Thanks for the invite!
I have been Diabetic (Type 1) for three years
now. Two injections a day. My Father died in 1990 from
complications of Diabetes, he was 50. Since my diagnosis I have
felt that this disease is a “Death sentance”. I know
that we all go through the “emotional ups and downs”
but I cannot seem to shake this feeling of doom. I
think that my main problem is the regimental aspect of
this disease, inject the insulin, test your blood,
watch what you eat, do this, do that. It’s enough to
drive you crazy! And then there’s; “If you don’t do
this you’ll”, go blind, lose a limb, kidney failure,
heart disease, coma, death. Very overwhelming! The
worst feeling for me is when my blood sugar drops too
low, feels really bad. Going out to eat is another
story; “excuse me, I have to sneak of to the bathroom
and inject myself with insulin now”. I feel like an
addict sneaking of for a quick fix. Anyway, thanks for
the invite to this club!<br
September 29th, 2003 at 10:13 pm
You might be regimented now, but also may want to
remember that life in general can be regimented. You get
up to go to work, You make appointments to meet
others and most everything is on a clock.<br
when you can, you might ask your doc about the insulin
pump. This has freed me for the last seven years out of
16 with diabetes. No more tight schedules! I do
still test and count carbs and try to do right by
myself, but it’s more rewarding to wake up at eight am or
one pm and have a BG of 88-96 mg/dL.<br
got Novo-Pens before I got the pump and injected into
my leg at the table when at restaurants. I didn’t
say anything, just did it and no one was the
wiser.<br
past this ‘death sentance’ thing. OK? You hold all the
power as to your future health and well-being and we
have better tools these days in order to deal with
diabetes…many of those ‘threats’ no longer apply….IF you’re
good to yourself. <br
lot of the lows you’re having, and I really think if
you get into carb counting and show the motivation,
you can do it more easily on a pump. This little
beeper-sized contraption has-I feel- saved me from many
hospitalizations and so far, I have NO diabetes related
complications.<br
it.<br
September 30th, 2003 at 11:48 pm
Could you tell me if the pump is restricting at
all movement-wise? I’ve been debating about getting
one but it seems like I would have a hard time
sleeping and it would be a nuissance to me all the time.
October 2nd, 2003 at 1:24 am
Hello Craft,<br
the first thing I want to express to you is that in
no way is having Diabetes a death sentence. Millions
of people have it and have managed to live long and
productive lives.<br
afraid of diabetes, and because of all we know what
diabetes-related complications can do to someone of course it
becomes really scary. <br
you to do is not to feel embarassed about having
Diabetes. The fact that you need to take insulin injections
means that you are doing what’s necessary to live a
healthy and balanced life, please don’t feel like you’re
an addict going for a fix. I know the act of taking
injections can make you appear that way to yourself, but
what you’re really doing is called
survival.<br
otherwise those things you fear can become the death
sentence you are worried about and all those complications
can very well arise from lack of control, but every
diabetic is different.<br
about the pump is an excellent idea to look into. It
would make coping and dealing with having Diabetes far
more easier and better to deal with.<br
that what bums most people out is the feeling that
they HAVE to excercise and they HAVE to count carbs
and that they feel obligated to do it, whereas
someone who doesn’t have it can take it or leave it, so
they would do it out of want and desire instead of
need. People by nature don’t like doing things they
feel they are forced to do, so that’s where the
depression sets in because they feel like they are trapped
and that their freedoms are compromised, and that
also causes the anger and frustration.<br
best thing you can do is do the best you know how one
day at a time, and one step at a time, and to try and
not to push yourself beyond your own limits.
