Struggling

[WicksEnd]

Hi there,

I was diagnosed with Type1 diabetes in May of this year age 44. It's was a huge shock, but I managed to get to grips with the carb counting BG testing and injecting fairly quickly. My Hba1c was 108 at diagnosis and I got it down to 52 in about 8 weeks.(due again soon and reasonably confident it will be lower still) All good, but God, I'm struggling with coming to terms with it all and the fact that this is for life. No days off, never able to eat without pricking my finger, attempting a carb calculation and injecting. Worrying about having a hypo all the time as they completely wear me out.
Worrying about long term complications. Trying to asses how active my day is going to be in advance etc.
Nobody seems to understand, and why should they!? I didn't know the difference between t1 & t2 myself so why should anyone else? But people's lack of understanding/stupid advice really makes my blood -sugar- boil!
DH was initially very supportive but now just leaves me to it. I have joined forums which I find helpful to a point, but then I'll read something where someone's experienced DKA or needed eye surgery and end up wishing I'd never joined up.
So any tips welcome. How do you accept it if you've been lucky enough to have 44 years without it? If you've had diabetes since childhood, how do you cope?
It doesn't seem real and I never knew how complicated diabetes management was

Having Diabetes is an absolute Bugger and you have my utter sympathy. There is no choice but to accept it, as there is no alternative.

So what will help? Accepting the miserable truth will help, and stop fighting yourself. A course in Mindfulness will help because it helps with acceptance. You will be able to get it free on the NHS I am sure.
Mindfulness helps with your state of mind, as you really can't afford to get depressed, as balancing the Diabeties treatment and the anti-depressants is very difficult.

Secondly, although you have been unlucky, try not to moan to others as generally they don't realise how appalling Diabeties is. They will think it is not really life threatening as most people HAVE no idea about the illness.

Anyway, no one wants to listen to someone moaning constantly. Hard as it is, as it is so unfair, you have to find something positive. At least you were 44 when you started with it. ( very small comfort)

What about helping raise money for Diabeties research ? There are branches and groups all over Britain. ( google it for your area) you will also meet others in the same boat.
Lots of hugs xx as you are in need of hugs

It's tough OP and that is why diabetes is recognized as a disability. My Dh is type 2 and like your Dh, I have just left him to get on with it now he is coping so well. Maybe you need to tell him how hard you are finding it psychologically and just tell him what support he could give you some people need a bit of guidance that way.

Another thing you could possibly do is meet a few likeminded friends on the forum and start a private FB group, this is what I have done with some friends with back pain, it's more private so you can chat more freely and get to know people better.

Thank you for your replies, I shall definitely look into mindfulness, I promise I'm not moaning to others constantly I guess it's fairly early days for me and it's still sinking in, but yes ultimately I have no choice but to accept it and get on with it.

Aw Wicks I hope I didn't upset you about the moaning bit. Moan on here to your hearts content, and I will always give your moans house room, honestly.
Bloody Hell it is certainly something to moan about. It is such bad luck to end up with type 1.
However there is no choice but to accept it and try to go forward. Take as good care of yourself as you can. Don't eat crappy food, exercise etc. ( god it is boring)
Having a mates with diabetes will help. There are loads of Diabetics about. It is nice to talk to someone in the same boat, isn't it? Chin up.... They are working hard on a cure. Stem cell therapy looks hopeful.
You could try a pump?
Hugs

It's a pain in the arse! But you do get used to it!

Have had it since I was at junior school - still have bad days sometimes but it really is just part of my routine most of the time.

I refuse point blank to call it a disability though!!!