Hey Ryan. While I'm sorry to hear that you've been experiencing a similar problem as me, I'm glad you got into contact. It is helpful to know that I'm not the only person experiencing this sometimes irrational and overwhelming anxiety. I'm definitely interested in talking!
Hope you have a good day at work and you didn't stress to much about your blood sugars...is that even possible?! ;) anytime you want to chat or talk let me know! Did you have anything happen to you that set off your fear of being low?
Ryryguy-
I was browsing some of the forums and came across yours an I wanted to just comment on your situation. I am new to tudiabetes, just been on a few days, and mainly looking for advice and support from others.
I know there are many diabetics and ends and nurses and others that can tell you "of course it is only natural the be fearful of lows" yes of course I also agree but to a point, that fear can become almost irrational once you add anxiety...which I have been battling now for 5 years.
I never used to be afraid of lows through middle and high school. In fact, diabetes never really stopped me and I just took shots, or counting carbs as well and ended up doing just fine. Once I hit college, I followed the same routine and it was working for me, just guessing and over or underestimating.
I was living in an apartment with two other girls, of which didn't work the best, we ended up to having any kind of close relationship at all. One night, I went to take insulin for my meal and my BS was around 400. Since I didn't really carb count and was feeling very frustrated with myself, I gave myself 14 units of insulin. Keep in mind I probably had about 40 grams of carbs, I have a 1:13 carb ratio and sensitive of 1:70. Needless to say, 3 hours later I dropped. I treated like I always do but then I realized I was still dropping...and dropping...and dropping. Alone, with my friends and future husband gone for the weekend, parents 2 hours away I was terrified about passing out and having no one to help me. It was a very long night, with 911 on my phone ready to press go but eventually I did come back up to 70 an hour later. Of course I felt horrible and was then just terrified. Since then, although I know what I did wrong, I STILL cannot get my irrational fear of going low out of my mind. I have purposefully not taken enough insulin and have put myself into DKA many times. It has been a constant struggle between my rational mind and my anxiety. I wish I could forget that night! My husband and family have née supportive and will say take the certain amount of insulin...or..you will be fine...or if you get low you can treat and come right back up. Of course they are always right and I usually end up going higher but I completely understand your fear as I live with it everyday and it is in my thoughts all the time I need to shoot up...so to speak.
I used to get physically I'll from my anxiety before taking insulin, shaking, crying, just everything. I am now doing better with support and talking about it, however this is no easy fix. It has been 5 years since then and I still continue to struggle. Anxiety does run in my family and can impact people really starting in their mid 20s (looking at your profile, you are 25)?
I guess I just wanted to share my story to let you know you are not alone and many things are 'easier said then done'. Diabetes is not just about eating carbs and insulin. It is completely a mindset thing and if you are struggling with anxiety, as I have, it can so very frustrating. I would love to talk more about it if you want as I completely understand what you are going through...plus...I just got a pump so imagine knowing you always have short acting insulin being pump into you allll the time and being fearful of lows, yep, just awesome for anxiety! Haha, but am doing okay, just keep telling myself you will be fine. I guess it is better then the alternatives...complications and feeling like crap all the time since you're high in the sky! Hope this helped.
The Diabetes Hands Foundation and Diabetes Advocates Program is proud to announce and congratulate the members of DA who were granted scholarships to attend diabetes conferences in 2013! Thanks to a generous grant from Novo Nordisk, in 2013 we were … Continue Reading
El Centro Nacional de Prevención de Enfermedades Crónicas y Promoción de la Salud en el Estados Unidos encontró que a partir de 2002-2009, el 11,8% de los hispanos mayores de 20 años, que viven en los EU, viven con diabetes … Continue Reading
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Hey Ryan. While I'm sorry to hear that you've been experiencing a similar problem as me, I'm glad you got into contact. It is helpful to know that I'm not the only person experiencing this sometimes irrational and overwhelming anxiety. I'm definitely interested in talking!
I was browsing some of the forums and came across yours an I wanted to just comment on your situation. I am new to tudiabetes, just been on a few days, and mainly looking for advice and support from others.
I know there are many diabetics and ends and nurses and others that can tell you "of course it is only natural the be fearful of lows" yes of course I also agree but to a point, that fear can become almost irrational once you add anxiety...which I have been battling now for 5 years.
I never used to be afraid of lows through middle and high school. In fact, diabetes never really stopped me and I just took shots, or counting carbs as well and ended up doing just fine. Once I hit college, I followed the same routine and it was working for me, just guessing and over or underestimating.
I was living in an apartment with two other girls, of which didn't work the best, we ended up to having any kind of close relationship at all. One night, I went to take insulin for my meal and my BS was around 400. Since I didn't really carb count and was feeling very frustrated with myself, I gave myself 14 units of insulin. Keep in mind I probably had about 40 grams of carbs, I have a 1:13 carb ratio and sensitive of 1:70. Needless to say, 3 hours later I dropped. I treated like I always do but then I realized I was still dropping...and dropping...and dropping. Alone, with my friends and future husband gone for the weekend, parents 2 hours away I was terrified about passing out and having no one to help me. It was a very long night, with 911 on my phone ready to press go but eventually I did come back up to 70 an hour later. Of course I felt horrible and was then just terrified. Since then, although I know what I did wrong, I STILL cannot get my irrational fear of going low out of my mind. I have purposefully not taken enough insulin and have put myself into DKA many times. It has been a constant struggle between my rational mind and my anxiety. I wish I could forget that night! My husband and family have née supportive and will say take the certain amount of insulin...or..you will be fine...or if you get low you can treat and come right back up. Of course they are always right and I usually end up going higher but I completely understand your fear as I live with it everyday and it is in my thoughts all the time I need to shoot up...so to speak.
I used to get physically I'll from my anxiety before taking insulin, shaking, crying, just everything. I am now doing better with support and talking about it, however this is no easy fix. It has been 5 years since then and I still continue to struggle. Anxiety does run in my family and can impact people really starting in their mid 20s (looking at your profile, you are 25)?
I guess I just wanted to share my story to let you know you are not alone and many things are 'easier said then done'. Diabetes is not just about eating carbs and insulin. It is completely a mindset thing and if you are struggling with anxiety, as I have, it can so very frustrating. I would love to talk more about it if you want as I completely understand what you are going through...plus...I just got a pump so imagine knowing you always have short acting insulin being pump into you allll the time and being fearful of lows, yep, just awesome for anxiety! Haha, but am doing okay, just keep telling myself you will be fine. I guess it is better then the alternatives...complications and feeling like crap all the time since you're high in the sky! Hope this helped.
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Congratulations Diabetes Advocates Scholarship Recipients!
The Diabetes Hands Foundation and Diabetes Advocates Program is proud to announce and congratulate the members of DA who were granted scholarships to attend diabetes conferences in 2013! Thanks to a generous grant from Novo Nordisk, in 2013 we were …Continue Reading
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El Centro Nacional de Prevención de Enfermedades Crónicas y Promoción de la Salud en el Estados Unidos encontró que a partir de 2002-2009, el 11,8% de los hispanos mayores de 20 años, que viven en los EU, viven con diabetes …Continue Reading
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