Otherwise you can very well get burned out and might start
neglecting your condition based on sheer frustration, and in
the long run that can lead to
complications.<br
doom, because as long as you’re healthy and active now
and you maintain that pretty well on average
(considering that you might have some off days, which are
normal), you are really going to be okay, and if you ever
feel any need to express your feelings, or to vent, or
to just ask for advice or for info, you’ve come to
the right place.<br
it’s a pleasure to have you here. :-)<br
October 3rd, 2003 at 2:59 am
OK, I have to tell this story. I lived in
Northern Ireland for about 14 years getting into music and
the ‘old traditions’ there. I was actually diagnosed
at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital in September
1984.<br
“Busker”–Street musician, for fun and spare money.<br
bus one evening, -Still on shots-, I tested
(Gawdawful Accu-CheckII -we called it the ReflouluxII) and
was a bit high. So, Out came the syringe and vials
and I shot up on the bus. No biggie to me anyway by
this time, <br
later (He was in the Police=RUC) asking if I’d gone
busking on tuesday. I said ‘yes, why?’ and -with much
chuckling- the copper told me somebody had told them about a
‘drug addict on the bus with a
guitar!’.<br
<br
was and am paying my bills and cleaning my own house,
so didn’t feel any shame about it, and was never led
to feel shame. Because of this ‘openness’ the Cops
knew me as an “Insulin Powered Busker” (!!) and they
all laughed at the ‘report’ because they suspected it
was me!<br
bet, but he didn’t own up! <br
status, Belfast is a small town, roughly 340,000 in and
around the City itself.<br
qualm or two about carrying syringes and vials, No WAY
has it the same ’stigma’ as when you are also a
MUSICIAN! Sure, EVERYBODY knows WE are ‘dopers’ and all
that rot! LOL!<br
not -nor ever has been- a ‘doper’. It’s been offered,
but I reply: “Aw, heck, I take enough injections,
thanks!”.
October 4th, 2003 at 4:35 am
That was a really good story! Just to give you a
little background on myself…. I am 23 and I have a 2.5
year old son (almost 3) who is type 1 diabetic.
Everyone freaks out when I prick his finger or give him a
shot in public. I think it’s great cause I love to
inform people about diabetes and explain to them what
I’m doing. My son thinks he’s a regular kid (which he
is, but he’s EXTRA special!) and thinks that’s just
the way life is! <br
everyone!<br
October 7th, 2003 at 9:21 am
Actually, as something personal, I sleep in PJ’s
with knicker (Underwear briefs. My infusion set is
usually into my abs…I have them, somewhere under the
‘puter padding…and the pump in a “Clip case which is
hooked to my waistband. When I pull up my knickers and
PJ’s, I take the line and ‘twirl’ it around two or
three fingers and place the ‘loops’ of thin tubing into
the front of my knickers. It stays there and I’ve
never been tangled. Not even with five doggers around
me…:-)<br
put your pump into the pocket from the inside of the
shirt and it stays secure in your bed and on
you.<br
October 14th, 2003 at 4:48 am
First of all I want to say Welcome to all the new
members — my goodness where are all of you coming from?
This is a wonderful club and, I can see, Taty is
really putting a lot of effort into it.<br
to respond to you Craft, because this has been
bothering me for a long, long time. I am embarrassed to be
a diabetic. I have recently started dating again
and I try desperately to hide the fact, because when
they find out, the first thing is, “Oh God, what do I
do if you go into a coma?” The answer to that one
seems quite simple to me, “Call 911.” Then they begin
to act like I’m a leper and the disease is catchy.
My ex-husband used to call me a “junkie” every time
I gave myself an injection — he would just stand
there and look at me and shake his head in disgust. Not
very good for the old self-esteem.<br
say, “Do you have to do that in front of us?” No, I
don’t, you may leave the room any time you
choose.<br
but when I read your posting, I knew I could now
admit that what bothers me the most about being
diabetic is — I AM ASHAMED OF IT.<br
October 18th, 2003 at 1:31 am
Cheryl, here I am again. My doctor verified just
exactly what you said, that many are ashamed of having
diabetes. I, too, keep wondering what I did to get this
disease, but, since my father had it, mine is probably
familial. So, we diabetics perhaps aren’t so lucky in our
genetic makeup. I guess the important thing is not to
deny that we have it, and to try to take charge of our
lives with diet, exercise and medication. I guess I’m
saying that we need to put these feelings of shame aside
and get on with taking care of ourselves.<br
thankful for this group. We can share our feelings openly
and it seems there is always someone there to respond
and help.<br
October 20th, 2003 at 2:21 pm
I think some of my embarrassment and guilt is
that my mother keeps telling me, “I told you not to
eat all those cookies and milk — that it would catch
up with you.” I have heard that a thousand times if
I’ve heard it once.<br
no diabetic background. However, I know it is
hereditary — my daughter had it when she was pregnant
(gestational) and my son is hypoglycemic. However, my great
grandparents may have had it and not even known about it.
