Advice from an (Unfortunately Very)
Experienced Diabetic
Diagnosed at age three, diabetes has always been a huge part of my family’s and my life. The important thing you need to do is get down a routine and figure out a way to prevent diabetes from taking over your life! Diabetes shouldn’t stop you from pursuing what you want to do.
Here are ten tips I have for managing life with diabetes!
Use Dexcom!
I made sure to put this at the top of the list because it is JUST THAT IMPORTANT! Dexcom is the most useful tool for me, as I can easily monitor my blood sugars 24/7 on my phone. My parents are also able to see on their phones too!
Take time to talk about diabetes with your parents
Set time aside each week or month to discuss
Monitor your patterns
If your blood sugars are all over the place, it affects you! Make sure to set time aside to see how different patterns work for you, and change if necessary to help stabilize your glucose levels and improve your overall well-being!
Bolus before hand
I always bolus for food before hand so that my blood sugar levels are a little lower when I eat! However, this may not work for you - if it doesn’t, find out what does work for you!
Be upfront with people about your condition
It is important that your peers know about your condition so that they can help you in the case of an emergency.
Don’t be embarrassed
Diabetes is nothing to be embarrassed about. Don’t try to hide it!
Understand that diabetes will sometimes interfere with activities
Unfortunately, the reality of diabetes is that it will sometimes interfere with what you want to do. For example, you may want to go out with your friends but if your glucose levels are being funky, you won’t be able to at the time. Monitor and take control of your condition to make sure it doesn’t stop you from doing what you want to do!
Meet other diabetics!
Feel free to reach out to me at any time, and I will respond! Go out and meet other diabetics, join youth groups, go to summer camps, etc. Having friends going through the same thing as you can be refreshing.
Invest time
Diabetes is a big deal. Invest time to figure out what it means to you, and how you will manage it - because it’s going to be with you for the rest of your life!
10. Don’t let it take over your life!
Exhausting? Yes. Annoying? Of course! Diabetes is a tiresome, high maintenance disease. However, with the proper care, it should not control you or your life!
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