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If you have (or your child has) experienced diabetes burnout (feeling run down and not managing your diabetes in the way you normally would), how do you usually handle it? Select all that apply.
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When my brother and I were younger (under 15) if they saw one of struggling big time with not wanting to manage our T1D, they would give us a “vacation from management”. Usually just a day of not doing our own injections and testing. A lot easier back in the days of urine testing and set insulin regimens.
I also seek new therapies or medication that can make it easier to reach my goals.
Experience has taught me the “diabetes” is ultimately my problem to solve. So, with assistance if necessary, I start “drilling down” to identify the problem and patiently build back the mental stamina to cope with a situation that will not completely disappear and cannot be denied or ignored. This, in part, is why it’s such a lonely disease. Family particularly spouses can be supportive but in the end it’s between us and the diabetes. Stoicism helps acceptance. In health.
I’d seek out someone to chat with.
When it comes to advice on Type 1, aka “insulin dependent” aka “IDDM” aka Juvenile onset it’s had many names over the 40 years I’ve had it there is one common theme there few people know about the practical aspects of Type 1. For me, I’ve found the best place to go is a medical professional that happens to have type 1. I’ve got the best advice from a MD, Nurse Practitioner and even a nutritionist that happens to have Type 1. Next in line are other diabetics there you must be a little careful that their opinions are based in facts, not something else. The list goes on… You just need to think about the person giving the advice.
I don’t technically know if I get burn-out, but if I get slightly lax on keeping an eye out on my sugar levels, I don’t worry about it as by the next day I am ready to start being better about trying to keep my sugar levels where I want them.
I pray. Along with all the other things in life that I talk to God about, I pray for Him to help me with my feelings of being overwhelmed by my health issues. Just talking to Him about it brings a sense of His presence and comfort.
Meditation and self-compassion practices help me recenter when I feel overwhelmed by dealing with diabetes.
When my son’s starts feeling the burnout he comes to me and asks me to step in and take over management for awhile. As for myself, I mean there isn’t anyone I can ask for help other than my son and I’m not putting that on him. So I push through.
Not sure I have had diabetes burnout but there have been times when I have been way lax on my diet- eating foods on the “do not” list. I exercise almost daily which I would do with or without diabetes just because I like to move- hiking, biking, walking, strength training.
I sometimes get frustrated managing this T1 disease but have never given up the daily efforts to manage thru it. There is not an option, you just have to ‘suck it up’ and work thru the grind……
I have definitely felt burnt out, but not to be the point that I stopped taking care of myself. I have used a lot of the listed strategies to help when my T1D gets extra frustrating. Also had to learn to go easy on myself. Somedays T1D has a mind if it’s own.
My burnout is not from managing my diabetes but from not doing it well. I’m very results oriented and want to do everything to the best of my abilities but the T1D game of maximizing TIR (time in range) is a game where it seems the rules constantly change. We all know this but still get caught trying for perfection at the micro level rather than the bigger picture (macro level). I need to remember that T1D is a marathon, not a sprint and it’s okay to slow down (insert your T1D pitfalls here) but keep going, it’s a slow process but quitting won’t speed it up.
#BeWell
Yes!! I have lasted 69 years from age 21 without micro manageing T1D…
The question seriously lacks at least one answer:
“I do not experience burn out. Ever.”
After 71 years of doing the T1D “thing,” I have eyes burn out, nerves burn out, joints burn out, pancreas burn out. But the whole human being package? Not ‘til I’m nailed in the pine box. Then, you can do all the burning you want. 🔥
I haven’t experienced diabetes burnout during over 55 years with T1D, but I do get very frustrated with the expense of managing the condition.
Me also!!! I think insulin price was about $1.00 a vile 70 years ago..
58 yrs, been a few frustrations mostly dealing with Insurance lately. As far as control my Diabuddies and my Endo are my “go to’s”
I’ve told others to “keep on trucking” and try hard to practice that myself. Conversations with the DOC for practical solutions can help when I clearly know what I’m having the most problems with. Asking my CDE for help has sometimes been useful, but her available time is strictly limited by her employer. So, I keep pushing myself to get up and keep moving forward.
Yell and scream at the world…then get back to business.
