burn-out

[Armyemily]

I have had diabetes since 1998 and have been on a MM 722 pump since April 2007.

I AM SICK OF DIABETES!!!!!!!!! Has anyone else had a burn-out from diabetes? I just want to take a brake with out putting my self on a death bed. I wish I had just one day where I did not have to worry what my blood sugar was. If I have enough supplies for the day when I leave the house. If I should take some syringes in case my pump fails.

Then we have the insurance company that will do anything to get out of paying for my diabetes. I just want time with out any of that.


How do you get over this burn-out?!?!

[OSUMom]

My heart goes out to you Emily. I won't even pretend to have an inkling to know what's it's like. Yesterday while taking my son back to college we stopped at the outlet mall. In a store he was going low rapidly :eek:. Quick there was a candy vending machine outside and I had enough quarters. You see I think he overbolused for some Starbucks fru fru coffee earlier when we left on our drive.

Then when we got back in for the rest of the drive, he was falling asleep, I asked him to please test his blood sugar. Oops the meter had been in the zero temperatures and would not work. :rolleyes: So he sat on it next to his skin to warm it up. Oops down to one test strip before he had to rummage through all the stuff in the back of the vehicle to find new vile of test strips. :mad: Make sure you get enough blood out of that finger! Whew - 82 Safe.

And this is just a frustrating glimpse of an hour in his life with Type 1 though I know not every hour is like this one. :cwds:

Like you said I think it's the "chronic-ness" that wears you down day in and day out..... {{{hugs****** to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Brensdad]

Only on days that end in "y."

[blbrocky]

My son is going through some of this right now. He has not been testing himself like he should be. Last night he checked at 9:30pm and I checked his meter this morning before work and he did not check before bed. :eek: I checked him and he was 151. He is still out of school this week so staying up late and sleeping all day. He has not even been dx'd for a year and already is sick of testing....

Hang in there!

[hypercarmona]

I know what you mean; as much as I would like to not care and let my guard down, I just can't. We, as adults, are expected to "manage" our illness without much assistance or input on a day-to-day basis, as well as bear the guilt and fear that come along with it. (Guilt from not having perfect numbers, from friends, doctors and family, or from food. Fear of the complications, both the short and long term, fear of lows or highs.)

For me, I've had to have responsibility for my diabetes since day one. I've had the blame when I was high, or when I had too many lows, or when I was tired of caring and testing. (What 14 year old wouldn't have been?) My parents involvement ended after they bought my insulin and test strips and gave them to me. I've been struggling with burnout for years, and have given up a substantial portion of my life to worry, fear, and guilt. Regardless, I keep plugging along-doing what I know I need to do to stay healthy.
How do you get over this burn-out?!?!

I wish I knew.

[clb1968]

Only on days that end in "y."

Me too. I just want a day that I dont have to think about everything that I do. Remember to test, do I have all my supplies, how many carbs is in that donut, LOL what will it do to my blood sugar.

[Kent T]

Hi all,

Getting burned out is only normal living with the Big D. Frustrations are a part of it. Many times I would love to not have to look after my Type 1 D and Spina Bifida care, but I desire to live and be all I can do. We're here to help you through the rough spots and provide a listening ear.

[smile101]

I definitely know what you mean!! I have had type 1 D for about 11 years now! I wish I also can have a day of not worrying about my blood sugar! I am also getting burnt out on the pump! It is really starting to annoy me. I am actually considering going back to shots. It has been like 10 years since i been on shots, and when i was on shots it was just 2x a day. So i dont know if things have changed concerning shots or not. But i need to try something different for better control of my bs. :/ U aren't suffering alone.

[Aidyn]

I completely understand... I've gotten the diabetic burnout countless times. Like you, I sometimes just get tired of every day being a mathematical equation. It can get very tedious being a human pin cushion, and it's pretty depressing knowing that we will have to do this for the rest of our lives (unless, of course, there is a cure, but who knows if we will really witness that?)

I wish I could stop worrying about things like food (the obvious), weather, altitude, and illness affecting my blood sugar. I wish I didn't have to practically pour sugar down my throat when I'm not hungry or otherwise in the mood for it just because my blood sugar is low. I remember the days of perfect health quite vividly (I was 16 when diagnosed, so over two thirds of my life has been diabetes-free) and miss the days when I didn't have this dark cloud of chronic illness constantly looming over my head. As we all know, it's pretty much impossible to just forget we're diabetic... even though I wish I could.

So, how do I get over this, you ask? Simple. It may be a (quite literal) pain in the arse (well, if that is your injection/pump site of choice ;) ), BUT it IS a manageable disease. We have so much technology to help us take care of ourselves, and it doesn't have to stop us from doing everything we love. I have a friend with chronic migranes, a friend with chronic myeloid leukemia, and a friend with fibromyalgia. They are all unable to work and fighting to go on disability. They live with constant fatigue and endless pain. Every day, I am thankful that I have "only" diabetes - think about it - it MAY be tough (AND expensive!) BUT we could have been dealt a much worse hand! :)

Here are a few other (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) things to think about: You are much more in tune with your body and naturally health conscious than someone without diabetes. Thanks to (occasional of course) hypos and very high blood sugars, you can experience unique body sensations and hallucinatory adventures without the use of illegal, expensive drugs: a cheaper night out! And when friends are arguing about where to go out to eat, you can say "I have to eat NOW" loudly - which usually means that they will exchange worried looks and hurry to the restaurant of your choice, little knowing that really you were just hungry and didn't feel like McDonalds.

[Bob @ Joy of Diabetes]

Niiiicccccceeeee......and sometimes at those restaraunts...it'll get you to the head of the line....

I guess I just have peace with the disease and have never really had a burn out phase. After 44 years, I would consider it like "arguing with the wind"
it has no effect other than to make me madder.
You get what you think about, so I choose to focus on fun, happy stuff and I am able to stay in that realm.
"If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never again think a negative thought"........Peace Pilgrim

[PixieStix]

I am sorry you are struggling so much right now, I know it is so relentless and really no way to escape the daily grind and stay in good health too.

Is there anyone who might be close and take on some of the little parts of your burden for a bit, i.e. even just stock your supplies everyday, help with food prep and/or shop for single-serving foods so there is less measuring? I thought you received the CGM a while back--is that tool helping you live a little easier?

I agree w/ some of the other posters--the mind is indeed very powerful. My son's endo practice affiliates w/ a social worker who specializes in diabetes, typically pts struggling w/ burn out. Perhaps these type services would be beneficial for you. We are all here to listen and support you too.

[Armyemily]

[QUOTE=twbeckman;206425] I thought you received the CGM a while back--is that tool helping you live a little easier? QUOTE]

yes i did get a mm CGMS to go along with my pump. Its good I have some what more control then I did before. After I posted this I called my doc and decided to go back on shots for a couple of days. It helped A LOT also he put me in touch with a social worker and we had 3 meetings it helped too. I know have the option to go on shots when I need or want to and have talked with my mom about taking some of the hassle a couple times a week (I still live with my parents while in college) so she does the carb counts, and we now go grocery shopping together. I found out that she missed helping me. I now will sometimes let her do my CGMS inserts and I have even awaken a couple of nights to her checking my BG (or trying to turn of my sounding pump:o)

Also I think a lot of my burn out was the move to Oklahoma and my "new job" (which I don't work there anymore) But its all another lovely day in the D-hood!

[Bob @ Joy of Diabetes]

Glad to hear of all the positive happenings in your life......:)