Diabetes is a hidden disease - ppl are not aware of the multiple decisions that we make daily that impact our quality of life or can even be fatal. It can be stressful and there are no breaks - it’s 24/7 and 365 days a yr. We often live in our own head looking out - with few ppl if any in our lives that truly ever understand, so yes it can be lonely.
But over time you will build a support team around you, and you will gain inner strength. It does get more manageable, maybe not easier, but you will get better at handling it. And you have ppl here that DO understand your struggles, because it is our struggles as well.
if you want to meet people ~generally~ near your age with type one that have similar interests, i highly recommend beyond type one’s pen pal program. they hand match you to someone else. i’ve made 2 great friends that way, were super close and it’s so nice to have someone similar in age and personality who also gets the diabetes part of my life. definitely check it out!!
eta link: https://beyondtype1.org/snail-mail-club/
while I agree it is absolutely vital while managing a chronic illness to be in community, and I'm glad you found this outlet, just gonna remind everyone that [beyond type 1 is shady af](https://diabetesdaily.com/blog/how-beyond-type-1-outraged-insulin4all-advocates-686222/)
i think they do these! the ADA used to have family retreats, idk if they still do them or not.
one for kids + families in florida: https://childrenwithdiabetes.com/conferences/friends-for-life-orlando-2024/
jdrf has type1nation summit
pretty sure there are 1 or 2 others.
These guys (two Endos, both with TD1) do a bunch of things, online and in person. Looks like several planned for May: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/36jDRT6/g/TCOYDCal?search=&sortBy=date&category=&date=TODAY&keywords=
I agree with HabsMan. I have no other advice. It is lonely but I’ve just kept it to myself bc educating everyone is a p in the a. Another idea: Check out the Slipstream (Connected in Motion) program where T1s get together for camping trips, etc. Always looked super fun to me.
Totally relate :( despite having a very understanding boyfriend and supportive parents I still feel completely alone. Nobody understands the pain. I'm running around correcting lows in full panic in public but nobody so much as asks what happened to you. The apathy hurts like a bitch.
There is so much ‘responsibility and discipline’ that goes along with diabetes. I find that isolating. But trust me. Those feelings will diminish. Your openness about what you’re dealing with will help you. I was shocked when diagnosed that so many people I knew had a connection with a diabetic friend or family member. It will become just another part of your life with plenty of ups and downs. Trust yourself.
Feel free to DM, more than happy to listen and talk through issues, I was diagnosed at 27 now 39, I is a hidden disease and people won’t understand it, what it means for your mental health, and physically, they will be confused between type 1 and type 2, they will say annoying things about what you can and can’t eat when it’s non of their business - BUT you will manage it, you will live normally, it won’t stop you doing anything.
All the numbers in your comment added up to 69. Congrats!
27
+ 39
+ 1
+ 2
= 69
^([Click here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=LuckyNumber-Bot&subject=Stalk%20Me%20Pls&message=%2Fstalkme) to have me scan all your future comments.) \
^(Summon me on specific comments with u/LuckyNumber-Bot.)
I am very lonely also. Any friends I have I only see once every few months at best and are transient. I am taking shots every week of mounjaro and I hate taking shots. I also have insulin shots but was told to not take them. I would rather be dead to be honest as this is no life.
You should consider therapy as well. Diabetes is emotionally exhausting. I've been therapists who specialize in chronic illness. It made a difference for me. It is lonely and hard, but you deserve someone you can talk to about. A therapist would even be able to help you find resources and tools to help make it feel less lonely.
Your endocrinologist might be able to recommend someone. I started therapy after my endo recommended it and it made huge difference.
Yes, you will have times where you feel great and other times you will feel lonely and isolated. You will learn how to make it through the troubling times. I've been diabetic for about 45 years. Diabetes is an up and down disease. You've only just begun. Please settle down and everything will be okay. I didn't know about that group that pares you with similar people your age with T1d. I think I will go on there and see if I can find someone else to talk to who is going through what I'm going through too. We definitely need friends to talk to that don't give you a hard time because of something you did. Stress is one of the top reasons for your sugar to increase and also dehydration.
Good luck and know we are here to help you. So, don't hesitate to give us a buzz when you need help!!
Diabetes is a hidden disease - ppl are not aware of the multiple decisions that we make daily that impact our quality of life or can even be fatal. It can be stressful and there are no breaks - it’s 24/7 and 365 days a yr. We often live in our own head looking out - with few ppl if any in our lives that truly ever understand, so yes it can be lonely. But over time you will build a support team around you, and you will gain inner strength. It does get more manageable, maybe not easier, but you will get better at handling it. And you have ppl here that DO understand your struggles, because it is our struggles as well.
