A Type 1 diabetic being put in the same bracket as type 2.

[ajax]

I live with type 2 diabetes ..I do pay my Diabetes UK subs ..but clearly I don't appear to be ✻diabetic enough✻ ..ought I therefore cancel my Direct Debit?

 

[Lucyr]

Sadly, from some of the comments I’m reading on here, there seems to be a barely concealed contempt for type 2’s who are seen as the product of their own neglect. As @mikeyB admitted, his pre type 1 diet wasn’t too fantastic. I wonder how many others would admit that.
This thread reveals an undercurrent of judgement I don’t need and shouldn’t be encouraged on a support site purporting to be for all people with diabetes.

I agree, the first page posts (sorry I don’t know how to quote multiple) saying that type 1 is not the same as type 2 because you had no choice in getting type 2. What exactly do you think I did to choose to get type 2 aged 20 then? Many others of the same height, weight and lifestyle didn’t get type 2 then, but because I did it was my choice?

 

[Lucyr]

just out of interest do type 2 diabetics have bad hypos and hypo comas which i have had twice before i went on a pump here in france ?

Yes I have had bad hypos reading LO too low for a number on the meter

 

[TotallyAverage]

It seems the real issue is not one type being confused for another, but rather the lack of education regarding diabetes and the stigma associated with type 2 in particular. If it is frustrating as a type 1 to be confused with a type 2, it is because people are then applying that stigma to you, but imagine how it is for a type 2 who doesn't have the benefit of being able to correct people that actually they have the "good"/"unavoidable" type (in society's eyes).

The reality is that diabetes sucks for us all regardless of type. None of us wanted it, none of us deserved it, and certainly none of us chose it. While experiences differ between types and between individuals, we share many struggles and it is unhelpful to divide ourselves further within our own community.

 

[SB2015]

Whatever type of diabetes we each have, we have our work cut out, and I am glad to have access to the information and support that is available on here.

I am definitely someone with diabetes who has improved their eating habits since diagnosis. We are more aware of portions sizes, and the carb content (I knew nothing before diagnosis at all) and eat a much wider variety of meals.

The only irritation that I have had is where we’ll meaning friends would send me info about cures that they had found in the paper. I just explained that nothing is going to replace my beta cells.

I was also ‘surprised’ when my GP told me that someone who was using insulin must have now become T1!!! My response to that, after putting my head in my hands, was to accept an invitation by the GP to do an input into one of the Practice training sessions. We also arranged an evening event for anyone with Diabetes at the Practice. A very enjoyable evening.

There is no ‘easy Diabetes’ to have. All we can do is help each other in whatever way we can.

 

[Inka]

Well said @TotallyAverage No diabetes Type is better or worse than another. They’re all annoying and frustrating, and have potentially serious complications.

I think @Reece Sargent might have phrased his points a little casually, but equally he’s got some rather spiteful responses here.

For me, the only nuisance I’ve had is being told of ‘cures’ by people who, despite my explanation of Type1, ignore me and continue to tell me about their Auntie Agatha who gave up desserts and whose diabetes went away, etc, etc, etc. Those people are beyond frustrating! I’ve given careful explanation of Type 1 but still they ‘know’ better than me and continue to tell me that if I did so-and-so I could just take tablets like their friend Bob, etc etc

So, as said above, lack of education is key. The only diabetes many people read about is Type 2. Now most articles do mention somewhere that they’re writing about Type 2 whereas in the past they often just said “diabetes” all the way through. So that’s an improvement, I guess.

There have been a number of campaigns to change the names of the diabetes types, but whatever names they have, we’re all in this together and we all have a lot in common as human beings despite being a mix of Types.

 

[helli]

Most of the time, I don't care what my condition is called and whether there is a similar condition with a similar name.
But, no matter how logical and reasonable I try to be, there are days when I wake up with my pump alarming, my blood sugars at 18 (when I usually wake in the 5s) and I have a thumping headache because of it. Then I read something about "the cure for diabetes" when they mean eating low carb can put type 2 into remission. Or someone "struggling" because their morning reading is 6.5 whereas they can keep it in the 5s for the rest of the day. Those are the days when I wish there was more than a number difference in the name of our conditions and I don't like being "put in the same bracket".
It is not a judgement about how we got to have our different conditions, it is that, because type 2 is more common than type 1, when most people think about "diabetes" they don't think about the frustrations I have with my insulin some days.
It is the days when Type 1 makes me feel emotional and mentally lash out at others who "don't understand" that there is a difference.

The rest of the time, I am happy to hear about someone's grandmother with type 2, empathise with someone because their great aunt has had to have their foot removed because of diabetes or help Diabetes UK with a new campaign.

 

[mikeyB]

I’m having fun currently with my cleaners, two ladies who work as a team. The older one, I guess late forties, is on treatment for high BP, so she always has a go with my Omron. The other is a tad younger, and slightly overweight, and T2, so I’ve been guiding her (using info from the forum) on blood testing so she can find out which foods not to eat, and what numbers to try to aim for. She’s not on any treatment yet.

All one community, helping each other out. Just like this forum.

 

[Ljc]

I hate the blame culture. What does it matter what type of diabetes we have. Imo no one brought it on willingly.
I often wonder how many T2 folks are actually LADA.

