Coping with diabetes - Recent Threads

T1D Thesis Research

Jessica — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:52:59 GMT

Hello T1D Community,

My name is Jessica Smith and I am a former JDRF employee, from the Northern California Inland Chapter, as well as a T1D myself. I am currently a graduate student at DePaul University’s School of Public Service finishing my Master in Nonprofit Management degree. For my thesis project, I am examining the support network of teenagers living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and the effect this support has on their health management.

This survey is intended for adults, 18 years and older, who have been living with T1D since childhood; you will be asked to reflect back on the support you received, and how you managed your diabetes during your teenage years, ages 12-17.

In this study, you will be asked to complete an electronic survey. In order to ensure that all information will remain confidential, please do not include your name. Your participation in this study is completely voluntary and you are free to withdraw your participation at any time. If you choose to participate in this project, please answer all questions as honestly as possible. The following questionnaire should take no more than 10minutes to complete. There is no compensation for responding, nor is there any known risk.

Thank you for taking the time to assist me in my educational endeavors. The data collected will provide useful information regarding teenagers living with T1D. Completion of the survey will indicate your willingness to participate in this study. If you require additional information or have questions, please contact me at the information listed below.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Jessica A. Smith
Master in Nonprofit Management Candidate 2013, DePaul University
T1Dcapstone@gmail.com

To complete the survey please click the link below:

http://depaul.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3qrs5jbDJHrePYx

I just don't get it.....

bethanne — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 23:54:45 GMT

hey everybody! I've been having a little trouble lately, a lot of trouble actually..... I have been T1D for almost 9 years (dxd when I was twenty) for some reason I still just don't get it. It's so hard to take care of myself and do what I should to make sure I am (and stay) healthy. It's almost like I forget that I'm diabetic, or I want to pretend I'm not. I need to make this a priority and I just can't find a way to do it. Any suggestions on how to change my way of thinking would be greatly appreciated :) thanks!

ughh

Sarah — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 04:44:52 GMT

Sooo i stumbled upon this site tonight in my random T1 searches. i was diagnosed in october. i'll be 23 next week. i don't really have a good support system as my mom had a stroke and all the attention is on her. i just need people that understand and that will help me through this awful depression i'm feeling.

www.sarahstype1confessions.blogspot.com

Getting over a failed pregnancy

toomshum — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 12:22:11 GMT

How many of you have lost a child while you were pregnant?

How long did it take you to come out of the trauma?

How long before things got back to normal?

How long before your menstruation became regular?

How long did it take for you to start the process of trying again?

How long before you actually conceived?

All these questions keep tormenting me because I know it's going to take quite some time and I don't know if I have the patience.

I lost my child in my 8th month (January 18, 2013) and I still haven't been able to get over it. I just keep thinking about what I did wrong or how horrible my doctors were and when I think about how long it's going to take before I hear the good news of pregnancy again, I become exhausted.

It's been a month and except for a little back pain and slight spotting, I seem to be physically normal, but mentally I don't know how long it's going to take.

Please Advice.

Toomshum

Tough Life

Gabrielle — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 23:27:35 GMT

Having diabetes never feels easy. Somedays I try not to think about it holding me back and I am usually a very positive person but lately staying positive has been so tough. and I just want it to stop! :(

It's Difficult

Ashley — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 20:54:29 GMT

Diabetes is difficult. Read about how I cope.

Hey there. My name is Ashley. I have been Type 1 Diabetic for 4 years now. I have a blog that normally revolves around diabetic topics and I would love if you would read some of my posts and give me some feedback. Also, I am asking for suggestions for topics! What do you want to hear about?! :) Please leave comments.

