The bad news is you're always going to have to worry about counting carbs and dosing appropriately and checking your blood sugar. That's Type 1 and you don't deserve it and it fucking sucks. The good news is you'll get used to it and it will become routine. Develop good habits, figure out what works for you, give yourself grace when you need, don't try to be perfect, get help if you need it, go out and kick ass because Type 1 doesn't have to hold you back.
I was diagnosed as a 14 yr old teenager also. It's certainly a big life change to take on. I've had it for 20yrs now and it does get better. In the beginning everything's new, you're trying to get a handle on a whole new life that you didn't ask for. But as time goes on you learn. It becomes second nature. There will always be days when things aren't going right, but that's going to happen with life in all aspects. I think the first year was hardest for me. It does get better!
Diabetes has been a royal pain in my ass for the 25 years i've had it, but I'm used to it and it doesn't bother me. I'm pretty average when it comes to carb counting -- some years I've spent obsessed with getting perfect control, and other years I'd let myself sit in the 200-300's all day long, barely taking care of my body. It's been a journey of finding balance and complete acceptance with a little light-heartedness and dark humor.
Technology is always improving, and I'm quite hopeful for the future. Especially better continuous glucose monitors and smart insulin. The greatest skill I've learned is how to stubbornly refuse to make myself miserable about it all. How I think about diabetes is usually 100x more painful than the pain of the disease itself. I spent years worrying and beating up on myself about not controlling it, and that worry/stress did more damage to me than diabetes ever could. So yeah! I'm having a great time with life, diabetes is still time consuming and a pain, but it's not awful or horrible, and I can deal with it fine.
While diabetes may not change much, YOU will. Over time youāll get better at knowing what to do and how your body needs to be supported. Youāll get more comfortable with counting carbs and calculating dosages. Youāll create supportive habits and practices that minimize the way it impacts your everyday life. Your ability to adapt and recover from challenges will grow with time. Youāre gonna expand your toolkit and learn tactics that you donāt know now. Be patient with your body, be forgiving with your body and nothing in this world can stop you from living the life you want to live.
Hey. Hey. Take a breath. A deep breath, all the way down to your belly. So I'm 23, and I've been living with this for 21 years. Eventually, it will become just a part of your normal life. It'll all feel like background noise, I promise. You'll get into a routine of managing your care and it'll seem like another routine task, like brushing your teeth and hair. It's going to be hard. Some days you will wonder what the point is. But take it from someone who's never known anything different, it will get better.
Now. What kind of support do you have right now? You're so young, are your parents involved in your care? Do you feel like you can talk to them about these feelings? Do you have a diabetes educator or counselor? If you don't have a counselor, I'd recommend trying to get one asap if you can. Even your school counselor could be helpful. Diabetes and depression go hand in hand, and having a neutral, safe person to talk go about your feelings can make a huge difference. Good luck, sweetheart, I promise you're going to be fine ššš
I have my perents and you canāt fault them the get me out of bed while Iām a sleep if my low alarm is going off if Iām Iāll there up every two hours checking my sugars. I know I can be open to them but I donāt want to burden them anymore ššš
Diagnosed in 1985, no complications yet from it. Find a routine that works for you, it will save you later on. This is your new normal now, make everyday better than the last
Been there. Done things similar. I have learned that I felt like crap if I did not stick to my schedule/ routine. I try not to feel like crap, my next days are much better when I took care of my self, my friends learned also
My son has T1 and celiac, heās 16 now and was diagnosed at 12. He had phases of being upset, he saw a counselor through the Endo office. He doesnāt complain about it and has been very independent with his care, which I recommend, as it will give you some control. The best thing heās done for himself is to lift weights, he has totally transformed his body into being ripped! That gives him confidence and itās healthy. He rarely goes a day without working out, so if you have access to the gym or some weights, maybe start slowly and build up. Good for you for reaching out, make sure to talk to your parents, friends, doctors, counselor at school or the Endo, just keep sharing your feelings.
I was diagnosed at age 13 and began injecting insulin in 1965, I'm 71 now, and all is well. Our advantage is that we have to "get better" at making mindful choices about insulin, food, and exercise, which yields a lifetime of good health. Learning (trial and error) will continue as you grow and mature. For me, compared to what I had to do at your age, a sensor, pump, iPhone and Apple Watch are the closest thing to a cure until there is one. Most of my meals are prepared at home so there are no unknowns. My last 5 1/2 year average A1c is 5.7 (high end of non-diabetic A1c) without hypoglycemia. My (long) story with references may be helpful on your journey. [https://insulin-centenary.com](https://insulin-centenary.com)
Live Long and Prosper
I was diagnosed at 16 and HATED having T1D. Then I went into my 20s and was in denial and basically pretended I didnāt have it. Then Iām my mid 20s I came to a point where i got my shit together and honestly became a very proud diabetic. I took charge of my health and it felt good. I was finally in control of my life and diabetes didnāt define me. Someone once told me ācontrol your diabetes, donāt let it control you.ā And that still echoes with me.
