I strongly second everything Nyadach just said. Once you get this figured out the true balance is to not let it play any more of a role in your life than it absolutely has to while still keeping it beaten down day in and day out. I can also assure you this will not affect your ability to live your life to the fullest once you figure it all out, but you have to do your part… And unfortunately your part is pretty substantial. Not much more than a year ago I was in a similar place to where you are now except I was also certain my career was over because of this condition. A year later I’ve got a firm handle on things, none of my fears came true, the sun still rises every morning and I’m actually a happier more well rounded person than I’ve been in years. Game changer, yes. Game over, far from.
Thanks guys, I’m hanging in there, I’m sure once the dist settles and I have a system in place i’ll feel better about it, for now I guess I’m experiecing the newness of it all, i’ve preferred having time alone the past few days.
Hey chuck,
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, I too have been recently Diagnosed ( may 23/ 13) and am very new to all of this.The day I was in the Emergency and found out I had diabetes is still fresh and raw in my mind. I'm young (26), healthy and fit and when they told me I really was confused, I went into a bit of denial for a couple of days and thought that maybe they were wrong, but reality hit me like a ton of bricks when I realized this wasn't going away. Initially they assumed it wastype 2 and i was put on Metformin, which for me did nothing. I also suffer from depression and anxiety ( before diagnosis)it took ( still is but its getting better :) a huge toll on my moods....and its hard to figure out which moods are you and which are fueled by the diabetes, or both. I had a lot of anger at myself, feeling that I had somehow inflicted this on myself...
trying to go back in my memory and stressing on the bag of M&M's I ate... or all the coffee I drank...thinking that maybe if I had just been healthier and stayed away from sugar this would not have happened It has been reiterated to me time and time again, that this is not the case and its not YOUR fault you have diabetes, really it is not your fault. I was thankful to have contacts in the community who dealt with diabetes, which ended up getting me a proper diagnosis sooner rather than later (type 1 or 1.5 that's still up in the air), so i guess I didn't have a whole lot of time to myself ( had appointments almost everyday for the first couple of weeks)I did a lot of avoiding but in the opposite direction, I didn't want to be alone with my thoughts I was scared of my minds ability to take me to bad places so I avoided and didn't want to be alone, now I feel it..some days I don't want to deal with it but there is nothing I can do but move ahead because we cant move backward and we cant reverse it so there really is only one option. I was really worried about how others would view me..and really kinda still am. The ones closest to you will understand, especially when you better understand diabetes and are able to explain how it works and if not we're here to help you though this, the rest do not matter :). I'm not going to say I'm all peachy keen now...it really has been such a short time. The emotional ups and downs are hard, but each day I learn something new, and each day I feel a little more accomplished ( there's always the two step forwards one step back from time to time but that is life :). For me at least, I found information kept me grounded, scouring and answering or trying to answer the questions I had, reading other people experiences...knowing that it is hard, and its going to suck from time to time but overall its easily doable and parts of it will get easier, I try to think of it as a small lifestyle change...and in the end by sticking to it I will be healthier! I send many hugs your way, and hope you feel, at least, a little bit better.
I’m newly Dx’d also…talk about a wrench in my program.
I woke up in the morning just a 46 yo sahm and went to sleep a diabetic.
I keep thinking they made a mistake…depressed also…family thinks not talking about it will make me feel better.
My 18 yo graduated yesterday…keep thinking will I get to my see my 3 yo do the same.
I hide when I test in public…kids get upset everytiime I take my shot because they think I’m sick…DH thinks not seeing me test will make it go away.
I feel like I’m the only 46 yo newly Dx’d with lada Family think they are helping by bringing me “cures” they find on the Internet.
Then to hear dumbasses say " it’s just Diabetes…my aunt had her foot cut off etc.
yES YES YeS, I do feel your pain and depression.
I was 45 @ dx. It's been 20 years now and no noticeable complications. You'll have plenty of time to spend with that 3 yo. Bear with the idjits as best you can and do what you know you need to do for you. Life with diabetes is just . . . . life.
Stay in touch and let us know how it's going!
Don't worry. You WILL get your life back.
I was diagnosed with type 1 at age 50 , 2 years ago 2011. Many of the same symptoms as you had - peeing, thirsty, tired, blurred vision, hungry, rapid weight loss.
I was in shock too at the diagnosis and felt depressed too. I was worried about all the things I wouldn't be able to do...