Here is the link to the blog: www.iamjuvenated.blogspot.com

I feel SO GUILTY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Emily Petit — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 01:02:14 GMT

Does anyone else feel SUPER GUILTY after eating? Like, every darn time, especially when you take insulin at the "wrong" time? AAAUUUUUGH, I feel guilty for taking insulin and then taking it again when I wasn't supposed to because I was so hungry!!!!!!!!!! I wish I could just be normal and just feel hungry like a person without type 1. No insulin. No hassle. Just food. I want that so badly. :(

i need help.

ashleykamera — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 01:22:26 GMT

I was diagnosed with Type 1 5 years ago, two weeks after graduating from high school. I have since graduated from college and now work full time. I'm starting to realize that I've never dealt with the fact that my life is no longer the same. I'm scared that I'm going to die, or not be able to have children, and I don't know what to do. I feel so alone, because unless you have the disease, you don't understand. I'm not used to reaching out like this, but I just don't know what else to do. I need suggestions, or support or something, because I am honestly just so afraid of everything.

A

Gabrielle — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 06:58:06 GMT

Stressed

Gabrielle — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 06:43:08 GMT

Latley I have just been super stressed out! It's summer vacation so my brain has turne to jello and managing my diabetes has been slipping. I have been up in the highs and splurging on my carb counting and I know it is only hurting me but I just get so stressed trying to deal with the fact that I will NEVER get a vacation from my diabetes. I did have a pretty good A1C but at this rate it has got to be pretty terrible :( how can I deal with all the stress that comes with diabetes and how can I get back on track ??

Blood sugars are EXTREMELY effecting my mood

Asha Pecher — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:47:51 GMT

ive been havinging weird blood sugar reactions, when my mood is up and im all high energym my sugars are sky high! but when im sad, or in a bad mood, my sugars are always normal with the occasional low. anybody else?:/

I was doing ok...or so I thought...

radvilasfamily — Tue, 08 May 2012 03:02:59 GMT

So six days ago I had a 10 year old son who was normal, everything was going well, and we were rushing from place to place. I work full time, I'm a full time student coming up to my student teaching, and all of a sudden I find myself at Children's Hospital with my son. My son has type 1 diabites and hypothyroidsm. What?? Your kidding... and everything changes... I was doing pretty good until today. I struggled with breakfast and lunch and then dinner came. I feel like i've been cooking all day, two meals every single meal because i can't figure out how to seperate the carbs so i don't miss something unless i make his then everyone elses. We are still testing at 2am, to double check the lantis, and I can't seem to get back to sleep, so i've been staying up till 11 sleeping till 2 and then being awake all night. I'm exhausted and Its all hitting me now. Is this how life will be? Cook...clean...cook...clean...cook...clean and blood sugar tests and injections change this pen needle, change the lancer, test this look this up how many carbs are in this and how much... all the numbers ratios and correction factors, and everything... I have to go back to work in a week, back to working 40 hours a week, full time student, wife and mom... and i'm already overwhelmed. I know everyone just says breathe and ask for help when you need it, but I just don't understand why this had to happen... Life was just getting close to getting easier for us. We bought our house (it's paid off) and moved out of this horrible neighborhood that was stressing my life, I went back to school and am getting close to graduation, my hubby and I were able to transfer our jobs closer to home no more 3 hour commutes, and we actually were getting to where we weren't broke.... and now, 500 dollars in medication later... I guess i just need to vent a bit and hope that someone out there knows the feeling, everyone in my family keeps saying... it will be ok, which i am sure it will be, but he's my son, my only son, and it just sucks...

Don't want to bug people.... but I need some encouragement!

Alyssa — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:34:47 GMT

So I've had Diabetes for almost 7 years now, and I know I haven't been doing the right things lately....

I'm on the pump, but I am having some issues with sites messing up or just not finding a good spot. I'm an athlete, so my arms typically aren't great site locations and everywhere else has a LOT of scarring :P any suggestions??? After my latest site problem, I took my pump off and went on a vacation from it haha So I'm on shots for the next few days, probably until after prom, just to breathe for awhile.

