Help

[queenofgod]

Well i introuded myself and now i am going to go straight into some things that i need help with, as i stated in my introduction that i am on sevral different types of shots, symlin, lantus, novalog, and i am on several differnt oral meds.. well today i am feeling kindsa down because there is so much going on with my body and here lately i have not felt like getting up and going out.. I cant seem to get my diet and exercise up to par.. I am just having a rough time.. if you go back and read my introduction i name all the meds i am.. I am 31 yrs of age and i need help.. I want to get better...what is my 1st step.. and the sad part is i used to have it all together, but now it seems like i am back in the dumps... i want some insight???? please

[notme]

I am not sure I can give you insight queen, but I pretty much didn't take care of myself for years. I realized one day...out of the blue that nobody was going to care as much as I did about my health. Don't get me wrong, my family cares, but I had the most to lose. You have to realize that doctors go home to their families, they don't give you another thought after your appointment. Hospital workers .....well, you are just another part of their job.

This is a perfect time of year to get going and get healthy. Your mental health is important too. Ride bikes, take walks with your dog, go out in the sun, it makes you get rid of the seasonal blues. Find something that gives you inspiration like your kids or your husband or your nieces and nephews. Whatever it is that makes you happy, think of them.

We are here for you queen. We have all had the blues, you just need to do your best to find your happiness. Make people around you happy and you will also get the benefits.

Ok....I am now getting off my Pollyanna soapbox.:D

[queenofgod]

thank you so much for your love and support. I was doing good and then i just fell to the dumps with it.. i am thinking about going to get me a dog... my family that i live with especailly my sister is very very helpful... but there are times that i cant express my self because they dont feel what i feel, i am seriosuly thinking about trying to get me a small dog, so that i can go and excerise...i want so bad to do better... and this is from my heart.. I want to learn abt what is better for me.. I take of everything else in my life expect for the right to be healthy.. so any adivce and support i will take with open arms!

[Penny]

Hi Queen. Like Nancy, I put off doing anything for years. I would test every once in awhile, and try to do things right for a few days. I used every excuse I could find. I wish I had the forum then, but I had little support from anyone. As a result, I did some serious damage to my body. Sometimes, having someone else or a pet to worry about can spur you to take better care of yourself. I hope you work it out and do what is best for you. :)

[SGT Shoutmore]

Queen,

Uncontrolled diabetes with elevated BG will make you feel like that.

I do not remember if you mentioned your current BG treatment regimen is. Please state:

What your meds are, how often you are directed to test your BG, it will help give a better idea of what is going on.

[Kim_in_TN]

What you are feeling is very normal, so don't kick yourself about it! You have taken a big step just by joining this forum and sharing what you are feeling!!! Having an illness like diabetes can be very consuming and overwhelming and we all have days where we'd like to forget all about it! Unfortunately "it" quickly reminds of that it is still with us and we end up paying by feeling even worse than we did before!

High BG numbers can also affect your mental and emotional health! Try really hard not to overwhelm yourself with "all" that you want to accomplish. Set smaller goals. Start with eating better .... watching your carbs. Cut out things like bread, pasta and rice and the obvious sugary sweets! Just that alone will make a real difference in your numbers and also in how you feel!!!

After that becomes fairly routine and you get some energy again, then start trying to incorporate a bit of exercise. Don't set out to join a gym or buy lots of expensive equipment .. just take simple measures to increase time and distance you walk. Park a bit further away from stores .... take stairs rather than elevators. Walk to the end of your block and back. Anything you can do to get yourself moving will amaze you at how quickly you will feel better!

Hang in there and stay here so we can help!

((((HUGS))))

[Twistedtexan]

I joined this forum to get some tips on how to take better care of my body's health but have found that it has also helped my mental health as well. I too found it hard to communicate with my family because they didn't understand what I was going thru. Joining this forum and reading all the posts made me realize that there were others out there with the same issues as me.

[Tazmara]

Greetings once again Queen!! (smiles and waves) The idea about getting a dog is a good one, as long as you make a promise to your new friend that you will take him/her for regular walks as often as you can. Start off slow... once a day for a few minutes. Your new friend will love it and soon you will notice that you are doing those 10-15 min walks twice a day or more. Then you will venture a little farther, and before you know it, you are up to 30 min walks, and you both are loving it. If you have to do it for the dog, then so be it. (soft smile)

If you do not go for getting a pup, then find a friend that can be trusted will be your partner with the exercise part. It can be a lot easier to stick to an exercise plan when we are not doing it alone. And again, start slow so as to not discourage yourself. Get your friend to promise to STRONGLY encourage you to get out, as planned, especially those days that you have convinced yourself you don't want to. (soft smile)

As for everything getting to you, and perhaps being a bit overwhelming. Here is a little trick you can try. Imagine in your head a box with a lid on it. This box is pretty big, and only you have control of what goes in it and what comes out of it. Can you see that box?? Now, put everything that is on your plate in it. All pressures, stressors, worries, everything!! Now, imagine a tiny version of you sitting on that box so that the lid stays closed. Can you see yourself sitting on that huge box, swinging your legs over the side of the box. Now you are in full control of what piece you take out to work on, when you are going to work on that piece, and for how long. When you are done working on that piece, throw what is left back in the box and sit on the lid again. Up to you what you take out next, or if you take out something else. Maybe you are done for that day, so tomorrow is a new day and you can start fresh. Always try to make time for you to do things that are good for you... self care is very important for a healthy mind and body. Even if it is just 10-15 min a day. Sipping a cup of herbal tea while watching the sun set. Listening to your favorite music. Soaking in a hot tub while reading your favorite book or magazine. What ever works for you to show yourself you are worth the pampering. Because you know what?? You ARE worth it!! (warm smile)

