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On a scale of 1-5, how much do you think T1D impacts decisions you make in other areas of your life? (1 = the least possible impact, 5 = the most possible impact)
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When you’re T1D, your present decisions must be made with the next 8 hours in mind. If Insulin and food intake is not with you or quickly accessible, your asking for trouble.
4
The question is bit vague, but obviously, it affects all areas of my life. If I’m traveling, I need to make sure I have insulin and testing supplies. Even if it’s a half-day trip, I need to make sure I have food accessible at all times.
T1D 36 yrs. It’s such a part of my life, that I had to pause and reflect. I don’t usually consider it a “burden,” it’s just how I live. But every single day I make decisions or consider it – “where’s my b.s. right now?” Make sure I have sugar packets with me. Meter/strips accessible. I can’t just freely walk out the door with “nothing” and meander; I have to have some items and a way to comfortable carry them. Food choices ALWAYS are made considering impact on blood sugar. Travel – I would never go super remote due to need for insulin, or proper items to regulate b.s. I choose to travel out of the USA to buy insulin; normal ppl don’t do that.
I don’t feel hindered in things I “wish” I could do – I always manage around it and do what I want (fortunately, I don’t WANT to travel really remotely). But it affects many small decisions in every day, impossible to separate from “other areas” of my life.
I answered 4, but considered 5. I think just about every decision I make involves my diabetes care, in some respect, if not directly. When I don’t consider my diabetes is when I get into trouble. I know my answer is kind of vague …
After 31 years I can safely say that diabetes has impacted which job opportunities I took, where I travel to, what equipment I travel with, how I travel etc a lot. From planning extra time to go through the TSA nightmare (got to spend some fun enhanced pat down time in both Florida and in Utah) to keeping a job that was a horrible fit simply to maintain health insurance, to not going out with certain people, or to certain places due to having to plan for them and how they effect my diabetes. A lot of my life has directly had to be modified to fit my diabetes equipment, my diabetes lifestyle, and the realities of dealing with a public (especially in the security arena) that have literally no idea of the technology / how it works / that they can destroy it. Along with that, the fact that this equipment is expensive and not easy to replace makes me significantly more risk averse than a normal person.
In an effort to stay ahead of any problems, we may run into.. I tend to overthink and over plan everything due to my daughters diabetes.
Diabetes impacts most decisions but it does not prevent me from participating in activities.
This is very dependent upon specific “other areas” of my life and since the question is generalized I have to say 1. least possible impact. After 31 years of T1D for the most part I don’t have think about it except for making sure I’m covered supply wise (pump has enough insulin, infusion set is good, CGM sensor is good and not going expire, I have snacks to prevent lows) for whenever I leave the house. Never have I thought I have T1D, I can’t do that. Everyday life requires some planning your T1D stuff just becomes automatic.
I put 2. I agree that T1 planning is part of what I always do. However, having T1 does not determine the outcome of my choices.
Not much. I do pretty much anything I want except float the River for hours as my pump isn’t water proof.
It really impacts me when traveling. Extras I must carry snd keep with me st sll times. I’ve done it for do long automatically pack medical first.
T1 is forever on my mind. It is my first thought when doing anything. I have to think about my sugar level each time I get in the car to drive what kind of activities I am going to be involved with during the day. the amount of insulin I will need during the activities
T1D affects most of my decisions, but it didn’t dictate whether I should have taken an accounting course in college or if I should have taken an English course. Therefore I chose #4. Obviously T1D does affect many of my decisions as I didn’t choose #1 through #3. Even physical activities only affect me a little bit as to my decisions (I am going to bring more glucose tabs on a 4 hour walk rather than on a 1/2 hour walk, but either way, I was going on a walk.
Diabetes and now a day the use of my devices are always in the forehead of every decision I make every day, from where I’m going to have my next meal and what I’m going to eat, to how much insulin I’d need, to the clothes I wear, to the purse I carry (depending on whether I need to carry food or spares with me) to who are the people in my social group (whether I feel comfortable or not pulling out my pump). In respect to my choice of jobs I always consider whether or not I would had to participate in situations where I wouldn’t be able to check my sugar (that’s when a glucose meter was the only way to know). In other words it has always affect every single thing I do or have done in my life.
