diabetic husband/Rhonda's depression

[Guest guest]

wrote:

>Rhonda,

>Please hang in there, try to make yourself get out and walk. I am dealing

>with my husband being diabetic and ignoring it. I am also type II. I have

>dealt with mine and now worrying about him is really depressing. Please

>stay in touch and let the list help pull you out of this. We can do this.

>I refuse to let him pull me down too.

My husband and I were both diagnosed at the same time five years ago and

while he dealt with it fairly well at first, losing weight and getting good

control, he has since quit doing anything about it and is in very bad

shape. He got immediate results from losing weight and decided he could go

back to eating whatever he wanted again and has regained all the pounds and

then some. His BG one hour after supper last night was 235 and his fasting

is usually around 140. I am in the same boat as you and don't know

what to do about him.

Even with me as a constant reminder of the consequences of this disease (I

had advanced retinopathy at diagnosis) he ignores the fact that it is sure

to cause *something* eventually. He already has neuropathy in his feet,

but even that isn't enough to " wake him up " .

I have stopped nagging him and pointing out that all his complaints are

being caused by high blood sugar as it is just frustrating for me to be

ignored.

Now to answer Rhonda:

Rhonda, hang in there. As with so many on this list, I have been there

too. In fact, before diagnosis, I was to the point of seriously considering

suicide. After the BG was controlled a *lot* of the depression lifted. I

was still angry about the disease (especially the loss of sight) and the

need to deal with it, but just knowing that the way I felt was mainly

because of out-of-control BG helped a lot. These days, even though I still

get down, things are much better. Our dogs (four) and my walks help a lot.

We live in a very isolated area and I have *no* neighbors or friends, my

kids live hundreds/thousands of miles away, and town is too far away to

make joining or volunteering practical so I have had to rely on myself and

the computer to make myself feel that life is worth living. I try to

consciously enjoy the things I do every day: reading a good book, listening

to music and even eating. Even though I can't indulge in many of the foods

that used to give me pleasure, I have found new alternatives that are just

as good. Trust me, as a five-year veteran, I know things will get better.

However, I agree with others who told you to make sure and tell your doctor

about this. There are many things that could help you.

You know, this is sort of awful to say, but when I read about all the

problems others on this list have and compare them to mine, it makes me

feel better because my problems pale by comparison. I feel very lucky that

so far my only complication is the retinopathy and I have hope that if I

maintain my present lifestyle I will actually " beat " this disease and ward

off anything else.

I, too, *highly* recommend getting a dog if you don't have one. Some days

they seem to be my only reason to get out of bed! They give me something

to care about and are good listeners too:) Best of luck.

Sandy J.

Type 2 D & E