Has diabetes had an effect on you overall outlook, or even the way you 'are'? From a mental/social/how you interact with other people standpoint, how has diabetes has changed your life, if it has? Here what I'm thinkin', and what I'm curious about... if you could take your job requirements out of the equation, and if you can remember how it was before 'd', or just currently as a person with diabetes, do you think that being diabetic has affected the way you 'are'. By this I mean regarding subconscious or conscious behaviors. If you can't remember life before 'd', this is still for you. Tell us from your current outlook...
Feel free to add to this list...
for example, before 'd', how many of us were naturally: introverted
extroverted early risers night owls
punctual/not punctual
organized/unorganized
neat/messy
friendly/shy
spoke your mind/let others do the talking/kept your opinions to yourself (what could/should be added here?)
None of those changed for me. Being diagnosed Type 1 in middle age I personally think it has a lot less emotional impact than if it happened at a younger point. I’ll be interested to see if others agree.
None of those things changed for me: I was and am still: Introverted in some ways, extroverted in others, a night owl, punctual, organized, neat and outwardly friendly but inwardly a bit shy.
What has changed notably for me is that I’ve returned to a much earlier state in my life of feeling somewhat alienated from people “not in our club”. When I was a teenager/young adult it was the 60s and I was about as counterculture as you can get. What that meant in part for me was that I had a definite “us and them” mentality where I felt only a small segment of like-minded people could truly understand and everyone else was on the outside if not actual enemies. Having type 1 diabetes and seeing how little others understand of its daily management has brought some of that alienation back. Fortunately, with maturity and belated wisdom there are none of the “enemy” feelings, but it definitely has returned a sense of alienation I haven’t felt in decades.
OMG Tim! YES! I am glad someone else has experienced these changes - I thought it was just me.
I am newly DX - it is has been about 7 months for me and yes I am different. I am guessing you feel this way too or are different?
From your list:
I was introverted (and I am trying to be more extroverted)
I was a night owl ( actually I still am a bit but I am more discipline about getting up at a certain time - well have to eat and take my meds you know)
I have always been punctual (I don’t think that has changed but I worry less about being places on time)
I have always been organized (I still am very organized so the D schedule thing is easy for me but I tend to not stress as much about being organized)
I am on the neat side and always have been (since I try not to sweat the little stuff anymore I try not to freak out when I don’t make my bed or something)
Oh, I was very shy and always have been. This has always been a crutch in my life. I am always afraid people won’t like me if I try to talk to them, or they will feel like I am bothering them etc. So I stayed away. Now, I am more friendly (or try to be - I still get shy every now and than and hesitate). Now, I figure what the hell who cares if someone doesn’t like me. I am more likely to walk up and introduce myself to someone because it doesn’t seem like as big of a deal anymore than it did prior because how could that stuff be difficult compared to D?
Opinionated?
Well, this one I have always done - probably even much to much so. I am pretty opinionated. I have always been a good listener. I am definately more compassion when listening to others problems - although I seem to attract “wounded bird” types - funny how though, except on here, no one else in the real world is as compassionate unless they are going through something similar. People often want to have others listen to their problems but not vise versa. That is why TuD is so great.
You and I sound alot like in our personalities and habits. I was diagnosed when I was 40 (just this year) but it definatley changed me. It had a big emotionally impact on me. I guess maybe it that vein of “ok I have taken plenty of s**t already, and I am sick of it so carpe diem.” Which isn’t really me - well, at least not the OLD me. I look back on how shy I was as a kid - ugh - I miss out on so much. I guess I have decided enough is enough you know - esp. when I was dx, I thought about all stuff I was going to be limited with and it made me so sad and I already left limited in the "shy’ factor of my life so I figured if I am going to be limited in what I eat etc I want more of the other stuff. So in a way, yes, that alienation feeling that you are talkinga about it.