I have never used diabetes as an excuse not do things but have always considered how to handle in each particular situation. So yes it has and it is always in my mind.
For the past 66 years Type 1 D has impacted every aspect of my life.
I put “other” because I really can’t answer this. It has been such an integral part of my life for 59 of my 70 years that I really can’t sort out what attitudes and reactions are related or not. It sounds like asking how much my arm has impacted my decision making.
I’m pretty much with everyone else: I think about it but it doesn’t stop me unless it involves salt water (I live near the Gulf). But one thing: before LADA diagnosis over 20 years ago, I would’ve said I eat to live. Food wasn’t that important. After my diagnosis: everything became about food. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It makes me laugh now but when I go low, it’s all about now what can I eat that I normally wouldn’t to raise my BG?
As someone with adult-onset T1D, I feel like everything I took for granted about living my life was upended and still struggle with that at meals and in the planning for activities. Also, a lifelong struggle with depression has often made managing T1D much harder. Living with D is definitely a “work in progress”. I am very grateful for all the tech stuff that helps me life a more balanced life.
I am surprised that I chose #1, but the highest percent was #4. Since T1D is a job that is 24/7/365, it is the most demanding job I have ever had, and it naturally impacts everything I do from moment to moment. However, I am a senior who lives alone which doesn’t give me a safety net of support.
Other than using the right dose of insulin which isn’t that difficult thanks to technology I don’t have to do anything anyone else has to do to be healthy, exercise, eat mostly produce and whole grains most of the time. If I didn’t the consequences might be sooner and harder is the only difference.
It’s not because my decision depends on how diabetes affects me at the moment —-but rather on what it has done to me over the years —– I wish I didn’t have it, but I am extremely happy that I am able to
I answered 4, and like most of you I don’t let diabetes limit me in any way, and yet it is involved in every aspect of my day (and night). After 45 years and now using pump/CGM, I think I’m not even aware of how much it does impact everything I do in some way…good question, but I’m not sure I want to think about it too much! 🙂
I chose a 2. It impacts what I eat and how quickly I can leave my house, for what duration or where to. With the plague of T2D, insulin is available in all pharmacies and so I could find a way to access my necessities.
I am used to being dependent upon medications and other medical supplies and currently prefer diabetes to the other bothers I have.
It’s difficult to fairly judge this. I don’t have an idea what my life would be like without T1
I chose 3. I generally live life the way I want to most of the time. However, diabetes is something I have to take into consider in most situations and I am ultimately responsible for the day-to-day decisions and choices I make in matters of personal self-care, well being, and safety.
I don’t really feel that Diabetes impacts decisions I make in “other areas” of my life. I answered “2” only because if having a low sugar keeps me from going shopping for 20 minutes counts, then I guess is does impact my decisions. I’m not sure what this question is referring to, so I chose a low answer with the understanding that it can effect my life at times. I don’t consider this a problem though.
I answered 4 – not because T1D really impacts me 0but that having been raised to be a ballet dancer, and working as one, I have always taken into account what
fuel I have in the tank”, getting weighed every week, etc. So while T1D is inolved in my decision-making (it is second nature to me now after 40 years) it isn’t a big impact because that’s they way I have lived my life for forever!
Maybe I am OCD about T1D, but I feel it effects every area of my life. I think about my BG level all of the time.
I chose 5 because it’s at the forefront of each and every day, trying to stay healthy with stable blood sugars. Some days are easier than others but I’m so grateful for the devices and technology I’m using that keeps my diabetes manageable.
I answered “4”. With 55 years of T1D, many of the decisions I now have to make mean considering when Sensor and cartridge changes have to occur and the location I will be in when these events need completed. I try to change Insulin pump and sensors when at home. My life as a caregiver means packing supplies, cords, and insulin for unexpected overnight or long-term stays away from home.