Keep up the good work. Right now it may not feel so great, but with those little steps you are going to keep making, before you know it, you will look back and see that you have walked miles. I know that you can do it!!! And you have so many people here that are willing to walk with you every step of the way!! (warm smile)

[queenofgod]

in tears~ i thank you soooo much Tamara(hugss) i cant even began to thank you and others for taking out time with the love that comes with your replies... i am taking heed to everything that is being said to me and i am making it up in my mind tonight to make a jounral, and keep track of what i am doing.. I am excited because i want change its easy to start but so hard to stay steady, but i am already begining to feel the change that is going to take place, and i have such great supporters.. its awesome, and even though i am around many many people day in and day out.. no one knows how i feel, and i am so glad to be able to come out and vent... I will be posting everyday.. I am ready to take control of what i know i can control. before it gets tolate...
so i am going to start with baby steps and drinking lots of water and walking a lil bit and cutting back on things i know i dont need.. please pray for me and with me as i take charge of this major change in my life!(sighs)

I will be back posting about day one of my change!

[Tazmara]

Way to go girl!!! With that attitude, you are going to go far!!! And you will find many of us right there beside you!! {{{{hugs}}}} to you too. I know you can do this. And the journal is an EXCELLENT idea!! My thoughts and prayer are with you hun!! (warm smile)

[pokie]

I don't have much advice; I am going thru a tough time, too, with Lantus and novolog recently added to my regimen. It gets better, and easier.

I have a canine pal, the greyhound in my siggy; when I was first diagnosed, and very sick, he was a lifesaver, allowing me the confidnce to go out and start walking and trying to get well. He is still a great companion and really boosts my mental state when I am feeling blue.

[kgm0612]

Hang in there Queen. You may be overwhelmed right now, but I assure you once you get yourself on track, you'll be okay.

Remember.........test often, keep a log of what foods you're eating. This way you'll know which food items you do well with and which foods you need to cut back on or avoid all together. Walking is great exercise, especially if you have a partner to do it with. My neighbor and I started out by walking a mile a day, then upped it to two, and now we walk 3 to 3-1/2 miles almost every night.

You can do it.........Good Luck!

Karen

[princesslinda]

Queen, i'm sure everyone here can relate to where you are at this moment...we've all been there, still go there on occasion. One thing to remember is you are not alone. Its sometimes hard to manage a disease that requires so much of your time and attention....hang in there...be strong. You will get through this rough patch soon.

Post often, one of the best things about this place is the support that is so freely given, by people who truly understand, as they've been there themselves.

Also, i'd encourage you to do something special for yourself, something you enjoy that has nothing to do with food or diabetes...have a manicure, take a nice bubble bath while reading a favorite book, go shopping for a nice compfortable pair of PJs, scrapbook, journal...anything to make YOU feel good.

I know personally that I struggle at times with guilt, feeling I brought on diabetes by unhealthy lifestyle habits in the past....this is defeatist thinking....we can't change the fact that we have diabetes, but we can change how we view it. I like to think that I will have a longer life with diabetes, as if forces me daily to take better care of myself that I probably would have otherwise.

These dark clouds you are under will pass....they always do, and you will feel stronger soon!

[soso]

Hi Queen
I think getting a dog is an excellent idea... for one thing there is no one who cares more or looks more understandingly into your eyes, than your dog!
I already had a dog when I was diagnosed and I was already doing the exercise and got the diet sorted , yes, I was majorly bummed out though.... DH suggested we get the second dog we had planned on and we got Pegs our Jack Russell pup... What a tonic a pup is! It's hard to be down when you have the fun of watching a young creature discover the joys of the world...
As long as you understand the commitment you are making to the dog (and it really IS a big one) it is the best thing in the world to get you out of the house and into the world...
I don't kow about where you live, but I know a lot of SPCA orgs are always looking for volunteer dog walkers and that can be a good way of trying it out too...

Cheers and keep on keeping on...

[Kim_in_TN]

Tazmara, I LOVE the box analogy .... I will definitely use that one too!

Queen, a dog is a great idea but I would honestly suggest an adult dog, probably at least 2 or 3 years old. Puppies are adorable but they require lots of energy and often don't make the best walking buddies for quite some time! ;) Look at local shelters or in the newspapers for adult dogs needing new loving homes. Spends some time with whatever dog you consider adopting to be sure it is a good fit. Ask to try it out on leash to be sure it would be a good walking buddy! Afterall, you don't want to ADD to your stress level right now!

I recently adopted two adult dogs and they have been lifesavers for me! They are both my new walking buddies! When I try to walk them both at once, it gets a bit crazy (though they are good) so now I make myself have to walk them separately so that I get in not one but TWO walks! ;)