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Good things about having diabetes

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My dad said I came up with so many positives to diabetes that everyone would want it!

I think the main thing for me is it has been a massive kick up the bum. Ive known Im at risk due to my weight and Ive beem half hearted about addressing it. Cos it wont happen to me right? Well it did, so all the serious consequences could too, and Ive seen most of them first hand - amputatios, sight loss and death. So for me this diagnosis is going to be thr turning point and I WILL be healthier for it.

I also got diagnosed with (inherited) high cholesterol at the same time. So the free medication is a bonus.
 
MikeTurin said:
For me there is absolutely nothing that could be considered a good thing.
You have an incurable condition, that needs to be controlled a lot, and worst of all other people blames you for the condition because you have eaten to much.
For a more healthy lifestyle, yeah, this was a wake up call for me, but if my GP warned me before, when I was prediabetic or when i has only high levels of blood lipids, and sent me to a specialist AND a dietican...
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My diabetic nurse told me it can be reversed. Although it would be dependant on maintaining healthy lifestyle changes
 
@Kelly Charlotte McKernan you can't reverse diabetes T2 that is you can control it yes but not reversed as that's a cure and folks would just go back to old habits. As for T1s not ever as it's an auto immune disease and you'll need insulin for life.
 
my "good thing" is that I have always been a bit chunky. Have yo yo dieted for years and had mixed (short term) success. BUT now due to getting diabetes and having to actually make a lifestyle change I have now lost over 1.5 stone and am in shirts I last wore 3 or 4 years ago (in fact I found some shirts that are brand new and still sealed that I bought 3 years ago when I was deluding myself).

So, if there is a silver lining for me (and I think this is) is that diabetes has MADE me change MY life and I am "embracing" it wholeheartedly
 
Sorry, don't really want to bring a downer to the thread but absolutely nothing good about having T1 diabetes for me. :( In just over a week I'll have had it 31 years and I'm hoping for at least another 31, 41 or 51 years. 🙂 The magical cure may arrive in that time though. 😉:D I've always tried to do my best with it and just get on with things but it's not always easy and looking at some of my friends and colleagues it doesn't seem fair either. 🙄
 
I find that being more in touch with my body is one of the positives of D, with an awareness of what I'm eating & my exercise I am actually feeling much better than I have in years.
 
Broadly speaking, I agree with Matt, I've been injecting insulin for 21 years, going from needles and syringes to pens, and maybe soon to a pump, and blood testing had moved on apace. But you still have to do it, and it's just a necessary pest. Roll on the artificial pancreas.

The best thing about having diabetes is a forum like this where you can learn, mix with folk who understand, and hopefully have a laugh. And, most importantly on this forum, there is no segregation of flavours of diabetes. That's the USP of this site.
 
Since I was diagnosed I've become much more aware of the science of nutrition and what I'm putting into my body and how different foods affect my body. My diet, regardless of diabetic requirements is healthier. I've discovered a whole new range of vegetables and methods of preparing them that I hadn't tried before and I'm really enjoying the variety. I still enjoy the odd 'sweet treats' such as a small piece of chocolate,the odd tattie crisp, a profiterol or icecream but because they are infrequent treats they have become so much more enjoyable and valued.
 
Finding out what different foods do to my body. Getting m.o.t every 6 months. And of course this forum, which has been a godsend to me.
 
One good thing for me is that I don't suffer as much pain with my IBS now - maybe that's down to the fact that I'm eating less carbs now - I wouldn't know!
 
Good to read how people are generally making the most of what is dealt them. It isnt fair getting D but then as my mother said, life isn't fair.

As others have said the support on here makes things a lot easier. No need to sit on your own trying to solve a query, there is a lot of help available.
 
That's all very true SB - I personally don't think i would grasp all that I need to know about my Type2 had it not been for the kind & supportive folk on this forum - they are helping & guiding me on my diabetes journey whilst simultaneously travelling on their own.

So to reiterate - I believe one other good thing about having diabetes for me is having the true support *at a moments notice* that the forum collectively & willingly give - for which I am ever grateful.

_____________________
Dx Type 2 April 2016
Metformin withdrawn
Diet control and exercise only
 
All of what's been said before, plus I appreciate and respect my body. It's mine, it's not perfect but I know that if I don't look after it then there's no me. Most people don't think about their health because they don't need to but that isn't good for them.
Your body is so imprtant!
 
PhoebeC said:
All of what's been said before, plus I appreciate and respect my body. It's mine, it's not perfect but I know that if I don't look after it then there's no me. Most people don't think about their health because they don't need to but that isn't good for them.
Your body is so imprtant!
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Well said Phoebe.
We can't change having Diabetes but we can take care of ourselves and get a lot of help to do so and have access to a lot of excellent advice.
 
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