Fortunately, I found a good diabetes center for treatment and that combined with a TON of reading, got me to understand how to handle this thing and that I could get back on with my life. Now I am back doing all the things I did before I got diabetes...just with a little extra work (pump, CGM, checking blood sugar 10 times a day) . It all becomes 2nd nature and automatic after a while.
Don't let the condition (or other people's wrong ideas) hold you back.
Thanks David 
Lotus, I was dx T2 at age 55, orals did nothing. Finally dx T1/LADA at 57. Even my family said 'just lose weight and exercise' bla bla bla... I'm NOT overweight. I test and use my pump VERY publically, but don't talk about it with family or those who don't 'get it' any more except to educate - no expectations.
No reason for you not to see your 3yo graduate, get married...... Hang in there!
Jrt pup
Hi Chuck. I'm sitting here trying to find something to say that hasn't already been said. I realize just how caring and supportive this family of people are because any words of support that I can give have already been spoken.
I have been T2 for over 20 years but I remember how I felt when I was diagnosed. At the time I felt that my doctor had told me that I had a disease that was going to shorten my life and that I knew then what would be my demise.
20+ years into this D-life I have had to adjust my thinking, I no longer feel that I will die from diabetes but that I will die with it rather than of it. Diabetes has never affected the path I have taken it has just made the road bumpier at times.
When I got the diagnosis in December 2012, I had a clue it was coming. I was over 50, overweight and I had the same thirst/urination symptoms, so I went to the doctor and had the tests done. My A1C was 14.3 then, but now in June, six months later I have posted an A1C of 6.1 and have a much better understanding of my body's engine than I did before.
I still get some nausea from the Metformin, but not all the time. I think you get used to it after awhile, some veterans on here could probably explain it better. It may be insufficient carbs with the meal or we may need an extended release prescription. Getting some good medical help is important, and so is educating yourself.
Personally, I don't see my diagnosis as all that bad. I was leading an unhealthy lifestyle and with the way I have been turning things around I will likely end up living longer as a diabetic than I would if my blood sugar had stayed normal. The diagnosis was the slap in the face I needed.
If you are worried about this limiting your future, relax. A kid named Bobby Clarke was diagnosed with diabetes before he even got to be a teenager. He ended up captaining the Philadelphia Flyers to a couple of Stanley Cups and placing himself in the Hockey Hall of Fame. There are lots of other success stories out there.
You sound like a smart young man, you can do this.
Don't get in a panic first thing is getting the right Doctor and treatment and things will fall into place. There is a lot of information and great treatments. Yes you will marry and do everything as anyone else your age would. I have been Type 1 since 15 and i am 38 and I married and had children. Keep posting on here and get support and get support from your friends and family.
Chuck,
I'm sorry you've found yourself here. But you found a great resource, as you've likely already discovered. It's been nearly 14 years since I was diagnosed at age 20. I was driving a sporty coupe as well. I ended up in the ER with a blood sugar of 1500, spent 4 days in the hospital (3 in ICU) and went home to my new "normal" of checking blood sugar, shots, counting carbs. It was all very overwhelming.
I was dating the woman who would become my wife. She could have easily left me before my diagnosis (I had symptoms you described for several months and was difficult to live with!) or after my diagnosis, but she loved me despite diabetes and has been a wonderful support system. I couldn't have done it without her. And I'm sure that you will find a woman who will love and support you.
July 4, 2013 will mark 14 years since my diagnosis. I'm healthy and active. I don't have any complications. My wife and I have been married for 11 years. We have 3 wonderful kids. My sporty coupe is now a 4-door Honda Accord (and a minivan!).
I know things are still new and overwhelming. I remember when I first began checking my blood sugar and giving myself injections it would take me forever. I'm using an insulin pump now, but everything I do to manage this disease is like second nature now. Take things a day at a time. It sounds like you will be getting great support at the diabetes center. TuDiabetes is a great place to ask questions, vent, etc. You'll always have support here.
David S, your response means a lot, you’ve been exactly where I am at the same point in your life, glad to know this gets better. Appreciate it
very moving reply sam. so true what you write. and so encouraging! Thank you!
ps: you are a bit of a poet I think ;-)
Thank you for this inspiring reply, Nyadach. It has been a yr since I ve been diagnosed, and it is reading things like this which is more helpful than anything else! Wonderful.
Every time I m on this forum I m surprised by the extreme thoughtfulness and kindness. Maybe there is a genetic correlation between that and crappy pancreases. :)