Diabetes stopped you doing certain things?

[LauRa Lu]

Just curious..

Has diabetes alone ever stopped any of you guys doing anything..

Like a following career path, travelling or once in a life time oportunities? Because i'm finding that no matter what we choose to do, it's always the main priority, also probably very different from country to country in the way we deal with it, climates and also costs.

[Olidus]

For myslef, the only thing diabetes has stopped me from doing is - eating whatever I want when I want. Ohh and leaving the house withour thinking; "Do I have my tester and insulin and a juice boc jsut in case?"
Career wise - I can't see why it should stop anyone really, not now - a - days. Diabetes has come a long way. You see very succesfully diabetes all over the world doing all kinds of things.

I think as long as you put yourself as a Diabetic first and formost there is nothing else that you can't really do.

If that makes sense.
Example.

I'm a Diabetic before I'm a husband/father.
Cause if I'm not healthy ofr taking care of myself from diabetes then what kind of husband/father can I be?

[axemurdererfan]

When i was first diagnosed it stopped me doing alot because i didnt no what to do but now only thing it stops me doing is drinking and maybe getting another tattoo because of the healing times

[LauRa Lu]

but now only thing it stops me doing is drinking and maybe getting another tattoo because of the healing times

:eek: Go get a tattooooooo ... (unless you're bg's are too high)..

I have tattoos, got one just in october. And it shouldn't stop you drinking, depenind on your drink... I live in Wales too :sheep:

:T

[axemurdererfan]

:eek: Go get a tattooooooo ... (unless you're bg's are too high)..

I have tattoos, got one just in october. And it shouldn't stop you drinking, depenind on your drink... I live in Wales too :sheep:

:T

Ive got 8 tattoo`s getting 9th asap :D

oooo where abouts? pm me if you like :)

[xMenace]

When i was first diagnosed it stopped me doing alot because i didnt no what to do but now only thing it stops me doing is drinking and maybe getting another tattoo because of the healing times

Just leave your feet out of it.


The thing restricting me is poor vision due to the beetus.

[axemurdererfan]

Just leave your feet out of it.

I wouldnt go lower then just above my ankle, everywhere else barring hands, neck, face etc etc

[JediSkipdogg]

Diabetes has NEVER stopped me. Heck, last summer I did an all day canoeing experience. At lunch I realized my BG meter (and all my other electronics besides my pump) were wet and my meter wouldn't work. At that point most would call an emergency and not continue the rest of the day. I still had 6 hours of vigorous activity to complete. Well, I just gave my insulin for lunch and continued on. Then ate a normal dinner and when I got home to test I was around 350 I think. Did I worry? Nope, and I can't wait till do it again this summer. I now know how to properly pack my electronics, lol.

[UpNorth]

As far as i can remember, Diabetes hasn't stopped me from doing what i want... Must admit that my doctor wasn't too happy about my plans of travelling 10h by plane and +7h timejump last winter since i had only had the big D for little more than 2 years at that time:T I went anyways, and it was no problems at all:D Or ok, by bloodsugar was a bit all over the place for a couple of days when arriving and when coming back to europe, but that was no biggie really... I could manage it:T

[Mich]

Yep. Back in the old days, TWA sent me home two weeks after hiring me to be a stewardess. Because I took "too much insulin" and couldn't possibly be healthy enough. I was 19 and in perfect health other than the big D.

A few years later, Aetna Life and Casualty fired me after one week of claims adjustment work for guess what? Taking "too much insulin." This time it was code for "we won't insure her so why should we employ her?"

It became apparent that companies were using the "too much insulin" wag as code for "Diabetic, will cost us too much in health insurance" and other excuses.

HOORAY for the ADA and all that they have done for us by lobbying and lawsuits!

Mich

[Bunkins]

I wanted to be in the Military, ever since I was little bitty that always seemed like thats what I should do.. Wanted to be a pilot, either in the Military or civilian.. Now I'm stuck fiddling around with flight sims, and trying to figure out what else I'd like to do.. I already have a really good career, half owner of a successful business, but really it just feels like a job, kinda empty..

[shiftzor]

The only job i think a diabetic shouldn’t do is fighter pilot, this is because i wouldn’t want to be the one to have a hypo or hyper with an enemy fighter about to shoot me down. It requires split second timings and good judgement which could be affected by diabetes.

So far with my diabetes has not stopped me doing anything. Biggest physical challenge i have completed so far is the three peak challenge. This includes climbing (bottom to bottom) the three biggest mountains in the uk (scafell pikes, ben nevis, snowdon) and must be completed within 24 hours including travelling time. We completed the challenge 45minutes ahead of the target time (24hours) and i managed to keep reasonable control throughout despite random meals and tiredness.

