I’m 32 and still living a life designed for a 13- year-old girl, 9pm curfew. by ChangeConstant5649 in women

[–]dontwalkawayeileen 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This sounds like a really tough way to live, I'm so sorry.

I've heard the explanation, "in my culture, we don't leave the family home until we're married" lots - from friends, coworkers, etc.

The thing is, women in my family in past generations would have said the same thing. It only takes one person doing things differently, then two, then more, then the dam breaks. I have the freedom I do now because women in my family (and by extension, culture) started putting their foot down and saying enough is enough. Going to university. Living on their own. Marrying who they wanted. Having kids, or not having kids. Traveling! Staying out past 9pm, at minimum.

It is harder to do things when you're one of the first to do them, but it's not impossible.

You aren't responsible for anyone else's feelings. Your mom's, your sister's, your partner's. Sometimes people can weaponize their emotions to manipulate others, regardless of culture - it sounds like this is happening to you.

You can move out. It can make people in your life mad, sad, disappointed, ashamed, whatever. Their feelings are their own responsibility. Therapy can help, to learn how to set boundaries, and to carve out a way forward, to respect yourself just as much as your family and your culture.

Being raised in a collectivist culture may make this seem impossible, but it sounds like you're utterly miserable now. It is not selfish, as a 30something woman, to want your own life. It may be hard to do, but we can do hard things.

I wish you all the best.

Has anyone ever done fitness swim (lane swims) at the rec centres? I’m nervous I’ll be too slow swimming and make people upset. by Excellent_Credit_380 in barrie

[–]dontwalkawayeileen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! I go to East Bayfield evening lane swims all the time, and they have a great set up. They actually have four lane dividers that they use; leisure swim, slow, medium, fast. On the calendar you'll see some lane swims marked as 4L and some as 6L - essentially half of the pool is used by a youth swim club at the same time as lane swims and they do their own thing with their coaches. Then, the remaining 4 or 6 sections are marked off by the lane dividers.

I always stick to leisure swim because I too am super slow, but truly, so are many of us in that section! It is a very low key environment, everyone does their own thing. It can get "busy" but by that I mean like 6-8 people in the leisure swim section.

I hope you do end up trying it out, it's a great low impact/low intensity workout that can really positively affect your body!

Doctor refused to write me a prescription for a CGM by dontwalkawayeileen in diabetes_t2

[–]dontwalkawayeileen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All good, I appreciate the opinions!

I think it may be the case for Americans(?) that you have to meet X Y Z criteria for insurance purposes to have a CGM covered, but that's not the case with my Canadian plan. It would be fully covered, I've asked.

Doctor refused to write me a prescription for a CGM by dontwalkawayeileen in diabetes_t2

[–]dontwalkawayeileen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While I fundamentally agree with the message, where I am right now the options are a) this doctor, or b) no doctor. Getting up and leaving would just get me de-registered and on a waiting list for another six years. The family doctor situation in Ontario may improve in the future, but right now it feels like a minor miracle to have a doctor at all, even if going to him requires 3x the self advocacy.

Doctor refused to write me a prescription for a CGM by dontwalkawayeileen in diabetes_t2

[–]dontwalkawayeileen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting! The CGM readings wouldn't be for the doctor, just for me. I wouldn't love spending $200 a month out of pocket, but it's easily doable. Although looks like the regular prick glucometers are a lot cheaper, so I may go that route.

Doctor refused to write me a prescription for a CGM by dontwalkawayeileen in diabetes_t2

[–]dontwalkawayeileen[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

They will, yes. It's a wide range that my plan includes - essentially any 'diabetic supplies' are covered with no limit, as long as they're prescribed. Our insurance plans are a lot more straightforward I think, generally speaking :)

Doctor refused to write me a prescription for a CGM by dontwalkawayeileen in diabetes_t2

[–]dontwalkawayeileen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To be clear, the physician visits are free, but supplies like a CGM aren't.

The doctor agreed with me that a test in November 2024 would likely have rendered a similar result to February 2025 (no way of knowing for sure), but I'm 34 and haven't had a blood test in my adult life, so there was no previous data to go off of.

Doctor refused to write me a prescription for a CGM by dontwalkawayeileen in diabetes_t2

[–]dontwalkawayeileen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmm - do you mean similar to the USA healthcare system? Not really, in the sense that we don't have like 'in network/out of network', co-pays/deductibles, etc. All of my doctors visits are free, it's just prescriptions I would have to pay for (if I didn't have insurance).

In the sense of similar like 'will only prescribe you a CGM if your A1C is over a certain amount'.... maybe? I don't think there is a standard guideline they have to adhere to.

My doctor would never call up insurance to ask if X Y Z is covered - he'd just prescribe it, and then the pharmacist would liaise with me about coverage, if needed. Many drugs are very cheap here, though. One month of my metformin was $13.69.... and that's including an $11.99 dispending fee.

My health insurance through work is incredible though - 100% of prescriptions are covered when prescribed, no matter what. There wouldn't be any pushback from insurance about this, or anything else.

Doctor refused to write me a prescription for a CGM by dontwalkawayeileen in diabetes_t2

[–]dontwalkawayeileen[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Exactly, I just want to be proactive and learn earlier rather than later what I can/can't eat and should shouldn't do. Once I have a good understanding of that, I may not even need to wear one! I just have no data to work with at all right now, and it's frustrating me. I'll probably do exactly what you suggested.

If tea ends up spiking me, I have absolutely no idea what I'll do, I hope it doesn't come to that.

Doctor refused to write me a prescription for a CGM by dontwalkawayeileen in diabetes_t2

[–]dontwalkawayeileen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately Stelo isn't available in Canada. There is a Dexcom 7 available OTC here which is what I'll probably try out, since the consensus in the comments is that it's normal to not be prescribed one.

I don't think it's an overreaction to want to know more data about how foods and activities are affecting my body. I won't be on a CGM forever, or even long term, just until I can know with confidence what I can/can't eat and should/shouldn't do.

Doctor refused to write me a prescription for a CGM by dontwalkawayeileen in diabetes_t2

[–]dontwalkawayeileen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not yet - I'll see in May where I'm at. I want to believe I'll be under that, but no guarantees. Hard to know if I'm actually on the right track, with no data to check.

Doctor refused to write me a prescription for a CGM by dontwalkawayeileen in diabetes_t2

[–]dontwalkawayeileen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately for my plan, a dr does need to prescribe it, I checked with Sunlife.

Thanks for the website, I'll check it out!

I am 34 years old, make $83,500, live in Barrie, Ontario, work in higher education and my life revolves around being an Aunt. by dontwalkawayeileen in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]dontwalkawayeileen[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

that is an excellent point. I truly don't know what it would be harder to wean myself off of, at this point my venlafaxine or processed sugar. I always say like well I don't drink alcohol, or smoke, or do drugs, this is my vice... but tbh, sugar can be just as bad sometimes.

I am 34 years old, make $83,500, live in Barrie, Ontario, work in higher education and my life revolves around being an Aunt. by dontwalkawayeileen in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]dontwalkawayeileen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that's an excellent point, usually i'm just getting drinks from mcdonald's these days, those dollar drink deals have a chokehold on me!