Poor glucose control can be viewed as a stressor, possibly promulgating diabetes distress. We examined the relationship between perceived blood glucose control and diabetes distress over time using a partially controlled cross-lagged path analysis model. After controlling for demographics, control at 6 months was directly related to change in distress at 12 months. Subsequently, distress at 12 months was directly related to change in control at 18 months. Both 6-month control and distress had significant indirect effects on 18-month control and distress. This demonstrates the nuanced bi-directional relationship between the stress of poor perceived control and diabetes distress.