Question

[nicole]

Do you think its possible to ever get control of diabetes after not having control over it for such a longggg time?? I've had diabetes 9 years now, and never really had great control of it, until recently and now I'm back where I was a few months ago. I don't have good control over it anymore now =(

[shaff]

Yes I do. It takes a lot of work and dedication to get it under control. You need to learn how to carb count first and having a doctor that knows alot about diabetes really helps. Shaff

[nicole]

Thats my problem, I don't like to carb count. I find it difficult sometimes. I guess I just need to get myself motivated and do it. Right??

[ant hill]

having a doctor that knows alot about diabetes really helps. Shaff

Try an Endocrinologist as they are more informed to our disease.
To gain control is a fine art and that is carb counting and the right doses of meds and the testing is a window to say that we are on the right path of control so don't be afraid to do a test if you're not sure. ;)
Do you have a means to get your BG meter to download to your computer as this will get you on the right track. :D

[wiseguy]

Do you think its possible to ever get control of diabetes after not having control over it for such a longggg time?? I've had diabetes 9 years now, and never really had great control of it, until recently and now I'm back where I was a few months ago. I don't have good control over it anymore now =(
Absolutely! With some education and a little dedication you will gain control in short order. There are some very helpful people here who will be happy to guide you down the right path.

[mho357]

Nicole,

I think that is the best way to start. I prefer to avoid medication if possible.

I didn't think that I could do it when I was first diagnosed but I have gotten myself into a routine that works fairly well (for me anyway).

Mark

[morrisma]

Nicole,

Everything takes time, effort and motivation. Even small successes can help move you down the road.

Testing more, counting carbs, exercising, enlisting friends or a significant other to help all push a little in the right direction.
Mike

[xMenace]

Absolutely Nicole!

It does not take a lot of day-to-day work. Once you learn how you work, the rest really can be easy. You may need some up-front work, but it's well worth it.

What you are trying to find is the right balances. You want your basals to keep you as low as possible without food. The tricky parts are going hypo in the night and high at dawn. Have a read of this Getting Down to Basals :: Diabetes Self-Management (http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/articles/Insulin/Getting_Down_to_Basals) Your mealtime boluses are easier to figure out, but they require work too. What I do is find a 'typical' meal and then stick to that for a couple of weeks until I find a consistent dosage that treats it. I also experiment with timings and GI. I try to pick a carb like bread where I can choose between white sugary and dark fibery. Once I find a repeatable treatment, I then try the ratios out on other foods. Before long it's all part of your daily routine. You hardly need to think about it.

Get a digital scale. Be as exact as you can while learning. I go through spells where I measure everything, but usually it just sits on a shelf crying in lonelyness.

[mike-munich]

Hey Nicole, don't give up. Been there, done that. I had no control over my diabetes when I was a teenager (mainly because I didn't want to, plus back then there wasn't all the fancy meter and pen stuff they have to today). These were the years that caused most of the damage I took. The usual T1 vet stuff after 38 years of diabetes, kidneys, eyes, nerves, the whole nine yards. Still, I'm alive and kicking, riding a big motorcycle and having fun. Hey, it's only diabetes, it ain't the end of the world. ;)

Sure, carb count isn't funny, but once you get used to it it's no big deal anymore. You can look at a meal and know how many carbs are in there. A matter of practise, not more, not less.

You control your diabetes, don't let the diabetes control you. You are in charge, you take the lead and you decide what to do. I was on MDI for most of my life, now I have a pump. That added additional quality to my life.

If you need to talk, I'm here (and on myspace).

Mike

[nicole]

Well I do have my b/f to help me and my parents sometimes, but it seems that any time I have a high or anything they say its my fault and they try to say its because I didn't take my insulin. I get yelled at and reprimanded for high blood sugars, and that stresses me out more than anything causing even higher blood sugar readings. I don't know what to do about that now.

[nicole]

Thank you =)
I really do appreciate you listening to what I have to say.
And uhh what is the link to your myspace??

[Jan B]

Nicole,

You must count your carbs. After you have done it for a while, it becomes second nature. There is no way you will ever get control if you don't! The easiest way is to eat a Lean Cuisine meal for example, with the exact carb count right on the box! This works great for gaining control, but will add a lot of extra salt to your diet. Please start caring about yourself! Stay with the forum and give yourself a big hug. It's not too late to get back on track.

I wasn't great at your age . . . I was horrible actually. Don't you be horrible! You are on the right track just being here!

[mike-munich]

Thank you =)
I really do appreciate you listening to what I have to say.
And uhh what is the link to your myspace??

Notta prob ! :D

As for your folks: It's YOUR diabetes, not theirs. If they want to fuzz about something they can go and get their own disease to deal with. It's entirely up to you. I have a diary (mainly for myself, but also for the endo), I put all BG levels I test and all the shots of insulin in there. If somebody doubts you took your shots that would be a good evidence (cop thinking here...).

BTW: Stress can raise the blood sugar as well ! ;)

Oh yeah, I'm mightymikesmustang on myspace. :)

[nicole]

Ahh stress, yes I hae had ALOT of it lately.

[nicole]

I hope so. Its nice to know that there are other people dealing with the same thing as I am, and know what its like to have to deal with it everyday.

I'm getting better at managing it a little bit. I've been doing my readings 2-3 times a day, more 3 x's than 2. The doctor only wanted me testing when I felt like I was high...stupid I think. I like the testing 2-3 times better. With that I feel like I hae more control. I need to get back in the habit of doing it when i need to, when I did that the last time it took only two weeks to get it right, but then I fell back into the same hole I was in before. I'm a little worried about what the docs going to say tomorrow when I go to see her. =/

[Cyborg]

As a type 1, you really need the testing to know how much insulin to take. Testing before and after a meal can help you determine how certain foods affect your bg. Good luck, you can do it!

[Richard157]

Nicole, I was diagnosed in 1945 and the doctors did not know what to tell my parents about caring for ne. Ther wasn't much knowledge about diabetes then. I did what my doc said but I had poor control for about 45 years and then I learned about carb counting. That turned my life around. My BG levels improved so very, very much. I started taking the modern day insulins and that combined with careful carb counting and keeping my logs up tp date has given me very good control. If I can get good control after 45 years of poor control then anybody can, including you. You have to really want that control though. You have to want it very, verry much. Good luck to you!

Richard

[gettingby]

Thats my problem, I don't like to carb count. I find it difficult sometimes. I guess I just need to get myself motivated and do it. Right??
Nicole, none of us like carb counting but it is by far the best way to deal with the bgs.
I have been a T1 for 23 years. I didn't have great control, just passing control until I found this site. The people here are great motivators. Richard and SueM are my idols. They have been doing this thing almost forever.