Which is more Severe?

[Injecto]

Type 1 or Type 2?

I only ask because I find that articles that usually focus on Type 2 diabetes tend to describe Type 1 as "the more severe form" of diabetes. Yet, with all the stats on what happens to diabetics, it seems that Type 1s are more likely to have a better long term outcome IF they take care of themselves.

Thoughts? Opinions?

[Funnygrl]

Type 1 is more severe because there tend to be much wider flucuations in blood sugar, and the severe ends of the spectrum- severe hypos and dka- tend to happen here. Also, it requires insulin the whole time, which some people think is bad, and usually people are much sicker at diagnosis. Type 1 can also be looked at as more severe because if you're diagnosed as a kid, you're going to have it for much longer, and thus have much more of a chance to get complications, than someone with type 1.

Type 2 is more severe because it can reak havoc on your body uncontrolled for years before it's diagnosed. Thus "silent killer." Also, it becomes more severe in the sense that sometimes people think it's less severe and ignore it, thus causing more complications. Type 2 is more severe because there are often a lot of comorbities that further contribute to complications- obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension to name a few.

[CaptainMike]

With No (Zero) treatment, Type 1 will kill you a heck of a lot faster than Type 2. I'd guess that is why it is oft referred to as "More Severe"

Mke

[LancetChick]

Type 1 may be more severe, but I'd rather have it than type 2 any day. Constant insulin resistance and having a disease that the news is constantly linking with obesity and therefore social criticism and blame? ...... PFFFT!!!! Plus, the "cure" that's been 5 years away for the past 30 years is for type 1's. My Dad has type 2, is not at all obese, and I'm glad I'm standing in my own shoes instead of his.

[xMenace]

Type 2 seems to be constantly changing. It's hard to get a handle on things when your physiological landscape keeps changing. Type 1 is much easier to control because it's a fairly static regimine.

[Funnygrl]

Type 2 seems to be constantly changing. It's hard to get a handle on things when your physiological landscape keeps changing. Type 1 is much easier to control because it's a fairly static regimine.
I disagree. My diabetes changes quite often. What works some days doesn't other days.

[SharpTail]

My best description of Type 1 is a condition where you are under total manual control, balancing food and dosage of insulin. For individuals who can maintain good discipline and focus they will likely live a long time without "life span" reducing complications. Probably one advantage of Type 1 is the younger age of diagnosis compared to Type 2. A younger person is more likely to adapt to the lifestyle required to survive the disease than an older person.

The comparative analogy for Type 2 is a condition where some automatic control still exists at least initially. The problems I see relate to diagnosis after the disease has already taken a toll on the body and the difficulty adapting to a different lifestyle.

I think Type 1 diabetes has the potential to be less severe than Type 2, but if out of control the negative consequences will become evident very quickly.

[RobiJo]

Type 1 may be more severe, but I'd rather have it than type 2 any day. Constant insulin resistance and having a disease that the news is constantly linking with obesity and therefore social criticism and blame? ...... PFFFT!!!! Plus, the "cure" that's been 5 years away for the past 30 years is for type 1's. My Dad has type 2, is not at all obese, and I'm glad I'm standing in my own shoes instead of his.

Me too! I'd take T1 over T2 anyday. Funny that I'm reading this post tonight as my husband and I were driving home from my in-laws. T2's often frustrate me beyond belief (no offense to anyone here!) b/c of their lack of knowledge and acceptance. Some of this is the fault of doctors who do not educate after they diagnos folks with pre-D, T2. Taking insulin does not mean I'm on my death bed. I am not diabetic because I ate to much sugar, I am not fat, I do not have the "bad" kind of diabetes, and I most definately not going to be okay if I just take the pills. (You don't have to take shots...just take the pills for that!!! I think NOT!) Oh and YES I do plan to eat that piece of cake (and take 2 units for it!) [RobiJo will now hop off of her soap box]

Back to the question though, I think both are severe--more severe for those who fail to understand what D is (and what it isn't).

[tanyatype1]

When I was first diagnosed, my hubby and I asked the specialist which kind of Diabetes was the worst to have because we didn't have a clue! He said that was a tough question to answer because of all of the variables, but if he had to choose one to have himself, it would be Type 1. That says a lot to me.

[Funnygrl]

When I was first diagnosed, my hubby and I asked the specialist which kind of Diabetes was the worst to have because we didn't have a clue! He said that was a tough question to answer because of all of the variables, but if he had to choose one to have himself, it would be Type 1. That says a lot to me.
He probably tells the type 2s he'd rather be type 2.

[tanyatype1]

He probably tells the type 2s he'd rather be type 2.

LOL! You ARE a funny girl!

