[REDLAN]

Have you suffered any verbal insults or abuse because you are a diabetic
Not to my face anyway

Have you suffered any physical abuse or harassment
Nope

How long have you been a diabetic for
25 years

Do you receive any financial assistance
All my medical needs are met by the NHS - and I don't pay any fees for any of my medication diabetes related or not.

How does it affect your day-to-day life
I try not to let it, but in reality it mainly affects what I can eat and when - while I can eat at different times my control works best when I eat at particular times. I also lose a bit of flexibility - good control means planning ahead.

How does it affect the lives of people around you
Well my wife calls me a professional diabetic - so I guess you can draw your own conclusions about that. People have to put up with my occasional bad moods when I'm high or low, and generally being difficult at times.

Is your budget affected
not that I notice

Should people feel sorry for you
I'd rather they didn't.

Does it affect your job
Yes. I have to make allowances for certain tasks - for instance I need timeout if I'm low (very rarely), and I tend to have more sickness than the rest of the team. I also need more time off for appointments. I also can't be as flexible especially around things such as meal breaks.

Would you choose not to be a diabetic
Oh no! I just love testing 8 times a day, injecting 5+ times a day, feeling crappy when I'm high/low, oh and most of all missing out on the chocolate cake at the staff meetings. Personally I'd jump at the chance of a viable treatment.

[poodlebone]

Originally Posted by suubman

Survey For Diabetics please reply but you dont have to fill out all spaces if you dont want to but it would be helpful:
How do you fell personally about being a diabetic

Well, I don't like being diabetic but since I have no choice, I deal with it.

Originally Posted by suubman

Have you suffered any verbsl insults or abuse because you are a diabetic

Never

Originally Posted by suubman

How you suffered any physical abuse or harrassment

Never

Originally Posted by suubman

How long have you been a diabetic for

20 years

Originally Posted by suubman

Do you recieve any finacial assistance

I have health insurance through my job. I pay for half of the monthly premium (close to $200/month for my share) and have various co-pays for doctor visits and prescriptions/diabetes supplies.

Originally Posted by suubman

How does it affect your day-to-day life

It's something that I have to think about num("hrf"))
return a;
me I eat something I have to think about it. I can't just decide to eat a handful of crackers and not worry about it, because I have to match it with insulin. I have to make sure I have my meter and other supplies with me all the time. It has been much easier since I got an insulin pump.

Originally Posted by suubman

How does it affect the lives of people around you

Before I got my pump I had terrible problems with low blood sugars. People used to worry about me all the time and everyone was always asking me "Are you okay?" if I didn't answer them right away, or if I was tired. They just assumed I was about to pass out.

Originally Posted by suubman

Is your budget affected

Even though I have insurance I still end up paying over $200 a month. That $200+ would certainly be welcome for other things. So while it does cost me, right now it's not a huge burden.

Originally Posted by suubman

Should people feel sorry for you

No, they shouldn't. I admit that in the past I would sometimes use it to my advantage. Get people to feel bad for me by complaining about how bad I felt because of a low BG or something like that.

Originally Posted by suubman

Does it affect your job

It used to, when I would pass out at work, or have bad lows. It would take me hours to get back to normal sometimes.

Originally Posted by suubman

Would you choose not to be a diabetic

Yes. This not anything I would choose to have if I could avoid it.

[msdebagain]

How do you fell personally about being a diabetic. i hate it, but its gotten me to take better care of myself

Have you suffered any verbsl insults or abuse because you are a diabetic no

How you suffered any physical abuse or harrassment. no

How long have you been a diabetic for: 10 yrs

Do you recieve any finacial assistance : CA disability

How does it affect your day-to-day life. some days its a hassle. checking blood sugars, figuring out what i can and cant eat. other days? i enjoy trying to be a healthier person

How does it affect the lives of people around you:
my family is a junk food family, and they are VERY affected by this. we have stopped using fast food places, no fried foods, eating habits are changed and they are all very healthy and complain that they are being punished. they understand why but still complain

Is your budget affected? yes big time. i take a ton of meds so i have a ton of co pays. Thank Goodness Walmart has cheap meds 4 dollar copays

Should people feel sorry for you. as i'm recovering from hospitalization i am expecting it. but the healthier i get then i say no.

Does it affect your job. ... my job affected my diabetes. i was so busy i didnt eat right and didnt monitor my sugars.

