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Original poster

feeling very low about being a type 1 diabetic and mum of 2

38 replies

italophile · 13/12/2013 20:27

Hi,

I've been a type 1 diabetic since I was 11 years old. Had 2 dc in my mid and late thirties.Now in forties and finding it all too much , working part time, looking after the kids, housework. V supportive dp and some domestic help.

But I am now finding it all too much and wondered how other mums with T1 diabetes are coping with it all

OP posts:
Mrsbear1 · 14/12/2013 16:21

Should say - type one. MDI.

MrsKitty · 14/12/2013 16:22

Above post in reply to Randall

RandallFloyd · 14/12/2013 16:28

I hear you about the 'in a cloud' feeling. You sound like you're in a really good place to address the eating tbh. You've identified what you do and why and you know that charting is the solution.

Now you just have to do the really hard bit and actually start doing it!

MrsBear you sound really depressed. You're still at the early days really and having two under 2 would be exhausting for anyone. Please go back to your GP and tell them how you are feeling. Don't suffer in silence. Yes diabetes is utterly shit but you absolutely can be that vibrant young woman.

Original poster
italophile · 14/12/2013 16:53

Hi Randall and plodding

You've both articulated a lot of the things I feel.

Mrskitty - sorry about DAFNE not being a good thing for you - that was one of the things that helped me get depressed less frequently...

It does help to know others are finding it too much. I have been feeling overwhelmed by it all. plodding , when you talked about the feet flapping like mad under water, that's just how I feel which was why I felt so desperate and posted last night. putting a name to it like diabetic fatigue is good

It's exactly what you say about small things. I have thursday mornings to myself until I pick up dc2 from nursery at lunch but the last 2 weeks, both were off school ill and without that time to myself , I became exhausted.

On a practical level, I am forgetting to inject a lot - before I had kids , I think this happened about twice a year. Diabetic nurse told me to set my pump alarms at mealtimes - thought this was a good idea, but if a dc has fallen off when jumping on the bed or dc2 has an "accident" while I'm making lunch for us both, the alarms just get ignored....any thoughts?

OP posts:
Original poster
italophile · 14/12/2013 17:03

Hi mrsbear1 - just seen your post. Have you had any CBT.?It does help centre you when you're feeling desperate. I've been doing some now and I'm not doing brilliantly with it cos I'm aware I'm depressed but it does help.

It's been good today though DP took the kids out from 12ish and is coming back now. I've been allowing myself to cry and feel low - checking BGs !!! drinking tea and doing this thread...

OP posts:
PloddingDaily · 14/12/2013 17:03

I know what you mean...and it's something I've been pondering...I'm even starting to think plates with "Keep Calm, Carb Count & Bolus" around the edge might be a plan Grin ...but that would assume I was not just grazing / grabbing stuff on the run which happens a lot! It's a pita, especially if you're trying to bolus ahead of meals slightly to avoid bg spikes!

I guess it's habits...have you had a pump long? I'd been so long on injections going on the pump threw all my routines out for a while, & bizarely felt more 'diabetic' than prev til I got used to the new regime...

MrsKitty · 14/12/2013 17:07

Can you snooze the alarm on the pump? I have an alarm set on my phone for my basal injection which sometimes gets snoozed for over an hour, but I still get around to doing it because I never hit 'dismiss' until I've actually done the injection. (I do my basal at a set time in the evening rather than at 'bedtime' as I work shifts)

Original poster
italophile · 14/12/2013 17:23

had a pump before I was pregnant with my 1st so about 8 years and on DAFNE for about 10 years but was sort of doing it before because I hated having to eat the same amount at the same time.

I think the alarm does go off again but I may well be doing something at the time eg going to school. Maybe, I'll set my mobile alarm which is much louder. I have looked at the diabetes support thread but was too scared to look on the link with complications including depression because I am terrified of complications

OP posts:
RandallFloyd · 14/12/2013 17:53

Tbh I don't know how XDH always remembers to do his injections but he never ever forgets. He simply sees it as non-negotiable. He has to have his three meals, has to ensure they contain enough carbs, and has to have his injections. Regardless of what else is happening he will not waver on that.

I admit, sometimes it used to drive me mad because he's so bloody single minded about it but I also do admire it.

Mrsbear1 · 14/12/2013 17:57

I just inject every time I put something in my mouth. Simple.

Thanks Randall. The GPs don't know what to do with me, neither do the psychiatrists. I can only pray what I'm going through is related to the huge impact of the diabetes diagnosis and two DCs in quick succession (with horrendously stressful diabetic pregnancies.). It's been the worst four years of my life (two lots of serious back to back PND too). I can only hope one day things will be better.

RandallFloyd · 14/12/2013 18:11

Don't hope they will, know they will.
You've been through a massive life-changing time, don't see the goal as getting back to normal, see it as finding your new normal.

One day at a time Thanks

Mrsbear1 · 14/12/2013 18:24

That's really good advice Randall. Thank you.

paddyclampo · 15/12/2013 22:14

I've been type 1 since I was in junior school, I'm now 39. Have 2 kids, DS is 10 and DD is 8.

Usually I'm ok, but at times I hate diabetes and it does my head in. It's bloody hard work and I don't think anyone really gets it unless they've lived with it.

DH is really supportive but if my levels go wrong he doesn't understand that sometimes they go wrong for no obvious reason!

My biggest problem is hypos, cos I try and run my levels on the low side to avoid complications I guess. Sometimes I get so bad tempered and shout at DH and the kids cos I feel crappy.

It's very much a misunderstood condition I find :/

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