Recruiting Type 2 sufferers to for an online research study to improve diabetes self-

[orlar]

Hello all. My name is Orla and I am undergoing research to try and improve self-management for people with type 2 diabetes.

People who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are being sought to take part in an online research study. The aim of the study is to improve people’s self-management of the illness, which is a rising global epidemic.

Sufferers of type 2 diabetes experience a huge lifestyle change, including diet, exercise and medication which can be very difficult to manage. Adherence to diabetes self-care can bring up thoughts and feelings that are problematic if the person does not know how to cope with them. These thoughts and feelings can make it less likely that the person will be able to adapt their behaviour as required for their condition and also cope with the emotional pressures of their new situation. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) gives them the psychological tools to cope with these thoughts and feelings.

As well as type 2 diabetes management, ACT has already proved to be beneficial for the management of a wide range of application, including chronic pain, depression, smoking cessation and stress.

This on-line study involves a six week commitment once participants are registered and approved. There are 4 sessions in total which are delivered through animations and followed by short exercises to help participants to learn the ACT processes and how they can be applied to their diabetes and life in general.

Patients that meet the following criteria may be eligible:
? Aged over 18 years
? Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
? Fluent level of English (i.e. the ability to follow the programme instructions)
? Web/computer access

This particular study is being undertaken by the School of Psychology in NUI Galway. To sign up, people should visit www.yourdiabetesmanagement.net

Thank you for your time and consideration. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me via Private message.

Orla Richardson
MSc Health Psychology,
NUIG
Galway
Ireland

 

[Northerner]

This has been approved, please help if you can! 🙂

 

[ClaireM]

Hi everyone. I've recently been diagnosed with type 2 so I'm very new to diabetes and this forum. This research sounds really interesting and I'm very curious about it. I'm going to sign up now and I'll report back with how I find it!

 

[orlar]

Hi everyone. I've recently been diagnosed with type 2 so I'm very new to diabetes and this forum. This research sounds really interesting and I'm very curious about it. I'm going to sign up now and I'll report back with how I find it!

Hi Claire. Thanks for taking an interest in this research. I hope you find it helpful.
Best wishes, Orla.

 

[orlar]

This has been approved, please help if you can! 🙂

Thank you. I hope people are interested in the programme and find it helpful!

 

[Darren w]

I Wounder if I would be elegable to take part as when I was first diagnosed they said I was type one now they say I'm type two but the nurse said I'm more a 1 and a half ! Puzzling I know .

 

[orlar]

I Wounder if I would be elegable to take part as when I was first diagnosed they said I was type one now they say I'm type two but the nurse said I'm more a 1 and a half ! Puzzling I know .

Hi Darren.

If your most recent diagnosis was Type 2 then by all means you can sign up. I hope you find it helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions about the programme and thank you for your interest.

www.yourdiabetesmanagement.net

Warm regards,
Orla

 

[Darren w]

I was just watching a Video on utube about type two and it was saying it is a lifestyle illness and the problem is you have two much insulin . Well I inject insulin twice a day so how can that be the case?

 

[Lauras87]

I was just watching a Video on utube about type two and it was saying it is a lifestyle illness and the problem is you have two much insulin . Well I inject insulin twice a day so how can that be the case?

Some type 2's are different, some just manage it by diet, some tablets & some have to take insulin.

I've never heard that type 2's produce too much insulin, if that's the case I'm sure they wouldn't be diabetic.

Don't worry about what you hear, just listen to what your doctor & DSN tells you 🙂

 

[Darren w]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9DQxvcH5c5c&feature=related
This is the link to the video I just watched , see if you can make sence of it ?

 

[orlar]

I was just watching a Video on utube about type two and it was saying it is a lifestyle illness and the problem is you have two much insulin . Well I inject insulin twice a day so how can that be the case?

Hi Darren,

I know that type 2 diabetes is described as a lifestyle illness because it can largely be managed by diet, weight management, and physical activity. However, I also know that insulin injections are still required in some cases for type 2 diabetes care. It seems to be largely down to the individual themselves.

However, I'm afraid as I am not a medical doctor I am not an expert on the various aspects of diabetes care.

I would recommend using trusted medical sites, such as the NHS (http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Diabetes-type2/Pages/Treatment.aspx) if you'd like to learn more about it and/or consult with your doctor.

