Trouble with everyday realities of diabetes

Posted by Elizabeth @enska, Jan 24, 2019

Hi everyone, I have type 2 diabetes that appeared about 9 years ago. I've had a really hard time accepting the diagnosis as the years have gone by. I have times where I take good care of it and times where I don't. I was wondering if anyone has tips for keeping up with diabetes every day, including taking blood sugar readings, taking meds regularly, eating right, etc. When I think about doing this every day forever, it frustrates and scares me.

Like I said, I've had a very hard time with this. It seems that just the thought of complications doesn't help. Even actual complications don't scare me into compliance. I think I worry that the complications will happen anyway as I get older. Onset for me was only in my late 20s and I fear that after many years battling this, I'll have complications whether I manage the condition well or not. Does anyone know if that's true?

I also experience severe depression, which I think is the main reason I don't care for myself well enough. It's a tough duo of health concerns to have. Thanks for reading!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.

@csm

God Bless All and this site

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Hi @csm and welcome to Connect. I presume that is you in the picture, beautiful! It looks as you were celebrating a birthday, so Happy Birthday.
Are you diabetic or are you getting involved to help someone you care about? There are a number of people here who are very knowledgeable about diabetes - @retiredteacher and @dorisena particularly. I have diabetes but so far it’s been under fairly good control, no medications, and I am not nearly as knowledgeable as others about it.
JK

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@contentandwell

Hi @csm and welcome to Connect. I presume that is you in the picture, beautiful! It looks as you were celebrating a birthday, so Happy Birthday.
Are you diabetic or are you getting involved to help someone you care about? There are a number of people here who are very knowledgeable about diabetes - @retiredteacher and @dorisena particularly. I have diabetes but so far it’s been under fairly good control, no medications, and I am not nearly as knowledgeable as others about it.
JK

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@contentandwell I didn't know what the post was for since there was nothing but the picture. Maybe it was posted on the wrong forum. Good outreach from you to try to find out.
Carol

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I can only tell you what I do and why I do it and you must decide if you like yourself enough to do the work. I have had to work hard, without pay most of the time, because I was poor and needy. Now that my husband is deceased, I continue because I know I can do it and I like the benefits and the feeling of success. So I know I can keep the diabetes at bay, and it pleases me to succeed better than some of my friends. I win, at times. I am worth the effort. If I lived next door, I would come over and talk and be your friend, and I might inspire you. Well, we do have this computer...…….Dorisena

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@retiredteacher

@contentandwell I didn't know what the post was for since there was nothing but the picture. Maybe it was posted on the wrong forum. Good outreach from you to try to find out.
Carol

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@retiredteacher The only message with the post was "God Bless All and this site", just above the photo. You probably just missed it. Since @csm is posting here I presume she must have diabetes. This is the only post she has made.
JK

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@contentandwell

@retiredteacher The only message with the post was "God Bless All and this site", just above the photo. You probably just missed it. Since @csm is posting here I presume she must have diabetes. This is the only post she has made.
JK

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@contentandwell I posted earlier to her picture to see what she wanted, but she never answered. So, I have no idea if she thinks this is a social site for pictures or if she needs information about some health problem. Very confusing. She has posted three of these page size photos of herself and never a question or comment. I'll ask again if she has diabetes problems or what her concerns are. You asked her, and she didn't answer you either. I have no idea what's going on, but I will ask again.
Carol

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@csm

God Bless All and this site

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@csm Hello. My name is Carol and I am a retired teacher of 45 years. I have responded to your pictures, but I also would like to know if you have diabetes. Do you have questions I can possibly answer? Mayo Connect is for trying to help people who are experiencing some of the same situations others are. I am a Diabetic Volunteer Mentor, but I am also a patient with diabetes 2. If you have concerns, please feel free to post questions, and I or other mentors will try to help you. We are not doctors or medically trained; we are patients too, so we have had experiences that we can share. I look forward to hearing from you.
Carol

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@retiredteacher

@csm Hello. My name is Carol and I am a retired teacher of 45 years. I have responded to your pictures, but I also would like to know if you have diabetes. Do you have questions I can possibly answer? Mayo Connect is for trying to help people who are experiencing some of the same situations others are. I am a Diabetic Volunteer Mentor, but I am also a patient with diabetes 2. If you have concerns, please feel free to post questions, and I or other mentors will try to help you. We are not doctors or medically trained; we are patients too, so we have had experiences that we can share. I look forward to hearing from you.
Carol

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@retiredteacher you may be confusing her with someone else, she has only had one post. I hope if she is looking for some help or advice she will post again, we are here.
JK

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I'm really surprised and happy that this post has kept going over several months. I was going to start another one just now but spotted this on the list. I came here from a tweet that said to check out Connect for diabetes issues because people discuss the hard realities of having this illness. I thought, that sounds like my kind of discussion. Then I find out it WAS my discussion!

I went in for a check-up today and my A1C was 7.3. I'm very proud of myself as it has been much higher than that for years. I guess I was able to rally after I posted this thread. I'm no longer fighting the diagnosis and I'm taking all my meds all the time. Still struggling with depression, but that's getting worked on too.

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@enska

I'm really surprised and happy that this post has kept going over several months. I was going to start another one just now but spotted this on the list. I came here from a tweet that said to check out Connect for diabetes issues because people discuss the hard realities of having this illness. I thought, that sounds like my kind of discussion. Then I find out it WAS my discussion!

I went in for a check-up today and my A1C was 7.3. I'm very proud of myself as it has been much higher than that for years. I guess I was able to rally after I posted this thread. I'm no longer fighting the diagnosis and I'm taking all my meds all the time. Still struggling with depression, but that's getting worked on too.

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Congratulations, @enska. That is good news.

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@enska

I'm really surprised and happy that this post has kept going over several months. I was going to start another one just now but spotted this on the list. I came here from a tweet that said to check out Connect for diabetes issues because people discuss the hard realities of having this illness. I thought, that sounds like my kind of discussion. Then I find out it WAS my discussion!

I went in for a check-up today and my A1C was 7.3. I'm very proud of myself as it has been much higher than that for years. I guess I was able to rally after I posted this thread. I'm no longer fighting the diagnosis and I'm taking all my meds all the time. Still struggling with depression, but that's getting worked on too.

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@enska What a good feeling to have been able to reduce your A1c. Congratulations on having done so well.
JK

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