- Diabetes
- Interviews
Maria's interview
How did all start?
I have been a diabetic since 2002. It has always been uncontrolled and I've always had very high blood sugar readings. Around 2012, I started getting very bad leg and feet pain, but went undiagnosed until November 2013, when I got tested by a Neurologist and was told I had severe Diabetic Neuropathy. I've been suffering with this horrible pain since. This year, 2017, has just gotten so much worse. Now, with the help of the right medication & insulin, I've had my diabetes pretty much controlled. I was even able to finally bring my A1c down from a 13 to a 7.6. I'm happy for that, but now things have gotten worse for me. Since around February 2017, I've been having very bad stomach issues, which has just made my life so much more miserable than just having to live with the chronic pain of Neuropathy. Every day is a struggle. I have become very depressed and have basically secluded myself from the world and people around me. I have now been diagnosed with Diabetic Gastroparesis, which is the cause of my stomach issues. I'm always nauseous and constantly throwing up. I never know what to eat that's not gonna irritate my stomach even more. I have no appetite most of the time. It's so hard living with an invisible illness because, most of the time, people don't understand. I'm constantly having people get mad or upset with me for being this way, which just adds to my depression. I wish more than anything, that I can have the energy and strength to do normal, every day things, to have one day with no pain, to be able to eat a meal and actually keep it down. I wish I had energy PERIOD!!
I'm trying my best. I'm living one day at a time. It's scary not knowing what the next day will bring. I'm just living one day at a time and keeping my faith in GOD. I pray that one day there will be a cure for Diabetes, Neuropathy & Gastroparesis.
Thank you for letting me share my story. ♡
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Yes, I do. I was diagnosed with Diabetes in 2002, severe Diabetic Neuropathy in November 2013 and, just recently, Diabetic Gastroparesis.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
I've been treated for my high blood sugar readings.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
So far, the right diabetes medication and insulin.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
My biggest difficulty would be my neuropathy pain.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
Yes, my relationships have changed drastically. I don't socialize much with my family and I haven't been around my friends in over 3 years. I miss the person I use to be.
What things have you stopped doing?
I have pretty much stopped doing a lot of things like driving, household chores, cooking & socializing.
What do you think about the future?
It scares me.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
The best years were probably my teen years and in my 20's. I had a fun social life, I always worked at least two jobs at a time, I spent all my spare time with family & friends and, most importantly, I had both of my parents by my side.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
I would love to be working, having fun and spending my time at different sports functions, as my husband coaches basketball, baseball & football all year long. I can't enjoy myself, because I never know how I'm going to be feeling that day or if I'm going to have to vomit.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
My life is PAINFUL.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
I would have to say to anyone who is diabetic, please take care of this problem and control it before it's too late. Diabetes eventually leads to so many other health problems and eventually.. death.
