Type 1 Diabetes and Adolescence
My 30 Years of Diabetes – Part 3:
Throughout my adolescence, diabetes and I had a love-hate relationship. There were times when everything went well and my blood sugars were perfect and predictable and then there were the rough patches. For several days in a row I would eat my lunch and take the correct amount of insulin for the carbohydrates I consumed, and my blood sugars would stay nicely within range – yay! This might have happened 5 perfect days in a row and then for no obvious reason at all, I would do exactly the same thing and my blood sugars would revolt.
The Stress Effect
There are many factors that affect blood sugars including stress, hormones (another stress on the body), illness, exercise and the glycemic effect of foods.
I’m always saddened when I hear a non-diabetic talking about one of my fellow diabetics, “He just doesn’t control his diabetes” they might say. Well, of course I might not know who they are talking about but I can assure you that no diabetic wants to have crappy blood sugars. Some of us are a little more diligent than others and yes, there are those of us who just don’t care. However, I almost go crazy when I hear a non-diabetic assuming we don’t control our diabetes. Have they ever experienced this life?
Now, I am not making excuses for my fellow diabetics, what mean is, until a non-diabetic has walked a mile in our shoes, they might want to stay quiet. You can see why I appreciate it so much when others take a minute to try to understand and ask us questions before making assumptions.
Growing Up OK!
I began menstruating when I was 12 years old. Any 12 year old girl will tell you that this is an extremely stressful time. It’s actually horrific. Well, for me it was.
My mom had done a great job educating my sister and I on “womanhood.” I remember she once gave me a pamphlet she’d picked up at the doctors office – across the front were the words, “Growing Up – OK!.” However, I actually never read the pamphlet – I was too embarrassed. Thankfully, Mom was never afraid to talk about being a woman which helped me realize growing up wasn’t the worst thing in the world.
I honestly hated every minute of puberty. All I wanted to do was play with the barn cats & read books. Oh, and I was also 5 years into life with Type 1 Diabetes and my insulin requirements were changing each year. Adolescence is rough.
Womanhood Strikes
I would get very sick each month. This had nothing to do with diabetes, it was just the way I was. The cramps were crippling at times. I remember we had to have a supply of drugs like Trendar PMS or Motrin in our medicine cabinet, just because.
In the beginning, my parents and I didn’t make the connection that I’d be ill on the 2nd day of my period. We just thought I had a poor immune system. I remember how some months I’d miss school and if I did go to school, I’d probably throw up somewhere. Menstruation and I were not friends, at all. However, my blood sugars began to show trends, just like I was beginning to show trends with my menstruation. We finally made the connection that my period was to blame!
Menstruation and Blood Sugars
Every woman is different and every diabetic is different. For me, I noticed that my blood sugars would be fairly normal until the day before my period. I’d start to feel a little funny, get cramps and my blood sugar would start to rise. My blood sugars would be elevated until about Day 2 of my period then crash — then, I’d suddenly find myself experiencing low blood sugars. It was like being on a roller coaster! (CLICK HERE for info on Your Menstrual Cycle and Blood Sugar Levels)
My entire body was trying to figure out what the heck was going on. And here I was – just trying to fit in, wondering why my boobs hurt, worried I’d leak blood all over the place, and oh yes – do well in school! No wonder boys grow up thinking women are crazy; the South Park Movie didn’t help when Mr. Garrison said “I don’t trust anything that bleeds for 5 days and doesn’t die.”
Yes, I’m laughing. Really.
Back to School Excitement
Each year, the stress of going back to school was enough to give me a few low blood sugars. I was still on injectable insulin throughout my teenage years. Mom and dad knew to keep an extra close watch of me at back-to-school time. Many diabetics have higher blood sugars when they experience stress but, I was different that way. I’d go low. It’s just the way I was. However, in my later years I’ve been able to make a distinction. There are two kinds of stress for me – excitement stress and real stress. Excitement drops my blood sugars, whereas real stress raises my blood sugars. I guess I was excited about going back to school?
Support Matters
In high school came the added stresses of cliques, the social pressures of the time, school itself (I pushed myself for good grades) and more hormonal adjustments. I can’t believe I survived. The one thing that remained constant during that time were my parents. Looking back, I was lucky. Back then, I hated how my dad would always be peering over my shoulder as I tested my blood sugar. This was so annoying! However, he just wanted to make sure I was ok.
My parents were extremely good about my diabetes. Their support and the way they helped me learn about my diabetes has made me into the woman I am today. I was taught early in life to test my blood sugar frequently and make educated decisions with my insulin. When we learned about carbohydrate counting, we did so as a family. My parents realized that they were as much a part of my success as I was. They were strong when they had to be but always let me be a kid. They allowed me to experience tasty desserts like butter tarts but knew when to draw the line. Every single day, the lessons they taught me are with me. After 30 years of diabetes and no complications, I have them to thank for giving me such a strong foundation.
Dating & Relationships
As I got a little older, I started to “date.” It must have been hard for my mom and dad to watch. All of us remember the first time we were dumped and how bad it made us feel. It’s terrible. But, looking back at my life, I realize my diabetes was a fantastic tool to help me weed out the boys. If they couldn’t tolerate a girlfriend with diabetes, they weren’t a forever thing. If I only knew then what I know now!
I remember how one boy I dated for awhile said to me, “I can’t imagine being with you forever if you’re diabetic.” What the fuck was that supposed to mean? No, my diabetes didn’t define me but obviously he really couldn’t see the real “Laura” beyond it. What an awesome tool to weed out the loser men – diabetes!! However, if you’d have tried to tell me this at the time, I may have smacked you.
I am actually grateful that I had diabetes to help draw a line between forever and “for now” friends.
Now, looking back, I am actually grateful that I had diabetes to help draw a line between forever and “for now” friends. I have since met the most wonderful man (who is now my husband) Rob, who had to patiently learn what diabetes was, understand it and see the real Laura for who she was (and not what she had). What I’m trying to say is that it takes a strong man to do that. It takes a smart man to see the person, instead of the disease.
When I married Rob, my parent’s were able to take a breath without worry, knowing I’d be ok. Some ladies feel their diabetes is a curse in the dating world, but I will always challenge them on that point – they haven’t met the man who sees them for who they are, and who will stand beside them through the ups and downs of life. They haven’t met Mr. Right.
Questions or Comments? Post below!
Do you have any back-to-school, adolescence or diabetic dating experiences? Stay tuned for more posts about my experiences with diabetes, exercise and more.