Would you choose not to be a diabetic... in a heartbeat. Cancer was easier to beat than diabetes

How do you feel personally about being a diabetic? I try to be optimistic--right now, my health is preventing me from doing anything that makes me feel very useful, but I believe it is temporary. My health has been improving since being treated by an MD(H). It's just a slow process.

Have you suffered any verbal insults or abuse because you are a diabetic? When I was in graduate school, the coordinator for visually impaired students and I met with a professor to make arrangements for a class test. The professor said that he didn't want a "planned medical emergency" during the test, e.g., hypoglycemic insulin reactions. That's the only time I can remember, although I have had my intelligence insulted many times by several health care workers, with regard to treating diabetes.

How you suffered any physical abuse or harassment? no

How long have you been a diabetic? 32 years

Do you receive any financial assistance? SSI, food stamps, insurance (Medicaid)

How does it affect your day-to-day life? There is frequent disruption in my day-to-day life for one thing or another related to treating diabetes (glucose monitoring, deciding when to take insulin and how much to take, actually taking the insulin, monitoring glucose levels, deciding what to eat, how much to eat, when to eat, deciding when and how much to exercise--everything must be carefully balanced. I take natural medicines for diabetes several times a day as well, so I need to be sure I remember to do so. I am also on a special diet, so I often spend time calling grocery stores to locate hard-to-find food items. I seem to need more sleep and rest than healthy people, so that limits my time for doing other things.

How does it affect the lives of people around you? I have been told I shouldn't be left alone for too long, so someone has to be here with me. It probably affects my parents on an emotional level--people hate to see their children suffer, no matter what the degree of suffering is, and no matter how old their children are.

Is your budget affected? Yes--not everything I need is covered by my insurance

Should people feel sorry for you? Definitely not. Respect, understanding, encouragement, and compassion are good, but pity is the last thing I want. For me, it is counterproductive.

Does it affect your job? I am unable to work due to diabetes and adrenal fatigue, which according to my doctor, may have been at least partially caused by diabetes.

Would you choose not to be a diabetic? Yes

[suubman]

thnkyou everyone who has relplie, youve helped me alot. Im doing this for my year 10 P/E assignment on the topic of overcoming adversity and had to choose a minority group and i chose diabetics.

[HiImDan]

How do you fell personally about being a diabetic

Sux

Have you suffered any verbsl insults or abuse because you are a diabetic

I'd have to make a rather lenghty list

How you suffered any physical abuse or harrassment

as above

How long have you been a diabetic for

29 years

Do you recieve any finacial assistance

nope

How does it affect your day-to-day life

affects everything

How does it affect the lives of people around you

they love it

Is your budget affected

obviosly

Should people feel sorry for you

no

Does it affect your job

cost me my vision and therefore, my job

Would you choose not to be a diabetic

yep

[Dewey]

Originally Posted by msdebagain

Would you choose not to be a diabetic... in a heartbeat. Cancer was easier to beat than diabetes

I know you had Breast Cancer, but some Cancers are Not easy to beat (depending on a multitude of factors, such as stage, type, etc.), and some cannot be put into remission. Currently, I have two friends that have been battling Breast Cancer for several years, and neither are in remission (both are currently undergoing a new chemo treatment). Even if you do "beat" Cancer, you're forever watching over your shoulder to ensure it doesn't return...Also, Diabetes doesn't have the urgency Cancer does. If people screw around and don't treat their Diabetes properly, they get more leeway (sometimes years of leeway) before any complications arise. With Cancer, if improperly treated or left untreated, it can result in spread of the disease to other organs, and can become deadly. Also, the treatment methods for Cancer are far more harsh than those for Diabetes.

While I haven't personally had Cancer, I've lost many friends to different types, and do not share your feelings with regards to having it rather than Diabetes. I'm not trying to argue with you, am just sharing my feelings as to why I feel the way I do.

[Patti]

How do you fell personally about being a diabetic
I could have something worse.

Have you suffered any verbsl insults or abuse because you are a diabetic
No

How you suffered any physical abuse or harrassment
No

How long have you been a diabetic for
It will be 50 years this Nov.

Do you recieve any finacial assistance
No

How does it affect your day-to-day life
I'm so use to it that it really doesn't bother me.


How does it affect the lives of people around you
They are also use to it.

