A few tips for managing diabetes stress and meds

Sometimes, I feel like I can't do another thing. Not another finger prick, walk or salad. Why can't I just be normal again? These are common questions for people with diabetes.

Over time, a sense of fatigue and frustration can set in — what some experts call "diabetes burnout."

• When you're burned out, you may not feel outright depressed, just sick and tired of the never-ending diabetes grind. As a result, you may find that your all-important motivation begins to wane.
• Even though burnout won't directly cause physical changes in the body, feeling frustrated can have an impact on your health. You may sense that you're not making progress against your disease, and start to slack off your diet, exercise, drug regimen or self-monitoring programs.
• Talking with your doctor or a counsellor is your first step if diabetes care is wearing you down. Your doctor may be able to make adjustments in your treatment — fewer shots using different combinations of insulin, for example — to ease your burden. A counsellor may be able to suggest new ways of thinking that can boost your sense of purpose.

Keeping track of complicated drug schedules is a big reason why 45 percent of people don't take their medications correctly.

• Though the average number of pills popped by people with diabetes is four, some people need as many as 14 drugs to control diabetes-related health issues.
• One great solution is a pill dispenser. Load the compartments with the right pills, and you'll see at a glance whether you took them or not. Also, try a medication reminder watch that lets you set up to 12 alarms a day. Check with your pharmacy, which may be able to package your pills in a compartmentalized sheet, separated into pill-taking times of day.
• Want a cool 21st-century solution to the problem? Just download an app for your smart phone. Most phones can run apps that store info about multiple medications and buzz or beep when it's pill or shot time. Some send reminders even when your device is locked, if you're running another app or don't have cell phone or Internet coverage.
• If you're not the gadget type, try using your daily routine as a natural reminder. Provided there are no kids or pets in the house, leave your morning medications beside the coffeepot and your nighttime drugs on your bedside table. If your pill schedule is still unmanageable, ask your doctor to prescribe different medications or doses so that more meds can be taken at the same time of day.

The lifestyle changes necessary to combat diabetes can be drastic, but that's the nature of the condition. Just remember:  you're not alone. Talk to your doctor, counsellor, and family to come up with a program that fits for you. When you're feeling discouraged or burnt-out, these are the people that can help keep you on track.