Everyday management>>

[kingleonidas]

Does everyday management affect, or should I say, hamper your day to day lives?, or do you just get used to it after a while?

[Gordonm]

Been at it for 35 years. It is just part of my day now. I do think about it all the time but it does not hamper anything I do. I just have to plan a little bit more than the non D person.

[kingleonidas]

My greatest fear is of just thinking about diabetes day and night, and not being able to enjoy the time with my family !!

[e||ement]

i'd say both.

but, i'm only 9 months in. so, it has become part of my day, sure, and in the grand scheme of things it doesn't affect my daily life (much).

but every day i do fret over my numbers, especially if i add a new food into the mix. i imagine with time you build confidence though.

[UpNorth]

I only really think about my diabetes when i do my "d stuff" or my levels are too high or low. The rest of the day, i forget about the fact that i live with a chronic disease. There's just no need to think about diabetes when just having a glass of water or taking a shower, watching TV, browsing the net etc:D

[shiftzor]

Its a bit like remembering to brush your teethe :D its just another thing to remember in life. If your on top of D management then it doesn't rule your life however it can never be tamed.

There are several stages to mourning for your loss of health and one of those is acceptance. It took me ages to get over this one but I have (I hope ;)).

[kingleonidas]

Everyone tells me I am healthy, I just have a "condition" that can make me unhealthy if I don't take care of it.

[bebe38]

Well it is a chronic disease not a condition, you can have conditions within it; highs, Ketoacidosis, lows and so forth. And yes you can be a healthy diabetic.

On the average day to day I think about it when I am managing it but I have found that if I over think on it that I will stress myself out. I do tend to think about it more if I am doing something new that might increase my chance of having a low since I am insulin dependent.

[jer.lawrence]

I'm pretty new too and I've found that I think about it less and less as time goes on. I spent the first 2 months thinking about it constantly, and I've now SORTA figured out the types of things I can and can't eat. Just knowing requires me to think less about it.

I still am conscious when I order food and I still check my sugar after eating said food, but beyond that, I don't really think too much about it anymore. :)

[kingleonidas]

Like I said, half my anxiety is not yet having which type I have confirmed yet, and that treatment of either will send me into hypogycemia. Do all diabetics get low attacks?

[warrenav]

Like I said, half my anxiety is not yet having which type I have confirmed yet, and that treatment of either will send me into hypogycemia. Do all diabetics get low attacks?

Normally, those at risk for hypoglycemia are those that are using insulin or using drugs (like sulfonylurias) which stimulate extra insulin production. One of the most common type 2 meds, metformin, seldom would lead to low BS (although it's action inhibiting liver release of glycogen could possibly prolong lows under exercise).

Warren.

[sarahspins]

My greatest fear is of just thinking about diabetes day and night, and not being able to enjoy the time with my family !!

You adapt.. and it becomes just another thing, like brushing your teeth or getting dressed, or washing your hands before a meal... after a while, it's automatic.

I have 3 kids and live a fairly active life, and I don't feel like diabetes really impacts anything we do. Not to say I have always felt that way, but like I said, you adapt - it becomes your "new normal".

[kingleonidas]

Normally, those at risk for hypoglycemia are those that are using insulin or using drugs (like sulfonylurias) which stimulate extra insulin production. One of the most common type 2 meds, metformin, seldom would lead to low BS (although it's action inhibiting liver release of glycogen could possibly prolong lows under exercise).

Warren.


Well, I do hope that I am diagnosed with type 2. Doc said my insulin levels should be through the roof and they were not. My serum insulin was 7 when i took my test and I did not eat for at least 4 or so hours before that, don't remember how long. She said, I am one of those rare persons who could go either way.

43yo next month, Lean, 5'9", 171 pounds (after losing nearly 30 pounds)over time, probably due to the diabetes. Type 2 in my family, grandfather, uncle, but they were later on, 50's and so. I guess I was special :(

I did love my pepsi colas. I had many, man, every day...I am sure that bought this upon me, at leat hastened it up a bit.

[kingleonidas]

Oh I forgot, C-Peptide 1.6 and serum insulin 7

[kingleonidas]

I am quite sure that I will be dx as a type 1. What are you gonna do? ssccaaredd and stressed,,,,,but I will manage, I have too !!

[xMenace]

but I will manage, I have too !!