[barko]

....Taking insulin does not mean I'm on my death bed. I am not diabetic because I ate to much sugar, I am not fat, I do not have the "bad" kind of diabetes, and I most definately not going to be okay if I just take the pills. (You don't have to take shots...just take the pills for that!!! I think NOT!) Oh and YES I do plan to eat that piece of cake (and take 2 units for it!) [RobiJo will now hop off of her soap box]

Back to the question though, I think both are severe--more severe for those who fail to understand what D is (and what it isn't).

Totally agree... Diabetes is severe for anyone who has any type who doesn't educate themselves about it.

At the end of the day, I think T1's at least have a somewhat clearer message from the medical community and a clear path of treatment with the only truly effective treatment - insulin. T2's (like myself) are too often subjected to endless experiments with bizzare oral medications that seem to have more side effects than benefits. The consensus in the Medical community has been (until recently it seems) that the best way to deal with T2 is to exhaust every stupid oral toxin before prescribing insulin. This journey is not only frustrating, but exhausting and depressing.

[HelenM]

Uncontrolled they are both severe. I've read too many sad stories of young people with type 1 suffering severe complications in their 20s as a result of normal adolescent rebellion. Similarly their are many (most?) people with type 2 who think its just a mild ailment 'a touch of diabetes' and may not realise its potential problems until too late.
Like others I think type 1 seems easier to deal with, a mechanical calculation of food intake, physical activity and insulin dosage (OK perhaps not that simple but I'm very glad I don't have to throw insulin resistance into the mix.) The sufferers are also more likely to be treated by specialists getting (often) better education and treatment.
Personally I'm glad I had the best of both worlds, type 1.5 diagnosed later in life so no illness to deal with as a child or young person. Relatively little behaviour modification needed, just a constant reminder to live a healthy lifestyle coupled with frequent medical checkups. The downside perhaps(though hopefully not) is that the long honeymoon period before diagnosis may have left as yet undiscovered problems.

[mg_2204]

Like CaptainMike said... a person T1 without insulin would not last very long. A person T2 would I guess.

I hate that stupid disease so much, my heart goes out to anyone who has diabetes, T1, 1.5, and T2. I know some people have a really bad time, some are dying from it, it just makes me feel powerless at times. I often think about those little ones with diabetes, they should be carefree and playing, but they have to learn about carbs, and shots, and A1C, and BG, they go through highs and lows, and sometimes many hospital trips. They're just kids! For me diabetes is severe, full stop. And I wish we could just irradicate this stupid disease from the planet once and for all.

[moorejames]

I'd probably say Type 1 is more severe short term and that type 2 is more severe long term.

But as a Type 2, I don't particularly think the Type 1 grass looks greener.

They both suck...

[belyro]

Probably one advantage of Type 1 is the younger age of diagnosis compared to Type 2. A younger person is more likely to adapt to the lifestyle required to survive the disease than an older person.

I think this is a bit of a double-edged sword. I was diagnosed T1 at 3 years old. Yes, it was easier to adapt at that age and often I've been glad I didn't have to adapt during my teenage or adult years, but on the flipside, I'm now dealing with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. My control could have been better for the last 25 years, but it wasn't terrible. No A1Cs of 13 or anything close to that. It just came with the territory of being a 25-year veteran of diabetes at the age of 28. So there are definitely two sides to that coin.

[MJB]

It's all severe. And it's all about control and how good you (and your body) are about controlling the disease.

My casual observations of folks on this board seem to point to these conclusions.

T1 folks have more hypos and have a slightly higher A1c on average.

T2 folks have to follow stricter diets and when they get out of control they get way out of control.

Oversimplified, I know. It all sux. :(

[princesslinda]

I think each type comes with its own set of challenges and difficulties. I'd just as soon not have to deal with any type diabetes (as i'm sure would eveyone else here), but life happens and we do what we can to make it as pleasant and complication free as possible. I think T1s may do better in the long run, as they are forced to make necessary adjustments in order to survive, while T2s can be irresponsible and in denial for quite awhile before they start having problems...then when the problems really manifest, sometimes it's too late to fix them.

[volleyball]

This is a funny discussion. It's not like you are choosing which brand of something to buy. It chose you. It's what you do with it makes it less worse than the other. I prefer the lack of injections and can do double good for myself through diet and exercise. Some people would prefer to eat anything. Personal choice.
If I said, I'm just tired of not eating potatoes every day, I think I'll switch types.The only way that's going to happen is if the diagnoses was done better than the first time.

[FTW]

If I had the option to cure only one type of diabetes, it would be T1.

[Injecto]

Great conversation guys...and so far no $hit slinging, which is nice to see...

It seems that, going back to the original post (whomever that brillian person was :T ;) ), the question of whether Type 1 is more severe or not is warranted, especially in the media when comparing T2s to T1s, is not entirely possible. I know from my own personal experience now, how many people around me that I've known who are T2 and they all look at me as if I'm a dead man (which I am, but not for a few more years), but the way they handle themselves and their disease just baffles me (with regards to their ignorance).