I also feel that the nhs dietary advise for non Ds may well have been what has gone a long way to causing the T2 epidemic , not every T2 is treating their body with disrespect, I believe that most would consider otherwise, yes of course their are a few who are not caring for themselves, but imo the last thing they need is blame.

 

[DaveB]

Do you have a source for that statistic? Be interesting to know where it comes from.

The latest research I saw presented at Diabetes UK suggested that between (if memory serves) 40-75% of a person‘s risk of developing T2 was genetically derived. Which seems rather at odds with your stat?

Those figures from DUK may be right but even with a genetic susceptibility, allowing yourself to become overweight and then T2 is preventable.

 

[Amigo]

Those figures from DUK may be right but even with a genetic susceptibility, allowing yourself to become overweight and then T2 is preventable.

Whose ‘fault’ is it then for underweight type 2’s or those who suffer pancreatic damage? Is it just the fat type 2’s some type 1’s want to disassociate themselves from (even if they’re overweight themselves, smoke, drink etc?).

 

[Kaylz]

I find it utterly appalling that there is so much negativity towards the Type 2's not just that but overweight people too, weight isn't always down to bad diet and not much exercise, chemo can cause weight gain, contraceptives can cause weight gain, medical conditions can cause weight gain so @DaveB your comment is disgusting, a lot don't "allow" themselves to become overweight and it isn't a choice, absolutely lost for words

 

[Ljc]

I find it utterly appalling that there is so much negativity towards the Type 2's not just that but overweight people too, weight isn't always down to bad diet and not much exercise, chemo can cause weight gain, contraceptives can cause weight gain, medical conditions can cause weight gain so @DaveB your comment is disgusting, a lot don't "allow" themselves to become overweight and it isn't a choice, absolutely lost for words

I feel the same @Kaylz . In fact some of these posts and posters are upsetting me greatly , to be honest I am ashamed of them.

 

[Kaylz]

I feel the same @Kaylz . In fact some of these posts and posters are upsetting me greatly , to be honest I am ashamed of them.

I actually wanted to say I was ashamed to be seen in the same "bracket" as some, honestly it's unbelievable, yes I'm Type 1 but I've never thought any less of Type 2's, actually feel sorry for them that they struggle even on the lowest carb diets etc, I'll comment on Type 2 newbies posts guiding them etc, I don't think I'm THAT different to them, carbs raise my BG, same goes for them, it doesn't matter what caused it we are all diabetic and struggle with carbohydrates, wouldn't be surprised if this thread put newbies off posting to be honest! Well I'll still support someone no matter what Type they are xx

 

[mikeyB]

I feel the same @Kaylz . In fact some of these posts and posters are upsetting me greatly , to be honest I am ashamed of them.

I agree, LJC, I think this thread has run its course.

Just remember, zebras and antelopes don't argue among themselves about whose fault it is that there is a pride of lions lurking around. They just know they have to run. The only thing the antelope or zebra has to remember is to that it's the slowest runner who gets caught, you don't have to be the quickest.

 

[Ljc]

I agree, LJC, I think this thread has run its course.

Just remember, zebras and antelopes don't argue among themselves about whose fault it is that there is a pride of lions lurking around. They just know they have to run. The only thing the antelope or zebra has to remember is to that it's the slowest runner who gets caught, you don't have to be the quickest.

Well said . Yes I think this thread has more than run it's course.

 

[Ljc]

I actually wanted to say I was ashamed to be seen in the same "bracket" as some, honestly it's unbelievable, yes I'm Type 1 but I've never thought any less of Type 2's, actually feel sorry for them that they struggle even on the lowest carb diets etc, I'll comment on Type 2 newbies posts guiding them etc, I don't think I'm THAT different to them, carbs raise my BG, same goes for them, it doesn't matter what caused it we are all diabetic and struggle with carbohydrates, wouldn't be surprised if this thread put newbies off posting to be honest! Well I'll still support someone no matter what Type they are xx

@Kaylz t1 yes , same bracket definitely not 🙂

 

[Kaylz]

@Kaylz t1 yes , same bracket definitely not 🙂

much needed smile on my face now, thanks! xx

 

[AndBreathe]

Those figures from DUK may be right but even with a genetic susceptibility, allowing yourself to become overweight and then T2 is preventable.

Allowing yourself to become overweight...???

I think all you have achieved with your post is to demonstrate the need for education is not the sole preserve of the normies.

I would suggest you could perhaps invest a little time to learn about insulin resistance, and the wonderful T2 chicken and egg scenario.

 

[Lucyr]

I feel the same @Kaylz . In fact some of these posts and posters are upsetting me greatly , to be honest I am ashamed of them.

I honestly find as a T2 i get less support and more judgement from some T1s online than I do from many uneducated members of the general public, and it makes it so hard to find any support with diabetes. I so much want to find a supportive non judgemental online place that realises no one wants diabetes, doesn’t blame people for their diabetes and accepts that everyone is different in their choice of diet and treatment but it simply doesn’t exist.

This makes it incredibly hard to stay on forums, diabetes social media etc - I want to provide that support I haven’t yet found to new people but also have to protect myself which can often only be done by removing myself entirely due to the negative attitudes from others.