It was almost like I felt that because something had been taken away from me that I wanted something else in return (something I didn’t have when I was very shy but always wanted - more friends). But I still hesitate to tell people about my D because I worry they will treat me differently. I feel like now that I am more “carpe diem” about some things that I am making strides in my shyness but it is certainly hard to find reliable friends in todays world and as you get older it is also harder. But I am not afraid of it as much as I was before - I guess I figured if I can handle this I can handle getting over being shy. And I also figure that if I have to deal with this - than damn it, I DESERVE alot a friends.
hELLO from a 93 cliniczally dead diabetic with a BG of 880, a computer rookie, a senior partner in a new website, www.brdfoundation. con called BLUE ROSE DIABETES FOUNDATION, non-profit organization geared to help diabetics and disabled that fall through the crackc. We are located in MISSISSAUGA, part of GTA where INSULIN was discovered JULY 30 1921 by BANTING . I got involved with the BANTING FAMILY, in 1978. With my second chance have vowed to use my people skills (learned from my 25 years as a porter on CNR 15 YEARS ON THE toronto-vancouver run) Have been a ROLE MODEL THAT WALKS THE WALK and TALK THE TALK, involved in 150 health fairs from OSHAWA to BRACEBRIDGE to STONEY CREEK and malls in between, 10 years in a row at CNE, participated in 200 weekly shows on NEWTON CABLE called HEALTH, HERE AND NOW,as a LION CLUB MEMBER SINCE 1972 has been mentoring to webmembers in areas low in diabetes info but is part of LIONS 45.000 CLUBS jn 205 countries.My life has changed dramatically because I see the importance of being a ROLE MODEL is positive proop in letting people DIABETES is the BEGINNING not a DEATH SENTENCE. My saying to anyoneI meet, “‘IF YOU SEE SOMEONE WITHOUT A SMILE, PERFORM A ‘"MIRACLE’’, GIVE THEM ONE OF YOURS’” AMIGO clarence.haynes@sympatico.ca If I ,at 93 can still do my job of talking to ANYONE. ANYWHERE THE OPPORTUNILY ARISES, THOSE, YOUNGER THAN ME, CAN DO A BETTER JOB. I WOULD RATHER BE A YOUNG 93 THAN AN OLD 40 YEAR OLD.
I have always been somewhat introverted and that hasn’t changed. I do feel even more on the outside since going out for meals with friends is so difficult. I have been profoundly deaf since I had measles at age 4 and now I am 70 I have my first hearing aids that work for me - a new invention. This is something that puts you on the outside, diabetes just increases this feeling. I am punctual, not a night owl, fairly organised and definitely messy. Too many hobbies. And constantly keeping track of my blood sugars has me more anxious than ever. I love cooking and eating good food, I feel this has been taken away from me. I guess I am newly diagnosed so these feelings of alienation and deprivation will lessen with time.
I was diagnosed at 13. I have always been a bit of an extrovert, this did not change in the least. From then until now I did a lot of “living in the moment” and wasn’t organized or that thoughtful about planning ahead. Since I’ve actually done the full embrace of the D, I’m a bit more organized, I carry supplies with me, and most importantly, I started to actually carry glucose on me for the lows. One of the greatest traits that I can attribute to the diabetes is responsibility and discipline. Also, I am now a little bit better at doing math in my head.
I was diagnosed at 19. I have always be an introvert but since being diagnosed I have become a bit of an extravert. I have always been a night owl and ‘d’ has not changed that but I am also an early riser ‘d’ has had a part in that. Since ‘d’ I get up earlier than I was before. Wonder how do I get any sleep, but I do.
As far as being punctual ‘d’ has had nothing to do with that. How I manage to be on time to place with sometimes only 4 hours of sleep is beyond me. Since being diagnosed I have become more organized and neat. There are time when I am shy and then others when I am out going but I don’t know if ‘d’ had anything to do with this. I am one that will speek my mind depending on the situation I think ‘d’ and maturity. I am for sure friendly ‘d’ has had no effect on this.
I also have hearing aids. I have had them for 8 years. I have moderate hearing loss. It does make it hard. But when you can’t hear people, it is normal to want to draw away. It gets so frustrating. I actually I feel more withdrawn about my hearing on most days than I do about my D. I was 32 when I my hearing started lessening. Kind of depressing for a younger single girl who never had a problem with her ears in her life until a few years prior I had some bad wax impaction that lead to some infections. Just came out of the blue. So, when I found I got D this year, I was very familiar with the feeling of loss in a way - although it was much harder this time around.