<br
it?<br
October 22nd, 2003 at 7:38 am
Why be embarrassed of being diabetic? I am 19
years old and have been a Type 1 diabetic for going on
8 years. I have been on the pump for 6 years and I
absolutely love it. All my friends were a little skeptical
at first because nobody in my 6th grade class had
ruined the idea of being sick all the time. Eveyone
thought they could catch it. Nobody else in my family had
it so it was a little hard on everyone. But as time
went by everyone got used to it and when I would take
shots, everyone would thinl it was so cool that I could
actually give myself an injection. When I started on the
pump it was a moment in time. I was the coolest 8th
grader at my school. You shouldn’t be embarrassed. All
this time I have had diabetes, I have played
basketball, ran track, played piano in jazz band, played
percussion in marching band, and was in almost every club at
school you could think of. Everyone knew I was diabetic,
even the fans that came to watch. I was one of the
best in everything I done and I had loads of friends.
I know have been graduated for 2 years and still am
as active as can be. I go to college and coach
basketball. I have loads of fun and I am not ashamed to tell
everyone about my diabetes because I am like a role madel
to many people. They think I a diabetic can do all
that and still be healthy why can’t I? I talk to a 5th
grade class every year about diabetes so they want
treat someone with diabetes like my friends treated me
before they found out they couldn’t catch it. If you are
ashamed, you will be stressed out more by trying to hide
it. It’s just a fact of life. God has gave us a
“hurdle” (even though it takes a heck of a set of legs to
jump) and we must take it like it is and live life to
it’s fullest. I think the problem with most diabetics
is their doctors. They want you to alow down
(apeaking from experience) and then diabetics don’t care so
we sit at home and let our diabetes live our lives
and not us. I live my life because I don’t want
diabetes to bee my life. It is just a part of my life that
I have to take care of everyday for the rest of my
life (until the cure is found). Don’t be ashamed. Be
glad that God thought you were strong enough to handle
it. Don’t prove him wrong. I know it is hard. I am
just now getting good control of my sugars. But the
on;y complication I have is I have to wear glasses and
my eyesight hasn’t changed in 7 years. Just another
thing. I have a magazine cutout I carry with me. I get
sick of checking my sugar and I swear up and down that
it is time to let my diabetes take over my life
until I read this quote. It says “I am stronger that
diabetes.” And it’s true. YOu are stronger unless you let
yourself not be. Just a little bit of my mind. I see so
many people ashamed and I can’t understand why. I know
with society it is hard to live with shots but with
the pump you just look like you have on a beeper. If
we are ashamed and don’t let people know that
diabetes is a hard disease but you can handle it, diabetes
is still going to be the 3rd leading cause of death.
Well everyone have a wonderful, beautiful Saturday. I
hope I did not upset anyone. That was not my
intention. Remember to SMILE! <br
what you make it!
October 23rd, 2003 at 9:14 am
Hi Cheryl, Thank you for your message about
dating and injecting. I was diagnosed in February 1999
with type 1 diabetes and rushed to the hospital with
over 950 Blood glucose…guess who took me to the
hospital when I did not want to and woke me out of my near
coma to get me dressed to go there? That’s right my
girl friend at the time. We dated another 2 years and
she was very patient and understanding with the
diabetes even teasing me when I had to excuse myself to go
to the men’s room to injject before a restauarant
meal. She even helped her two daughters appreciate what
I was going through when I could not adequately
explain about my diabetes. Her 12 year old daughter even
gave me injections in the arm as her mother explained
to her..” if you want to be a nurse you have to
learn to give injections”. <br
girlfriend of 3 months does not know about my diabetes. I
have tried to think of the right time to tell her but
since she lives in Australia and our communication as
yet has not been face to face, it has been hard. I
know that she loves me dearly but sharing diabetes can
sometimes give rise to misconceptions and old tired horror
stories. Any suggestions you might want to give me would
be appreciated. Incidentally I think there is always
light at the end of the tunnel. I have lost 70 lbs and
seen my Insulin requirements shrink considerably in
addition to going off one of my 3 high blood pressure
medications(hoping one more soon!). I feel like a new man and have
so much energy. Best of luck to you in your new life
and also my fellow club members in room ! John
October 25th, 2003 at 12:25 pm
