I have had diabetes for 10 years now. I was diagnosed when I was nine. I have no control now and I need help. I am not testing my sugars. I am not exercising. I am not eating right. And I am gaining weight. I know what I need to do to get healthy. What I don't know is why I can't seem to do those things. I was wondering if you would be able to help me.
Q: Need Help
Answers (6)
4/13/09 7:57pm
Hey Steph,
I'm really glad you found the diabeteens site and are trying to get back in control. Don't worry; this type of thing happens to all of us. I was also diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when I was nine. I am now 17 and have experienced so many ups and downs, including times when I would not check my blood sugar for days at a time or would binge on junk food without taking insulin.
I think that if you just spend a few minutes browsing the blogs written by me and others (Ginger, Skyler, Andrew Berry) on this site, you will be inspired to come up with a concrete plan for getting "back on track."
Do you have an experienced and helpful endocrinologist? Have you met with a Certified Diabetes Educator recently? Is there a clinical psychologist available for patients within your diabetes center (if you go to a diabetes center)? My previous endocrinologist had a whole team of healthcare people that I was required to meet with every 6 months, including a dietition, CDE, and psychologist. An approach like this might be helpful, if you don't have it already.
Please stay in touch and feel free to ask more specific questions along the way!
4/13/09 8:11pm
Hey Steph,
Fortunately, it's very clear that you know what you need to do, because you're so able to admit to what you're not doing: testing your sugars, exercising, eating well.
These aren't supposed to be really, really easy things. They take commitment. You've gotta be willing to get out of bed early to fit in exercise or go to the gym after school when you're tired. You've gotta be willing to choose healthy food over ice cream more often than not.
And there is no way around testing your blood sugar: you are diabetic. YOU NEED to check your blood sugar. If that is an idea you're struggling with, then the biggest problem may be plain old denial.
Why do you not check your blood sugar? What is the most honest reason and answer to this question?
Once you can be honest with yourself about that, you can start changing your habits.
You have diabetes. I have diabetes. We need to check our blood sugars and take insulin for the rest of our lives IF we want to be healthy. THat's life. And I'd rather do it and live well, than waste any time waiting for it get easier!
It's hard for many of us:
You gotta be willing to adapt!
Feel like you're the only one?
Ginger
4/13/09 10:35pm
You are worth more than not testing and taking care of yourself. You are a 19 year old woman that has lots of years to make her mark on our world. You need to know in your heart that you are worth loving, taking care of, and need to treasure your health for the future. My son has Type 1 also. He is only 5. He is worth every second that I miss sleeping to check his sugar or adjust his pump. You are worth it too.
4/14/09 12:30am
Try doing one thing at a time. First thing is definitely get back on track with testing your sugars. Start with when you wake up. Put the meter beside your bed or whatever you have to do. Testing is the only way to know how much insulin you actually need. Get to where you test in the morning, before and 2 hrs or so after meals, and before you go to sleep. You will feel so much better once you get back to checking your sugars. Even if your numbers aren't so good, at least you'll know how to try to correct them. As far as eating right, I have a carb limit per meal. For me personally, I never go over 50 carbs per meal. I average 35 per meal. To some that is a lot but it works for me. Maybe discuss a carb limit with your dr. Pick a day to just start fresh with taking care of yourself. You'll be so glad you did! We believe in you and are here for you. Stay positive.
4/14/09 12:41am
Whenever I feel in a funk, I watch this.
Yes, you might think it's cheesy, but if you write this down on a piece of paper, or watch it every morning, I PROMISE YOU It WILL HELP.
Try it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obdd31Q9PqA
4/27/09 8:03am
hey steph, ive had diabetes for 25 years. my little brother also has diabetes. my father had diabetes. he doesnt have it anymore because hes dead. he died at 43 because he didnt take care of himself. he had 4 heart attacks, 6 strokes, kidney dialysis, complete kidney failure, a kidney transplant, his hands amputated, and he died. ive had it for a long time and ive been through that a few times. i saw that and that kinda woke me up. and i dont want to see or hear about that happening to you, or any other diabetic. any other diabetic is like family to me. try one thing at a time.
what you need to do is try rewarding yourself. for example. you check your blood sugar 4 times a day every day for a week. i dont care what your results are, you just do it. if you do it, you buy yourself a new pair of shoes, or a new book or whatever it is you want. if you're checking your blood sugars, youre going to do whatever it is you need to do to get them right. about 9 months ago i went for a while when i wasnt checking my blood sugars, just taking insulin and eating what i wanted. and i felt like crap. just start checking your blood sugar, and everything else will fall into place.
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