poor controll has me down PLEASE HELP.

lilricky · #1 (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 12:21 AM

im 18 years old and have had diabetes sinse i was 8. I rarely pay attention to it and now i am starting to try to take responsebility for my self. I am just having hard time motivating myself to do the right thing. I just dont want to do it. I do enough just to keep me going throughout the day. Im 18 but look like im 12 or 13. So im asking does poor diabetes care have anything to do with stunting my growth. And please if you have any tips to get me back on top please let e know

MJM · #2 (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 05:00 AM

Hi,
Lilricky, one mistake you shouldn't make is to pay little attention to your diabetes.It's really important to keep your blood sugars within target range, as much as possible. Doing this will help prevent or delay serious problems in years to come. You will definitely have serious problems if you don't pay attention. You will have problems with eyes, limbs, and all the major organs of your body. I'm in my 51st year as a type 1 diabetic and in the early years I was like you. I have since had a heart attack and was lucky to survive it. I've had a lot of laser treatment on my eyes, without which I would now be blind. I only stopped taking care of my self in the early years, ( for 4 to 5 years after diagnosis) and thereafter I took pretty good care. If you take care of yourself now, in years to come you will be thankful that you did. Heed my advise and you can lead a full healthy life and enjoy it fully also. I've also played sport a lot, which. I think helped me enormously. I'm too old for sport now but still exercise quite a bit.
I would ask you to look seriously at your attitude and recognise that what you have been doing is really detrimental to your overall health. I see that you are starting to take responsibility now, which is excellent, and I hope that you make that a lifelong ambition.

mrhodes · #3 (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 06:05 AM

When you begin recognizing that all of your actions have consequences... some good & others not so good..., & you begin to adjust your lifestyle based on that, then you begin making that transition from a boy to a man. Welcome to adulthood!!!! (Like it or not)

Please do heed the warnings of our friend and realize the consequences of improper care are real and severe. We are all here to help and support.

When you are taking care of yourself can you share with us what is motivating you?

And Visa-versa, when you're letting things slide, can you identify the "why's" or what you find as the week moments. We all have them!

TommyC1 · #4 (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 06:07 AM

Hey bud,
I was all grown up when I was diagnosed and I still had/have a hard time staying on top of this. I can't even imagine being a kid and dealing with it.
One mistake I made was assuming that any Doctor was as good as another. I've been through 4 since I started and finally think I've found one who get's it. He recognizes that highs and lows are equally dangerous. He encourages me to be responsible for myself. And he is up to date with the latest treatments and practices. You can confirm what is up to date by reading various threads here.
The other thing I wished I'd found sooner was this site. It helps me enornmously to be in contact with other folk who are dealing with the same issues. Trying to talk to non D's about this is frustrating at best.
My plan to stay on top of my diabetes is to montor and log my BS frequently as well as my carb intake and exercise, adjust my insulin as needed, get an A1c every 3 months, and see the Dr every 6 months.
I'm working on getting my A1c down, flattening the spikes, and not going low. None of those are proving easy. Some times I get discouraged and wish it would all just disappear. Hasn't happened yet.
So if I find myself slacking, I just pick up and go at it again.
And again.

So have at it. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

Tommy

Tattoo azz · #5 (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 06:36 AM

Hi Lilricky

I was 7 when i was dx'd t1 in'82, i was fine until i reached teenage yrs then all ****! broke loose and i started to ignore my dr's and mum. I thought i knew best, how wrong was i ?
I now look after myself (i could do better, but a little is better than none) and feel a lot better. At least you know where you've gone wrong and realise that the only person who can improve your control is you. You have made the first step by joining our little family, we all know the problems and setbacks etc, and will help you in any way we can, even going as far as giving a verbal kick up the backside when/if you look as tho you're not looking out for youself properly. I'm not saying you will, just that sometimes we all need some tough love and someone to point out where we are going wrong. I would start by looking at your blood levels before each meal and 2hrs after, this will give you an idea of where your attention needs to be focused. Going to your Dr and actually ADMITTING HOW SCREWED UP YOUR CONTROL IS will also help because then he/she can give a more personalized help plan. Honestly as soon as you start to become a little more controlled you will feel 100% better. We are here to help but you are the only one who can actually do it. Good luck and please keep us informed, this is your first step to a better life
Azz

mrhodes · #6 (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 06:51 AM

AMEN...

Just look at Tommy, hitting the rapids. Everything to Gain! My thrill and release is in fishing. What's yours? Embace it!

I too was diagnosed as an adult & it gave me a whole new perspective on life. Take nothing for granite & cherish EVERYTHING. Embace all new experiences and all new people.

I've heard Dr. horror stories, but truely feel I've been blessed with mine. She's been very good for me. (Dr. Margret Shoemaker, Divine Providence Hosp, Williamsport, PA) if any locals are reading. That was a cheap plug, I know, but she is really a good Dr. who specializes in Diabetes.

Talking to Non D's is a waste of time...I get the extremes from "You have to give yourself a shot!!!" to the "experts" who read something in Reader's Digest and "next week there is a full moon and your legs are going to fall off"...Gee, thanks for the words of encouragement @#%*!#$@. I just found this site on Sunday and already feel more comfortable talking to you guys than anyone else.

Hey Tommy, when you get yours to disappear, let me know the Rx! I'm with you.

Subby · #7 (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilricky

im 18 years old and have had diabetes sinse i was 8. I rarely pay attention to it and now i am starting to try to take responsebility for my self. I am just having hard time motivating myself to do the right thing. I just dont want to do it. I do enough just to keep me going throughout the day. Im 18 but look like im 12 or 13. So im asking does poor diabetes care have anything to do with stunting my growth. And please if you have any tips to get me back on top please let e know

Tell us a bit more about what you do (or know you don't do) with your diabetes from day to day, Ricky. I find it's real one foot in front of the other stuff that can help us progress. We gotta know what our feet are doing, first.