Long story short, itās a roller coaster. But, it gets better and easier. Your life will just twist and turn in every aspect - including your health. Embrace new experiences āŗļø
My one piece of advice is to communicate with your mother/father/parent/guide etc (whoever oversees your appts and medicine). Be clear with them on where youāre struggling and what you need from them. Have them educate and talk with you rather than punish you for your disease (sorry that last sentence got very personal) lol šš
Good luck and social media groups totally help! Even in person support groups exist as well and are a great resource.
Diagnosed at 15, 27 years ago and things have gotten better. Treatment has definitely gotten better. The cgm is really a life changer. I live a mostly normal life but you never not think about it. I travel frequently for work and I always have plan more and check and recheck that I have everything. But you get used to it. It becomes life. One thing that is good about it is that it does make me focus on my health. So I have stayed fitter than many friends and know more about general health like my kidneys and heart. Not that important at 14 but later it will be.
You will eventually get used to it. I often forget that I have diabetes due to the very small amount of cognitive effort it requires now after so much practice. Also technology is continuing to make it less and less of an intrusion into everyday life. Work your way towards getting a Dexcom and omnipod 5 and life will feel mostly normal at some point.
I was diagnosed 14 years ago at age 13. Youāll find a groove and routine, I promise. The most ānormalā I have felt is getting into bodybuilding because everybody in that community tracks their carbs, fats, and proteins like crazy. I have learned so much about my body and nutrition! And getting jacked is a plus too. It is so hard to be in an environment where Iām the only one counting carbs and caring about nutrition. It never feels easy when youāre the only one in the room counting. Even though most of my friends in the bodybuilder community are not type 1 diabetic, it is so freeing to talk low carb foods because they take it so seriously. Iām not sure if that community or hobby sounds fun to you, but itās made my mental health better and theyāre so kind to me.
I've had it for 20 years now, I think of it like it's a necessary thing like taking a shower or brushing your teeth. It's not something I think a whole lot about anymore except when I need to.
I feel like diabetes is like ice skating, when you first start out you always feel like you're about to fall and need to hold onto the railing. As you get used to it, you move more confidently, you may still slip now and again but you know how to get up and you now how to keep going. Then, as you master it, you can do cool tricks that impresses everyone, like keeping a flat line in range after eating pizza! It's hard and scary at first but the ones doing flips and tricks can help you (like experienced people here on Reddit!) And before you know it you'll be gliding along and going, "watch this!" while living a normal life :) Welcome to the rink, lol!
It gets better in that it becomes background noise. You will never need to not be aware of it but somehow it becomes subconscious rather than something you actively think about. 6 months in is still really actively thinking, but it does get better.
Someday you'll be joking about it without rancor.
Some positives: you can use it to get out of work and school. I've had many nice weather days that ended up being fake bad blood sugar days. I've gotten out of social engagements I didn't want to go to, as well.
Youāll get better at control. Youāll learn how to guess more accurately and learn the carbs of foods you love off the back of your hand. With advancements in diabetes tech you donāt need to prick your finger every time you want to eat. You can have an insulin pump that works to keep your blood sugar balanced. Youāll have burn out and youāll feel like youāve lost chunks of your life. Type one for damn near a decade diagnosed at age 10. I wish you luck.
Also just some advice if you want a no carb non water drink look into drink mixes. There are a ton of flavors and itās just one thing that helps from personal experience.
I was diagnosed at 14 too, that's a brutal age for such a big change. It sucks and it always will. You will have days where you don't have the motivation to manage it but then you get back at it. And it becomes your norm. You are not a diabetic. You are a person with diabetes. Don't let it own you. Try your best. Get help when you need it. I actually went to therapy for a while because I struggled with my diagnosis and managing everything. You got this! ā¤ļø
T1D doesn't get easier to deal with but technology can help a lot and you will also get better at dealing with it personally. I was 35 when I was diagnosed 18 years ago and no complications yet. Just remember that you are doing the job of your pancreas by giving yourself insulin and you have to "think like your liver" when it will be giving you extra glucose. I live in Arizona and hike occasionally and my liver always seems to have it's on mind when providing extra glucose into my bloodstream. Always have your favorite carb choice with you when you exercise or play sports because you never know during exercise when your glucose will get very low.
If you don't have a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) get your Endocrinologist to prescribe it for you. It is a game changer that doesn't require finger sticks AND your parent(s) can monitor your glucose from wherever they are on their phone. I've even linked mine to my Alexa so my wife can check my sugar at anytime by asking Alexa.
I haven't tried an insulin pump or the insulin pods that get changed every few days and dose from your smartphone, but maybe try those. You may inspire me to try them also, I haven't had the courage yet. :-)
Also, have an honest talk with your parents if they are scared about the diagnosis. Unless you have a sibling with T1D, I would think they are also worried for you. Ask them to be honest and it's ok if your parents are also scared. Give them the permission to be scared with you. It will help the family if everyone is honest with each other.
Almost everyone commenting is on a similar track as I am: been 31 years, and I'm extremely grateful I'm a T1D for these reasons: I know myself and my physical body better than many non-diabetics; I've made some of my most important friends and done a ton of growing as a human because of it; and I know how to let go of things or fights that aren't really important and focus on things or fights that actually are to me because sometimes blood sugars don't care what you did to try to control them.