So here's my main problem: I'm motivated because I know what the effects of bad D control have on me, but I'm so tired of it! I want to feel good and not tired and sick all the time, I want to feel like I can overcome anything, but without D control, that's next to impossible! I guess I'm in a funk haha I looked at my meter history and realized that I'd be dead if my mom/doc saw my meter... not because of numbers, but the lack of them... I need some encouragement to check more and take control, but I don't want to be a burden! I feel like asking my friends might bother them (it's not their responsibility!) but family support is not an option for me. My dad is more than not educated about diabetes, and my mom is so stressed, I don't want to put the pressure on her. Any suggestions??? Help!

Help! Morning Insulin Resistance

Elie — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:27:15 GMT

Why am I so insulin resistant in the morning? What are people who experience morning insulin resistance doing to treat it?

I've increased my basal 150% from 8am-noon. I've also increased my boluses for the two meals I have in the morning. By the way, I'm waking up with perfect sugars, usually around 80-100. It's only after eating that my sugars go up to the high 200s, sometimes mid-300s.

I read recently about the dawn phenomenon, but the article I read stated that the phenomenon was attributed to growth hormones released during sleep and that it caused diabetics to wake up with high blood sugar. But like I said, I'm generally waking up with good blood sugar. So what's going on? Does anybody else have this problem?

Oh, one other factor that I shoud mention is that I do high intensity exercise almost every day around noon. It drastically increases my insulin sensitivity for the rest of the day, so much so that I usually have to take my pump off for several hours and not inject for meals. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with it, but there ya go.

Burnout on trying to come up with 0-5 carb snacks?

everydayhighsandlows — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:12:30 GMT

Come visit www.everydayhighsandlows.com for a list! Hi everyone, I had a little diabetes burnout lately so I decided to make a list of 0-5 carb snack foods. I wanted to share it with you in case you ever need a quick reference guide too. Just go to www.everydayhighsandlows.com. Hope it helps!

Type 1 Diabetes Documentary Film

Nick — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:52:55 GMT

Hello everyone,

I am putting together a documentary video on life with type 1 diabetes. If you could please post a short VIDEO RESPONSE to the question below, I will be able to complete the documentary and upload it to Juvenation, the JDRF website and the ADA website in order to spread awareness and educate the public about diabetes. I'm a newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic, and I'm appalled at the lack of knowledge and awareness surrounding type 1 diabetes. Once again, I can only use VIDEO RESPONSES!!! If you click the "insert video" button, you can upload your response from your computer!

The questions is:

What is the first thing you think of when you hear the words "Type 1 Diabetes?"

Spread the word! The more people that respond, the more accurate and complete the documentary will be. We will be able to provide a better picture of what life with type 1 diabetes is really like and remove the stereotypes and misunderstandings.

Thank you,

Nick Camarda

Diagnosed: April 14, 2011

Www.everydayhighsandlows.com has a new post about a low carb new product by Kraft!

everydayhighsandlows — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:44:22 GMT

Not a cure but something to think about

chughes75 — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:37:10 GMT

I am the mother of a beautiful 17 year old son who was diagnosed at the age of 10 with type I diabetes. This past few months we have been trying an all natural juice made of dark berries and veggies blended. Very high in antioxidants. We have been able to successfully level out his blood sugars and he loves it. He has been pretty down for years and I can even tell an improvement in his mood. It has helped several other friends of ours as well with type Normally he runs 200 and above but since he has been drinking the juice, he has been running 120-150 and not near as much of the morning highs or lows. Been wonderful! Not a cure but a relief and a means of treating the disease.

I want to be done with diabetes.

hayleyhales — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:03:31 GMT

I've been a diabetic for 4 years this august, and i still can't get over the fact that this will go on for the rest of my life. Usually i just break down and cry every day, because i can't do anything to fix it. I'm sick of it!!! I just want to quit. Take a time out from life. I'm still not sure how to cope with this. :(

Stressed out!!!!

Alisha — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:40:47 GMT

Just wondering if anyone has any little tricks that work for them when it comes to stress. I am going through an EXTREMELY stressful time and it is making my sugars go through the roof!!!

