i need help

smaj611 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 09:09 PM

i was diagnosed at age 8 and i am now 17. Somehow i have lost track of my diabetes. it has been a very long time since i had good control and i am sick of it. i am very busy with school, work, and other activities. i have tried hard to keep track of blood sugars and insulin but i just can't keep with it. also my mom is disappointed everytime i have a slightly high blood sugar which makes me not want to do them because i'll just end up lying about it. is there anyone having the same issues that can give me advice? at this point i'm desperate.

lgvincent · #2 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 09:21 PM

A glucose meter like the OneTouch UltraSmart is helpful in storing blood glucose records, food intake, injections, and things like that. If you purchase a cable, you can easily transfer the information into a computer.

When I was your age I had similar problems in keeping track of my diabetes. Although we could only check blood sugar at a doctor's office, we had to regularly check urine sugar and I have log books that were blank for weeks at a time, no entries of urine sugar, since they were checked, and no entries of insulin injections. Perhaps it is something many go through. Hopefully with a little effort, you'll regain control over this problem. I finally realized that it was up to me to do it since I was the only one who would suffer from lack of control or benefit from having better control. I think what helped me was the fear of the damage that would take place if I continued doing nothing.

Cyborg · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 09:22 PM

Welcome aboard, sorry you are having problems...

gettingby · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 10:37 PM

I had times in my younger years when I was the same as you. As I got older, I realized that I needed to control diabetes and not let it control me. I became proactive in my care and started making decisions. Hang in there.
Oh yeah, hi and welcome.

Tsukia · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 11:49 PM

I am 22 and currently working really hard to get mine back under control. For one thing maybe you could set an incentive for yourself with your mom like if you keep your blood sugars in range for so long you get 20$ or something that you really want. another thing is just get in the habit everytime you eat do a bg test first. again you can set incentives for yourself. I feel that if I am getting something out of it that it makes me a little more determined.

Just some ideas. but i try to make note of what i eat and by doing that it reminds me to do my bg cause i pull out my log sheet (which has spots for insulin and food) and notice that i missed my bg. I am not missing hardly any since i started this and my control is slowly coming back.

good luck and keep us posted

HollyB · #6 (**permalink**) 10-21-2006, 10:22 AM

Hi,

Good luck in your efforts to take charge. I think you are realizing this is something you need to do for yourself, not for your mom or anybody else. Probably your mom needs to realize this too. That high blood sugar that "disappoints" her is important information -- you can't correct it if you don't know about it, right?

I'm wondering if you have a friend you spend a lot of time with and trust who might agree to be your "coach" for a while. It's easier to take those reminders and stuff from a friend than a parent, plus if it's a person you see at lunchtime at school that could be a big help. I know my niece is going out with a guy who has Type 1, and I've seen her just nod at his chips or whatever he's eating and say, "Did you bolus for that?" Cause he just forgets, sometimes.

am1977 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-21-2006, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smaj611

i was diagnosed at age 8 and i am now 17. Somehow i have lost track of my diabetes. it has been a very long time since i had good control and i am sick of it. i am very busy with school, work, and other activities. i have tried hard to keep track of blood sugars and insulin but i just can't keep with it. also my mom is disappointed everytime i have a slightly high blood sugar which makes me not want to do them because i'll just end up lying about it. is there anyone having the same issues that can give me advice? at this point i'm desperate.

I know it's hard- hey, we all know that... Life isn't just about your Diabetes or at least it shouldn't be. But, at the same time, you have to make time to manage it. Really it shouldn't take more than a few minutes a day to test and take your insulin too. Plus, once you get in the habit of making healthy food choices, that becomes pretty instinctive and easy too

. I think those two things are the main things to keeping your diabetes in control ... but, yes, exercise, getting enough rest each nite

, & just generally taking care of yourself is also important.

There are times when I also find myself neglecting... well, not neglecting, but ignoring my diabetes. Like, I'll skip my bg testiing for no reason

and I can't understand why I do that. It only takes a second to test and it's usually painless, but for some reason I can't bring myself to do it... I don't know, it's just one of those things. But generally, I do my best to test when I can.

