnt feel that way either. It's just that when people are so scared about something that they seem suicidal, sometimes a kick up the butt can help. And the point of John's post (I think?) was to show that Diabetes doesnt have to be as bad as the statistics can show.

Big HUGS to all.

[Stuboy]

But to put it in such a way that he did, that they ANNOY him because of the way they feel, it just out right rude and out of order. I totally agree with what Sandi is saying. I dont mind admitting I wasn't feeling too great deep down about being diagnosed, but I managed to keep my chin up, some people can't do that purely from being over welmed by the share amount of information that you need to be aware of when you are first diagnosed, and to say that the newly diagnosed people ANNOY you, well, you probably shouldn't bother coming on here, because there are new people practically everyday asking questions that yeh, we've all answering many times, but it's not the point, it's nice to feel like someone is giving YOU can answer, not just some generic answer on a FAQ page, becuase that's what people need, personal support, and i thought that was what this site was here for. Not to fob people off with, "oh please, you annoy me with you stupid thoughts and feelings after your life just changed and you probably feel like your world has been turned upside down"

Personally i think the whole thread should be deleted or at least closed. Maybe we can start a new thread, of the same topic, but come at it a different way, i dont think there's any harm in the information contained within the thread, like what restrictions people have had or overcome, but to come at it the way it has, is just wrong.

[Injecto]

Because i feel that if someone who has just been diagnosed, and is feeling down about it, which is understandable, may not feel welcome here after reading something like the opening post of this thread.

Sorry, it's just my opinion.


Well, as a noob who just started posting only last week, and yes because I'm WAY down, this thread did take me by surprise given how much I've been told this place is great for support. Unfortunately, given the written word you never fully know what the intended meaning was (perhaps a bit sarcastic?). Eitherway, I won't stray away because I have received lots of support for only a few days with people's messages and PMs. I agree, perhaps the thread should start again with a different tone.

I mean, it's true, there may not be many restrictions nowadays, but different people will react differently to their diagnosis. I'll tell ya, I like meeting Type 1's specifically in person because it re-assures me that you can live. I need to hear what they have to say, so as long as it is truthful and supportive. I've taken may tips and hints from some Type 1's I've met and it's been very usefull. Stuff you don't get in any books or courses, and I thank them dearly for that.

On the frightnening side of life, one of the first Type 1's I met was a great man, happy to live and yet after 19 years (he is 58), he has had 5 amputations, he's going blind, his heart is a 39% functionality, and has had a kidney transplant after a year on dialysis (and now has to take 8 antirejection pills a day to keep the kidney alive). Now this is a man I met in person, after being newly diagnosed. It scared the **** out of me and I'm trying to get over that jolt of fear (if one can ever rid themselves of anxiety from a trauma). If that doesn't scare the **** out of a noob-D then that noob-D must be the bravest person on the face of the earth. I hope you understand what I'm trying to get at.

I have nothing against anyone here, I just hope this board stays as a support tool. :smile:

[FrankDr]

For various reasons, it's taken me a while to post this. In fact, I spoke with two friends of mine here on DF last night to get their input to make sure I was not off base. I think we all agreed.

I have to say that while at some level, your point

Honestly, if doctors, nurses, diabetes educators and nutritionists/dietitians were as educated on the subject of Diabetes as they SHOULD be, and they were educating their patients as they SHOULD be, there wouldn't be a reason for a newly diagnosed Diabetic to be scared of all the things they are!!!

makes sense at some levels, you need to understand how some of us came to this place.

Some people may have had the benefit of catching their D early enough that getting on a treatment plan consisted of some education, some medication and some commitments to a better lifestyle.

Unfortunately, I didn't get that ticket to here. In my case, I got about about 2 weeks of odd but seemingly innocuous symptoms followed by a weekend that went from feeling a little off to being found at 3am Monday morning in a condition I am not going to share in public. After managing to get to the ER and being stabilized, I was finally able to at least know what it was that happened to me. After about a day of feeling well enough to get out of bed and walk a few steps, I woke the next day to discover I couldn't see well enough to know who was in the room with me. In fact, it was two weeks after I left the hospital before I could read the top line of an eye chart - much less manage to read a BG meter or draw a syringe of insulin. How was I going to finish building the house I was working on, or be able to get back to work to provide for my family? I had no idea. If I hadn't have had family and friends (one of them a T1 also) I wouldn't have been able to make it through that.

Fortunately, within a month or so, life became better, I was able to get back on track with the things I needed to do in my life. And now, about 10 months later, life is better than it has ever been. I actually believe I'm a much better person for what I experienced and the changes I made in my life.

But for 3 weeks in February, the fear for my life ahead and for life itself was scary. Very scary.