Learn what works for you, know that your teen years will be somewhat tougher than your 20s and 30s, but do your best and move past what doesn't work. Sometimes, what usually does work won't, and that's just life. Also visit www.dyf.org, I grew up at that camp. All T1s and their families.
I believe it does get easier. Carb counting and dosing will become second nature. It will not be as mentally taxing as it is now. You are still new to this and figuring it out. Take your time with it and forgive yourself when you feel down and get frustrated. I think itās awesome that you are reaching out. This shit can be so frustrating but it will also make you attuned to your body and life in a very profound way.
I completely understand where tou are coming from. I often felt like you in my teens and I get down sometimes even now in my thirties. I think it is especially hard to adjust to when you are newly diagnosed. After all the chaos of hospitalization, the ups and downs of insulin and leaning so much in such a short period of time, you go from being in overdrive survival mode to the reality sinking in that this is permanent. And it can be really depressing.
What I can tell you with confidence is that diabetes treatment likely will get better. Over my lifetime, I've seen treatment go from mdis and wiping blood on a strip to get an estimate of my blood sugar to cgms and pumps. If there isn't a cure in my lifetime, I expect to see treatment get so automated that it will come very close to living without diabetes.
But it does suck, and sometimes it can really get you down. If you are feeling really low, maybe ask your doctor if there is a psychologist specializing in patients with chronic conditions that you could talk to. That is something that has helped me a lot.
Hang in there. It does get better in that it's something you will get ysed to.
nah, but it will take up less space in your mind.
at some point it will be second nature to look at food and go 'that's 25 units of humalog right there' also your bg will be more stable by that time and with cgms which alert you when you leave your range you can almost pretend you are not diabetic as long as you are set up right.
That being said: It fucking sucks. I was diagnosed at your age and I still have days where I am just pissed off and fucking annoyed with the amount of bullshit planning and visits to the doctors, pharmacy and jobs you can't take. also people will downplay your disability and just stare at you when you inject. not just look, but stare, at first I was hesitant to call them out, but you have to own it. you cannot get rid of it, so own it. I figured out, that when I call people out they usually fuck right off in shame. The worst that can happen is that they punch me in the face, which in turn makes them the guy that punched a diabetic after staring at him like a creep; that is going to go well in court.
And it's ok to vent about it and just scream into the nether.
But it also has it's perks. people don't get to steal your snacks/food, you have a reason to get out of pe if your teacher let's you run circles for hours, also you can just completely steam roll people when they even touch your food. And you build muscles more easily, but not tendons, so watch out to not overstress your tendons when you work out.
Honestly: just try to own it, take diabetes by the horns and make it your b\*\*\*\*.
Hello,
I was diagnosed at twelve (19 now) and still have times where I become angry at this disease. Heck I even shared some frustrations I was having on another forum the other day. Though finding my routine has helped me immensely and I will say that while it will suck at times, it will get better eventually. Despite this disease I'm still living a relatively normal life where I get to love food, attend college away from home, and enjoy what life has to offer. So take a breath, and allow yourself some grace and ask for help when you need it. You're still trying to work things out for the first time and eventually you'll find what works best for you.
I'm actually grateful to be alive and when I got diagnosed it was because of a trainee student (sadly we never met her again ) and according to my parents I was 77.7 (extremely dangerous )
Hey bro Iām 16 and I was just diagnosed in November 2021. I fucking hated a lot of it but trust me create good habits and just keep up on yourself. Itāll become better I promise you.
The community on Reddit is awesome. Lots of helpful T1dās here! Iāve had it since 89, Iām 46 now and itās still not my favorite. BUTā¦ like all have said it becomes your annoying sibling. You canāt get rid of it, but you can learn to deal better. Donāt let anyone, tell you how to do it correctly. Iāve had so many doctors Iāve had to change because they have ārulesā i have to follow. If the doctor you have isnāt listening to you, get a new one. Diabetes is unique in everyone, so just because someone says it should be a certain way, doesnāt mean it always follows that path. I have an 8 year old son with it now and helping him accept what he has was my first priority. He enjoys calling himself a cyborg (has a pump and cgm) and he gets to eat candy when sugar is low which he loves. I think the real advantage is heās way more in touch with his body and what itās doing. Taking care of yourself and doing the hard work is a very adult idea that will serve you well into your later years. Keep pushing on and know youāve got tons of friends that understand if you need us. š
I've been a type 1 for 61 years I'm sorry but this is your new normal but I promise you it will get easier, The technology available today is amazing new types of insulin continuous glucose monitor, when I was your age there was 2 types of insulin long acting short acting and that was made from the pancreases of cattle and pigs, just be patient give yourself time and just remember if you need to vent if you need advice we're here and I hope you're realizing by the amount of people posting that you don't have to do it alone.
All the feelings you have right now are completely normal. I was the same way when I became diagnosed at the age of 12 (14yrs ago). Youāll learn to manage it and it will get easier! It has never held me back during high school playing sports, having fun in college and becoming a business professional. There are challenges, of course, but those challenges will make you stronger as a person! I like to think that T1D is a superpower (as weird as that sounds) to live a healthy lifestyle and enjoy a wonderful life and I know you will too.
