Perspective needed. Emotionally drained. Can’t open up.

[Toadmystery44]

Been diagnosed as type 2 diabetes 5 months ago in my 40 with really high blood sugars. My main symptom extreme fatigue. Been low carb on medication, but blood sugars not moving. I have hit a wall this week. It’s taking all my energy to function as a human. I feel so emotionally drained trying to work, be my normal cheery self around people. Today I feel so drained and teary. I know it’s not mental health related. It’s so exhausting trying not to be exhausted.

So today I thought sleep and recover. However I now want to be round people. I have supportive friends, but they are all busy with families I don’t want to bother them. I have a good male friend who is single and we are very flirty. I told him in text last night I was struggling. He says he is always here for me and I should of told him. He would of listened and given me hugs.

So tonight he said he was doing housework and tired after working all day. I asked him if he wanted to hang out and he replied sorry really tired and needs to sort out his house. I feel I should of said I was struggling and needed company. However took the too busy and not taking into account what I said yesterday as a rejection of help.

I have supported him through tough times. I feel I could do with his support. He is the only one I opened up to. Should I call and tell him how bad I am feeling. I need support as emotionally I am done with acting I am not exhausted.

Literally feel I am a shell of myself. Not told friends, except one how bad I am - well not the true extent. Should I call and confess?

Call your friend for a good chat tonight and tell your other friends when you're ready. It may feel like they don't understand it when you tell them, as many people hear 'chronic fatigue' and think 'needs a nap'. They don't need to understand but they should be there for you.

Try to keep your head above the water and remember they don't know everything that's going on in your life, so them being busy doesn't mean they're too busy for you.

@Antinerak thanks. My friend did say I could come round but he would be in his shed making stuff for his business tonight so not good company. Did say free for a chat? But he says urgent orders

Said he will continue to come over weekly.

If you are sort friend that’s always been there for others but never had crisis point of your own. It can be quite a revelation when you hit bottom and suddenly people are busy or not as supportive as you would expect. Maybe they are just crap at being supportive or really busy it is hard tell but hurts just the same.

She’s type 2 with massively high sugars in this case chocolate is not the answer!

@Akire think you hit the nail on the head. I supported this friend through a major life event recently. Point he said I was his rock and helped him not run away from it all. I got my diagnosis through this but didn’t say how bad I was.

Now I need his support and I don’t know if he is busy or doesn’t know what to do? He is full of words, but actions sometimes don’t match. Or maybe I have only told him today how bad I am and he can’t.

@Bluemum73

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Not good advice for a diabetic!!

No practical ideas from me but it sounds really tough. Sending you a handhold

Have good cry and I bet you they will be there for you in days weeks ahead. I’ve had friends the same and it really hurts you can’t play the I just want to be someone’s top priority card but you can’t. It’s ok when having crisis to want shout and get cross at those closest to us, who else are we going shout at! Sometimes just have call out life is rubbish x

You need to go back to your GP as your medication may not be working. I'm on 1g gram of Metformin combined with a low-ish carb diet and it took weeks to feel the benefit, not months.

Have you got a testing kit? It may be an idea to get one if you haven't.

People hear "type 2 diabetes" and instantly dismiss you as a fat willpower-less blob I'm afraid to say. Your friends probably don't understand the seriousness of it all and how crap it can make you feel.

I hope things get better for you soon

@BrilloPaddy thanks. People were shocked, but don’t realise the complications it can cause. I don’t think it helped that the drs sent me a text saying that they have discussed my case and want to talk to me on Tuesday. I do check my bloods. Think the low carb diet has made an impact, but not enough for sugars to be safe. I average 13 daily and have been for months. Just learned what food to avoid

@Akire I think he is busy. He is texting me tonight and suggested meeting tomorrow. Says it’s a blip amd I will be back to myself soon. Said I hid it well and this weekend is just a low point

There is a type of diabetes (type 1.5) and I think alot of people are initially misdiagnosed as being type 2. One of the main symptoms of that is chronic tiredness. www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/other-types-of-diabetes/latent-autoimmune-diabetes

It's good that you're going back to the GP, hopefully that will improve things for you.

Hi OP hope you are feeling bit better today and friend got in touch

@Akire thank you. My friend invited me round yesterday. We went for lunch and a walk. He gave me lots of hugs. In fact got bear hugged as I walked in the door.

Struggled at work today. But hopefully get answers tomorrow at gp

Good I’m glad you can’t beat a hug when chips are down!

How did you get on with your GP, @Toadmystery44?

How did you get on at GP OP? DH has been 'type 2' since he was young and really struggles to keep BS down. He had huge success with the Newcastle diet though - it's tough but really works.

@BrilloPaddy and @BergamotandLimeThanks for asking. Been a bit of turn off events.

Had a call with GP and extra bloods done. She said something didn’t sit right with her, so sent for extra bloods. Had a screen of autoimmune diseases, full blood count and diabetes antibody. Then got a call asking to come for a face to face appointment the next day as my results were back.

I have no autoimmune diseases and definitely type 2, so meds increased. But my white blood cell count is elevated. It’s been high on every blood test I have had since April. Was put down as virus or the skin infection I had. She says it keeps rising on every test and needed to do a full body check for lumps and bumps. Got a thorough check over. Had a high temp too, so awaiting a PCR result.

All clear of bumps but I am now being referred to haematology for tests due to bloods and extreme fatigue. She thinks I have either a weird virus, just normal for me elevated white cell count or something more serious like lymphoma.

Was not expecting this.

Oh gosh, that must have been a huge shock - but hopefully now you will get some answers.

You've been struggling with this for months, bless you.

@BrilloPaddy yeah. I think it’s a weird virus. Exhausted today, but carrying on. Doesn’t help everyone found me is getting covid or their kids have it.