Amanda you have made my day with your wonderful story. You must be an
inspiration to everyone you meet. Thanks again John
October 26th, 2003 at 2:01 pm
OK…On being ‘ashamed’ of having diabetes…. I
have odd views of how our earth was created and how it
got populated. With any Genetic ‘blending’ there will
be some problems. Getting diabetes type one and some
forms of type two, are NOT ANYONE’S “Fault”!! You
didn’t ‘get it’ from cookies and milk, nor did you get
it from a kid at school. I believe -for real- that
it is a DNA “crapshoot”. This insidious condition
has been noted in ancient Egyptian Papyrus scrolls
and it was given its’ name in Ancient greek:
“Diavitikos” about 3,000 years ago.<br
hereditary, but the genetics are such that no one can predict
just WHO will get it. Studies are happening now with
more advanced genetic studies and our improved
knowlege of the DNA.<br
ventured out across land and sea, settling and mixing with
other ‘tribes’ diabetes is also ’spread out’over the
earth.<br
many forms of Type two diabetes, type one is merely
the result of an immunity system issue. Back in the
Old Days, folks didn’t have the lifespan that we do
now, and I feel that some forms of type two diabetes
are purely age related. Many people didn’t live to
see 50, and consequently, they may have had the
PROPENSITY to develop type two ‘betes, but they died before
this actually happened.<br
ashamed of having diabetes I feel a sense of mystery at
having a very ancient ‘dis-ease’, and the type twos
should be proud of living long enough that they have
this sign of age. <br
away from who and what you are. I realize the ignorant
statements are from the ‘cowain’ (Unintiated….unaware) and
do not let their uninformed ‘information’ bug me.
Type ones make up 10% of the 10% of the entire
population who have diabetes of any form. If I’m
mathematically accurate, this means type ones are 1% of the
whole. I rather feel part of a ’select’ group of
humanity. Maybe that’s how I get around it, but it works
for me.<br
November 23rd, 2003 at 5:18 pm
Amanda:<br
between your age and mine. You became diabetic in a more
informed world and you are young and able to adapt much
sooner.<br
ashamed of it only because when someone discovers that I
have the disease, their feelings towards me change
(sometimes drastically). I have just entered the dating
world again after 11 1/2 years. When men I meet on the
internet see diabetes as one of my interests on my
profile, they freak. They are afraid that I will go into a
coma or something on them. Even people I have known
for a while, but hadn’t told them about the diabetes,
when they find out, they seem to walk on eggshells
around me — afraid to eat around me because I may be
tempted to eat what they are having, always asking if I’m
feeling alright or why am I yawning — is it a reaction?
And I have never heard anyone tell me “it’s cool that
you can give yourself shots.” All I’ve ever heard is,
“Ohmigod, how can you do that?” or “You look like you’re
shooting up heroin.”<br
on your illness and I commend you for posting. I
have a very good outlook also; if you go back and read
the rest of my posts you will realize that. I SMILE
to the point it makes some people nauseous –
LOL.<br
November 24th, 2003 at 6:53 pm
John:<br
started doing is just telling whomever I am going to meet
right from the get-go that I am a diabetic. If they
then sort of “drift away” (which has been happening
quite frequently by the way), then I realize they were
not the right person for me anyway. I also have met
some very nice gentlemen this past week who have been
very fascinated with the disease as they have family
members or other friends who have it and they want to
learn more about it. <br
say, is just put it out there and let your new
girlfriend do what she has to do with the knowledge. If she
truly loves your dearly, this won’t deter her from
continuing your relationship.<br
well now. My goodness, the highest sugar level that I
have reached has been 500 — can’t imagine 950! I’m
very glad your previous girlfriend was there for you
when that happened.<br
November 26th, 2003 at 10:04 pm
Jenny: Good for you. You have a healthy perception of the disease. However,
I’m not sure I could ever relish being part of that particular “select” group –
:D. <br
December 9th, 2003 at 7:31 am
Good morning, Cheryl. Am glad you are enjoying
spring.<br
fellowship, so has just finished her residency and is
knowledgeable about current trends in the treatment of diabetes
told me there is definitely a stigma against diabetes.
I have found that friends are afraid to acknowledge
this disease and do act rather strange around me. I am
not ashamed of it, but it does cause some anxiety in
me. Of course it’s easier for me since I’m just on
medication rather than injections.<br
friends in this group who sympathize and understand the
problems associated with diabetes. <br
there together!<br