The 12 Things That Seriously Annoy Me About Type 1 Diabetes

I don’t usually complain.

Honestly, I don’t. I try to just get on with it most days — handle the highs, the lows, the tech, the planning, the unpredictability… all the lovely chaos that comes with type 1 diabetes. I try to stay positive.

But sometimes — just sometimes — I complain.

Not because I can’t manage it. But because living with type 1 is a lot. It’s relentless. It’s invisible. And no matter how “well-managed” you are, there are these daily (and nightly) annoyances that just wear you down. The stuff you can’t always explain to your non-diabetic friends or family without sounding dramatic.

1. The constant tiredness

It’s hard to explain this one without sounding lazy. But trust me — it’s not about being lazy. It’s that no matter how many hours of sleep I get, or how stable my blood sugar is, there’s this underlying fatigue that never fully goes away.

Some days I feel like I’m walking through molasses. I’ve had full nights of sleep, stayed hydrated, had decent readings all day — and yet by 4PM, I’m exhausted. People don’t see it. But it’s real. And it’s one of the most frustrating parts of life with type 1 diabetes.

2. Running out of insulin right before bed / CGM that stops working

There’s nothing quite like that feeling when you’re already in bed, half-asleep, and your pump starts vibrating with a “low reservoir” alert. Or worse — your CGM decides it’s time to end the session. Right then. Or the worst, you have to replace your pump or rip it out.

You know that moment where you’re just staring at your ceiling, thinking, Do I have the energy to get up and deal with this? I never do! I remember a moment when my CGM stopped working right before my alarm. I thought by myself; I’ll change it in an hour!

3. When my diabetes devices run out of battery

I know, I know — I should change my insulin pump’s battery when I get the first alert. But life happens. And sometimes I just don’t get around to it.

What really gets me is how these devices manage to scream at full volume when they’re allegedly “out of battery.” Like… how do you still have the power to scream at me in public?

Snoozing my CGM’s battery alert is not the smartest move. Before you know, it stops working, and I have to wait 2 hours for the warm-up.

4. Having to “pack” just to leave the house

Remember spontaneous plans? Same. Can’t relate anymore.

Leaving the house as a type 1 diabetic is like prepping for a mini expedition. I need my insulin, low treatments, backup snacks glucose tables or Sprite, CGM, battery charger, test strips, and more. I’ve gone out for 1 hour and felt like I needed a carry-on bag.

I miss the days of just grabbing my keys and going, or leaving on holiday without packing 40% more items.

5. Hypoing during (or before) sex

Yeah, this one is awkward. And it’s real.

I’ve had moments where things are heating up, and suddenly I realize — nope, those sweats aren’t from passion, they’re from a plummeting blood sugar. Nothing kills the vibe faster than having to pause and say, “Hang on, I need some sugar (and not the good one).”

Also, shoutout to the times I’ve ripped my pump tubing out mid-moment. 10/10 romantic energy.

Luckily, I have an amazing partner that understands.

6. Still needing to finger prick… even with a CGM

I love my CGM. It’s changed my life. But there are still times I feel off, and the numbers don’t match how I feel. So I pull out the good old finger prick to double-check — and yep, the CGM was off.

Sometimes I feel like I’m surrounded by all this fancy tech, but I still end up bleeding into a strip like it’s 2008.

7. Random blood sugar spikes with zero explanation

Oh, this one drives me wild.

I’ll be minding my business — didn’t eat, didn’t stress, didn’t move — and my blood sugar will skyrocket for no apparent reason. It’s like my pancreas is still haunting me from the afterlife.

Sometimes I’ll just sit and stare at the graph like, what did I do to deserve this?

8. Bolusing for food that takes 45 minutes to arrive

I’m a big believer in the pre-bolus — when it works. But it only works if your food shows up on time.

More than once, I’ve bolused early at a restaurant, only to have the kitchen run behind. Cue me sipping juice while watching everyone else eat, trying not to fall into a hypo spiral. So fun.

9. Correcting a high… just to crash low

There’s nothing like doing exactly what you’re supposed to do — correcting a high — and then ending up in a full-blown hypo 90 minutes later. Because of course.

It feels like no matter how carefully I do the math, my body’s just like: Nope. Crash time.

10. Your CGM sensor failing too early

You stick it perfectly. You follow the prep steps. You avoid water. You’re careful.

And it still fails. Or peels off. Or gives constant error messages. I once had one fall off 36 hours in, while I was sleeping — I woke up tangled in sensor tape and betrayal. It’s not just frustrating, it’s expensive too.

11. Needing to change my pump

Changing my pump site is one of those things I know needs to be done… but I dread it every single time.

It’s never the needle itself — it’s the whole process. Filling the cartridge, priming it, finding a site that isn’t overused, dealing with air bubbles. Sometimes I just want a break from all the poking.

12. Sensor alarm at 3AM (and it’s wrong)

You know that deep, delicious sleep? Yeah, diabetes hates that.

There is NOTHING like being startled awake at 3:07 AM to an urgent CGM alarm, only to test and see your sugar is perfectly fine. False alarms at night are evil. And once I’m awake, it’s game over — cue 90 minutes of scrolling Instagram in the dark, annoyed at life.

So yeah, I have some complaints.

Diabetes is manageable. It’s livable. I’ve got the tools, and I’m grateful for them. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. It doesn’t mean I don’t get annoyed.

This list isn’t about being negative. It’s about being real.

And if you’re living with type 1 diabetes too — I know you’ve got your own list. What’s on it?

Tell me below. Let’s vent. Let’s connect. And then let’s keep going — because that’s what we do.