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Diabetes Burnout

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Premi posted on Mon, Apr 27 2009 4:21 PM

My son, age 20, is going through serious Diabetes Burnout to the point that he has already been hospitalized twice this calendar year for not taking sufficient care of himself.  We, namely his parents and his doctor, are struggling to get him to convert to the Pump but his real problem is his denial and anger associated with his diabetes.  This is particularly surprising since he has coped with it quite well since he was diagnosed at age 11.  Does anyone have any suggestions about intensive programs/approaches to help him/us out of this difficult situation?

                                                                                    Premi

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Debbie Butler replied on Tue, Apr 28 2009 9:31 AM

Managing diabetes can be very difficult. Diabetes burnout can occur when diabetes management tasks feel overwhelming and it feels like diabetes is controlling your life. Diabetes burnout is a very common problem for individuals with diabetes. I wonder what your son would say is the hardest thing for him about managing diabetes. He may actually want to go on a simplified insulin regimen vs switching to the pump which can be a lot more work.  When individuals are this burned out from having diabetes I don’t always recommend insulin pump therapy.  Also diabetes is not a disease that should be managed alone.  Everyone needs support in managing diabetes. Would your son let you or anyone else help him with certain diabetes tasks?  For example, would he let someone give his injections or help him with his meal plan or carbohydrate counting?  Also does your son feel comfortable with his current diabetes health care team?  If not, he may want to consider switching health care teams.  He should also tell his health care team what is most challenging for him about having diabetes and maybe they will have some solutions.  Also I wonder if your son would consider meeting with a counselor that is knowledgeable about diabetes?  His health care team may be able to help with a referral.  I also wonder if he would he be willing to join a diabetes support group either in person or online so he can communicate with other people that have diabetes. Finally there is a great book called Diabetes Burnout by William Polonsky that I wonder if you or your son would like to read.  Good luck and I hope that others reply to your posting as well.

 

-Debbie Butler, LICSW, CDE

 

 

 

 

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Premi replied on Fri, May 1 2009 3:56 PM

Dear Debbie,

     Thanks very much for your thoughts on my postings.  Following your suggestion, my son is reading "Diabetes Burnout" and he says that it is good to learn that he is not alone at feeling the way he does.  I've ordered a copy for us (parents) to read as well so that we understand what he is going through a bit better.  Support groups, both real and cyber, are also a great idea and I'll encourage this.  We'll just try everything we can.  Thanks again for your suggestions and please let me know if you have any more!

                                                                                                                Premi

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Answered (Not Verified) PumperB replied on Thu, Jun 18 2009 6:21 PM
Suggested by PumperB

I have had Diabetes since I was 14- and read the Diabetes Burnout book also- unfortunately it does tell you the same old stuff you have already heard so it may not help. Lots of us go through it- several times, and still do-- but the best thing I ever did was to force myself to go on a pump. I admit, I hated it at first because it seemed so hard and just a pain in the rear, but now after 4 years, I look back and wonder why I did not do it sooner- it is so much easier than to deal with shots and constant worry that I took too much or too little insulin.

Now I check my sugar, if I need more insulin, I do not have to look for a place to take a shot, I just adjust my pump- no privacy needed! If I have an activity coming up, I just adjust my insulin rate and slow it down- that easy! And I travel international and all over the US- no problems with time zones- I just change my pump time and it is that easy.

You do have to be a little more conscious of what your doing and when and watch your carbs with eating, so you can adjust your program, but after a few weeks- it all settles in and becomes a habit.

I would reccomend -specially if he is active- to bite the bullet and go for it- what's the worst that can happen- if you don't like it after a month- go back to shots!!

I am using the Paradigm pump- small and hides under clothes well! Looks like a pager and no more insulin and needles on an everyday basis- just my glucose tester and tablets.

Good Luck!!

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Premi replied on Fri, Jun 19 2009 11:59 AM

Many thanks for sharing your experiences about burnout etc. with me.  As it turns out, my son has just started on the pump, and he does seem to be feeling a lot better about life and about himself.  Sometimes he goes back to injections, but he seems to be doing this less and less with time.   So here's to hinging our hopes on the pump...it's an amazing piece of gadgetry.  Thanks again!

 

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