Which hearing aids do you have? I have the CIC ones. I figured the smaller the better - I didn’t want people to see them - It took me years before I would wear my long hair back - I always wanted to cover them up. I need new ones now as these are 8 years old though really but I can’t afford them so I will have to make due. I know they have some ones out now that are a lot better. I would love to try those.
I, too, am a foodie. I am also a vegan and I spent much time coming up with tasty recipes to expand my eating choices but unfortunatley alot of these are high carb food so now I can’t eat any of those recipes anymore. Again I have to remodify or give them up. It is tough. I am good cook too.
Hi Missy (glad to see you back on here! We missed you! )
When you have D, I think because we all need to be so responsible with it (and it is a big responsibility!) that kind of makes one grow up faster (this is especially true for those who were dx’d a young age I think) - all of a sudden you have this big burden to carry with you and it isn’t temporary. I think you automatically mature more with it. No matter what age you are but I think it would be especially tough and maturing when you are young. I can’t even imagine how I would have dealt with this when I a wee one.
Hi KimKat. For me ‘d’ was the easiest thing for me to deal with at the age of 19. I already had a handful of others medical issues I was dealing with already befor ‘d’. But I do agree with you that having ‘d’ has made me more responsible in taking care of myself and in life in general.
I can understand you on the being deaf thing. I have been deaf since birth. It does make it hard and it makes you want to be withdraw from people and having ‘d’ on top of it does not help any. But it does get better. Glad you have found hearing aids that work for you, this will also help you feel not so much on the outside. I think if I did not have mine I would probable feel the same as you do.
I was 24 when I was diagnosed. I was pretty much always an introvert and shy. Once I got past my teen years, I have been neat. I have always been organized & punctual. I was not an early riser pre-diagnosis unless I had to be up for work. I am pretty much always up early now. Getting involved with the DOC has helped me express my opinions more – I used to just keep my mouth shut no matter what I thought. When I was first diagnosed and would go to a doctor, I didn’t question things and just went along with what I was told. Now I research and question everything and make up my own mind and don’t just follow what the doctor said. I know there are too many “and”s in there, but I don’t know how else to say it!
I have become more motivated to eat, exercise, and take care of me. I used to be the person who took care of everyone else but me. Now I spend some time with others, a lot of time with my family, and set aside a goodly piece of the day for me. I have learned more about my body, paid attention to what it is telling me, become a super organizer, concentrated on the people in my life, rather than the food we are going to eat when we are together. I have learned the names of vegetables and fruits that I never knew. I have grown to love fish and chicken, sworn that beef is beef, but just because i live in a beef producing state, doesn’t mean I have to eat every cow in it. I have become an advocate for health issues, ie. diabetes, no smoking, disabilities, etc. I am still working on controlling my stress level, but it will come.
I’m more introverted than extroverted. I’m friendly but guarded. The average acquaintance generally has no idea what I’m really like. I don’t show all my cards ever, and the ones I do show take a while to be revealed. It’s more a trust issue than anything.
Having diabetes has forced me to reach out and talk to people about topics that I would normally not broach for many months. If at all. I think it helps that y’all are cyber people, lol! That being said, some of the people I’ve met here I’d greet like old friends if we ever met face to face.
early risers/night owls
My hubby is a night owl, so I’ve kind of adapted. Mostly I’m a middle of the day person, and definitely NOT an early riser. Having diabetes has not changed that.
punctual/not punctual
Well, let’s just say if the person I’m meeting is punctual, then I’m punctual. If the person I’m meeting tends not to be, then I’m not going to be getting to our meeting destination early either. Diabetes hasn’t changed that either.
organized/unorganized
Organized when I have to be. Honestly I like a break now and then from schedules and discipline, but with diabetes there is none. I’d love not to prepare my lunch every night for work and just eat whatever I want to whenever I want to. But ok, it’s not that much time and I do want to be healthier than not.
neat/messy
Neat enough for me. But not for a compulsive cleaner. Whatever. And diabetes has not changed that.
spoke your mind/let others do the talking/kept your opinions to yourself
I am outspoken when I am passionate about something, and I’ve also learned to choose my battles over the years. No use wasting breath on people who have no interest in even listening to another side. This applies to all my interactions, in person and on line. Diabetes has not changed that either.
