June 30, 2001
Behavior
Question from Covina, California, USA:
I am a 19 year old female, who has had type�1 diabetes for eight years, but I have never been able to take my shots — there is just something wrong mentally that won’t let me do them. I have had two children, one when I was 17, the other when I was 19, and I didn’t even take insulin when I was pregnant. I would like to know all the complications of high blood sugars. Are there any new ones that I don’ t know about?
I am glad that I haven’t had very bad complications yet. I want to live to see my kids grow up, but I have no idea what is holding me back. I have damaged my body so badly from these pregnancies. I have kidney problems, I can’t feel the tips of my fingers and toes, and I can’t see worth the life of me.
I need to know what can I do to help me take my insulin. I have seen numerous doctors for this, but no one seems to understand. I need help — please help me before I end up killing myself.
Answer:
You’ve already taken the most important and most difficult step to feeling better — you have asked for help. Now you need to find a team of people that can provide you with the help that you need. The best way to begin to build that team is to ask your physician for a referral, or contact your local affiliate of the American Diabetes Association and ask for referrals to diabetes programs that have both medical and psychosocial professionals on their team. Your overall health has both physical and emotional components, and so you need to work with a team that has professionals who are experts in both.
If you do not like the members of the first team you meet, go to another team. Do not give up. There is help for you.
JWB