Is your budget affected
Yes, it is.

Should people feel sorry for you
Absolutely not

Does it affect your job
No

Would you choose not to be a diabetic
Definitely yes

[Cyborg]

How do you fell personally about being a diabetic
I've learned to accept it. What doesn't kill me, only makes me stronger.

Have you suffered any verbal insults or abuse because you are a diabetic
No

Have you suffered any physical abuse or harassment
No

How long have you been a diabetic for
~8 Years

Do you receive any financial assistance
No

How does it affect your day-to-day life
I have to test frequently and must always be in control of my bg.

How does it affect the lives of people around you
The people around me have learned more about diabetes, how it affects me and how it could affect them.

Is your budget affected
Yes, treatment is not free

Should people feel sorry for you
No

Does it affect your job
Barely

Would you choose not to be a diabetic
Yes

[jerryn]

Survey For Diabetics please reply but you dont have to fill out all spaces if you dont want to but it would be helpful:

How do you fell personally about being a diabetic
"Sure it sucks, but hey there's a lot worse diseases out
there to deal with"

Have you suffered any verbsl insults or abuse because you are a diabetic
"No"

How you suffered any physical abuse or harrassment
"No, and if I ever did get any physical abuse, I'll have to open up a can of whoop *** on the abuser!" I may have diabetes but I can still kick butt!

How long have you been a diabetic for
"1.3 years"

Do you recieve any finacial assistance
"Heck no. I don't need any assitance!"

How does it affect your day-to-day life
"I've got to test the glucose levels three times/day.
Testing and taking the meds are the only reminder I'm
dealing with a disease"

How does it affect the lives of people around you
"I've told my wife and kids that I don't want any sweet snacks in the house! If they want something like that then they should get in the car and go tto Friendlys or something."


Is your budget affected
"Not much yet. I do tend to eat the good stuff more so maybe. Good stuff = New York Strip steak, shrimp, scallops, boneless chicken breast"

Should people feel sorry for you
"Heck no. There's a lot worse diseases out there. My wife has 3 uncles that battled cancer. I know of someone my age dealing with MS. And I also know someone who died from ALS. I watched Parkinsons take my father-inlaw slowly over 7 years! Imagine coming down with Parkinsons 6 months after retirement! So.. there's a lot worse. Plus I'm still active living a normal healthy life!"

Does it affect your job
"Nope. I'm an engineer so I need my brain functioning. I'd say I'm still sharp!"

Would you choose not to be a diabetic
"Dumb question! Sure I'd like to be 100% disease free, but sooner or later something is going to bite each and every one of us on this planet. I worry about keeping my numbers in check because I want to live with this disease without any further complications. It's not easy, But the goal is to go the longest I can without any further complications."

[cherokee_psh]

How do you fell personally about being a diabetic

Just like everything else is life, you play the hand you are dealt.

Have you suffered any verbsl insults or abuse because you are a diabetic

No

How you suffered any physical abuse or harrassment

No

How long have you been a diabetic for

3 years (part were pre-diabetes)

Do you recieve any finacial assistance

How does it affect your day-to-day life

minimal, once you get what you need to do down it becomes a routine and you fit everything else around your routine.

How does it affect the lives of people around you

to a degree-I don't buy sodas, use splenda instead of sugar, and changed the method of cooking and recipes. Noone is complaining!

Is your budget affected

Food, For some reason junk is cheaper, maybe because they sell more of it. Medically, I have taken the steps (after discussing them with my doctor when the suggestion a brand change) the insurance suggests to keep costs down (medco for most prescriptions). I still would not site this as a concern.

Should people feel sorry for you

NO

Does it affect your job

No

Would you choose not to be a diabetic

I missed that option on the genetic survey!!! Why would anyone choose to have any disease ever? I guess my vote is yes.

[princesslinda]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Survey For Diabetics please reply but you dont have to fill out all spaces if you dont want to but it would be helpful:
How do you fell personally about being a diabetic: I hate every part of my disease.

Have you suffered any verbsl insults or abuse because you are a diabetic: no

How you suffered any physical abuse or harrassment: no

How long have you been a diabetic for: Diagnosed 8/31/06

Do you recieve any finacial assistance: I have insurance.

How does it affect your day-to-day life: I can no longer eat without thinking about what it is and how it will affect me. Checking my blood sugar is the first thing I do in the mornings, the last thing I do at night...it takes over a big part of my life.

