Sick and tired of being sick and tired!

Mental and Emotional Wellness
#1

I'm 20 and I've been type 1 since I was 13. I am a Junior in college right now. I have constantly been sick throughout my college years. It's just been one thing after another, flu, mono, horrible eye infection, etc. I'm at the point where I can't keep up with my friends anymore. Going to class is about all I have energy to do. Since the end of finals (at the beginning of the month) all I've done is slept most of the day, everyday. I currently have a cold with off and on fever that won't go away. My blood sugars haven't been great and are definitely far from where I would like them to be. I would say I'm getting depressed! I spend so much of my free time trying to figure out how to become more healthy that I know I am making my life even more imbalanced. I stuck in this awful rut and just can't figure out how to get out of it. Thoughts?

Thanks!

#2

What's your A1C at? I've had type 1 since I was 4, and have just started my second year of university and am only beginning to get my blood sugar levels together. One thing I can say for sure is do not let yourself get stressed! Anyone with a brain will tell you - and I've heard this from several doctors - that having type 1 and trying to juggle school will stress you incredibly, it's bad enough that you should consider the illness another like another course, consider taking part-time?
I've been learning to be very wary of when I get tired and need to go home, even if it means I've only made it halfway to a party. One friend laughed the other day, he noticed I'd been looking healthier these past months and after agreeing to go to a concert with him I went up a couple minutes later and said "you know, I'm already going out twice this week, I think I'd better stay in." He laughed and said, "Saying the old Liz would do it to get you to come actually doesn't apply in this situation."

Sleep, keeping your stress low and just stick with the friends that matter... they'll understand you're health needs and support you when you can't go out. You'll still get sick, but you'll learn to manage. Sadly, it seems we type 1's are a delicate creature.

#3

I know it might sound like the same old speel.. but I'm all too familiar with that deadly rut. And it's a shame, but the only way out is learning how to take care of yourself first, then school and social life. I know trying part-time classes saved me this term, and my GPA is finally looking up. Wish you luck!

#4

Thank you for your reply! One step at a time, with one focus at a time sounds like a good plan. Best of luck to you! I like to think that we are put in tough situations because we are strong enough to handle them.

Thanks again, Hannah

#5

My A1c and GPA aren't suffering too much but my quality of life is. I will definitely look into taking less courses next semester. More sleep is probably something I could use too, I've been pretty stressed. Thanks for all your insight!

#6

This is EXACTLY how I've been feeling recently. I've signed up for some therapy because bad sugars, no control and trying so freaking hard for months on end, is actually making me feel depressed. And that's something I never thought I'd be.

I'm glad I'm not the only one constantly shattered! I've had to tell my friends that I'm just too tired to even hang out with them in the same room somedays because of my sugars, and they don't really get it. Tbh I don't either, all I know is that if I've had one low or one high that day or night I'm shattered for the next 12 hours and if it's two or lots of fluctuations, I can't cope. I'm 20 now and at uni, and I've had diabetes since I was 11. I used to cope with this and just get on with it, but this has been going on daily since before Christmas and I don't know how I'm still moving tbh... let alone getting moody or depressed.... anyway please PM me (I don't know if you can do that here - I'm BRAND new :P) and I'll be very happy to talk. Glad I'm not alone.

#7

I just saw your comment and I'm so glad you posted it! It's always nice to that you are not alone. I am feeling better and starting to get my blood sugars under more control. I hope the same happens to you soon aswell. Best of luck and let me know if you ever need to talk.

#8

Hannah:

I totally get what you're saying. When I was diagnosed T1 Diabetes, my Junior year of College, it was definitely a challenge. Trying to accomplish projects, homework, while learning to control the disease and the low blood sugars, is not an easy task.

I find myself, at times, in depressive states. It's hard to imagine, because everyone that knows me, thinks of me as positive type of person and always see the glass as, "Half full," instead of, "Half empty." I know it's hard to kick this "funk," but the more we sit and focus on the problem, I feel the worse it gets for me. Having a supportive family helps me. Focusing my attention to other things helps me a lot as well (i.e. the gym, runs, working out, shopping, eating, etc...). Basically, anything that can help me avoid dwelling on the negative.

This past week, I went on a long run, a little more than half way through it, I believe I experienced a low blood sugar, could have been heat exhaustion, since my sugar levels were never below 177, but it took a toll on my brain. I haven't felt "normal" since the episode, and still trying to get out of this "funk." Talking to people and letting out my emotions is helping me get out of this negative state of mind, but it isn't easy.

I believe the good lord doesn't give you anything you can't handle, so this too shall pass. Staying positive is the key (easier said than done, I know) and a supportive team, whether it be friends or family, is key. Hang in there and try to focus on the positives.

If you ever need a set of ears, you can count on mine and the whole community on this website :)

Cheers!

Lorenzo