http://www.tudiabetes.org/profiles/blogs/i-wrote-this-for-a-writing-assesment
https://forum.tudiabetes.org/topics/it-changes-us-but-in-a-good-way
read those 2 post tht i wrote. and its ok to feel scared just dont let it control you
Agree with a lot of the posters here about it being okay to be scared, but not letting it control you. When I first got on the pump last November, I had some moments of pretty deep anxiety. My blood sugars were totally up and down and nothing seemed to go right. My basal rates were a lot different than what I and my doctor expected based on my experience on Lantus. As an avid backpacker, I kept a trip short because I wasn't confident enough to go out for multiple days. However, my control has gotten better and slowly but surely I feel like I'm coming out of the cloud, though moments of fear still grab me (I think it's natural with a disease like this).
I think it can take some work not to let diabetes get the best of anyone. However, it is work worth doing as tough as it may be sometimes.
Oh darn, not at all? Not even in a pool? I swim an hour a day on the pump, but don't have a CGM.. do you, and does that make a difference?
I have gone swimming and took surfing lessons the summer of 2010 but, to me, I didn't enjoy it that much and I don't go out of my way to swim.
I always say I hate lows more than highs, but yesterday night, I had a pretty bad high (for me (324) -- don't know about anyone else) and I'm still working on getting it down, and still feeling nauseated and icky. So at the moment I hate highs more, but if I were to be totally honest, I hate diabetes altogether.
I travel alone on business a lot and I go through phases with it. Sometimes it doesn't faze me at all. Other times, I worry. I have in the past gone low and then pretty much stayed up all night in the hotel room for fear of going low again. In my less neurotic moments, I just make sure I have enough back up supplies and things to treat lows with me. I always feel my lows and I really think that is the key. I am not sure I would be as inclined to wander the world alone if I didn't always know whey I'm low in enough time to treat it.
No. When I was first diagnosed, I was a little scared for awhile....I took it step by step.
First, I went out for dinner and a show... that worked out fine.
Next, I took a domestic business trip by air.... brought extra supplies and tested more often to avoid problems while running with luggage through the airport. That worked out fine.
Next, I took an overseas trip and cruise. Took 2 X the supplies, extra everything, and did extra testing. Worked out fine.
That was all done on MDI.
In November I started on the pump and that has made things even easier. With shots, you are stuck with whatever basal rate you chose 12 or 24 hours ago....and if you exercise or have more activity than usual, you can go low. With the pump,
and variable basal programs, I have eliminated my overnight highs and afternoon lows. If I am traveling or exercising, I can program a temp basal to compensate.
So right now I am not scared. I am cautious to always have a supply of glucose with me and I usually test before driving.
I have to admit I haven't had an incident yet where I needed help from anyone...I can usually tell when things are not right. If and when that happens, I may change my tune.
Just plan ahead. I know how you feel and get nervous sometimes too, but I travel abroad almost every month for my job. Be in Vietnam with a low blood sugar and you begin to realize everything with this is about knowing you have a back up. It can still be scary, but at least you will not let the fear control your life.
I also lived in Japan by myself and in Hong Kong, and let me tell you it taught me the value of planning ahead. ;-)
Good luck!
Tom, I am sure I am old enough to be your mother, but I will tell you this, if you let diabetes run your life, which it sounds as if it is.....you're going to miss a lot. Do you have your supplies with you? Meaning, do you take your meter with you, do you have candies or something for the lows, do you have a diabetic ID bracelet or necklace? You shouldn't have to live in fear, if you have all the bases covered. Plan for the worst and live like it isn't going to happen. You look like a young man who could very well have a good time doing whatever, but don't allow your diabetes to get in the way of living. It's not worth it.
For me the biggest thing that freaks me out is going into an elevator and being stuck without food. It has prevented me from going into elevators. I will have to go to the 12th floor and I will tell people, see you there soon. There are perks to it though. My legs have been getting stronger from the steps. I started skipping a step to give myself a small workout when I am being super weird about my fobia.
Fear plays an important role in our lives. It helps us not take undue risks and keeps us alive. Beleive me, being male, without fear, I probably would have killed myself several times over with my stupid behavior.
But fear can get out of control and it can overwhelm us, going beyond preventing dangerous behavior and impeding our daily lives. While going to the 12th floor is not an issue, you need to consider what you would do when faced with a 100 story building. While it is good to get the exercise, perhaps it is also time to confront your fear. Perhaps you could start by taking the elevator just one floor and work up to it?
Fear can be a good thing, it can keep boneheads like me from prematurely killing themselves. But it can also take over our lives, give us terrible stress and anxiety and result in behavior that can in it's extreme cripple us. Having diabetes is bad enough, but we need to be diligent that the dangers that it presents don't disable us in uther ways.
You have your chance @ the hundred story building....
My sister got married @ the Sears (now Willits...) tower w/ the reception on top. Very nice. I didn't concern myself with the elevators.
No, I no longer let fear rule my life because of Diabetes. I test often, especially when going out. Luckily my husband is so Diabetes Aware, he knows more often than I when I'm going low.
How long have you had Diabetes? Do you test often? I read that you have a CGM, you should become comfortable with it and learn to rely on this technology. 36 years ago we just were winging it, you now have so many things to help you manage that we did not. You have a pump? It has been the godsend to managing my Diabetes.
There are days I just feel not sure. I test, pump myself up and go. I test again when I arrive at my location. You can do it!
I now travel overseas, drive places, and go out by myself. You have the tools to assure yourself that you are in control. Use them, and you will become more self assured.
LOL, I'm very comfortable with the CGM, just not jumping in the water with it, although I tried surfing with an infusion set plugged in. I don't think I stayed up on the board more than 3-5 seconds but it was interesting.
It's normal all ppl get scared sometimes just find you a local support group. My husband have been scared to do things to but he just recently found out he is a diabetic. You also have to make changes and do things that are helpful to you because everybody else body is different.
Oh I will take the elevator then, but will definitely make sure to bring some snacks with me lol
I have been having issues with the fear of finding a new job. I am afraid they won’t be understanding and cooperative when it comes to my diabetes but I don’t want to leave my crappy job because at least I know what is and isn’t acceptable there. To an extent I think it is normalI Do however, recommend seeking help if it becomes something that is interefering in your everyday life. You can’t let you diabetes get in the way of living.
I think its incredibly sad for someone so young to allow D to control a life. Until my crash and despite hi/low scares I used to ride or drive my mules or horse into the mountains weekly! Often alone. I 'm 67 next March. Have other complication now. But in 2007 I flew to Brasil to teach indigenous farmers some modern animal husbandry(Mule/Horse harness) techniques and never worried me once! My D2 has been crazy at times, but then hghi, I could exercise and low, I rested and eat! I had the KISS attitude in those days! Best wishes for your future!
We are normal people with a common issue that we can manage. Pack some supplies and do what scares you, it will be good for you to get out in the world without allowing your condition to dictate your activities.
Yes I can relate. Now that I wear an insulin pump I won't take a bath, go swimming or do anything where my body is submerged in water. The reason is I'm afraid of my pump coming off.
If you are afraid about your BG readings being too high or too low, you need to control your BGs, not let them control you. Your highs and lows are normal, but you need to control how frequent they occur. If you maintain good control and check your BGs regularly you can have a better idea where you are and have more confidence. I used to feel the same way as you when I only checked about two times a day. Now I check at least eight times or more per day. I have peace of mind where my BGs are at and can treat it if I'm too high or low.
Good luck and be healthy!