How does it affect the lives of people around you: My husband is aware of what I can and cannot eat and tries to make sure there's nothing in the house that will tempt me...also whenever whe go for a family gathering, someone will tell me "I hope this is something you can eat."

Is your budget affected: I spend more out of pocket on healthier foods and medications than I did before diagnosis.

Should people feel sorry for you: ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Does it affect your job: Not in any way

Would you choose not to be a diabetic: ABSOLUTELY!

[bryan42]

Originally Posted by suubman

Survey For Diabetics please reply but you dont have to fill out all spaces if you dont want to but it would be helpful:
How do you fell personally about being a diabetic
fine/scared, then fine again
Have you suffered any verbsl insults or abuse because you are a diabetic
yes,my needle pokes at me everyday!
How you suffered any physical abuse or harrassment
noHow long have you been a diabetic for
2 months, ok im done with it now Do you recieve any finacial assistance
no,but Ill take ANY offers!!
How does it affect your day-to-day life
Other than being OBSESSED with the disease...
How does it affect the lives of people around you
My wife is very supportive and has joined eating better with meIs your budget affected
yes,that went out the window with the sugar cookies!
Should people feel sorry for you
only if they want toDoes it affect your job
noWould you choose not to be a diabetic

As dumb as this may sound..maybe not, only because I am forced to eat good and live good,I would not have otherwise,I would have just kept eating crappy. I have suffered much pain in my life,so this isnt that bad,other than the "cant eat anything that looks good" syndrome.

[catgalla]

How do you fell personally about being a diabetic:
Now I feel normal. I don't let myself dwell over this because life is too short as it is.

Have you suffered any verbsl insults or abuse because you are a diabetic
No I haven't gotten any insults or abuse

How you suffered any physical abuse or harrassment
N/A

How long have you been a diabetic for
16 years
Do you recieve any finacial assistance
No
How does it affect your day-to-day life
Just constantly checking my bg's and giving myself insulin and try to watch what I eat
How does it affect the lives of people around you
The only affect other people around me have is when I'm low and moody. Watch out!!!! Other than that I don't get anyone else really involved with it.

Is your budget affected
No really. I have good health insurance

Should people feel sorry for you
Absolutely not!!! When people ask me about it I make it sound like it's no big deal. Like having a cold. I don't want anyone feeling bad for me.

Does it affect your job
No and hopefully it won't.

Would you choose not to be a diabetic
ABSOLUTELY!!!

[msdebagain]

Originally Posted by Dewey

I know you had Breast Cancer, but some Cancers are Not easy to beat (depending on a multitude of factors, such as stage, type, etc.), and some cannot be put into remission. Currently, I have two friends that have been battling Breast Cancer for several years, and neither are in remission (both are currently undergoing a new chemo treatment). Even if you do "beat" Cancer, you're forever watching over your shoulder to ensure it doesn't return...Also, Diabetes doesn't have the urgency Cancer does. If people screw around and don't treat their Diabetes properly, they get more leeway (sometimes years of leeway) before any complications arise. With Cancer, if improperly treated or left untreated, it can result in spread of the disease to other organs, and can become deadly. Also, the treatment methods for Cancer are far more harsh than those for Diabetes.

While I haven't personally had Cancer, I've lost many friends to different types, and do not share your feelings with regards to having it rather than Diabetes. I'm not trying to argue with you, am just sharing my feelings as to why I feel the way I do.

no i understand. BUT for me? cancer was easier to beat, than this battle i've had with diabetes. i just nearly died from DKA last month, and am not used to daily monitoring of my disease. with Cancer, i just went for treatment, took my medication (which i still do 5 yrs later) and went to the doctor. dont get me wrong, my cancer was stage 3, i had 3 tumors all 5cm, i did chemo, rads, and never missed a day of work the entire time. i'm a 5 yr survivor and trust me i dont make light of it. i watched both my parents die of it (my dad had 3 remissions)both grand parents, and many friends. while you may not share my feelings, i do understand, but for ME it WAS easier. and as far as people 'screwing around and getting more leeway' as far as their diabetes, i screwed around with my diabetes and didnt appreciate how lethal it could be. so i understand on all levels. you have the right to disagree with me, but please dont think that i dont know from where i speak. i do.