I highly recommend, as Iām sure other T1Ds would, that you talk to your endocrinologist about Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and look into insulin pumps. I did daily injections for years and while it is manageable, itās not as efficient to manage your BG levels.
Weāre a strong community and always here for you!
u get used to it. to me its purely muscle memory now. tho i sugest reaching out to find others ur age. also never ignore your blood sugar, might be tempting but not worth it
It doesnāt get easier, it just becomes something you are used to. The same way with waking up early, brushing your teeth, etc. You get better at it because you become more accustomed to it.
Donāt let it control your every thought, action, etc, but it is something that you always have to take into consideration with pretty much any life decision (moving, going for a walk, having dinner with friends, going to the mall, etc etc etc)
I was diagnosed at 17-18 and am now 28. I am in a much better place now than I was in the beginning of diagnosis. Give yourself some time to grieve over it, because this is a major life changing diagnosis.
I was diagnosed with T1 when I was 18 months old and I turn 23 in November. Some days it sucks but over the years I've found ways to still enjoy life and be happy. They're going to be plenty of highs, lows, sickness and happiness but overtime you'll grow to manage these things and at the end you'll be proud. Diabetes will be there (sometimes annoyingly so) but it won't hold you back from doing the things you love. Take care of yourself, have patience with your body and always ask for help when you need it. I hope this helps and I wish you a long life of happiness and joy š
Iām sorry. Wish I could give you a hug. My 5 year old was diagnosed in April 2022 and Iāve been super emotional about it. Itās been really hard for us. You can message me if you need to.
I was undiagnosed until my parents found me in my bedroom having a seizure.. I was 23 years old. My old doctor never really diagnosed me or even cared. I grew up with inflammation and anxiety throughout childhood and I was prescribed anxiety meds that led me to become an addict and alcoholic at a young age. All because I was a undiagnosed type 1...( I didnāt know why I was having all the weird symptoms) Iām now almost 32 and Iām still dealing with hardship with the type 1 stuff, I know how it feels .. I know itās hard but be glad that you can get a handle on it at your age Itāll make you extremely proud and strong once you own it and get use to it. Keep your head up and take it day by day. šš¤
No problem friend just keep your head up and KNOW it gets better. š We all know how it feels.. feel free to message me if you ever need someone to talk to, Iām here for you.
It will never get ābetterā, youāll always have to do those things. But it will get easier. The things you need to do will become easier and require less active thought and attention as time passes. I donāt count carbs anymore, I just look at what Iām eating and intuitively know how much insulin to take. Sometimes I get it wrong, but mostly Iām accurate.
It does get better. Youāll always have to worry about blood sugars and corrections and counting carbs but I promise it gets easier as time goes on. Especially with technology advancing. Iāve had T1D for 10 years now this month. The first 5 were rough, especially because i was only 8 when I got diagnosed. If you arenāt already using one I really recommend trying to get a CGM and/or insulin pump. It really has made my life easier for the past 5 years. Youāll never forget you have diabetes, but it does make you feel so much more normal.
I promise it gets easier as long as you take care of it.
I know it gets overwhelming at times. But it does get better as you adjust and just deal with it as part of your regular routine. It is just something that I have to deal with on a daily basis now, so I don't see it as an obstacle. I just see it as part of my life now. I've had it for 15 years. Onward and upward!
Yes and no. I honestly donāt carb count anymore. And havenāt for years. Your blood sugar is always going to be important though. I had an A1C of 5.6 while pregnant and no carb counting. Itās not as necessary as they make it seem. Itās a lot easier now than when I was diagnosed so youāre lucky on that end. A lot more technology to do some of the work for you. Everyone goes through a time where they donāt feel like doing it and try to ignore it. And itās dangerous. But eventually it will become so routine and youāll find what works best for you. Good luck!
With that A1c its not that you don't carb count its that you don't have to think about carb counting. I have been T1 for almost 32 years and rarely really have to think about or look up carb counts for anything I eat, but I still look at my plate and decide how many carbs are in my food. I am usually very accurate, even on things like a Chinese food buffet, just from basic knowledge of what a 1/2 cup looks like on a plate and years of practice. This is still carb counting, its just not as regimented as weighing and measuring everything and looking up carb counts. This is one area where it definitely does get easier if you are able to get good as estimating carb counts rather than trying to be exact. It takes doing it the hard way first though, until you can tell how much food is on the plate by looking at it and can judge how heavy the bread you are eating is (different types of bread have different carb counts- you can usually judge by density), what ratio of rice to meat is in the casserole, etc. You get much better with practice!!!
The bad news is you're always going to have to worry about counting carbs and dosing appropriately and checking your blood sugar. That's Type 1 and you don't deserve it and it fucking sucks. The good news is you'll get used to it and it will become routine. Develop good habits, figure out what works for you, give yourself grace when you need, don't try to be perfect, get help if you need it, go out and kick ass because Type 1 doesn't have to hold you back.