Warm regards,
Orla

 

[Andy HB]

I think one route for Type 2's to become insulin dependent (as in injecting!) is that because of insulin resistance (due to being overweight in some people) the pancreas is forced to produce even more insulin to compensate. Eventually, the stress of this excess production causes the pancreas to start producing less and less insulin due to 'wear and tear'. At some point it can eventually fail to produce any insulin at all.

The good news is if those people, where weight is an issue, lose that weight and the pancreas hasn't been over-stressed it is possible to reverse the symptoms and rely on diet and exercise control only.

Meanwhile, back to the thread .....

Andy 🙂

 

[Northerner]

I was just watching a Video on utube about type two and it was saying it is a lifestyle illness and the problem is you have two much insulin . Well I inject insulin twice a day so how can that be the case?

Darren, there is actually a type of diabetes called LADA ( Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adulthood) or Type 1.5. This is like a slow-onset of Type 1 where the pancreas slowly loses its ability to produce insulin. Usually, the person is not typical of Type 2 i.e. not overweight and with a healthy lifestyle. I fall into this category as do many of our members, but it's possible that some nurses and doctors are not familiar with it, and it can lead to people getting the wrong kind of treatment options.

It should also be said that, whilst Type 2 may be related to lifestyle, that is not always the case - it's not necessarily your 'own fault' if you are diagnosed with it as genetic or other factors can be very important. Many people diagnosed with Type 2 are not overweight at diagnosis (20%), which is a significant number so it is a shame that the message being given out is that it is purely related to lifestyle.

 

[orlar]

Darren, there is actually a type of diabetes called LADA ( Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adulthood) or Type 1.5. This is like a slow-onset of Type 1 where the pancreas slowly loses its ability to produce insulin. Usually, the person is not typical of Type 2 i.e. not overweight and with a healthy lifestyle. I fall into this category as do many of our members, but it's possible that some nurses and doctors are not familiar with it, and it can lead to people getting the wrong kind of treatment options.

It should also be said that, whilst Type 2 may be related to lifestyle, that is not always the case - it's not necessarily your 'own fault' if you are diagnosed with it as genetic or other factors can be very important. Many people diagnosed with Type 2 are not overweight at diagnosis (20%), which is a significant number so it is a shame that the message being given out is that it is purely related to lifestyle.

Thanks for clearing that up, I myself wasn't familiar with LADA before.

A very good point. Certainly the importance of genetics and other factors are important to remember and it's unfortunate that the term 'lifestyle illness' sometimes seems to place personal responsibility on an individual in the eyes of those who may not be properly informed or educated about the illness. Increasing awareness is always important.

Orla

 

[orlar]

I think one route for Type 2's to become insulin dependent (as in injecting!) is that because of insulin resistance (due to being overweight in some people) the pancreas is forced to produce even more insulin to compensate. Eventually, the stress of this excess production causes the pancreas to start producing less and less insulin due to 'wear and tear'. At some point it can eventually fail to produce any insulin at all.

The good news is if those people, where weight is an issue, lose that weight and the pancreas hasn't been over-stressed it is possible to reverse the symptoms and rely on diet and exercise control only.

Meanwhile, back to the thread .....

Andy 🙂

Thanks for your input Andy!

Orla

 

[LeeLee]

I'll second Andy's post. Although I am genetically predisposed to developing type 2, I didn't help myself prevent it for too many years to mention, and developed it earlier than others in my family. After significant weight loss (about a third of my body weight in a year), my BG is back in non-diabetic range.

 

[orlar]

I'll second Andy's post. Although I am genetically predisposed to developing type 2, I didn't help myself prevent it for too many years to mention, and developed it earlier than others in my family. After significant weight loss (about a third of my body weight in a year), my BG is back in non-diabetic range.

That's great to hear. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Orla

 

[Darren w]

Do you think I should still sign up orla ?

 

[orlar]

Do you think I should still sign up orla ?

It's entirely up to you. I can't see any reason why it wouldn't be useful for you, so if you would like to take part you are welcome to and I will make note of your particular diagnosis for the purposes of data analysis.

Because ACT is so applicable to all areas of life I see no reason why you may not gain benefits from it. Have a look at the site and see what you think. If you do decide to take part please just respond to your registration email saying that you're diagnosis is 1.5 and that will be perfectly ok.

Best wishes,
Orla

 

[HOBIE]

Good luck Orlar ! Thanks for doing servey etc 🙂