I have increased both my short and long acting insulins and nothing has helped this far. I have also tried exercise to both relieve stress and lower my sugar but no to avail!! Needless to say, I am not eating very much (my stomach is in knots from all of this stress) and when I am able to eat it isn't always the healthiest choices. Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!

Treating Low BGs

rockgal84 — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:20:23 GMT

Hey guys! My BG went low the other night, and while I was trying to follow the Rule of 15 (15 grams of carbs and then wait 15 minutes before testing again), I found that I could not wait the 15 minutes. I just felt so horrible - shaky, weak, and slightly sad. I ended up scarfing down a slice of pizza just to make the bad feelings go away. So much for trying to follow the Rule of 15. Has anyone else had trouble treating lows like this? How do you not cram anything/everything in your mouth to feel better?

Helllppppp

Carissa — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:38:35 GMT

Okay, i know that i need to check like 8 times a day, but i never check, NEVER. And iv been liying to my mom and doctor and stuff and they know and my a1c is through the roof, and i just dont know how to make myself keep checking! God im tired of them yelling at me. I know i need to, i know the consequences, i need help. :(

diagnosed at 4

caramay — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:35:49 GMT

i was diagnosed when i was 4 and i am 12.

~struggling~

corcor1828 — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:54:10 GMT

so i have had diabetes for 8 years now and i struggled for a lil while and then got things under control but for the last year i have been struggling again. there is a part of me that just doesn't care and would rather have higher blood sugars because it helps keep my weight down. i have always been a bit bigger, but i know that i can maintain a healthy weight however every time i start taking care of my diabetes i feel like my weight gets out of control. i know that it doesn't have to, but it does. this just kind of depresses me and makes me care less about taking care of my diabetes. i have joined juvenation in hopes that i will gain some new supportive and helpful friends to be there when others can't or simply just don't understand. would love to hear from others and make some new friends too :)

SWEET Sixteen (:

Chelle — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:34:49 GMT

Soo, I'm 16 and have been Diabetic for about 9 months. And just like probably everybody else, it's been really, really. No, i mean REALLY difficult for me to accept the fact that, i have type 1 Diabetes. I was like over come with a mixture of emotions. Sadness, anger, denial. I was depressed. Like, i walked around angry, holding a grudge against anybody and everybody... I didn't know how to COPE with Diabetes. And accepting my illness and the huge change of LIFESTYLE was the hardest for me. And nothing that people told me could make me change the way i feel. I was unconsolable. Nobody knows what it is until they experience it first hand... Out of frustration, i stopped taking my insulin. (IT'S OKAY TO HAVE BAD DAYS, WE ALL HAVE THEM. BUT NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, STOP TAKING YOUR INSULIN.) I didn't take it for about 3 months. STRAIGHT. I was tired, lazy, always disappointed because i felt like the insulin did absoloutely nothing for me. FASTFORWARD 3 Months: For about 2 days i was feeling sick. Throwing up non stop. I couldn't eat or drink anything because it'd come back up. Peeing alot. And i guess i pass out in my house. I was unconcious for like 6 hours. My mother found me, face down. Covered in throwup. The ambulance takes me to the hospital. I was DKA in a Coma for 9 days with sugars as high as 600-something. I had Acute kidney failure. It was HORRIBLE. I almost got Dialysis. Thank GOD my kidneys began to heal before they actually started the treatment..... When the doctors told me, i was near DEATH. I was very, very sick. That was my wake up call...... Now i'm recooperating and doing well. My A1C is still 9.8. But its a big improvement. When i came into the hospital it was 13. I'm glad i got a second chance at life. And so i don't end up in this sticky situation again, i'm doing things different. Trying to learn how to manage my diabetes and be a productive member of society. Ways to cope with Diabetes. So, im like new to this. And i have 0 diabetic friends and i don't have much experience with Diabetes. Everyday i learn something new. I think support is SOO important. I'm from the LA area. So follow mee (:

How do you cope with diabetes? Let me knowwwwwww.