What might help you is to make a plan & set small goals to get back on track

. Like increase your current testing by one more test & then gradually build up to doing at least 4 x a day... Also record your readings in a log. I am horrible about that, but I do think it can be useful in identifying patterns and problem areas. Make sure you are taking your insulin & visit and take your Endo's advice and instructions.

You can get back on track. It does take some work and effort, but if you want to do it, it is very possible. Please know that. Also, keep in mind that support is also important when dealing with this disease, this support forum can be an excellent place for that. Hope we'll be seeing you visit frequently & don't be shy to post too

.

See you around

brandon'smom · #8 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 07:24 PM

I am worry about my son too he is only 11 but when i am with him i can help him control it but when he leaves with his Dad it goes very high and also when i have to work seems like is higher, i realized that is hard for young people to check carbs and sugar so maybe i get him in a routine and later on will not be that hard, the dietician told us only to look at the carbs

Cinnabon · #9 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 08:14 PM

I was just like this in my teen years and into my 20s and Now Im am paying VERY high price. There are so many things out there now to make it much simpler. Have U thought of a pump?

Cyborg · #10 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 08:16 PM

At 17, you do could have a very long life in front of you, but you do need to get back on track. Do it for yourself, not for your parents...

luvMyHusband · #11 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgvincent

A glucose meter like the OneTouch UltraSmart is helpful in storing blood glucose records, food intake, injections, and things like that. If you purchase a cable, you can easily transfer the information into a computer.

When I was your age I had similar problems in keeping track of my diabetes. Although we could only check blood sugar at a doctor's office, we had to regularly check urine sugar and I have log books that were blank for weeks at a time, no entries of urine sugar, since they were checked, and no entries of insulin injections. Perhaps it is something many go through. Hopefully with a little effort, you'll regain control over this problem. I finally realized that it was up to me to do it since I was the only one who would suffer from lack of control or benefit from having better control. I think what helped me was the fear of the damage that would take place if I continued doing nothing.

Do you know any good web sites that tell you how to keep track of blood sugar, urine tests, etc...

lgvincent · #12 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvMyHusband

Do you know any good web sites that tell you how to keep track of blood sugar, urine tests, etc...

Sorry, I'm afraid I don't. I've never used any websites for it, I just use a log book. I used to store information from my Complete meter directly into the computer but I haven't found a port on this new computer to attach the cable to. I'm sure there are others here who may be able to tell you the information you are looking for.

sweetstick80 · #13 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 08:48 PM

Hi luv. Try diabetease.com I`ve been using their tracking software for sometime now. It`s very simple and if you have a compatable meter uploading is possoble. I just manually input my stats, `cause it makes me sit and think as I work at it. I believe process is good for everyone. I also use diabuddies. A link can be found right here. 2 vastly different programs, same result. They make you think about your condition and if you start to get too lax, it`s right there in front of you! Jack (not quite as sweet on my last stick A1c 7.5 down from 10+ when on orals only)

kel4han · #14 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 10:13 PM

Are you pumping? I just starting pumping Monday, and Geez, for me it is amazingly easy. Just push a few buttons. Have you brainwashed yourself into knowing how much better you feel when your numbers are good? I have goten to the point that I just say the stress of the high and feeling crappy is so not worth the food/lack of excersize or lack of injecting for each few carbs. My bad habits turned to better habits in a few months with constant brain washing to myself.

luvMyHusband · #15 (**permalink**) 06-18-2007, 05:45 PM

Everythign I eat affects my relationship with my husband. he tells me what I should & shouldn't eat, yet he doesn't take care of himself & when I bring up the subject to him, he gets a temper & tells me that his blood pressure is getting high from teh stress of thinking or talking about it. CAN ANYONE HELP ME to influence him to do the right thing???His dad died b/c of kidney failure from T1 when he was 3 & I don't want the same thing to happen to my son.