So I went to see my endo today and yet again had to see the look of horror on her face when reviewing my numbers. A1C is up to 8.7.
I feel like a smoker who can't quite cigarettes but my affliction is pizza and brew. Yeah, I know it sounds dumb, but obviously it's become an issue. I just celebrated my 35th birthday and coming up on almost 21 years with Type 1. I think I have been in denial for those 21 years. When I hear people mention the fact I'm diabetic I cringe. I just always wanted to be a normal boy. Problem is I'm now a man. A diabetic man. That's the reality.
So having said that, I tried to go to support groups but I find that I'm the only one there who doesn't need a cane and I'm not sporting blue hair and I'm pretty sure that I could workout with more than just soup cans. My whole life diabetes to me has always been portrayed as a senior citizens disease. That's maybe why I always had such a hard time accepting it.
Does anyone know of any Type 1 groups in the lower NY or Danbury CT area where people more my age meet to discuss Type 1? Is there anyone here on tudiabetes who may feel the same way I do?
I feel the same way most days. I have been D for 14 years and in control for 1 year give or take a month. What opened my eyes was when I had some say that their goal was to say “they lived 14 unhealthy years and 14 healthy years.” So my goal is in 13 more years I can look back say I DID IT!!!
I live in a very rural area. I like to beleive that I am the only D in a 100 mile radius. At least not with gray hair and type 2. So I find alot of support with Tudiabetes. They have helped me soo much mentally. You can find alot of support here.
But good luck with finding a local support group!!
I feel ya! I’m a type 1 who loves my pizza and beer too, fortunately I’m also part rabbit and can buffer said beer and pizza with huge salads. There are are plenty of us young strong diabetics out here. I hope you can link up with some in your neck of the woods or at least find the support you need out in internetland.
Hi, Peter. Welcome to the club. The “I’ve lived a long time with diabetes and all its ups and downs” club. The “why can’t I get my act together?” club. The “I’m sick of people confusing type 1 with type 2” club. And so on.
I used to think diabetes was my problem and my burden. Then, when I started to meet more people (and lots of them were virtual meets online), I realized a shared burden starts to look a teeny bit less like a burden and a little bit more like a challenging character-builder. Of course, it’s easier to think that on a good blood sugar day
I echo Danny’s comments about using online support if you can’t easily find in-person support. There are all kinds of people with diabetes conversing at all hours on this and other networks. If you use Twitter, check out the hashtags #bgnow, #bgwed (Wednesdays), and #sweatbetes to see people post numbers and encourage each other.
Contact the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and American Diabetes Association chapters in your region; they can refer to support groups. But you’ll probably have to attend one or more to find one that has the right mix of type 1 attendees and support. Best wishes!
Can relate. There’s a diabetes support group through a hospital where I live. I went to one meeting & felt out of place. Everyone was T2 & I didn’t feel particularly welcomed.
Thanks everyone for your comments! Just the fact that there are others out there who feel the same way and others who have offered advice has made me feel better.
I just play a tough guy in real life, but every once in a while need some help, so thanks so much!
