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  • With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators

    Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

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  • Living with diabetes blog

  • Nov. 17, 2009

    Coping with the ups and downs of managing diabetes

    By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

17 comments posted

I recently found out that someone from my past, whom I had lost contact with, died several years ago at age 51. This young man had a special place in my teenage heart and I'm grieving his death. I was also informed that he had developed type 1 diabetes, after my knowing him (it's my understanding his death was unrelated to the diabetes).

Lately, I've been feeling a little more philosophical and I've been thinking about the ups and downs we all face in life. Just when we think everything is going well, we hit a speed bump, a roadblock or even our own demise. I think being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes would be a definite roadblock — or more likely make you feel like you got hit by a Mack truck.

How does one, day in and day out, cope and continue to cope with a chronic disease such as diabetes? Is there ever a halcyon time? "Halcyon" comes from a bird identified with the kingfisher, and in an ancient legend it nested at sea during winter solstice and just by its very presence calmed the waves during incubation. Does it seem that there periods when managing your diabetes is easier than usual, and other times it seems like no matter what you do the blood sugars are out of control?

I see in my practice some people who never find a halcyon period in coping with their diabetes. We all know that everyone has different coping skills, and I've seen individuals with diabetes who have great coping skills. To them, diabetes is little more than an inconvenience.

What are good coping skills and how do we develop them? Try these tips:

  • Avoid negative thinking — "It doesn't matter what I do, I'll get diabetes complications anyway (not true)."
  • Self talk — It's OK to talk to yourself, you'll feel better.
  • Play music — I play the drums and there are times they really vibrate.
  • Do something — Walk, dance, clean the house, wash the car.
  • Call someone — Friends are good.
  • Pray — Someone who always listens.
  • Ride it out — Experience the wave of emotion and let it go.
  • Take a bath and add candlelight
  • Help someone else — Take the focus off yourself (poor you).
  • Write a blog — This week it was a helpful coping skill.

Have you found any coping skills that work for you in managing your diabetes? Please share.

This week I dedicate my blog to Mike H., who brightened my life and will always have a special place in my heart. Have a good week everyone.

Nancy

17 comments posted

blog index

  • March 22, 2010 7:36 p.m.

    To Denise - I am wondering how you are doing.

    - Sue

  • March 18, 2010 9:33 p.m.

    I have found that prayer helps me with my diabetes. It takes my mind off of my body and put it in a hands of the Lord who knows how much I can bear. Looking to Jesus give me peace while dealing with my diabetes. The sun is always shining.... even when the rain clouds are over your head. Prayer works!

    - Sabrina

  • March 10, 2010 11:03 p.m.

    I do not have diabetes, but my husband has been diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic about 3 years ago. His is not as cronic as many, but he does suffer from many symptoms. One hint that he received from the wife of a friend that has been a type1 diabetic since his childhood, was to investigate the herb, cinnamon bark. My husband was having a sort of fainting spell, and she said it helped her husband tremendously to stabilize the insolin peaks. He uses celon cinnamon bark found at our local health food store. They are 6oomg capsules -120 for $18.28, so not expensive. It is reccomended to take 2 capsules, 2 times a day with meals, but my husband found that to be too strong, so he reduced it to 1 capsule morning and evening. He is not a herb fanatic, in fact he avoids medicines if he possibly can. When he ran out of his first lot he thought he could probably do without them, but within a few days he was back to the way he was before. He bought another bottle and has stayed on them for over a year now with good results. I hope this suggestion can help for some of you at least. You have to be careful where you buy. We were out on the west coast of Canada and bought some that was 1/3 the potency for over double the price! Got us!! The product my husband uses is NOW, manufactured by NOW FOODs in Bloomingdale Ill. www.nowfoods.com

    - Pat

  • March 10, 2010 6:49 p.m.

    First time on this site, found it very interesting and helpful. I am 51 and going thru the menopause thing, sometime I feel I am going out of my mind. I don't want to take more medications, so any suggestion on how you did it without meds would be nice. I find having diabetic stinks and now I may has to go on the pump. Like to know what machine other are on and how they like being on the pump. Hope to hear from u soon and god be with us all, this disease isnt easy.

    - DARLENE

  • March 7, 2010 7:13 p.m.

