We're not all the perfect 'from a text book' sort

Why, oh why, do we always read 'Diabetes ... blah blah blah ... how I've conquered it ... how I have now climbed some mountain - real or metaphorical'?

I ain't done nothing, me!

Both my partner and I have Type 1 - me for 30 years, my partner 46 years. I've struggled with bleeding hypos just when you don't want one: In the staff meeting as you just rushed to get yourself there. In your appointment with the diabetic clinic where you wanted your wee test to show no sugar or ketones so you ate less the night before to influence the result ... but you’re now too low, blood-sugar wise - and yet feel you can't chomp on the chocolate bar in your bag as you're at the diabetic clinic, and if you did all around would be tutting while nudging each other.

At least my diabetic clinic gives me good care. If you access any other healthcare specialist they all shy away from taking ultimate care of you as 'you're diabetic'. I have had retinal problems and required a vitrectiomy. My partner has had a foot amputation, is now awaiting pancreas and kidney transplant, as he has chronic renal failure, retinopathy and erectile dysfunction.

How do these perfect typical 'diabetic from a text book' sort just calmly float from one day to the next with no declared external influences like: 'Mum, can you drop us off NOW before tea at my friends or cinema' ... again rushing at the behest of others, thereby gulping down the lucozade to prevent the lowering blood sugars, which results in having to decide whether to blast your horn at the traffic lights that appear not to be changing to green ... or blasting it to hide the horns from the cars behind you, who see the green lights but who are being held up by you taking the chance to swig more lucozade!

Converse to this is the sagging, dragging sensation when that lucozade has hit the spot and blood sugars are now in high double figures - you drag yourself around snapping at any and every animate or inanimate object that are obviously there to harass you and create even higher blood sugars, which have crept upon you - maybe those from the cold or stomach bug that has taken hold.

Having got to the doctor's with your tummy bug/cold for alleviation of the symptoms you are told 'Ah well - it's the diabetes you know'. NO it's not, it's a stomach bug and can you give me something for the nausea or runs!  And yes, I am quite capable of adjusting my insulin to compensate - I've only had diabetes for nearly 40 years and carried three beautiful children and given birth to those three healthy children who have provided me with three fantastic, brilliant children of their own. 'Teaching Grandmother to suck eggs' comes to mind - although I am a grandmother and I have to admit I have no idea how to suck eggs! Eggs are free from carbohydrate, though, so I can suck as many as I like - mind you, high in cholesterol so best not, perhaps .... where's that text book...?

Your comments on this story

Liz said: "I agree with everything this lady has said. I have had diabetes for 37 years this year, from when I was a kid, and I hate the hypos! Especially in the summer when you are out for a day like shopping or on a beach, etc. The hypo starts and you do not feel like getting lucozade or ribena, etc., to bring your blood sugar back up because then it's too high and you're looking for a loo.

"Then you want to dine out and have to find a place where there is a toilet to do your needle. You don't know whether to ask how long the meal will take to come to your table, because you can't do your needle and wait for ages, so you have to wait till the meal comes and then queue in the toilet - and by time you get back meal is cold!

"Then you have people when they find out you are diabetic saying 'Oh, you don't look like a diabetic'! Whatever one is supposed to look like. Although, I am pleased when people say I look 10 years younger than what I am - I don't know how, with all we have to go through.

"I don't mind the diabetes; well, I do really but you just have to get used to it. But I would love to be a normal person for, say, just one or two days, where I would not have to inject four times a day, could eat when I liked and what I liked, and sleep in till the afternoon."

Pauline said: "Everything including the comments are true - I'm 23 years old so diabetes hasn't given me too many problems, except panic when you're having a hypo from everyone else except me! I have a son who's five and I found out about my diabetes after I had my son.

"How are people that are young like me supposed to survive when everytime I turn round the job I'm doing turns out to be unsuitable for taking my insulin, or I can't do it because my diabetes might be affected.

"Good god, I'm diabetic - not daft, incompetent or disabled - so why does everyone give you a look of sympathy when you mention the word diabetes?! We are normal people with an extra thing in our lives to take care of!"

Cazz said: "This made me laugh! I am 19 years old and was diagnosed five months ago, and pretty much all of my friends treat me like a leper..."Oh Cazz can't because she's a diabetic you know". It's like a dirty word!

"I am NOT looking forward to spending the next however many years of my life with diabetes but there's absolutely nothing I can do about it.

"On the bright side - I now live a healthier lifestyle and have lost weight, yay!"

Paul said: "I agree with a lot that is said here. I have however never been bothered about doing my jabs in public. Get some funny looks... yes I do... but I don't care about them.

"For me to look after kids, family, run business, etc., I have to look after ME. Don't forget look after you to look after them. Hard sometimes, I know.

"I've been a Type 1 diabetic since 1993. Although I think I have good control, not sure that I'd consider myself to be in the group you describe as opposite to you. We've all got the same demons to face."

Amy said: "I have had diabetes for 22 years (diagnosed when I was 3) and can completely agree with all the comments. My best hypo was in the diabetic clinic, and obviously it was one of the times I had no lucozade/tablets/food, etc., on me. The fire alarm had gone off and prior to that I thought I would make it through my appointment in time to make it to the shop next door and restock, but then the alarm went off, we were outside for 20 mins and by the time I was back i was desperate. Of course then came the lecture...!

"I am now a qualified doctor, which means my hypos in the middle of ward rounds are always fun, as people are wondering why I am gulping down packets of sugar out of the staff kitchen as the ward round has gone on twice as long as expected... apparently now I'm supposed to know better...!"

Joe said: "I agree with Cazz's comments, I am 19 also and have had diabetes since 16 March - so nearly five months also - and everyone treats you just that little bit different.

"When I when I first got it all the nurses said 'don't worry, you'll just be the same as everyone else', but I'm not - like Cazz said, you get treated like a leper at times! I find it can be quite hard to deal with! But at the time I just laugh it off! Just doesn't feel right. Cheers."

Libby said: "You're all totally right. I was told I was diabetic at the age of 12 and I'm now 17. Yes i have a healthy life, I go to college and I work! But people judge you differently and when they hand out sweets around the room it's 'oh Libby's diabetic you know she can't have them,' then the look on people's faces and then they say 'oh I'm so sorry i totally forgot!' I am still allowed to eat like a totally normal person!

Sometimes you just want to stand up and say OK I am diabetic but I am a total normal person who isn't any different to any other 17 year-old-girl! Some times I feel like I need to talk to other people with diabetes, friends don't understand how hard life can be sometimes!

Katherine said: "I have only just been diagnosed with Type II diabetes, my father has it and my grandfather had it. I know the downside of other peoples reactions can be harsh, I've learnt to be positive and if anyone asks I tell them what it means to be diabetic. I'm no diffrent from when I wasn't diabetic to now, only I count the calories like any other on a diet."