No you don't have to, but you should. The payback for taking on the challenge is a healthy and happy life for not only you but also the people around you. A well-managed diabetic is too rare a beast, and we do get noticed. It's not all about you.

[kingleonidas]

That's right, it isn't. I feel like I did this not only to myself, but to my wife and 2 year old daughter, who have to deal with my management routines as we try to live our day to day lives. This hurts me the most !

[Granny Shanny]

It scares the 'ell out of us, KL, but we can get hold of the reins by careful attention to our diet & exercise - meds & insulin, if such is prescribed.

If you can divest yourself of the notion that you caused it, I think you'll be able to relieve some of the stress it's causing you. Admittedly some of us had higher risk factors than others, but to say that you brought it on all by yourself, is taking a little too much credit. ;) And to focus too heavily on future complications is to take your eye off the ball (which btw, is presently in your court). I'm terrified of losing my sight too, but I'm willing to trust that if I concentrate on what I can control right now, those big things may loom less large in reality.

I loved my cupcakes & pasta too, as well as my potatoes, breads & rice. But we can adjust and we will adjust. We will do it calmly. Even without knowing which type you are, you can reduce your readings by exercise & adjusting your diet, and that is what it takes to preserve the functions still alive & well in your vital organs, whether you're type 1, 1.5, or type 2.

Take a deep breath - hug your wife & your toddler, and renew your resolve to gain control. It's your life for the living, and diabetes won't take it away if you don't let it.

[Moonglo]

That's right, it isn't. I feel like I did this not only to myself, but to my wife and 2 year old daughter, who have to deal with my management routines as we try to live our day to day lives. This hurts me the most !

The thing of it is, if you allow your daughter to watch you take good care of your diabetes as she grows up, she may be less likely to lead a lifestyle that will increase her likelihood of getting diabetes as well. Most diabetics do have family members with diabetes as well; most agree that there is a component of heredity here. So if you're still of the mindset that you had any power here, try to use that power to her benefit by making her aware that the same can happen to her if she's not careful.

I do agree with Granny though... while it's true that you may have been able to prolong your diagnosis if you drank less soda and ate better, always remember that not everyone who eats and drinks that way becomes diabetic. You have to already be dispositioned for it, or it won't become an issue.

I think we've all dealt with feeling a twinge of guilt, whether we should or not, related to our diagnosis. Just don't let it consume you.

[kingleonidas]

You guys are great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for all the advice !

[davef]

I'm nearly two years in (T2) and it has just become part of life. I have learned how to adapt to eating out, business and social occassions.

I'm healthier now than I was for years before DX, I living and loving life. If anything since DX, I don't let myself get stressed, I don't sweat the small stuff, life is too short and too precious to waste it on anything but the important things, family, friends anf life!

[dbaratta]

Does everyday management affect, or should I say, hamper your day to day lives?, or do you just get used to it after a while?

Ya know, sometimes it gets to be a drag but you know it could always be a lot worse. I do charity work for Motts Hospital in Ann Arbor Michigan. I hand-paint tee shirts for cancer patients, they are all kids. Kids......I can't wrap my head around sick little kids. When I asked what sizes they wanted most they said size 2-4. What? 2-4? Small children fighting cancer.......very small, babies too...Can't wrap my mind around it. When I start feeling sorry for myself I turn my thoughts to them. :(

[dbaratta]

Does everyday management affect, or should I say, hamper your day to day lives?, or do you just get used to it after a while?

Ya know, sometimes it gets to be a drag but you know it could always be a lot worse. I do charity work for Motts Hospital in Ann Arbor Michigan. I hand-paint tee shirts for cancer patients, they are all kids. Kids......I can't wrap my head around sick little kids. When I asked what sizes they wanted most they said size 2-4. What? 2-4? Small children fighting cancer.......very small, babies too...Can't wrap my mind around it. When I start feeling sorry for myself I turn my thoughts to them. :(

This just isn't that bad. :bawling:

[dbaratta]

sorry guys my post went thru twice,.. ugh.:eek:

[kingleonidas]

Things could be worse, and my heart goes out to all cancer patients, especially children.

Would I be happy without diabetes?..yes , but there are worse things !

[Moonglo]

Yes, there are far worse things. This is a wakeup call, not a death sentence :)