    I noticed that the last entries are dated way back in February. Since I am just a reader w/ diabetes, I don't feel I should say too much, but I do feel these people are asking for help and not getting it. So . . . To Denise: I am understanding how you are feeling. Having a chronic illness is a lot to deal with and unless a person is in the same boat, cannot REALLY understand what you are going through. 1. Be thankful you still have life. 2. Slow down and breathe. Slowly. 3. Call a friend, even if they don't completely understand since they are NOT in the same boat as you - but TALK to them, just as you wrote some of your feeling here. It does help to get it all off your chest. 4. Make a list of your priorities - what do you want to do first? I don't believe it can all come at once. It is OK to go one day at a time. As I said in #4, it cannot be done all at once. I REALLY wish I could wake up thin, but I do realize that I can only lose one lb at a time and I am over 100 lbs overweight. 5. Find a source of motivation. Even if you are motivated 20 minutes at a time, do it. Then the next 20. Stay busy. It keeps your mind occupied and off food and your troubles. Do not dwell on negative feelings. ONE DAY AT A TIME, DENISE. It seems you and I have several things in common, according to your list. Mothers, heart valves, obesity...I understand, believe me. Remember that others care even if we are total strangers. Write here again.

    - Sue

  • February 15, 2010 9:54 p.m.

    well where do i start. I AM 53 YRS, I WAS DIAGNOISED WITH TYPE 2 DIABETTES ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO, USING INSULIN FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS. MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY 6 YEARS AGO FROM COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETTES.(LIVER PROBLEMS FIRST THEN KIDNEY FAILURE) SHE WAS 79. I SEEM TO BE STEAM ROLLING INTO HER FOOT STEPS ONLY YOUNGER. SCARES ME TO DEATH. (I HOPE NOT TO SOON). I STARTED HAVING EVERYTHING GO WRONG ALL AT ONCE, I DONT KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL. FIRST THE DIABETTES OK DEAL WITH IT, THEN HAD GAULL BLADDER OUT, DELT WITH IT, THEN WAS TOLD HAD CHIRRIOUS OF LIVER, NOT SO GOOD NEED TRANSPLANT, NEED HYSTERECTOMY CAME OUT OK NO CANCER, THEN 3 WEEKS AFTER SURGERY I HAVE UTI. DIDNT KNOW I HAD IT UNTIL I DIED, THEY GOT ME BACK. I KNOW THIS SOUNDS IMPOSSIABLE BUT IT HAPPEND JUST 4 MONTHS AGO. I NOW HAVE A ARTIFICIAL PIG HEART VALVE. STILL HAVE ALL OTHER STUFF. ALL THIS IN 1 YEAR. I REALLY DONT KNOW HOW TO LIVE MY LIFE, JUST DAY TO DAY. I NEED MY BODY TO GET HEALTHY, BUT HOW? I HAVE VARIECIES ALSO. THEY HAVE BEEN BLEEDING IN MY URIN, LOST 50 LBS NOW ITS BACK. BUT YOU LOOSE WEIGHT ON FEEDING TUBE WHEN YOU ARE OUT. START EATING AGAIN THEN YOU GAIN.I SPENT 4 WEEKS IN HOSPITAL U OF M . GUESS I'M LUCKY DONT REMEMBER ANYTHING. I FEEL SO LOST. DONT KNOW HOW TO GET BETTER, I NEED A DIET AND SOMEONE THAT MIGHT UNDERSTAND. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE LET MY HUSBAND DOWN, HE RETIRED THINKS HE HAS TO CARE FOR ME. THIS IS NOT THE WAY RETIREMENT IS SUPPOSE TO BE. WHERE CAN I GET HELP TO GET HEALTHY. DENISE

    - denise

  • February 8, 2010 3:08 a.m.

    I've been living with type 2 for 6 years. I also deal with depression and have finally found good results from two medications. Not wanting to take care of oneself is a hard nut to crack. Reading your comments and knowing there are others out there with a like issue gives me great hope. I'm not alone. Right now I'm between jobs for the first time in 25 years. Making a major course correction feels good and scarey at the same time. My sugars have been all over the place from 65 to 350. The only thing i notice is that whe I exercise at leat one hour every other day I'm in better shape: mentally, physically and spiritually. All I have to do, is to do it. Lord, help me out of bed, off the couch, away from the TV, the computer. There are many nice folks to meet, greet and learn from. Thanks, JC

    - JC

  • February 7, 2010 8:32 p.m.