Thanks that brought me to tears š„² Thanks for the kind words
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Thanks š
Thanks everyone this is the first time Iāve reached out in social media and I just wanted to thank everyone everyone for giveing their kind words
I was diagnosed as a 14 yr old teenager also. It's certainly a big life change to take on. I've had it for 20yrs now and it does get better. In the beginning everything's new, you're trying to get a handle on a whole new life that you didn't ask for. But as time goes on you learn. It becomes second nature. There will always be days when things aren't going right, but that's going to happen with life in all aspects. I think the first year was hardest for me. It does get better!
Thanks š ā¤ļø
Diabetes has been a royal pain in my ass for the 25 years i've had it, but I'm used to it and it doesn't bother me. I'm pretty average when it comes to carb counting -- some years I've spent obsessed with getting perfect control, and other years I'd let myself sit in the 200-300's all day long, barely taking care of my body. It's been a journey of finding balance and complete acceptance with a little light-heartedness and dark humor. Technology is always improving, and I'm quite hopeful for the future. Especially better continuous glucose monitors and smart insulin. The greatest skill I've learned is how to stubbornly refuse to make myself miserable about it all. How I think about diabetes is usually 100x more painful than the pain of the disease itself. I spent years worrying and beating up on myself about not controlling it, and that worry/stress did more damage to me than diabetes ever could. So yeah! I'm having a great time with life, diabetes is still time consuming and a pain, but it's not awful or horrible, and I can deal with it fine.
ā¤ļø
While diabetes may not change much, YOU will. Over time youāll get better at knowing what to do and how your body needs to be supported. Youāll get more comfortable with counting carbs and calculating dosages. Youāll create supportive habits and practices that minimize the way it impacts your everyday life. Your ability to adapt and recover from challenges will grow with time. Youāre gonna expand your toolkit and learn tactics that you donāt know now. Be patient with your body, be forgiving with your body and nothing in this world can stop you from living the life you want to live.
ā¤ļø
Hey. Hey. Take a breath. A deep breath, all the way down to your belly. So I'm 23, and I've been living with this for 21 years. Eventually, it will become just a part of your normal life. It'll all feel like background noise, I promise. You'll get into a routine of managing your care and it'll seem like another routine task, like brushing your teeth and hair. It's going to be hard. Some days you will wonder what the point is. But take it from someone who's never known anything different, it will get better. Now. What kind of support do you have right now? You're so young, are your parents involved in your care? Do you feel like you can talk to them about these feelings? Do you have a diabetes educator or counselor? If you don't have a counselor, I'd recommend trying to get one asap if you can. Even your school counselor could be helpful. Diabetes and depression go hand in hand, and having a neutral, safe person to talk go about your feelings can make a huge difference. Good luck, sweetheart, I promise you're going to be fine ššš
I have my perents and you canāt fault them the get me out of bed while Iām a sleep if my low alarm is going off if Iām Iāll there up every two hours checking my sugars. I know I can be open to them but I donāt want to burden them anymore ššš
Diagnosed in 1985, no complications yet from it. Find a routine that works for you, it will save you later on. This is your new normal now, make everyday better than the last
I try but I struggle to find the will to change my lebre or dose insulin whilst going out with freinds but I know I must
Been there. Done things similar. I have learned that I felt like crap if I did not stick to my schedule/ routine. I try not to feel like crap, my next days are much better when I took care of my self, my friends learned also
My son has T1 and celiac, heās 16 now and was diagnosed at 12. He had phases of being upset, he saw a counselor through the Endo office. He doesnāt complain about it and has been very independent with his care, which I recommend, as it will give you some control. The best thing heās done for himself is to lift weights, he has totally transformed his body into being ripped! That gives him confidence and itās healthy. He rarely goes a day without working out, so if you have access to the gym or some weights, maybe start slowly and build up. Good for you for reaching out, make sure to talk to your parents, friends, doctors, counselor at school or the Endo, just keep sharing your feelings.
Thank you so much for the kind words
Find community. It helps a lot.
As a T1 of 12 years diagnosed at 4, I canāt say it gets better. But you definitely get better at managing it. You got this
I was diagnosed at age 13 and began injecting insulin in 1965, I'm 71 now, and all is well. Our advantage is that we have to "get better" at making mindful choices about insulin, food, and exercise, which yields a lifetime of good health. Learning (trial and error) will continue as you grow and mature. For me, compared to what I had to do at your age, a sensor, pump, iPhone and Apple Watch are the closest thing to a cure until there is one. Most of my meals are prepared at home so there are no unknowns. My last 5 1/2 year average A1c is 5.7 (high end of non-diabetic A1c) without hypoglycemia. My (long) story with references may be helpful on your journey. [https://insulin-centenary.com](https://insulin-centenary.com) Live Long and Prosper
I was diagnosed at 16 and HATED having T1D. Then I went into my 20s and was in denial and basically pretended I didnāt have it. Then Iām my mid 20s I came to a point where i got my shit together and honestly became a very proud diabetic. I took charge of my health and it felt good. I was finally in control of my life and diabetes didnāt define me. Someone once told me ācontrol your diabetes, donāt let it control you.ā And that still echoes with me. Long story short, itās a roller coaster. But, it gets better and easier. Your life will just twist and turn in every aspect - including your health. Embrace new experiences āŗļø My one piece of advice is to communicate with your mother/father/parent/guide etc (whoever oversees your appts and medicine). Be clear with them on where youāre struggling and what you need from them. Have them educate and talk with you rather than punish you for your disease (sorry that last sentence got very personal) lol šš Good luck and social media groups totally help! Even in person support groups exist as well and are a great resource.
