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

[Reece Sargent]

Just wanted peoples views on this. I obviously have nothing against type 2 diabetics, but does any other type 1 diabetics hate getting put in the same bracket as type 2s. I’ve experienced this from family, people in the street, even GP or hospital staff can’t differentiate between the conditions.

Rant over!

 

[helli]

There is a lot of ignorance about diabetes of any type and the naming makes it hard to educate.
My biggest frustration about the confusion is when the media pick up on a story about "a cure for diabetes" when they mean type 2.

But as something like 90% of people with diabetes have type 2, I am trying to accept that "diabetes" rarely means Type 1.

 

[Reece Sargent]

There is a lot of ignorance about diabetes of any type and the naming makes it hard to educate.
My biggest frustration about the confusion is when the media pick up on a story about "a cure for diabetes" when they mean type 2.

But as something like 90% of people with diabetes have type 2, I am trying to accept that "diabetes" rarely means Type 1.

Exactly how I feel. It’s so frustrating to me having to correct people all the time, should just rename the condition! would make our lives a lot easier! Just wanted to see the reaction of other type 1s to see if they feel the same.

 

[ukjohn]

Just wanted peoples views on this. I obviously have nothing against type 2 diabetics, but does any other type 1 diabetics hate getting put in the same bracket as type 2s. I’ve experienced this from family, people in the street, even GP or hospital staff can’t differentiate between the conditions.

Rant over!

Why do you get so uptight and upset at this, is it because you think or feel some sort of stigma attached to type 2, we are all in the same boat. I don't get upset at having to take MDI insulin every day since being diagnosed and I am type 2 and because of that people say I must be type 1. Don't get concerned what other people think, try and educate them.

John.

 

[Reece Sargent]

Why do you get so uptight and upset at this, is it because you think or feel some sort of stigma attached to type 2, we are all in the same boat. I don't get upset at having to take MDI insulin every day since being diagnosed and I am type 2 and because of that people say I must be type 1. Don't get concerned what other people think, try and educate them.

John.

Because type 1s, we had no choice, just need 2 lots of insulin to keep us alive, I don’t think we are in the same boat unfortunately.

 

[Reece Sargent]

Why do you get so uptight and upset at this, is it because you think or feel some sort of stigma attached to type 2, we are all in the same boat. I don't get upset at having to take MDI insulin every day since being diagnosed and I am type 2 and because of that people say I must be type 1. Don't get concerned what other people think, try and educate them.

John.

BUT I do agree EDUCATION is needed, and even in medical settings, which scares me.

 

[Robin]

For me, it’s not so much being bracketed with Type 2, which doesn’t bother me, it’s being bracketed in the 'you shouldn’t be eating that cake/chocolate/etc you aren't taking this seriously' or worse 'Did you have to lose an awful lot of weight?' category by people who have only read about 'diabetes' in the tabloid press.

 

[rebrascora]

Because type 1s, we had no choice, just need 2 lots of insulin to keep us alive, I don’t think we are in the same boat unfortunately.

Unfortunately many Type 2s had no choice about their diabetes diagnosis either so perhaps your view is slightly skewed by a lack of understanding/education of Type 2 which has a significant genetic aspect to it. There are also other Types of diabetes like Type 3c and MODY and probably many other sub types and of course steroid induced diabetes and perhaps Covid induced diabetes now.
It seems like you bought into the media propaganda about Type 2 diabetics all having sat on their backsides and eaten too many pies and cakes and being obese, which is not necessarily the case either. No one chooses diabetes and I am sure we would all choose not to have it so I personally think your comment is a bit unfair and I am speaking as someone who was initially misdiagnosed as Type 2.

 

[atoll]

About £45 for a pack of 5 insulin pens,i use 6 pens a month to treat T1,about £2.50 for a months worth of metformin tablets to treat T2,lets hope both groups never get lumped together and required to pay for medication!

 

[helli]

Another way of looking at this "lumping together" is the value in numbers.
As a community of all people with diabetes, we have more lobbying power than we would if we were separated into types. As someone with Type 1, I am sure I benefit from the investment that is made into healthcare, etc. for people with type 2.

 

[Becka]

About £45 for a pack of 5 insulin pens,i use 4 packs a month to treat T1,about £2.50 for a months worth of metformin tablets to treat T2,lets hope both groups never get lumped together and required to pay for medication!

I am not sure what you mean? They are "lumped together" for the purpose of prescription charge exemption in England.

Also, many oral diabetics medications cost the same as insulin, the -gliptins and -gliflozins cost the N.H.S. around £40 for 28 tablets. And GLP-1 agonists (Ozempic etc.) are over £70 per month, and often when prescribed that it will likely be in addition to at least one of those former ones, so costing over £100 per month.

 

[atoll]

I am not sure what you mean? They are "lumped together" for the purpose of prescription charge exemption in England.

Also, many oral diabetics medications cost the same as insulin, the -gliptins and -gliflozins cost the N.H.S. around £40 for 28 tablets. And GLP-1 agonists (Ozempic etc.) are over £70 per month, and often when prescribed that it will likely be in addition to at least one of those former ones, so costing over £100 per month.

seems like this government is intent on instituting an american style of health care in this country,guess where the savings will come in first?
prescribing a £2.50 medication made in india on the NHS or a £70 medication made in europe if you go private ?

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Just wanted peoples views on this. I obviously have nothing against type 2 diabetics, but does any other type 1 diabetics hate getting put in the same bracket as type 2s. I’ve experienced this from family, people in the street, even GP or hospital staff can’t differentiate between the conditions.

