Living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a full-time job. Add other chronic conditions, and it’s like using a map that keeps changing.

Anita from Indonesia knows this path well. With honesty, courage, and strength, she walks a road that’s anything but smooth.

1. T1D is tough, and you are tougher.

T1D is already a handful, but sometimes, it brings other autoimmune friends along.

According to Popoviciu et al. (2023), many people with T1D also develop autoimmune-related conditions, which can impact how they feel, the treatment they need, and their long-term quality of life.

Common examples include:

- Coeliac condition (a gluten-related digestive problem)

- Vitiligo (loss of skin colour due to an immune response)

- Autoimmune gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)

- Rheumatic conditions (affecting joints or muscles)

- Hormone-related conditions such as parathyroid disorders

2. What no one tells you about living with more than one condition

Ask yourself, isn’t living with T1D considered tough?

Now add in asthma, coeliac disease, and joint pain. That’s a harder level. Meet Anita Sabidi. Diagnosed with T1D in 1998, she also manages coeliac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma, all while embracing life with resilience.

“Managing all this means checking my blood sugar, staying gluten-free, taking meds for inflammation, and planning around my asthma. Each condition affects the others, so self-care feels like a full-time strategy game.”

3. Anita’s everyday: When, what, how

When asthma medication spikes blood sugar:

“My asthma medication contains steroids that raise my blood sugar. When my blood sugar spikes, my immune system weakens. I get infections easily. Sometimes, I need to use my oxygen tank all day just to breathe properly.”

When doctors work as a team:

“My endocrinologist leads the way because T1D is my primary condition. Other specialists coordinate. I love my medical team! They are in the same hospital, so communication is smooth. That is helpful.”

What keeps her going:

“Even with all the challenges, I have gained self-awareness about my body, which makes me stronger.”

How autoimmune and chronic conditions affect blood sugar:

“Honestly, they do. Medications for asthma or joint pain, especially steroids, can cause higher blood sugar. Even when I manage my T1D well, a flare-up from another condition can stop everything. It becomes a daily routine of adjusting, tracking, and learning to trust what my body is telling me.”

How she juggles medications:

It’s like managing a daily schedule. Each medicine has its own timing and needs. Some need to be taken with food, while others don’t. A few can affect my blood sugar levels, and some don’t at all. I work closely with my doctor and pharmacist to keep everything balanced.

In Indonesia, this often means visiting a primary healthcare centre, or puskesmas, which are more common across the country but have limited access to specialists. From there, I usually get referred to a type A or B hospital for further care.

What's the most crucial aspect? “I pay attention when my body signals, ‘I’m overwhelmed.’ That’s my signal to pause and reassess.”

Even warriors have their limits. Here’s what Anita does when it all feels like too much.

4. When it’s just too much

“We all reach that point. When that happens, I return to the basics. Not perfection, just practicality and self-compassion.”

Here's how she approaches "going back to basics":

- Cut back on carbs when blood sugar needs calming.

- Stay indoors on high-pollution days to protect the lungs.

- Use an oxygen tank when breathing becomes difficult.

- Rely on a walking stick or wheelchair when joint pain flares up.

- Stick to simple, home-cooked, balanced Asian-inspired meals, like tempeh or tofu with steamed vegetables, or fish soup.

- Choose clear broth, shirataki noodles, or low-glycaemic-index rice to keep meals gentle and nourishing. Others use gelatinous Japanese noodles or brown rice.

Through trial and error, Anita has found a rhythm that works, habits that keep her steady, even on hard days.

5. A sample routine that helps

Here’s what works for her:

- Get enough quality sleep.

- Drink plenty of water.

- Move your body in ways that feel safe and beneficial.

- Manage stress as best you can.

- Choose simple, nourishing foods.

- Stay consistent with medications and check-ups.

These daily habits build a strong foundation without the need for costly treatments. Still wondering if life can be fulfilling with all these conditions?

6. Can I still live a full life?

“Absolutely. This is okay. I need to create a backup plan and seek help whenever necessary. I see joy in small wins. And I stay strong, especially for my kids. In our culture, family comes first. My fight now isn’t just for me; it’s for them. That's my WHY in moving forward."

When people ask whether other autoimmune conditions can be avoided, Anita shares, “Some, maybe? Not all autoimmune and chronic conditions are preventable. Genes, stress, and environment all play a role.”

But what helps is staying alert. Get screened early. Build a team that supports you. “I’ve accepted that I have these conditions. Instead of fighting against them, I have made peace. Not because it’s easy, but because I want to live well. For me, for my family.”

Screening Recommendation

It is strongly recommended that individuals with T1D be screened for autoimmune thyroid conditions and other autoimmune issues soon after diagnosis and regularly after, especially when symptoms or warning signs appear (Section 4: Comprehensive Medical Evaluation and Assessment of Comorbidities, 2024).

TO ANYONE READING THIS: LIFE IS WORTH LIVING.

If Anita can work with T1D, autoimmune, and chronic conditions, so can you. Keep going… because… YOU… CAN.