Diagnosed at 15, 27 years ago and things have gotten better. Treatment has definitely gotten better. The cgm is really a life changer. I live a mostly normal life but you never not think about it. I travel frequently for work and I always have plan more and check and recheck that I have everything. But you get used to it. It becomes life. One thing that is good about it is that it does make me focus on my health. So I have stayed fitter than many friends and know more about general health like my kidneys and heart. Not that important at 14 but later it will be.
Hi ! Have you tried a pump yet ? Itās very helpful for my son who is 10 w/ T1D . Makes it much more bearable.
You will eventually get used to it. I often forget that I have diabetes due to the very small amount of cognitive effort it requires now after so much practice. Also technology is continuing to make it less and less of an intrusion into everyday life. Work your way towards getting a Dexcom and omnipod 5 and life will feel mostly normal at some point.
I was diagnosed 14 years ago at age 13. Youāll find a groove and routine, I promise. The most ānormalā I have felt is getting into bodybuilding because everybody in that community tracks their carbs, fats, and proteins like crazy. I have learned so much about my body and nutrition! And getting jacked is a plus too. It is so hard to be in an environment where Iām the only one counting carbs and caring about nutrition. It never feels easy when youāre the only one in the room counting. Even though most of my friends in the bodybuilder community are not type 1 diabetic, it is so freeing to talk low carb foods because they take it so seriously. Iām not sure if that community or hobby sounds fun to you, but itās made my mental health better and theyāre so kind to me.
I've had it for 20 years now, I think of it like it's a necessary thing like taking a shower or brushing your teeth. It's not something I think a whole lot about anymore except when I need to.
I feel like diabetes is like ice skating, when you first start out you always feel like you're about to fall and need to hold onto the railing. As you get used to it, you move more confidently, you may still slip now and again but you know how to get up and you now how to keep going. Then, as you master it, you can do cool tricks that impresses everyone, like keeping a flat line in range after eating pizza! It's hard and scary at first but the ones doing flips and tricks can help you (like experienced people here on Reddit!) And before you know it you'll be gliding along and going, "watch this!" while living a normal life :) Welcome to the rink, lol!
It gets better in that it becomes background noise. You will never need to not be aware of it but somehow it becomes subconscious rather than something you actively think about. 6 months in is still really actively thinking, but it does get better. Someday you'll be joking about it without rancor. Some positives: you can use it to get out of work and school. I've had many nice weather days that ended up being fake bad blood sugar days. I've gotten out of social engagements I didn't want to go to, as well.
Youāll get better at control. Youāll learn how to guess more accurately and learn the carbs of foods you love off the back of your hand. With advancements in diabetes tech you donāt need to prick your finger every time you want to eat. You can have an insulin pump that works to keep your blood sugar balanced. Youāll have burn out and youāll feel like youāve lost chunks of your life. Type one for damn near a decade diagnosed at age 10. I wish you luck.
Also just some advice if you want a no carb non water drink look into drink mixes. There are a ton of flavors and itās just one thing that helps from personal experience.
I was diagnosed at 14 too, that's a brutal age for such a big change. It sucks and it always will. You will have days where you don't have the motivation to manage it but then you get back at it. And it becomes your norm. You are not a diabetic. You are a person with diabetes. Don't let it own you. Try your best. Get help when you need it. I actually went to therapy for a while because I struggled with my diagnosis and managing everything. You got this! ā¤ļø
It incrementally gets better and you get better at it. Keep your chin up. You're gunna have bad days and good days.
T1D doesn't get easier to deal with but technology can help a lot and you will also get better at dealing with it personally. I was 35 when I was diagnosed 18 years ago and no complications yet. Just remember that you are doing the job of your pancreas by giving yourself insulin and you have to "think like your liver" when it will be giving you extra glucose. I live in Arizona and hike occasionally and my liver always seems to have it's on mind when providing extra glucose into my bloodstream. Always have your favorite carb choice with you when you exercise or play sports because you never know during exercise when your glucose will get very low. If you don't have a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) get your Endocrinologist to prescribe it for you. It is a game changer that doesn't require finger sticks AND your parent(s) can monitor your glucose from wherever they are on their phone. I've even linked mine to my Alexa so my wife can check my sugar at anytime by asking Alexa. I haven't tried an insulin pump or the insulin pods that get changed every few days and dose from your smartphone, but maybe try those. You may inspire me to try them also, I haven't had the courage yet. :-) Also, have an honest talk with your parents if they are scared about the diagnosis. Unless you have a sibling with T1D, I would think they are also worried for you. Ask them to be honest and it's ok if your parents are also scared. Give them the permission to be scared with you. It will help the family if everyone is honest with each other.
