Living with diabetes can bring many challenges. Keeping blood sugar in range, managing meals and physical activity, paying for care, and fitting diabetes management into everyday life can all take work. Stress, caregiving, sleep issues, and mobility concerns can make that work harder.

Recently, we asked DiabetesTeam members which challenge currently has the biggest impact on their daily life. Member poll results reflect individual experiences and aren’t medical guidance.

What DiabetesTeam Members Said

Nearly half chose keeping blood sugar in range. Almost 3 in 10 pointed to meals, exercise, and routines, while cost was another significant concern. Comments also highlighted depression, sleep problems, caregiving, physical limitations, and feeling misunderstood.

Members described putting significant effort into diabetes management but still seeing readings they didn’t expect.

One DiabetesTeam member explained: “I find it difficult sometimes to keep my numbers in range despite really making myself aware of what I am eating and the food values. What doesn’t cause a rise in my blood numbers one day, maybe will the next.”

“I find it difficult sometimes to keep my numbers in range despite really making myself aware of what I am eating and the food values.”

— A DiabetesTeam member

Others described difficulties around balancing insulin. One member said they were trying to adjust their basal rate because their blood sugar was going high after meals, while also avoiding lows after giving a bolus: “Very difficult trying to get the correct adjustment.”

Blood sugar targets are personal. Health experts recommend speaking with your healthcare team if readings frequently fall outside your target range. It may also help to familiarize yourself with potential causes for false high blood sugar readings.

Other common themes around blood sugar management included:

• Difficulty balancing highs and lows
• Remembering insulin timing
• Changing insulin needs

Work, weather, mobility, family responsibilities, and unexpected events can all interfere with diabetes routines. Meal planning can add an extra layer of complexity as a person has to weigh what, how much, and when to eat.

One member captured the difficulty of maintaining a routine: “Strict routines do equal better control. However, many of us can’t do this all the time. Stuff happens, life happens.”

“Strict routines do equal better control. However, many of us can’t do this all the time. Stuff happens, life happens.”

— A DiabetesTeam member

The member added, “There are so many good recipes out there, even for someone who doesn’t like to cook or doesn’t know how. Even if it’s not perfect when you first begin, just keep trying.”

Another DiabetesTeam member described how outside circumstances can get in the way of activity: “Sometimes circumstances get in the way of my exercise, especially very hot weather, which stops me going on long walks, which is a central plank in my management of blood glucose.”

A healthcare professional can help you explore routines that account for your schedule, mobility, food access, and other health concerns. It can also help to connect with others living with diabetes to swap tips on meals and snacks, daily routines, and physical activity.

Other common themes included:

• Cravings and portion sizes
• Pain or mobility limiting exercise
• Eating away from home
• Remembering daily diabetes tasks

Almost 1 in 5 respondents chose the cost of medicines, supplies, or healthy food. Members mentioned prescription expenses as well as grocery prices.

One member discussed the high cost of a GIP/GLP-1 medication, which helps manage blood sugar: “The first deductible and copay for the year is easily a car payment, and then up until I hit the catastrophic stage, it is a little over $200 a month. … For people on a fixed income, it is a burden.”

Treatment costs vary depending on insurance or health coverage, location, income, and individual care needs.

Another member shared how expensive a diabetes-friendly diet can be: “Following a strict, healthy diet is a challenge in itself. … Food prices are ridiculously high.”

“Following a strict, healthy diet is a challenge in itself. … Food prices are ridiculously high.”

— A DiabetesTeam member

If cost is making care difficult, your healthcare team, pharmacist, insurer, or community health center may be able to point you toward lower-cost options or assistance programs. DiabetesTeam members have also shared some strategies and resources around saving money.

Other common themes around costs included:

• Deductibles and copays
• Fixed-income concerns
• Balancing health and household expenses

Only 4.2 percent chose “something else,” but comments showed how strongly other parts of life can affect diabetes management. Members mentioned depression, insomnia, caregiving, disability, and feeling misunderstood.

One DiabetesTeam member described frustration when others didn’t respect their choices: “Some people around me understand, but others are, ‘Oh, it’s just one day or meal or dessert.’ Please don’t force stuff on me. … Let me choose my food and activities, and do not say ‘It’s just one day.’”

Another member described how caregiving responsibilities for a parent have affected their own routine: “She has developed dementia, she has forgotten how to cook, how to do basic hygiene things. … I have taken over as in giving her her meds, scheduling her doctors appointments. It has taken a major toll on myself and my dad.”

“I have taken over as in giving her her meds, scheduling her doctors appointments. It has taken a major toll on myself and my dad.”

— A DiabetesTeam member

These comments show how family responsibilities, emotional health, and social support can affect diabetes management alongside food, exercise, and medication. Health experts recommend asking your healthcare team for mental health resources when needed.

Other common themes included:

• Depression and emotional strain
• Sleep difficulties
• Mobility and disability