T1d - Tumblr Posts
I’m both diabetic and bisexual. "Are you bisexual but you have a boyfriend??" "Are you diabetic but can you eat sweets???" I’m on earth to confuse people who stop at certain beliefs.
Since it’s national diabetes day, I think it’s time I say something. I’ve had type 1 diabetes since I was 3. I really don’t know any other way of life from it. 19 years with it and I’m honestly terrible at being diabetic. I don’t talk about it much with my friends mainly because I don’t want it being a defining factor of me. The last few years have been the worst when it comes to it. I think it’s been about 3 years in a row I was admitted to the emergency room because of keto acidosis. Each time being told I need to take better care of it. And this is the year I do it. I hope this post reaches my friends and family because this is me taking accountability for it. #t1d #nationaldiabetesday #pumplife
This is good. I realized something though; what if people can’t differentiate between a seizure and hypoglycemic shock? Where one could recover from the episode, the other could die if left untreated and not provided medical help ASAP.
Seizure First Aid.
Learn it. Share it. Know it. Use it.
Things I'd like to see/tired of seeing as a T1D (Type 1 Diabetic)
Don't make low bloodsugar a rare thing that requires emergency attention.
I get low bloodsugars often but nothing too bad that causes me to be on the verge of unconsciousness (like I see in shows or movies). The lowest of lows that I get are maybe around 60s or 50s but usually I eat 4 or 5 gummies and it's fine. I've been in the 30s before but that still didn't require a trip to the hospital or glucagon (or as I like to call it, big red).
Talk more about high bloodsugars.
Usually when I'm experiencing a high bloodsugar I feel thirsty and tired. It can make me moody sometimes. It usually takes maybe a couple of hours to come down to a good number. I give myself a dose of insulin to help. Or I'll set a temporary basal on my pump to help even more. It increases my insulin intake and I usually set it 50% or 70% for 1 or 2 hours.
Bloodstains.
Happens a lot, usually from checking my bloodsugar I wipe my finger afterwards but sometimes it still bleeds a little and I don't notice it so I usually get small bloodstains on my hands, clothes, my bed sheets, my plushies unfortunately. It's annoying but it happens sometimes.
Decorations!
There are companys that make decorations for your insulin pumps, your meters (the device that I use to check my bloodsugar), even these circle patch things that go around pump sites (sites are the port thing that goes on my body and connects to my insulin pump with a tube and that's how I get my insulin). I currently have a decal on my pump that has a cool pattern on it. There's also cases. So many options!
Noises.
My pump makes alert noises often for different reasons. (Low insulin cartridge, low battery, time to change your site, etc). But I also hear when my pump gives me insulin. It's not awfully loud but I notice it. I don't know exactly how to describe it but it's sort of like a "drrrrr" sound.
Different pump brands.
There's more than one pump brand. I currently have a T Slim pump. I used to use an Animas pump before they went out of business. Another pump brand is Medtronic. Also the Pod (a tubeless pump that's similar to a site) So keep that in mind!
Site changes and refilling insulin.
I have to change my pump sites usually every 4 days or so? (You're supposed to change it every 3 days but sometimes I go longer to save sites). It's kind of like changing a bandaid. You shouldn't keep the same bandaid on for a month! Also when you do change it you have to move it to a different spot to prevent scarring. I switch between my backside, hips, sometimes thighs. But you can have it other places like your arms or stomach. Anywhere with a lot of body fat to help with pain. Sometimes it accidentally hits a nerve and hurts like hell so I try to avoid that. As for insulin changing, I usually refill it after a week? It fills up to 240+ units of insulin and I usually get a warning when it's down to 40 units to refill it.
CGMS and insulin pumps
they are NOT the same thing. CGM stands for Continuous Glucose Monitoring system. It tracks your bloodsugar so you don't have to have as many finger pricks. I personally don't have a CGM. There isn't a device yet that combines the two that has one site. A lot of people have both and some pumps can communicate with the CGM. Since I'm not too experienced with CGMs I'm going to move on.
Not everyone uses a pump
Some people use shots instead. When I was first diagnosed I was on shots until I got my first insulin pump. There's pros and cons to both. I personally prefer pumps.