If I could send you a picture I would! Are you on Facebook? I can look you up. 😊
I was experiencing severe burnout after 35 years. I decided to get a diabetic tattoo. Not everyone’s thing, but it worked for me. 😁
I have been itching for my next tattoo, and get into this space with my burnout, too. I’m only 6 years in, but I am soooo sensitive (to insulin, carbs, and protein) and the frustration with that sensitivity gets to me. Little room for error. I love tattoos and piercings, they lift my spirits.
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed dealing with the day to day high and low blood sugars. That, combined with the never ending daily stressors. I start thinking that there has to be a break coming. But, there is not. My best go to, to get through, is going out for a run or a bike ride. Occasionally, a walk. Then, get on with the next chore.
Before I was diagnosed (I’m LADA), I had to have my right nostril removed for a benign tumor that was growing aggressively. My plastic surgeon, a wonderful man, had done his residency in a burn unit. Whenever I am feeling sorry for myself, I remember the people who are way worse off than I am, I say a grateful prayer of thanks, I cheat a little (usually occurs after my Endo appt when I get good reviews) and get back in the wagon. I tell my husband when I go low: what a great disease – I have to eat to make myself better. I am positive by nature which makes life much easier to bear. Beats the alternative. Stay well my warriors.
First, I fully own the anger/frustration: yell, feel it, acknowledge it.
Second, I tell myself I’m doing my personal best right now, that hour, that day. I’m stepping in to do the meticulous job of the pancreas: how the hell can I be expected to do as well 24/7? Be easy on myself.
Third, I am lucky to have a therapist who specializes in major life changes – like T1D. Thanks to her, I have tools/methods to get me through these episodes. And she’s someone I can unload on, be honest with. I hate being a burden on my family and friends, she takes that on so I can have better personal relationships.
I re-read The Four Agreements/Fifth Agreement over and over.
I chose N/A as I don’t think I have had been burnt out in any of my medical conditions enough to become lackadaisical. The future of this body and brain are reminders to try and stay on top.
When it happens, I let it all hang out and fall down and then pick myself up, dust myself off, and get back on track all over again. Diabetes burn-out episodes are rare and usually don’t last very long when they do happen because after 60 years of living with T1D doing what need to be done to function as my own beta cells comes second nature to me. I take full responsibility to do what needs to be done to manage my self-care choices and routines because I cannot rely on anyone else to do if for me.
I concur with Connie. After 42 years with T1D, an occassionalburnouthappens.
It’s my responsibility, but venting to my wife for a day helps. Like Connie I just pick myself up and remember why I need to remain diligent.
“Oh sh-*, F~!%, D@mi+, As*$”e Get Over it!” Short and sweat, then dive back in and get on with it, it will be ok.
sleep, perchance to dream, wake up, start again.
I feel like there should have been an option for “get really frustrated and depressed for a while”.
Diabetes burnout? I don’t think that burns me out. It’s everything else! Trump, the January 6 insurrection, my frustration with getting online, my cellphone frustration, having to mow the damn lawn, my messy house, the cost of maintenance, money worries, these are just some of the things that burn me out. I don’t have time or space for diabetes burnout. In addition to the 5 “handles” I checked, I’ve found keeping a daily written record of feelings, goals, accomplishments, questions, problems is very helpful. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps. So does having lunch with friends, and playing scrabble, and just chilling out all at the local Senior Center. And there’s the public library. And PBS and NPR. In the past I handled stress by 6-8 drinks of alcohol (beer, dry wine, vodka, rum, whiskey, absinthe, ouzo, gin, scotch, etc) at home alone. My doctor told me not to keep booze at home; too tempting. Better I should go out for a drink socially. I’m fortunate to have several brew pubs within walking distance (1.5 miles) plus a saloon. One of them is dog friendly, so I could go there, pet dogs, savor a craft IPA followed by craft imperial stout while using the free WiFi, chat with friendly folks. But for the time being, I’m not drinking at all.
I love this!
I don’t believe I’ve found a way to deal with burnout. Get angry and scream more. Create more colorful words to describe the pump. Throw something. Logical minds knows it’s stupid. Investing in a punching bag would be a better choice. When I’m done throwing a tantrum I usually just remind myself that it’s this or death, so I’d better buck up buttercup.
Have learned for myself that burnout usually coincides with being out of control. Tighter control and physical activity cures it.
I chose Talk to my husband, figure it out myself (I debug every problem LOL!), and talk to my endo. I laughed at “Reduce stress”. Ha! Not possible…. but going outside and exercising helps with the stress.