Hello… I am new here but not new to T1D. I have been diabetic now for 20 years, diagnosed at 15 after losing 30 pounds, many nights waking up to leg cramps and falling asleep just about everywhere. At first, my mom thought I was bulimic. She would follow me to the bathroom immediately after eating to see if I was throwing up… What else could explain her formerly chubby daughter weighing 95 pounds in three layers of clothing and timberland work boots. When they brought me to the hospital my blood sugar was 980 according to the doctor who came in and couldn’t believe I was not in a coma.
I have spent 20 years simply managing, and I am so tired. I have never joined a group like this, but there just isn’t anyone in my life who really understands.the thirst, heartburn, and general grogginess that comes with high blood sugar… The fear and panic that comes with the lows. Not to mention the embarrassment of sweating in public and sounding drunk or blacking out and saying horrible things to the people who try to support me.
Lately I have been just burned out, finding an endocrinologist has been a challenge. I went to one to ask for the pump and was told “you have to be the pump for a few months before I will consider signing you up” I left completely dejected, and angry… They give children the pump for gods sake! I did not go back to that endo. My new endo did sign me up, and my mini end is coming this week. I am ridiculously excited that this may be the thing that will help me live a more normal life, be more healthy and maybe…just maybe live a little longer…