Rant over!

Hello Reece,
yes it can be very frustrating at times especially the patronising " oh eating to many sweeties so serves you right"

I even had a nurse turn round and tell me once that I was stupid because I didn't know what type of diabetes I had as I was obviously type 2 due to my age.

I'm afraid I just asked her what she thought happened to the children diagnosed with type1 diabetes?
Very pleased to say she went bright red and looked rather uncomfortable.

Best thing to say to people who make judgements and spout their lack of knowledge is Oh I have type 1 diabetes do you not know the difference between the two types? Let me explain 🙂

 

[Amigo]

What a terrible shame that response to any illness and condition is measured in terms of deserving and undeserving. From a diabetic, it just perpetuates the discrimination. Regardless of the cause of the condition be it auto-immune, pancreatic damage or insufficiency, familial pre-disposition or less than ideal lifestyle choices, poorly managed diabetes has the same dreadful outcome for us all.
Yes I fully understand the frustration of dealing with the ignorant about the difference in types Reece but use your knowledge to educate not simply to try and disassociate yourself from diabetics whom you believe somehow made their condition an unwise life choice.

 

[mikeyB]

One of my reasons for joining this forum was the “we’re all in the same boat” ethos. I still think that. I don’t think I’m special because I’m T1. My diet and lifestyle were just as shabby as any T2 before diagnosis.

Yes, I have to clarify that I am T1 if I ever tell folk I’ve got diabetes, but that is peanuts compared to explaining why I can hardly walk because I’ve got one of the rarest neurological conditions there is.

As @Pumper_Sue says, it’s a chance for a bit of education. And inducing an apology😉

 

[Robin]

As @Pumper_Sue says, it’s a chance for a bit of education. And inducing an apology😉

Until you complete your careful explanation, as I did once, and the person you are trying to educate comes up with a parting shot..'Well, that’s what you’ve convinced yourself anyway!'

 

[atoll]

One of my reasons for joining this forum was the “we’re all in the same boat” ethos. I still think that. I don’t think I’m special because I’m T1. My diet and lifestyle were just as shabby as any T2 before diagnosis.

Yes, I have to clarify that I am T1 if I ever tell folk I’ve got diabetes, but that is peanuts compared to explaining why I can hardly walk because I’ve got one of the rarest neurological conditions there is.

As @Pumper_Sue says, it’s a chance for a bit of education. And inducing an apology😉

Lets hope the accountants who will run the new post Brexit NHS are listening and don't make the same mistake that sue so eloquently described when making cuts and can differentiate between the majority and the minority.

 

[NotWorriedAtAll]

@Reece Sargent

Ummm I'm a type 2.
My diet was perfect as far as all the health advice was concerned and I did my best to exercise as well given difficult circumstance. Didn't drink, never smoked etc etc

Did you know that type 2 diabetes can be a consequence of prescribed medication for various health conditions?
Did you know that type 2 diabetes can be a consequence of long term severe stress and that stress can be caused by a multitude of circumstances outside the control of an individual?

In my case as soon as I had my diagnosis I researched my condition (which is what I have always done in my life) and as soon as I knew what the optimum behaviour was to reverse it - I did that and for over two years I have been eating fewer than 20g of carbohydrate a day and testing rigorously in order to avoid the need for meds. I now also meditate in order to try to keep my stress levels down as it seems that stress has been the largest factor in damaging my health over the years.

I can understand being frustrated at ignorance and judgemental attitudes but they are detrimental to everybody and I think that knowledge and education and friendly supportive attitudes are the things that will ultimately save lives and enhance lives in our situations.

 

[Amigo]

@Reece Sargent

Ummm I'm a type 2.
My diet was perfect as far as all the health advice was concerned and I did my best to exercise as well given difficult circumstance. Didn't drink, never smoked etc etc

Did you know that type 2 diabetes can be a consequence of prescribed medication for various health conditions?
Did you know that type 2 diabetes can be a consequence of long term severe stress and that stress can be caused by a multitude of circumstances outside the control of an individual?

In any case if a person has a health condition that requires treatment or a change of lifestyle - in my case as soon as I had my diagnosis I researched my condition (which is what I have always done in my life) and as soon as I knew what the optimum behaviour was to reverse it - I did that and for over two years I have been eating fewer than 20g of carbohydrate a day and testing rigorously in order to avoid the need for meds. I now also meditate in order to try to keep my stress levels down as it seems that stress has been the largest factor in damaging my health over the years.

I can understand being frustrated at ignorance and judgemental attitudes but they are detrimental to everybody and I think that knowledge and education and friendly supportive attitudes are the things that will ultimately save lives and enhance lives in our situations.

Well said NWAA 🙂

My diabetic diagnosis followed hot on the heels of a cancer diagnosis. Amazingly, the cancer treatment seemed to kick the diabetes into submission and my Hba1c was 36. Since stopping those meds, it’s an uphill battle again. Some conditions are induced/exacerbated by other medical issues and stress....eeek! don’t even get me started! Well done on your considerable efforts to keep things on an even keel. Amigo

 

[Becka]

So apparently saying that type 2 diabetes is a choice does not violate Diabete's U.K.'s user guidelines, not even the one on behaviour that forbids "discrimination [of]… an individual or group of individuals on the basis of…disability (inclusive of diabetes type)." But calling out such bigotry for what it is does.

I have plenty of baggage that there is no need to go into, nor am I willing to, but I very much hold by a form of Edmund Burke's "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."