I am not saying that its the hardest challenge in the world, but diabetes didnt stop me. ;)

[cheryl]

I dunno, I don't think it has stopped me from doing what I wanted, it didn't even stop me for years, in eating whatever I wanted, when I wanted, and having four kids, drinking a lot...oh yea i was bad and doing the normal toking on the green stuff, when I was younger, and that was all pre being a mom, so don't judge LOL....I worked, and continue to work.....I'd say now I feel like it wears at me, and makes me irritable, I think from all my years of abuse, to myself, and bad a1c's and doing whatever I wanted, I am tired when things go a bit off, I used to be stronger.....My moods are more affected now.....which sucks, but what could of happened to me....I am not complaining....

But to answer the question, NO, but it's not like I set out to do much anyway, I wasn't very ambitous, just kind of got myself into things LOL....

Cheryl

[Richard157]

I received a MS in statistics at Va. Tech in 1963. I wanted a PhD but my D was giving me problems and I just barely made it through with my MS because of it. I lost my Fellowship and could not afford to continue. I started teaching that fall and met the sweetest and most wonderful lady I have ever known. We were married after 7 months of dating. We have had a winderful marriage for 43 years now. If D had not stopped me from continuing graduate school I would never have met her and I would not have my wonderful sons and grandchildren that I have now. So D did stop me from doing something I wanted to do, but I am so very happy that it did!

Richard

[parrotletzoo]

I've never let it stop me from doing anything I really wanted to do. I was taught from an early age that diabetes isn't an excuse to get out of things. ;)

[ant hill]

I was taking up ballet in '68 and it is hard phyisal work and that was before I was diagnosed. 1970 was a real bad year and loss of wieght was the real shock and '71 was the turning point (Pun inteneded) and continued then I had my en pointe shoes and that was hard and it got more difficalt as I was fighting the lows. :( Back in those days there were no BG meters then and I was guessing whare am I BG wise.
1977 was the sadist year as I had to give up ballet. :s: :rolleyes: :bawling:
If I was dancing today then yes as better insulins and BG meters are a pleanty. :)

[gettingby]

Diabetes has only kept me from doing one thing. When I was a senior in high school (88-89), I wanted to join the Air Force but was told I couldn't because of my diabetes and my poor eyesight (nearsighted). I've only ever missed one day of work due to my diabetes and that's cause the docs in the ER wouldn't let me go to work once I woke up from a severe low bg. ;) They threatened to admit me to the hospital if I tried to go into work that day.:T

[mg_2204]

Hasn't stopped me from doing certain things --certain activities I like, etc. Not yet anyway.

But diabetes has stopped me from talking about it casually. I choose more carefully the people now because I don't want to be told stupid stuff anymore. I am also careful where I test and who is around for basically the same reason.

[TenderVittleS]

I used to play basketball ALOT because frankly I was really good at it, but it was also a hassle to make sure I was at the right BS before and during playing, also the next day I seemed to be low alot so diabetes definetily has made me stop playing basketball like I did. Also I don't like going to the movies as much.

[LauRa Lu]

All very interesting.

For me it hasn't really stopped me doing anything I've wanted to do. I got a bit down on new years eve because all my firends were drinking cocktails and fruit based drinks that were on offer buy one get one free... and I had to stick to beer, shots and expensive spirits with DIET coke.. making sure I shouted DIET at the bar person, Not sure why it got to me, think it was just because they could have it and It would have ruined my night if I had it. And before being diagnosed some of the cocktails and fruit drinks were my favourite thing in the world!

So that's not really a big deal. But I'm finishing university soon and I'm making big plans for myself that i'm desperate to make work out. Like I want to live and work either in the US or canada, or aus even... I want to skydive this year or next... but the thought of going hypo in the air haha.. oh lord!!

It's good to see so many of us doing what we want and not putting it in the way.. i supose we kinda 'work around' it rather than let it stop us.

[Jill-O]

It hasn't stopped me from doing anything "good". It has stopped some bad eating habits, though :)

[ant hill]

It's good to see so many of us doing what we want and not putting it in the way.. i supose we kinda 'work around' it rather than let it stop us.

If I had a time machine that took me back to 1977 and to take with me the tools that we now have I would be in the Australian Ballet now. :D

[Injecto]

For so many complicated reasons, the big answer is YES, Oh yes indeed. It has stopped, hurt, and caused so much more pain from dx date to today. Stuff that will never recover too. But I will not go into any further details. But yes, I fear there will be too many people here say no so I just thought I should let some see the other side.

[Jan B]

I take better care of myself than if I weren't diabetic. I refuse to be overstressed or be a workaholic.

I listen to my body's needs & rest when necessary, instead of living the Type A lifestyle (which could be my natural personality).

When I was younger, I refused to acknowledge how I might be changed because of the disease. Now I'll admit, balance and health is more important to me than just about anything else.

