I have to admit, I am completely sick of being diabetic…was diagnosed with T1 four years ago and this is the first time that I have felt this way… perhaps because during my pregnancy last year I was so strict with my blood glucose numbers… since my daughter was born 6 months ago I find I could care less about diabetes as a whole… awful, I know… but I cannot be the only person who has felt this way! Went to my endo a couple days ago and my A1C is 7.8 (highest it has been since my diagnosis), up from a 5.2 throughout pregnancy. I am currently on an insulin pump but am switching back to lantus for a break… just looking at my pump makes me cranky. This is a total switch from the way I have always dealt with diabetes… would love to hear from others who are/have been burnt out in the past for ways to get through this. Thanks! Kris
Hi Kristina. Congratulations on your baby! I’m currently 19 weeks pregnant and hoping for the best! I’ve been burned out before. It’s no fun! I’ve been type 1 for 13 years. A1c is currently 6.5% (lowest it’s ever been). I was diagnosed at 17.1%.
The only way that I got through burnout - been there two times so far- is by looking at T1 as a challenge. I work well off of personal challenges, so seeing a 125 after a meal, or seeing an 80 at wake-up is a success for me and makes my day better.
I also look at T1 as a way to ensure I’m a healthy person. I eat well, mostly all-natural, and I stay in good physical shape. Compared to many women I know at my age, I have been taking really good care of my body- which motivates me to keep going so I can stay in good physical shape and looking good for a really long time.
It’s like exercising. No one REALLY wants to do it, but we do it anyway because in the long run, we need it to keep healthy and to live longer.
Hi Kristina,
I’m about a year behind you in T1 tenure, so know that my empathy is less informed, but I think it’s okay to feel a little burned out each day if it isn’t disruptive to your life. I vent a little bit internally to avoid the kind of “totally fed up” nuclear burnout you seem to be approaching. When I feel like I’m getting REALLY frustrated, I try to think about all those kiddos that have had to deal with this awful thing so much longer than I have and at much more inconvenient times in history. Also, and perhaps a bit cliche, just take another look at your little one and imagine all those things you want to be around for. (this part works particularly well for me) ;-). Good luck and chin up!
Oh, I know this feeling. It is going on 21 years since I was diagnosed with T1, and I go through this periodically. College was particularly bad, but I have had burnout at other points too. I dont’ really have a good answer to this, but something that works for me, to some degree, is to do something I enjoy and take my mind off of diabetes. For example, I enjoy dancing. So I have been taking dance classes for fun, and while I’m there I’m just having fun and not thinking about diabetes (or work, or anything else that’s on my mind).
Another thing I try to do is focus on the positive. It’s so easy to feel bad for yourself (and I’ve been there), but I try to think about the fact that it could be so much worse. Thankfully this is a disease that, as long as it’s under control, does not prevent you have having a “normal” happy life.
Venting and talking to others that understand helps too. TuDiabetes has been amazing for that!
There is a famous quote which might be of some help “… when going through hell… just keep on going…”.
You are FAR from the last to walk away from their pump whether perminantly or just for the short term.
If it increases your suffering, then do not use/do it. We all get small time-outs… and for the record 7.8 is absolutely NOTHING in the big picture. When you get to double digits then you can be cranky with cause.
Until then, stop adding the pressure to your own life. You have enough going on…
Hi Marps, Thank you for your words of encouragement… funny, I used to see T1 as a challenge and trying to be as healthy as possible made it less of a drag and more of a goal, but over time I forgot that. So thank you for the reminder!!
Best of luck with your pregnancy! How are you feeling? Pregnancy + T1 is definitely a challenge but it is all worth it in the end when you get to hold that baby Let me know if you have any questions, I was in your shoes last year at this time and had millions of questions Kris
Kristina,
Congrats on the baby. I’ve heard other t1 moms say this same thing. Pre-pregnancy and then being PG with T1 is soooooo very intense.
Check out sixuntilme.com for some suggestions. Kerri gave birth about a year ago and has blogged about this very thing. She broke through some of her problems and is doing better.
I understand wear you are coming from. Looking after your diabetes is a on-going lifestyle that doesn’t change. I have been T1 for 13 years, and at times in my life I have slacked for a while. Congrats on your baby. Becoming a mother changes things. A child is a blessing, but also very needy. I have a 11 mths old baby girl and a 3.5 yr son. I am a new member here, and I think this a great way to connect with others like ourselves and help motivate eachother to live healthy with this disease. Are you feeling happy overall? I was wondering if you might have a bit of winter blues or pp depression? Here to chat if you’d like.
I think the best way to avoid burnout is to get into something else to not only distract you from diabetes but serve as motivaition to control things effectively. If you have some kind of hobby or interest, get into it more intensely, so you are forced to do what it takes to get diabetes in line, whether it’s eating to ensure smoother curves, adjusting your insulin to cover it or tossing a walk in to make things go more smoothly before your [insert activity], hobbies and distractions have been big for me. My whole saga is on my page but that’s sort of the gist of it?
Wow, Congrats on your baby. I am in awe at your abiltiy to handle being a diabetic and a new mom. Here I am complaining of feeling fried dealing with D. I hope you hang in there, take it easy. I just experienced the biggest burnout out in 28 years of dealing with this bloody D. Hang in K, Cheer.
Trev from Three 2 Treat
If it makes you feel any better, looking at my pump makes me feel cranky too. Don’t be too hard on yourself, being a mom is hard (so I hear and believe even though I never was one), and so is diabetes.
I dunno about the reliability thing. 3 years into this pump it’s still going. I’ve had several bike crashes’ was tossed on it a few times in martial arts classes, dropped it on the floor a couple of times and got it cold enough running outside in the winter that the LCD screen went dim. I am still concerned about it but I think the MM 722 seems to be pretty durable?
They say it ‘takes a village’ of people to help yourself manage D.
thats why it feels like alot at times.
I just wanted to tell you about my friend above,
not to scare you, but to make you understand, the more you do well, the more you can keep away from the bad effects.
and all your efforts are worth it!!
its a fact that these days good control means good health
Let me know if you have any questions, I was in your shoes last year at this time and had millions of questions