That we don't take care of ourselves good enough
I see this trope a lot in fiction and while some people are going to be better at managing their T1D than others, most of the time we stay on it. We're not all on the verge of kidney failure or having to lose a foot.
That we're ashamed or embarrassed so we always hide our sites or pumps
Occasionally there's times where I do decide to keep it more of a secret but I don't usually feel embarrassed or ashamed. Sometimes I think it's cool to show off my site or pump. This is one of those things that's going to be different for each person but personally I'd like to see more characters embracing it.
And lastly. One of the biggest things I see in media that's a MAJOR problem. GIVING SOMEONE INSULIN WHEN THEY HAVE A LOW BLOODSUGAR!
This is very dangerous! You give someone more insulin if they have a HIGH bloodsugar not low! Insulin causes your bloodsugar to go down so you obviously wouldn't give someone with a low bloodsugar more insulin.
This could cause death! This seriously needs to be stopped in media.
(Now obviously there's probably more that I could've talked about but these were the main things off the top of my head. Just remember to do research when writing a T1D character. And if you have a question literally just ask someone who actually is T1D. Thanks for reading! I hoped this could help someone!)
Non T1D can reblog this post but don't add to it.
"Doing your best" (with chronic illness)
My doctor (bless him) straight up went "don't" when I said "I'll do my best"
Because what I think "my best" is, is completely draining myself for this One Thing and going above and beyond
I guess this goes for people w/o chronic illness as well, but "your best" shouldn't mean you end up hurting yourself in the long run. "Your best" is as much as you are willing to devote to something proportional to how much you care about it within the confines of what is healthy for you AND considering all the other stuff you have to do
Please just- holy heck we're already struggling so much please don't devote your precious energy to something that doesn't deserve it
don't do your best, do whats best for you
Just being cheeky and showing off my Dexcom G6 and my MiniMed infusion set for my insulin pump! 😜🥰💕
Low blood sugar is kind of funny to think about sometimes, it’s almost like a curse. You get to ignore your chronic illness for a little bit and eat without worrying about insulin or carbs. But at the same time your body is slowly shutting down, your brain is starving and you are in a confused, sweaty daze. So while you are enjoying a small moment without the stress of diabetes, you are also actively dying.
Kind of a weird way to look at it I guess
I'm sorry for interrupting, but as a diabetic. My unemployment claim has not been processed for 6 months, and I cannot afford insulin that costs $450. I would appreciate any assistance, whether that's sharing my pinned post or making a financial contribution.
my cousin somewhat famously died of insulin rationing so this is a very close topic to my heart, i will be thinking of you and wishing you the best❤️ i wish i had money
sitting here drowning in my books wondering if any of this even matters anymore. then a teenage girl walks past wearing her omnipod.
yes, it matters still. it matters a LOT.
The best meals 🫐🥑for diabitics 🩸
Indulge in a delicious and healthy treat with these low-carb 🫐 almond flour pancakes! Perfect for breakfast or a snack 😋🥗
Low blood sugar is kind of funny to think about sometimes, it’s almost like a curse. You get to ignore your chronic illness for a little bit and eat without worrying about insulin or carbs. But at the same time your body is slowly shutting down, your brain is starving and you are in a confused, sweaty daze. So while you are enjoying a small moment without the stress of diabetes, you are also actively dying.
Kind of a weird way to look at it I guess
Low blood sugar is kind of funny to think about sometimes, it’s almost like a curse. You get to ignore your chronic illness for a little bit and eat without worrying about insulin or carbs. But at the same time your body is slowly shutting down, your brain is starving and you are in a confused, sweaty daze. So while you are enjoying a small moment without the stress of diabetes, you are also actively dying.
Kind of a weird way to look at it I guess
My blood sugar has been consistently spiking around 8:30-9:00pm for the last week (at least??) and I keep thinking my pump would for sure have recognized and adjusted for that by now but it just keeps happening 😫 I’m doing really well mental-health-wise not having to micro-manage my blood sugar but I was doing a lot better numbers-wise when I was!
Healthcare professionals always say they want a detailed patient history, but when the patient gives them that history instead of another medical professional they’re like ‘hmm that’s suspicious’
Healthcare professionals always say they want a detailed patient history, but when the patient gives them that history instead of another medical professional they’re like ‘hmm that’s suspicious’