[Luvpugs]

For so many complicated reasons, the big answer is YES, Oh yes indeed. It has stopped, hurt, and caused so much more pain from dx date to today. Stuff that will never recover too. But I will not go into any further details. But yes, I fear there will be too many people here say no so I just thought I should let some see the other side.
I guess I will have to be the second person on here to say, yes, diabetes has stopped me from doing things. Everytime I leave the house I have to make sure I have my machine, etc., make sure my pump isn't going to have a low resevoir while I am out. Make sure my blood sugar is o.k. and not too low for me to drive. It has stopped me from living my life in the same carefree manner that everyone without diabetes lives. I am way more exhausted after work and I don't feel like playing games with my children and running out to a movie because all my energy got sucked out of me at work. And for everyone that is going to ask me if my sugars are out of whack, or if my A1Cs are bad....no they are not. I have been Type 1 for 22 years and I am just quite frankly wearing out and it is starting to show. At the ripe old age of 35, I feel like I am 93. I would love to stay at home and just take care of me so I would have more energy and live way longer for my children. When I was in high school, I wanted to join the Navy but no can do, not healthy enough cause of the bid D. Then I ran track and no can do cause if I was too high or too low I couldn't practice or compete. Then on one of my first jobs as a paralegal, in Norfolk, VA, I was told by the head of personnel that my low blood sugars were a disruption for the office and that I either had to make them run higher or find another job. My doctor wrote him a very lovely letter about him not knowing his *** from a hole in the ground. Man, I loved delivering that one to him. I love to hike, be in nature, etc., but my energy levels just aren't the same any more. So....anyway....yes, the bid D has stopped me from doing things before.

[Emm]

I don't think D has stopped me doing anything! It has slowed me down though, for reasons others have mentioned - always having to be prepared for lows & highs, and sometimes I've had to put things off til later if the BG isn't right.

It's a pain in the ar$e but I still have a life and still have options :)

I think I'm still capable of doing anything I want so long as I make sure I'm always controlling D and not letting it control me :)

[Alice]

I had a former (and very wise) endo tell me that most of the younger Type 1's that he saw (I was in my 20's) were over-achievers due to living with diabetes...most since childhood.

I had complained to him that I was exhausted...healthy, but exhausted. I ran through my career schedule, workout schedule, social schedule...and he said there was another patient he wanted me to meet.

He called a young high school student into the room who was just about the most hyper person I had ever met...this guy was in high school, interning (on his own) with a research doctor at a Miami hospital, attending modeling classes (his parents thought this would give him social grace) and on and on...

We just sat there and laughed at each other...two peas in a pod!

Nope, D hasn't stopped me from anything...but I'm not competing for a spot on the next space shuttle either...but who's to say we won't have a Type 1 in space some day? Maybe space travel will kick-start our islet cells again.

[kstreeter513]

Diabetes has only stopped me from doing one thing, but only because I refuse to give up my pump. I am in radiologic technology school, and I wanted to be an MRI technologist. However the strong magnetic force created by the MRI machine has already ruined one of my pumps. Didn't even think about it when I was helping transfer a patient to the table...Oops:eek:

But physically speaking, diabetes WILL NOT get in my way. I won't allow it. Just can't. I actually signed up to run the St. Louis Marathon (26.2 miles) on April 6th. I'm so excited it's hard for me to sleep, and its still four months away. Wish me luck.:D

[Injecto]

I guess I will have to be the second person on here to say, yes, diabetes has stopped me from doing things. ................ So....anyway....yes, the bid D has stopped me from doing things before.

We understand each other very much. So similar...so so similar.

As I said, I expect most people who will respond saying "No it doesn't stop me" but many of you might have had it your whole life which then gives you no comparison basia "per se"...(I know I'll get flamed for that one) but I'm willing to bet that many of the people who would say "YES" just haven't joined the DF, or, in staying true to form, people who are likely to say "YES diabetes stops me" are just not likely to post, because diabetes stops them from doing so and making themselves stick out.

But by no means am I trying to stop the motivational benefit of this thread. I've just been going down a bad hill lately.

[Gangrel]

You know what, I'll be the 3rd to say yes, it has stopped me. I've had it since I was 7, and I'm now 32. When I was a wee lad, I fell in love with the whole fireman thing. yes, yes, like any kid my age does, I know.

But how many of them watched the TV show Emergency religously? ;)

I also was really into planes, and also wanted to be a pilot. Now, being diagnosed at 7 meant I had a few more years of innocence until the realization that I would never, ever get to do either of those things came tumbling into my brain.

Does it also stop me from doing stuff now? Sort of, if by "stuff" you mean going out without a worry.... playing sports without worrying about going high or low.... eating gigantic amounts of junk food without suffering the consequences.... I could go on and on.

But, the way I look at it, you have two choices. I could sit around, mope, get depressed, bemoan my life, and think the whole world is a big load of **** because I never could be a fireman........

