im 17 years old, im a student in my senior year. i was diagnosed with diabetes when i was 10 yrs old. i lost too much weight in a short period of time (i was sooo skinny about 20 kgs). so after i was diagnosed my mum helped me alot with my diabetes (as i was just a little kid) and i used to take care of everything i ate and i tested alot and everything was going well. and years passed by and as i grew older i became more independent and my mum became less involved with me, and i became soo careless,i ate whatever i wanted to eat without taking insulin(only taking insulin before the meals) and without testing (i tested my bg like once every month!!) and i havent went to my doctor in ages. A couple of months ago i found out that my a1c was 7.something (not that bad but my parents werent pleased). then a month ago i tested my a1c again and it was 8.2 (i ve seen much worse a1c’s) but i wasnt pleased with myself at all. i decided that i would take care of myself again. so now i watch the stuff i eat and test my bg 3-4 times a day (i knw i shuld test more than that but its an improvement compared to once a month) and im going to my doctor soon. im even considering a pump (i hope i would get one i ve read alot about how pumps help people gain control of their diabetes leading a healthy and easy life with less complications).
hi, Sarah, I read your blog, and am glad you came to TuDiabetes. We are all here to help and support each other. We have many members here from the middle east, I am thinking especially of Noor and Sohair, if you go to members and search these names their profiles will appear for you. Noor is about your age, and a lovely person. I want you to know that the numbers you are getting from your a1c and your blood testing are not a reflection of how good a person you are, they are not like your grades at school. When I see a high number, I just say to myself, “ok, well, I’m glad I caught that now instead of later”, and I take a correction bolus, and I go on with my life. This diabetes is very complicated, and it is hard to be constantly vigilant. No one understands what it is like unless you have it yourself, and that is what we are all about here at TuDiabetes.
Please know that if you go on the pump, you will be testing more than 4 times a day. The pump only uses short duration insulin, and so you need to know what your blood sugar is at all times. I test about 10 times a day. Please keep in touch, and tell me if you have any questions.
Hi, Sarah. I’m glad you’ve made some changes that you’re happy about!
Hi Sarah! Glad that you are managing your diabetes step by step! Glad you’re here with us! It helps not to be alone!!
im glad im here too. it really helps whem u r not alone =D
Hello Sarah:
I read your blog. So inciteful for such a young one. I can only offer emotional support and an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. If it would help motivate you, please go to my site and read my profile. You are young and need not suffer as much as I have if only you will take control and maintain control as much as you can.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
WELCOME TO OUR EVER-EXPANDING CORNER OF THE WORLD!!
Lois La Rose
Milwaukee, WI
Hello / Bonjour Sarah!!! I read you blog - and wow - you sound like me at your age! I went to a diabetic symposium sponsored by JDRF (Juvenille Diabetes Research Foundation) here in Montreal today - and I was talking to a few teenagers - telling them how I’d found life at their age (I’ve had diabetes since age 6) - it’s tough - but don’t beat yourself up. There are so many places here on the Internet - not just Tudiabetes - that you can go to for help or someone to “talk” with - so don’t feel alone. I wish I’d had this sort of thing when I was your age. I only discovered these types of community a year ago - and it’s made a HUGE difference in how I feel about diabetes now. So, keep on the right track - like Marie B says - with a pump you do abit more BG testing then you do now - but like you say - better then once a month . I guess I average about 7 times a day for BG testing - but luckily I use a BG meter called the Freestyle Lite that allows me to test on my forearm - so my fingers escape the vampire stabbings from time to time. Well, have to get to beddy byes - as I am going to be writing about all the stuff I learned at the symposium today - check my blog postings at Diabetes1.org during the week (I go by the same pen name of FatCatAnna). Meow!!!
Dear Sarah,
Knowing that you need to take steps is great. Have you been taught how to count carbs and also are you involved in an exercise program. By testing oneself before a meal and two hours after, you can get a better feel for what works for you. At first, I wrote everything down in a journal and eliminated foods that caused my glucose to rise. It takes a great deal of effort, but I chose this method since I want to feel and be healthy. Fortunately, there are many ways of gaining information on the internet that was not available a few years ago. You are a smart young lady who deserves to take care of herself. I try to eat at least three meals and two snacks a day. I also run every morning about three miles and weight train four days a week. The more muscle mass you have the better you are able to control glucose levels. The plus side of taking care of myself is that I look good and feel great. Let’s take one step at a time. Keep a journal of what you eat and your glucose levels. ITake one day at a time.