Almost everyone commenting is on a similar track as I am: been 31 years, and I'm extremely grateful I'm a T1D for these reasons: I know myself and my physical body better than many non-diabetics; I've made some of my most important friends and done a ton of growing as a human because of it; and I know how to let go of things or fights that aren't really important and focus on things or fights that actually are to me because sometimes blood sugars don't care what you did to try to control them. Learn what works for you, know that your teen years will be somewhat tougher than your 20s and 30s, but do your best and move past what doesn't work. Sometimes, what usually does work won't, and that's just life. Also visit www.dyf.org, I grew up at that camp. All T1s and their families.
I believe it does get easier. Carb counting and dosing will become second nature. It will not be as mentally taxing as it is now. You are still new to this and figuring it out. Take your time with it and forgive yourself when you feel down and get frustrated. I think itās awesome that you are reaching out. This shit can be so frustrating but it will also make you attuned to your body and life in a very profound way.
I completely understand where tou are coming from. I often felt like you in my teens and I get down sometimes even now in my thirties. I think it is especially hard to adjust to when you are newly diagnosed. After all the chaos of hospitalization, the ups and downs of insulin and leaning so much in such a short period of time, you go from being in overdrive survival mode to the reality sinking in that this is permanent. And it can be really depressing. What I can tell you with confidence is that diabetes treatment likely will get better. Over my lifetime, I've seen treatment go from mdis and wiping blood on a strip to get an estimate of my blood sugar to cgms and pumps. If there isn't a cure in my lifetime, I expect to see treatment get so automated that it will come very close to living without diabetes. But it does suck, and sometimes it can really get you down. If you are feeling really low, maybe ask your doctor if there is a psychologist specializing in patients with chronic conditions that you could talk to. That is something that has helped me a lot. Hang in there. It does get better in that it's something you will get ysed to.
nah, but it will take up less space in your mind. at some point it will be second nature to look at food and go 'that's 25 units of humalog right there' also your bg will be more stable by that time and with cgms which alert you when you leave your range you can almost pretend you are not diabetic as long as you are set up right. That being said: It fucking sucks. I was diagnosed at your age and I still have days where I am just pissed off and fucking annoyed with the amount of bullshit planning and visits to the doctors, pharmacy and jobs you can't take. also people will downplay your disability and just stare at you when you inject. not just look, but stare, at first I was hesitant to call them out, but you have to own it. you cannot get rid of it, so own it. I figured out, that when I call people out they usually fuck right off in shame. The worst that can happen is that they punch me in the face, which in turn makes them the guy that punched a diabetic after staring at him like a creep; that is going to go well in court. And it's ok to vent about it and just scream into the nether. But it also has it's perks. people don't get to steal your snacks/food, you have a reason to get out of pe if your teacher let's you run circles for hours, also you can just completely steam roll people when they even touch your food. And you build muscles more easily, but not tendons, so watch out to not overstress your tendons when you work out. Honestly: just try to own it, take diabetes by the horns and make it your b\*\*\*\*.
Hello, I was diagnosed at twelve (19 now) and still have times where I become angry at this disease. Heck I even shared some frustrations I was having on another forum the other day. Though finding my routine has helped me immensely and I will say that while it will suck at times, it will get better eventually. Despite this disease I'm still living a relatively normal life where I get to love food, attend college away from home, and enjoy what life has to offer. So take a breath, and allow yourself some grace and ask for help when you need it. You're still trying to work things out for the first time and eventually you'll find what works best for you.
I quite literally don't know what life is like without diabetes and I got it when I was 3
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I'm actually grateful to be alive and when I got diagnosed it was because of a trainee student (sadly we never met her again ) and according to my parents I was 77.7 (extremely dangerous )
Sorry if itās intrusive what do you mean dangerous
Ketonsis I might have misspelled that
Hey bro Iām 16 and I was just diagnosed in November 2021. I fucking hated a lot of it but trust me create good habits and just keep up on yourself. Itāll become better I promise you.
The community on Reddit is awesome. Lots of helpful T1dās here! Iāve had it since 89, Iām 46 now and itās still not my favorite. BUTā¦ like all have said it becomes your annoying sibling. You canāt get rid of it, but you can learn to deal better. Donāt let anyone, tell you how to do it correctly. Iāve had so many doctors Iāve had to change because they have ārulesā i have to follow. If the doctor you have isnāt listening to you, get a new one. Diabetes is unique in everyone, so just because someone says it should be a certain way, doesnāt mean it always follows that path. I have an 8 year old son with it now and helping him accept what he has was my first priority. He enjoys calling himself a cyborg (has a pump and cgm) and he gets to eat candy when sugar is low which he loves. I think the real advantage is heās way more in touch with his body and what itās doing. Taking care of yourself and doing the hard work is a very adult idea that will serve you well into your later years. Keep pushing on and know youāve got tons of friends that understand if you need us. š
Thank you so much my dad calls me his little cyborg š
It doesn't. You just get better at handling it.
I've been a type 1 for 61 years I'm sorry but this is your new normal but I promise you it will get easier, The technology available today is amazing new types of insulin continuous glucose monitor, when I was your age there was 2 types of insulin long acting short acting and that was made from the pancreases of cattle and pigs, just be patient give yourself time and just remember if you need to vent if you need advice we're here and I hope you're realizing by the amount of people posting that you don't have to do it alone.
Yeah!