Or, I could do what I have chosen to do, and say ok, this is the card I was dealt 25 years ago. Guess what? **** happens! Deal with it, move on, and make my life the best it can within the world I do have to live with!

I know my personality helps me do this to a great deal, and I know having the big D for such a long time and from so young means my 'adjustment' period is long in the past. But what everyone needs to realize is we've got diabetes. We're diabetic. It's not going to go away.

Do I like carting insulin in my pocket, or my big blue man-purse around with me any more then you? No, not at all. But guess what, I also don't like that whole dying thing........ I've heard it's kinda sucky.

The rules of our game of Life changed when we were all diagnosed. But guess what? We can still play it.........

[morrisma]

Can't be a pilot.
Can't be an astronaut :cool:
Scuba diving takes a LOT of extra prep.
Canoe & kayak trips also take extra prep and maybe get abbreviated to keep bg in line.

I did hike the 33 mile Chilkoot trail in Alaska.
I've done several sections of the Appalacian trail.
I ride my bike 30+ miles at a stretch (weather permitting).
I loved doing the wine tours in Napa Valley (thank goodness for that pump).

I hiked in Tucson's Saguaro Nat'l Park but didn't get as far as I might have without the disease.
I worry more about trips.
I nearly had to be rescued on a 4 mile walk because I got lost and didn't have my usual sugar snacks.
I worry about my kids getting this.

All in all, everything has give & take and things could definitely be worse so I keep on doing what I want within the limits of what I can.
Good luck,
Mike

[LauRa Lu]

Guess what? **** happens! Deal with it, move on

:D you just made my day... I have a big presentation tmoro, nothing to do with D and this topic at all... but if it goes bad.. i'll think " **** happens! deal with it, move on" I'll sleep well now tonigt :D

[Gangrel]

lol, well, you're welcome.

My attitude has been well documented on here, and I know that for every 1,000 people in a room you can have 1,001 different personalities... (one person has two).

It's the old cliche.... if I can't change it, why waste energy trying?

It's like morrisma said (Love the post btw) , yes, there is stuff I'd love to do but can't now.... so I simply replace them with things I CAN do and like..... i pretend to be a golfer, I pretend to be a hockey player, I travel around, etc etc......

Think of diabetes as a seed in the fruit of life. You spit it out, and keep squeezing, because there still is tons of juice to wring out of it.......

[dodo]

Diabetes never stopped me doing any activities. Well, to be honest I often have doubts about doing certain things (intensive hikes for example) but my husband is always encouraging me to try and assuring me he is there in case of "troubles".

So far the only life project I didn't go forward with because of diabetes is having children (my A1c is a bit high (7.6) at the moment and the doctor thinks I could have some complications).

[Alice]

Fear of broken bones has prevented me from more activities than diabetes. Also, fear of snakes, alligators, drowning (I do sail...with white knuckles).

I have a fear of dressing room mirrors...but can't blame that on diabetes. I have a fear of being caught in a Wal-Mart, but again, not a diabetes problem.

I did walk 21 miles in junior high for a "Walk for Mankind" fundraiser. No meter in those days, few snacks if any...I thought since they had "refreshment stands" I'd be fine...I left my friend behind and walked the entire 21 miles alone. Called my mom to pick me up at the finish line. I was fine (who knows what my blood sugar was?...No meters at the time)...I didn't even think about my diabetes...I knew to ask for help if I needed it, but didn't need it.

Let's just say we all have "guardian angels" at any age!

[Injecto]

Alright, I'll join in on a few things.

In terms of activities, nope, it doesn't stop that. In fact, the very fear of complications and shorten lifespan has let me to doing a few more things than what I would have normaly done (I never said D was a physical disability):

Like flying to France.
Biking long rides with my daughters.
Going out to dinner more often.
Treating my kids regularly (I think their spoiled for poor kids).
I've gone camping more, hiking more.


However, doing these things has come at a very high cost to my self esteem, self worth, my marriage, my relationship with my kids and my overall perspective on life. I would certainly take back the things I have done now because of D just to get things back to the way they were before D. That may be hard for some to understand or digest, but the way things were during the summer of 2006 was the highlite of my life, being on top of the world (in my career, relationships, etc....). Then it came crashing down hard, and I haven't got back up.

Yeah, I'm complaining.....

[surly_potato]

Well I can't stay in hot tubs very long now. . .makes the pump infusion set unadhere from my skin. Le sigh!

[shiftzor]

I think we have all got a bit lost in the topic. No one said that these things would not be a lot harder because we are diabetics, but we still continue to do them? It does not stop us trying to do them. Yes some people have genuine experiences of diabetes stopping them, but without wanting to offend people I believe it’s what you make of it that determines what you can and cannot do. That’s my 2 pence.

[caswellhb]

Nothing is impossible. Just go out there and do it!

Heather.