I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was six. So I have grown up with it most of my life, it was just normal for me. I was used to it. But as I got older, it got harder, a lot harder.
I fully understood what had happened and what was happening to me now. There was a lot to learn, a lot to understand and a lot to take care of. Keeping my diabetes under control was hard for me, because I didn't want to. I wanted to be normal, like all my friends, not having to count carbs or judge how much I had eaten. To be carefree and live life the way I wanted. It didn't seem fair to me, and I wasn't going to let it rule my life and the things I wanted to do.
At first I didn't realise the dangers of what I was doing. I wasn't taking my blood sugars as often as I should and just took whatever insulin I thought would cover my food. I was waking up in the mornings with blood sugars as high as eighteen and sixteen and they would get higher during the course of the day. I finally came to my senses when my BM's would reach the twenties but I just took extra insulin or went outside with my friends walking.
Shell shocked
It wasn't until I was at my annual review and my consultant was horrified with my readings that I came back down to Earth. I was told the dangers and risks of what I had let happen. Stroke, loss of limbs, blindness, and many other complications in day to day life. I was given a wake up call. I decided I had let enough be enough and started to do research on my conditition. What I found shell shocked me and I was horrified at some of the stories posted on the internet.
I realised how stupid I had been and decided to do something about it. Now I'm happier with my condition. I couldn't care less what anybody else thinks because diabetes doesn't affect me as a person. I still don't let it rule my life and not everything revolves around it, but I have control of it, now at least. I'm living my life the way I would have with the little addition to the side. Diabetes is just part of who I am.
Diabetes UK Careline
If you have been having a hard time with your diabetes, like Emma, you may like to contact the Diabetes UK Careline. Full information on contacting them can be found here.
Your comments
im exactly the same. iv had diabetes for 4 years now and at the start it was under good control. now i mostly run at around 15 and i know its too high but my body has got that used to it that when my blood sugar levels are normal i tend to feel like im having a hypo when im measuring 6-9. its just so hard to keep good control when so many other things are going on in my life with work and college and going out. its on my mind constantlty and i know the risk of complications in the long term but just cant seem to get it in good enough control x
- Isabel
Hi, yeh atm I just can't seem to force myself to like inject or test of anything. It's not great tbh. I've started testing recently like every so often because the consultant said i had to have 3 months of good results to pass my driving test, but when I have been testing I've been getting results of between 20 and 30 :S.
I know it started when I went through the honeymoon period because there was no point in injecting and then I couldn't get out of the habit. This has got to be about a year ago now as I've only been diagnosed for about 17 months. I just don't know what to do tbh :(- Rachel
I have also had diabetes for the majority of my life - 11 years this Christmas! I also struggled with bothering to inject properly etc but my wake up call came in the form of being diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy. That just made me realise how stupid I was being, and now I am on an insulin pump and having the best control I have ever had, so take note that whatever you do now will have an impact on your diabetes in the future, so someday you will thank yourself for trying to manage your diabetes well. Believe me it will be worth it!- Jess
I'm going through exactly the same and I'm finding it really difficult to get out of the habit.- Hayleigh
Ooh I duno wot to do :(
My blood is always high and I'm scared of what my nurses will say tomorrow at my checkup. OMG I'm in trouble; my blood is always about 20 :-S x
Good luck with your life :)- Olivia
I know how you feel, I was in same situation but got admitted to hospital because I had ketones and was really ill. It was horrible and I am still finding it hard.- Nicola
It's really hard and I feel the way you feel too.- Holly
Hi, we have Myspace and Bebo sites if you'd like to connect with others who have diabetes. Please make sure your parents are aware that you're using community sites like these. It's best to keep your folks on your side. :)- My life
Me too :( x- Hollie
Omg Emma, I am going through similar stuff myself. I need to talk to someone in similar situations. :'(- Amie