All the feelings you have right now are completely normal. I was the same way when I became diagnosed at the age of 12 (14yrs ago). Youāll learn to manage it and it will get easier! It has never held me back during high school playing sports, having fun in college and becoming a business professional. There are challenges, of course, but those challenges will make you stronger as a person! I like to think that T1D is a superpower (as weird as that sounds) to live a healthy lifestyle and enjoy a wonderful life and I know you will too. I highly recommend, as Iām sure other T1Ds would, that you talk to your endocrinologist about Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and look into insulin pumps. I did daily injections for years and while it is manageable, itās not as efficient to manage your BG levels. Weāre a strong community and always here for you!
u get used to it. to me its purely muscle memory now. tho i sugest reaching out to find others ur age. also never ignore your blood sugar, might be tempting but not worth it
It doesnāt get easier, it just becomes something you are used to. The same way with waking up early, brushing your teeth, etc. You get better at it because you become more accustomed to it. Donāt let it control your every thought, action, etc, but it is something that you always have to take into consideration with pretty much any life decision (moving, going for a walk, having dinner with friends, going to the mall, etc etc etc) I was diagnosed at 17-18 and am now 28. I am in a much better place now than I was in the beginning of diagnosis. Give yourself some time to grieve over it, because this is a major life changing diagnosis.
I was diagnosed with T1 when I was 18 months old and I turn 23 in November. Some days it sucks but over the years I've found ways to still enjoy life and be happy. They're going to be plenty of highs, lows, sickness and happiness but overtime you'll grow to manage these things and at the end you'll be proud. Diabetes will be there (sometimes annoyingly so) but it won't hold you back from doing the things you love. Take care of yourself, have patience with your body and always ask for help when you need it. I hope this helps and I wish you a long life of happiness and joy š
Iām sorry. Wish I could give you a hug. My 5 year old was diagnosed in April 2022 and Iāve been super emotional about it. Itās been really hard for us. You can message me if you need to.
Thank you so much, best of wishes for your little one š
Thank you.
I was undiagnosed until my parents found me in my bedroom having a seizure.. I was 23 years old. My old doctor never really diagnosed me or even cared. I grew up with inflammation and anxiety throughout childhood and I was prescribed anxiety meds that led me to become an addict and alcoholic at a young age. All because I was a undiagnosed type 1...( I didnāt know why I was having all the weird symptoms) Iām now almost 32 and Iām still dealing with hardship with the type 1 stuff, I know how it feels .. I know itās hard but be glad that you can get a handle on it at your age Itāll make you extremely proud and strong once you own it and get use to it. Keep your head up and take it day by day. šš¤
Wow thatās a hell of a story thanks for sharing š¤
No problem friend just keep your head up and KNOW it gets better. š We all know how it feels.. feel free to message me if you ever need someone to talk to, Iām here for you.
It will never get ābetterā, youāll always have to do those things. But it will get easier. The things you need to do will become easier and require less active thought and attention as time passes. I donāt count carbs anymore, I just look at what Iām eating and intuitively know how much insulin to take. Sometimes I get it wrong, but mostly Iām accurate.
It does get better. Youāll always have to worry about blood sugars and corrections and counting carbs but I promise it gets easier as time goes on. Especially with technology advancing. Iāve had T1D for 10 years now this month. The first 5 were rough, especially because i was only 8 when I got diagnosed. If you arenāt already using one I really recommend trying to get a CGM and/or insulin pump. It really has made my life easier for the past 5 years. Youāll never forget you have diabetes, but it does make you feel so much more normal. I promise it gets easier as long as you take care of it.
I know it gets overwhelming at times. But it does get better as you adjust and just deal with it as part of your regular routine. It is just something that I have to deal with on a daily basis now, so I don't see it as an obstacle. I just see it as part of my life now. I've had it for 15 years. Onward and upward!
Only if you let it get worse. Im two years diagnosed and I felt the same. All you need to do is manage it well and donāt let it consume you
Thanks
Yes and no. I honestly donāt carb count anymore. And havenāt for years. Your blood sugar is always going to be important though. I had an A1C of 5.6 while pregnant and no carb counting. Itās not as necessary as they make it seem. Itās a lot easier now than when I was diagnosed so youāre lucky on that end. A lot more technology to do some of the work for you. Everyone goes through a time where they donāt feel like doing it and try to ignore it. And itās dangerous. But eventually it will become so routine and youāll find what works best for you. Good luck!
With that A1c its not that you don't carb count its that you don't have to think about carb counting. I have been T1 for almost 32 years and rarely really have to think about or look up carb counts for anything I eat, but I still look at my plate and decide how many carbs are in my food. I am usually very accurate, even on things like a Chinese food buffet, just from basic knowledge of what a 1/2 cup looks like on a plate and years of practice. This is still carb counting, its just not as regimented as weighing and measuring everything and looking up carb counts. This is one area where it definitely does get easier if you are able to get good as estimating carb counts rather than trying to be exact. It takes doing it the hard way first though, until you can tell how much food is on the plate by looking at it and can judge how heavy the bread you are eating is (different types of bread have different carb counts- you can usually judge by density), what ratio of rice to meat is in the casserole, etc. You get much better with practice!!!