What was the strongest emotion you felt when you were diagnosed with diabetes?

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1

For me the strongest emotion was probably fear. I had seen some terrible things caused by diabetes including amputations, blindness and death. I didn’t really know and understand that much about the disease but I knew it was bad and could wreck lives.

My next strongest emotion was anger - why me? What have I done to deserve this.?

Now I understand that the real secret to life with diabetes is learning how to live a good life and avoid the terrible problems associated with the disease. It requires a real dedication to your self to live a long happy life. I have lived with it now for some time and although I still have some fears and anger, I now wonder more about what have the people around me done to deserve this.

I am sure this is an evolution that most diabetics go through. THose of you who are more experienced than me, what is the next emotional phase?

2

When I was diagnosed the biggest one was confusion.

Now it’s frustrated. With the disease, the system, the medical care.

3

I felt relief. I had adult onset type 1 and felt horrible for months without going to the doctor. As I went into the ER, I thought that I would die. Then they started giving me insulin and I was full of energy (after several hours)! The hard parts of life with diabetes only started later. In the hospital, I was just so grateful that I was okay and that I had something that I could live with!

I think the conversation of my diagnosis went something like this:
Doctor: You have type 1 diabetes.
Me (realizing that I have NO IDEA what that was): Am I going to die?
Doctor: No, you can live, but you will need to take insulin to stay alive.
Me: OK. (Sat back and relaxed).

4

Anger at first, then denial for a few years. Now I’ve accepted it but I get frustrated alot.

5

I also felt relief, then fear. Was I going to die? I didn’t know what diabetes was. I wasn’t fat. I wanted to eat candy! But I was happy they had a name for my issue. I have the same conversation that Kristin had, except after I asked if I was going to die, the doctor said, “In the good world…”, that’s when I zoned out.

6

Fear, I was in ICU for over a week and all I did was cry. Then angry, then frustrated, then sad (poor me), then confused…Now, GRATEFUL I am alive and I can walk, talk, see, breathe, and I am here to love my family and friends and enjoy life!