I hate being diabetic! Nice to get that off my chest! Been diabetic for about 5 years, now using insulin at night.
One of the things I hate most is that other people don't understand what it's all about. My big downfall is sweet food. I try to avoid it, but still get gifts at holiday times and birthdays of boxes of candy. Grrrr.
The insulin thing isn't really too bad. My vision still kind of flips around from time to time and that's a royal pain.
I didn't know a message board like this existed and this is very nifty - where diabetics can share experiences and ask questions and stuff.



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Cat lover

No one likes having diabetes but there is one thing that we can do, "accept the fact", learn to live with a positive attitude. Forgive those who do not understand.

Others do not realize because they have not experienced having diabetes or many other diseases. Thank them when they give a gift of candy, then, give the candy to a worthy cause such as an elderly person living alone, nursing home, etc.

One night my daughter-in-law prepared a wonderful meal for us and was so proud because she had a "green vegetable" since I am diabetic. Well, the green vegetable was "green peas". I smiled and ate only what my body would be able to handle. See, many people do not really know their vegetables either. She tried and I gave her credit for that.

I understand your frustration! I too hate having diabetes, I take 3 diabetic pills a day but I know that when I eat improperly it reflects in my sugars. So If I am offered something on the days that I dont check my sugars I have to turn it down for the fear that I will show up on the monitor since I check my blood every other day and my levels have all remained well below 140. which happens to be my target I realize that by giving up the sweets excepts on sp occasions like birthdays I can live without them its a matter of how I want to live the rest of my life,My goal is to keep the levels below target and maybe someday come off the meds.......best of luck to you.....we are here anytime you have questions we are a great support group haven't found a better support group than right here......I was diagnosed in may before that I was borderline....I swear hereditary sucks sometimes..........

I'm actually very thankful to have grown up with diabetes, I don't "Hate" it at all. After 38 years, I realize that all the best parts of my personality--my self-control, strength, self-reliance, my never-say-die attitude, my spiritual seeking, my closeness to my family and my devotion to my career as a special education teacher--all these aspects of my self flow from me having had to fight this disease 24/7 since the age of 12. I'd probably be a self-indulgant, selfish, lazy, fat slob otherwise. I'm glad for it--I consider it to have been my "path", and I've been fortunate to follow it.

Namaste,
Michael

Thanks for the responses! Mostly, I can be philosophic about it - goodness knows there are tons of worse things that could happen. It's just that "moderation" is not a word that's been in my vocabulary. For example, I used to be able to stay up really late and read, do housework, whatever. Now, moderation is being forced upon me (undoubtedly a good thing) and that's a rough adjustment for me to make. I was in denial about this for quite some time - kind of a "If I don't acknowledge it, it doesn't exist" mind-set. Dumb.
At least I can use the situation for a certain amount of public education. I've had people at work ask me questions about diabetes, so I kind of spread the word about the importance of diet, exercise, etc.
I truly appreciate your taking the time to respond. I think today was just a bad day!

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Cat lover

I have had Type II diabetes for 3 years and take glucophage three times a day. My doctor stressed that it is very important to eat meals at the same time every day. I do this except for the times we are invited to eat at someone's house. People do not understand (even family members) that I must eat at regular times. I do not like to call attention to my condition and I have told a few people that it is not because I am hungry but it is because I need food because of the medication I take. Most do not understand.
In Dec. 2002 I went into heart failure and had to have open heart surgery, a quadruple by-pass and an aortic valve replacement. Does anyone know if the diabetes caused the heart attack? I have been told it could have. My Mom was an insulin dependent diabetic and she had heart problems.
Thanks
Ev

Ev:

One of the many problems that can result from having diabetes is that we are more susceptible to arteriosclerosis. I was diagnosed with type II in 2000, but my previous fasting glucose was 124 mg/dL in 1997. Its highly likely that I have at least 3-4 years of uncontrolled diabetes.

I had a heart attack in March 2002 at age 35 from an occluded artery. Was diabetes the sole cause of this...? Probably not, a poor lipid profile thanks to genetics, diet and sedentary lifestyle played a large part too, as well as the development of diabetes. However, being diabetic more than likely hastened this condition.

Since then I have learned to take health seriously, and have corrected all my problems, especially the diabetes problem. I have 2 stents right now, but I hope that I have no more complications for many years to come. Best wishes with your health and with tight control http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hi

I'm don't agree that one need to live with diabete; when you get use to it and get comfortable with it, it will be harder to find a solution.

"Others do not realize because they have not experienced having diabetes or many other diseases." - did anyone here realize about diabetes and start taking care of your health since you are young (less the type I diabetes)?

Just pondering, if grandparents and parents are super healthy, taking care of their diet. Will the chances of chidren getting type I be very low? If healthy people start taking care of their health now, will it better for our next generation? People only realize what is HEALTH only after they get very sick; before that most people keep a deaf ear. This is Irreposibility.

I heard that parsley and vitamin B6 helps some diabetes patients, no harm trying. Hope to get to know more diabetes friend, email mrtnfan@hotmail.com Keep in touch. Anyone from Singapore?

Well I can not hate diabetes. I have been a diabetic almost 26 years (not long compaired to some) but I was only 3 days past my 3rd birthday when diagnosed. So I do not know what it is like NOT to have diabetes, not to have to do the finger sticks or the shots (but luckily I am on the paradigm insulin pump).
Diabetes can suck at times, but you can educate more and more people with a disease that you have. If people question you, honestly tell them. Show them that you can live with diabetes, and diabetes is not a death sentence.. and that some diabetes treatment is done by syringe and vial, pills or diet and exercise. I wish that I was older when diagnosed, for I would not have had to grow up with it, but I did, and I am here and still kicking (not many complications I add).