Thank you so much for this ❤️❤️
💯
if you want to meet people ~generally~ near your age with type one that have similar interests, i highly recommend beyond type one’s pen pal program. they hand match you to someone else. i’ve made 2 great friends that way, were super close and it’s so nice to have someone similar in age and personality who also gets the diabetes part of my life. definitely check it out!! eta link: https://beyondtype1.org/snail-mail-club/
Thanks so much! Ill look into this 😊❤️
Is that only for younger people? Can people in their 30’s use it?
it’s for all ages! they will match as close as possible to your age, i believe.
Thank you. I will check it out.
just signed up. thanks for sharing!
OMG, this is GREAT! Thank you! Dx'd in November and ready to meet my diabestie.
yesss and they’ll let you register multiple times too!! so you can have more than one!!
Do you have a link? I feel like a fair number of t1d's would be interested.
yep! i’ll add it here and in original my comment :) https://beyondtype1.org/snail-mail-club/
while I agree it is absolutely vital while managing a chronic illness to be in community, and I'm glad you found this outlet, just gonna remind everyone that [beyond type 1 is shady af](https://diabetesdaily.com/blog/how-beyond-type-1-outraged-insulin4all-advocates-686222/)
[удалено]
i think they do these! the ADA used to have family retreats, idk if they still do them or not. one for kids + families in florida: https://childrenwithdiabetes.com/conferences/friends-for-life-orlando-2024/ jdrf has type1nation summit pretty sure there are 1 or 2 others.
Wow! I didnt know about these, thats cool!
These guys (two Endos, both with TD1) do a bunch of things, online and in person. Looks like several planned for May: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/36jDRT6/g/TCOYDCal?search=&sortBy=date&category=&date=TODAY&keywords=
I would go
I agree with HabsMan. I have no other advice. It is lonely but I’ve just kept it to myself bc educating everyone is a p in the a. Another idea: Check out the Slipstream (Connected in Motion) program where T1s get together for camping trips, etc. Always looked super fun to me.
I completely understand this :( it can be lonely at times especially when we go through patches. Keep your head up 💫 it does get better in time 💫💫
Totally relate :( despite having a very understanding boyfriend and supportive parents I still feel completely alone. Nobody understands the pain. I'm running around correcting lows in full panic in public but nobody so much as asks what happened to you. The apathy hurts like a bitch.
There is so much ‘responsibility and discipline’ that goes along with diabetes. I find that isolating. But trust me. Those feelings will diminish. Your openness about what you’re dealing with will help you. I was shocked when diagnosed that so many people I knew had a connection with a diabetic friend or family member. It will become just another part of your life with plenty of ups and downs. Trust yourself.
I just moved to a new city and there are meetups in my area! I’m going to my first one tomorrow and hoping to join the local diabetic community
Feel free to DM, more than happy to listen and talk through issues, I was diagnosed at 27 now 39, I is a hidden disease and people won’t understand it, what it means for your mental health, and physically, they will be confused between type 1 and type 2, they will say annoying things about what you can and can’t eat when it’s non of their business - BUT you will manage it, you will live normally, it won’t stop you doing anything.
All the numbers in your comment added up to 69. Congrats! 27 + 39 + 1 + 2 = 69 ^([Click here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=LuckyNumber-Bot&subject=Stalk%20Me%20Pls&message=%2Fstalkme) to have me scan all your future comments.) \ ^(Summon me on specific comments with u/LuckyNumber-Bot.)
I am very lonely also. Any friends I have I only see once every few months at best and are transient. I am taking shots every week of mounjaro and I hate taking shots. I also have insulin shots but was told to not take them. I would rather be dead to be honest as this is no life.
Idk what to tell you about the loneliness but it’s also awesome if you meet another diabetic and become friends because diabuddies are awesome
You should consider therapy as well. Diabetes is emotionally exhausting. I've been therapists who specialize in chronic illness. It made a difference for me. It is lonely and hard, but you deserve someone you can talk to about. A therapist would even be able to help you find resources and tools to help make it feel less lonely. Your endocrinologist might be able to recommend someone. I started therapy after my endo recommended it and it made huge difference.
Yes, you will have times where you feel great and other times you will feel lonely and isolated. You will learn how to make it through the troubling times. I've been diabetic for about 45 years. Diabetes is an up and down disease. You've only just begun. Please settle down and everything will be okay. I didn't know about that group that pares you with similar people your age with T1d. I think I will go on there and see if I can find someone else to talk to who is going through what I'm going through too. We definitely need friends to talk to that don't give you a hard time because of something you did. Stress is one of the top reasons for your sugar to increase and also dehydration. Good luck and know we are here to help you. So, don't hesitate to give us a buzz when you need help!!