    I am newly diagnosed (age 31) and so far this has been a nightmare. I am 6'6" and weigh 140 lbs. I've never been heavy but losing 20 lbs before being diagnosed was a scare. I am now trying to rebuild my body AND keep my numbers under control. I would really appreciate any help with how I can gain weight and do all I'm supposed to do. I know I'm feeling low right now, but I was only diagnosed 6 days ago. My stress level is high and my bosses are giving me a hard time about being gone from my job. I may be out of work soon. It's just too much all at once. Sorry for being such a downer, but I would love to hear from anyone. Thanks.

    - Patrick

  • January 5, 2010 9:55 a.m.

    Sue: We would like to recommend the book "Caring for the Diabetic Soul" by the American Diabetes Association. The book is a compilation of articles originally published in Diabetes Forecast, and is intended to assist people with diabetes in accepting responsibility for their disease through the acquisition of good coping skills.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • December 27, 2009 4:15 p.m.

    I have had DM Type I for 35 years and have not ever really been in good control exept during my 2 pregnancies. Recently, a nurse told me that motivation is within ourselves. Would anyone out there tell me how to find this? If my children and family aren't motivation to keep myself in control, then what else can be? Staying alive doesn't seem to be much of a motivation right now. Please help... coping with this disease has not been my forte, obviously.

    - Sue

  • December 19, 2009 4:15 p.m.

    5. High protein, high fiber snacks are great for keeping blood sugar levels steady, and new research shows that pistachio nuts are a great match if you’re looking for healthy snacks, in recipes or out of the package. http://thegreennut.org/news/index.html

    - patty

  • November 30, 2009 2:44 p.m.

    I've been reading extensively about tsuru reishi or bitter melon, a vegetable known in Asia for diabetes management and weight control. This is attested by a Japanese friend who made the observations that his parents siblings who emigrated to the U.S., and lost tsuru reishi side dishes as an important part of their diet developed diabetes and became obese. I read that this is now available in capsule form. Anyone experienced with the tsuru reishi vegetable-based diabetes management and weight loss supplement? My doctor appears not very knowledgeable and frown upon herbs and supplements though Wikipedia confirmed efficacy and researches done in Asia. Appreciate encouraging posts here. Thank you all.

    - Ray

  • November 18, 2009 10:23 p.m.

    Maybe its just me but i feel lucky that i dont let my Diabetes worry me.I have been insulin affected for over 8yrs and when i have been for a check up it depends on who i see.Each person has a different opinion on what levels are acceptable and what action should be taken so i just go with my gut feeling and treat myself accordingly.There is no use getting yourself upset about it because that wont change a thing..

    - Terence

  • November 18, 2009 2:44 p.m.

    Try monitoring your post prandial glucose level and if it is high, get active. Go for a walk. Getting fresh air can give you a different perspective, as well as, getting some Vitamin D from the sunlight. If you have a body part that prevents you from exercising, for example your legs then try lifting 2 pound weights up over your head. Activating your arm muscles will reduce the amount of glucose in your blood stream. Glucose is required to fuel your muscles, therefore less will be available in the blood stream. Being active will give you an emotional boost to get over the challenging times. I have used a number of your coping tools and they definitely worked for me in the past. Thanks very much

    - Barb

  • November 18, 2009 2:25 p.m.

    I really appreciate your tips for coping with diabetes and the comments too. Being able to get your newsletter with such great and important information has helped me a lot, not only to deal with my diabetes II but with my other health concerns. Thanks.

    - Rosario

  • November 18, 2009 10:20 a.m.

    Thank you so much for your blog and coping skills. I have been a diabetic for about a year and a half and it's difficult at times, but I do pray and that God that all times are not bad and without the thorns the rose wouldn't be nearly as beautiful. Right now I'm in the process of period of thorns with a pinched nerve. But it'll pass also and the sugar levels will get back under control. I'm just pushing a little more insulin right now while I swallow the meds for my nerve pain and can't exercise. Thanks again.

    - Linda

  • November 18, 2009 Midnight

    I appriciate your blog and very good coping skills mentioned here. Thanks!

    - Priyraj

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