I hope few people have had to come to us that way, but for those who haven't, understand how real the fear can be, especially at first. Don't minimize or rationalize it, because it takes a while for people to work through these feelings. Some may take longer than others, or require professional assistance. We can all help each other through this, if we admit that what we are feeling is real, and help each other see the road ahead. It's not all good and it's not all bad, and it won't be the same for everyone.

Thank you to everyone who has been willing to share their journey with the rest of us..

[2high]

But to put it in such a way that he did, that they ANNOY him because of the way they feel, it just out right rude and out of order. .. that you need to be aware of when you are first diagnosed, and to say that the newly diagnosed people ANNOY you, well, you probably shouldn't bother coming on here, because there are new people practically everyday asking questions that yeh, we've all answering many times, but it's not the point,

Ok, I'm not John (clearly) and I cant answer for him, but honestly...I truly believe that he wasnt trying to be offensive, or upset everyone! In fact, go and have a look at the welcome posts... theres one from him offering welcome and support in most of the threads. He's also someone that offers quite a bit of advice in other threads. Would he be doing that if he couldn't be bothered with helping people?? No. OK, so maybe it didn't come across great, but you know what?? I agree with John. No, I don't mean that I find people annoying (and I'm pretty sure he doesnt either!!) but it IS a big concern when noobs think that a dxs of D is the end of the world, and thats what I think John was trying to get across. He didnt say "Hey noobs, you annoy me, get lost". He said that we have a lot of seemingly suicidal noobs joining lately, and that that annoys him. I'm pretty sure (again, I can't honestly speak for him though) that he is far more concerned than annoyed, as am I.

Yes, Diabetes is frightening. Yes, it is a huge change, and a massive shock to the system, and can throw you around like people wouldnt believe. But the point of this thread was to show that it is manageable, that it doesn't have to be the end of the world. Personally, I want to thank John, and everyone else, for being so candid.

My 2 cents...

Ps... Injecto, I'm glad you;re hanging around !! :)

[xMenace]

Ya, I agree. I was out of line in some respects.

I'm sorry. Really I am.

It is too easy to become annoyed with this burden hanging from my neck.

[xMenace]

...........

But you know, they are genuine feelings. Some of you get annoyed with co-workers, some with doctors, some with family, I get annoyed with noobs who treat this like the end of the world when it's very far from it. I wish everyone could understand this thing like I(we) do.

I tried, perhaps very lamely, to show that there are very few things we cannot do, that this is not a death sentence. I've been trying to think of things almost constantly since I started this, and I honestly can't think of anything D has stopped me from doing.

I really worried about a few new posters lately. I really felt like wrapping my arms around them and making them know it's ok. I know from experience that telling someone things are ok is a long shot. You are saying what everyone expects you to say and tend to shrug it off. I chose a bit of confrontational wording. I confronted the emotions head on hoping people might see how over the top they were. I didn't want to wait for them to learn on their own. But I guess we all have to learn in our own way and our own time how to come to terms with it.

[gettingby]

John, I think what you have said was good.
This is just me and my experience so don't go killing the messenger.
When I was diagnosed, I was determined not to let anyone tell me that I couldn't do something b/c of the diabetes. I have always tried harder to prove to them that I can do anything they can do as good as they can if not better, at times.
John, I throughly respect you and your opinions. I just want people to understand that diabetes is not an ending, it's just a new chapter in your life.

[tanyatype1]

...........

But you know, they are genuine feelings. Some of you get annoyed with co-workers, some with doctors, some with family, I get annoyed with noobs who treat this like the end of the world when it's very far from it. I wish everyone could understand this thing like I(we) do.

I tried, perhaps very lamely, to show that there are very few things we cannot do, that this is not a death sentence. I've been trying to think of things almost constantly since I started this, and I honestly can't think of anything D has stopped me from doing.

I really worried about a few new posters lately. I really felt like wrapping my arms around them and making them know it's ok. I know from experience that telling someone things are ok is a long shot. You are saying what everyone expects you to say and tend to shrug it off. I chose a bit of confrontational wording. I confronted the emotions head on hoping people might see how over the top they were. I didn't want to wait for them to learn on their own. But I guess we all have to learn in our own way and our own time how to come to terms with it.

Since your posts always make me laugh, and you are extremely helpful, I was kinda surprised when I read your opening post, but I just figured that maybe you were having a bit of an off day!:) (can't be perfect all the time as my dad used to say!) I think you ROCK.

[TAutry]

Thank you all for continuing this discussion in an orderly manner.

One of the limitations of this medium is the inability to accurately project feelings or emotions into simple words on a screen. That seems to be the core of many of the disagreements on this and other forums.

While this thread has suffered it's ups and downs, it appears to be at a high point now with everyone clearly understanding the postions.

That being the case, the thread is now closed so that the ebb can continue with out the need for flow.