Now I’m winded and am going to go be a hermit and not talk to anyone for a while, lol!
I am shy to begin with so that never changed. What has changed was how much I eat! I use to be able to eat so much and not feel it. Now I have to stop and say I cant eat that when my sugar levels are in the 200s or I cant drink OJ like I use to. that what has changed. The way food has changed for me. I use to enjoy eating but now I get worried about whether or not I’ll spike or am I already high. My life has changed as far as hanging out my friends as I need to check my levels first then order whereas before I would just order. I now have to use the rest room to do my meds, etc. so i feel I dont have that freedom. I will once I am on the pump but for now, i have to stop for a moment.
I have compression hearing aids, and they are big. I was horrified when I first saw them, but I hear so much better with them in that I am happier. It was beginning to be quite difficult just living, so much is done on the telephone these days, and I could not hear at all. I am still not very good on the phone especially with those automatic answering systems, but life otherwise is a lot better for me.
I never adapt recipes, I hate all the low fat substitutes so it is just not worth attempting. I love curry, but since rice is no longer in my diet I have to do without.
Carol, I do hope you can come to terms with your diabetes. I was 70 when I was diagnosed with T2 and admit I had a bad couple of months, but after a struggle I am coming to accept it and since I am slowly losing weight have even come to be a little thankful for it. Chin up and keep smiling!
Do your hearing aids make it easier for you to hear in noisy public places? I can’t afford new ones but any stretch right now but hopefully for the furture…I wish that there was something that could be done for people who need them but can’t afford them.
I never heard of compression hearing aids. Mine are digital. They have to adjust them by software and unfortunately the company got bought out (Sonic Innovations) so they don’t have the software anymore to adjust mine. grrr.
What drives me nuts is how when I am in a noisy public place like a restaurant - They still amplfy EVERYTHING so I can’t even hear what the person next to me is saying! I hope one day they invent hearing aids that can do this like normal natural hearing does. I will sometimes avoid noisy restaurants just because of this. Weird how people think that hearing aids are like glasses and they are not. They do not “correct” your hearing and are 10x’s more expensive.
Funny how I used to have bad astigmatism and wore contacts and glasses and than I had my eyes lasered and I have great vision now. I was thinking “Ooo, I will save tons of money on contacts stuff etc…” and what happened? Ha, about a year after I needed hearing aids - I honestly don’t know what is worse - but I think I would rather be deaf than blind but geez, hearing problems are hundred times more expensive than having vision problems - meaning glasses are so cheap and you can get them everywhere but hearing aids - never! ugh. I wish they would invent some sort of hearing drops than would fix your hearing like the laser surgery fixes your eyes.
PP, The phone can be hard too for me because I sometimes get feedback and why do people mumble on the phone on the other end?
for example, before ‘d’, how many of us were naturally:
introverted I was more extroverted before was diagnosed, but now I am careful who I share with and what I say.
extroverted I am not as trusting that others won’t run away when I start talking about D
early risers That was never me
night owls Same as before, I am just getting up to speed when the sun is going down.
punctual/not punctual I have been more often late in the morning because of all I have to do now with D.
organized/unorganized A little more organized all the new stuff I have to keep track of.
neat/messy About the same as before. Medium neat, moderately messy
friendly/shy A little more shy than before I was diagnosed.
spoke your mind/let others do the talking/kept your opinions to yourself
I am a little more aggressive about speaking up when someone says something blatently stupid about D.
(what could/should be added here?)
I have been much more active in my hobbies since my diagnosis, fishing, playing music, sailing, etc., feeling a lot more fragile and mortal. I figure that during my final lap I am more likely to regret the stuff I didn’t do than regret anything I have ever done.
