[Vee_bear0104]

Hi I'm a 18 (soon to be 19) year old type 1 diabetic. I have had diabetes since I was 23 months old. I am at the point now where I really just don't care anymore. I know I need to check and give insulin but what's the point? I've been struggling with this issue for about three years and it really hit hard my senior year (I'm a freshman in college now). I saw a counselor all thru last year but to no avail. I just feel like there is nothing left to help make my life easier with living with diabetes. I have an extreme allergy to medical adhesive so insulin pumps and CGMs are out of the question. I've tried symilan too but it totally screws up my stomach. So my main question is what the hell do I do? What can I do to help light a fire under my ass to better take care of myself? I've tried everything in the book and nothing works so please don't give me textbook answers. My next appointment is Tuesday so we'll see what my doctor says but I could really use some help.

 

[Shanny]

Believe me, Vee_bear, we don't place much stock in textbook answers around here. Diabetes is one disorder you have to figure out what works for you & ignore what the pseudo-experts say. Unless they're living the life - like Dr. Richard Bernstein (type 1), Jenny Ruhl (type 2) & a few others - they really don't have much to teach us.

Our membership includes many type 1s - some diagnosed recently and others who have managed for many years and prob'ly know tons more about it than the doctors. Some also have other conditions that make managing their diabetes really difficult, and yet they won't give up.

I'm going to step aside now, because I'm a type 2 who doesn't even need insulin yet, but I assure you there is wisdom, experience & much support here for you. Do visit often & take advantage of many people knowing exactly what you're going through.

 

[Adjitater]

There is no easy answer. It is, as you know a life long total commitment, since it never sleeps or takes a day neither can you. That doesn't mean you will be perfect. All any of us can do is the best we can. Just accept the fact that you are not perfect and that you will male mistakes that need to be fixed. There is no mistake that can't be fixed with just a little more insulin or something to eat.

Sent from my iPhone using Diabetes

 

[Vee_bear0104]

I'm seeing my doctor Tuesday and I'm wonder if an antidepressant might help me change my mind set on everything. I have been having issues with depression and I did counseling this past year but it really didn't help. The only thing that has really helped me at least be happier is my service dog which I guess you could consider an antidepressant. I'm also thinking about trying the pump again but due to my allergies I'm scared I'll react badly again and barriers don't help but I think it might help regulate everything better. Any thoughts?

 

[Guest]

All I can say is stick with it. You're at a rough point in your life now, lots of kids your age get depressed and they don't even have the excuse of having to put up with what you do.

However, you can live with this and you can have a long healthy life. I used to ride bikes with a guy who is in his late 50s now. He had his pancreas destroyed in a farming accident when he was 17. He's managed to live (and live well) for 40 years as a type 1 and you can too.

Just stick with it and know that you'll grow out of this funk sooner or later, but you'll only grow out of it if you keep on doin' what you have to do.