The emotional effects of type 2 diabetes

Posted by suff2say @suff2say, Nov 13, 2021

I know it's a thought not a feeling, but this time I can't help owning the emotional reasoning - "I really feel like my life is over". I know I'm starting to feel symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. I was diagnosed with Type 2 in 2006. I was so ashamed. Now I'm 44. Nothing's helped. I haven't looked after myself. I'm an idiot. Everyone's going to be so disappointed in me. I'm going to become more and more of a burden, not less. I'm never going to be my best self again ever. I will never be healthy again. I can't look after myself. I don't know what's wrong with me. I just suck as a person. Can't make money for my wife. I'm a blight on society. It's true she only cares about my health... but I can't even give her that, or any of my loved ones. I totally suck.

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Hello, I feel the same way; I did not take care of myself either, but you and I MUST remember that all happens in God's time and for a purpose. Keep writing it helps; I know first hand.

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A good thing about type 2 diabetes is that there IS much one can do to control it. Some other illnesses, not so much. As a diagnosed diabetic for more than 40 years, I know whereof I speak. So learn what you need to do and do it. Then you'll be proud rather than ashamed.

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Thank you for caring enough to reply.

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@suff2say and all the other helpful members commenting here. I decided to add my support and hopefully encouragement. First summary of my background story. I’m nearly 65 years old. Been dealing with this and more since age 18. Diagnosed Type 1 diabetes at age 18. Tough pregnancies at age 23-24 and 26-27. Got complications of diabetes (autonomic & peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, diabetic nephthropathy/CKD, hypoglycemic unawareness; also hypertension and high cholesterol) in my 20’s - 40’s. I had a pancreas transplant at age 48 in an effort to save my vision and kidney function. That resulted in a huge improvement for 11 years. But at age 59 diagnosed with stage 4/end stage renal disease. For the past nearly 6 years I’ve had pretransplant evaluation and yearly reviews for kidney transplant. I’ve been told that dialysis &/or transplant are imminent. (Incidentally I’ve also been diagnosed Type 2 diabetic.) Sorry that was not a quick summary. I just felt the need to establish my credentials for suffering in the world of diabetes. After nearly 47 years of struggles I can say it is VERY HARD and scary. I have felt the same emotions that you expressed. I agree with all the previous comments. Those are all great suggestions! You have to keep trying and never give up. I am a former licensed psychologist with a background in behavioral change. I suggest just trying one small thing at a time as others recommended. Too big & too many changes at once is overwhelming and it is bad science. Makes it difficult to sort out helpful from not helpful. You have to figure what changes/goals will work for you. There is no one size treatment plan for diabetes. Your plan needs to be taylored to you. Last but not least I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my faith beliefs. I am a Christian. I have committed my life (including my health or lack there of) to God. I try to take care of myself as if it all depends on me. What I am is God’s gift to me. But I pray as if all depends on God because I believe it really does. (Refer to the comment by @nannette2022.) My hope and prayer for you is that you discover God’s love that we recently celebrated at Christmas. I wish you improved health and blessings in the New Year!

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Thank you. It is so good to be a part of a loving family. Thank you all of you.

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I'm COVID swabbing now. Has changed my life a lot. No time to scratch myself. Thanks Nannette. I liked your post. Still struggling with the diabetes though. And getting to return at 6am in time. Period I'm swabbing but not about how my body feels. Working in 40° heat now. Coke is my problem. Drinking not so much. On prescription Nicovape too, so a few positive changes. Drinking water is hard. Hard to know if magnesium supplement works. Probably have to take regularly for a long while. Been taking flaxseed oil capsules and haven't noticed a difference. Spending my wages on feeling better a work though, like all this "cool technology" apparel and a new pair of shoes. Can put $5k into my step-daughter's mortgage soon too which I'm proud of.

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Thanks all. Good comments. And I wish the same for you cehunt.

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And all my friends in this thread 🙂

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Paying the mortgage now too, in large numbers. Happy wife happy life (supposedly!).

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I feel for you, I truly do, but we must remember that there is a purpose to all of this and we must find it. A couple of days ago I decided that I was worthy of drinking water if I wanted to, I will no longer do the laundry on a nice day so that I can dry the clothes outside, I will go walking and forgive the people in the neighborhood who do not respond to my "hello" maybe they have greater problems than I do. Hugs.

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