[karen]

......do you feel that any non-diabetic really knows or understands what it is like to be a diabetic with all that is involved, including the feelings of fluctuating bgs, or the unfairness of high bgs, when you did everythng right, etc. etc. etc.

I mean someone in the know like a endo, internist, CDE, or even close friend, significant other, or a parent? Do they really understand or feel our pain?

Just wondering,

Karen

[Emm]

Simple answer.. NO!

Endo knows a lot, and has a decent grip on it, but can't get the personal side of things if you know what I mean.
My doctor knows very little.
My family don't get it at all, tho they do try... Even my father, who is a diabetic himself, doesn't understand my way of doing things.
The only person who truly understands is my diabetic friend!
It takes a diabetic to understand.

[KCP]

Can i just say that that is so true! there really is no one else like a diabetic friend!
You can explain the condition until you are blue in the face, no one really understands it at all!!
My hubby still doesnt get that i can eat chocolate every now and then if i want consistantly good bg's.. But oh well..

[2high]

No no no...

I have a good friend who is D, and we have this chat fairly frequently... usually coz we have been *****ing abt a non-D saying *something* innapropriate!!! Her latest request is a licence for punching non-d's!!

[grace girl]

I don't think so, even the one's who really try.

I would give anything for an endo who was also diabetic....

[notme]

I don't think anyone can understand completely anyones frustration with ANY illness unless they have been there. I know it seems unfair that some of us constantly struggle with diabetes. I know I have my fair share of issues.

I am sure someone who is paraplegic or blind or has to endure chemotherapy, wishes people would understand what they endure daily.

[xMenace]

I believe my endo does. I try to talk a lot about D management, and he's always right on top of things. But I did catch him off guard with basal profiling. My GP talks a nice story, but his 6.9 A1C target doesn't do much for his credibility. I think my DE does, but I'm way ahead of her, so I don't go there much.

Non-D's are hopeless cases. Even D's I know are quite ignorant. I'm really glad all of you are here learning with me

[jen_slc]

Originally Posted by grace girl

I would give anything for an endo who was also diabetic....

I am SO SO thankful that my current endo is diabetic. Besides everyone on here, he's the only real tangible person in my life, albeit only every 3 months, who understands how finicky good control really can be. (I've been very lucky in my life to have had 2 diabetic endos). My family tries to understand but I have to remind them that sometimes it's **** hard and I have the right to complain every once in a while!!!

[Emm]

Oh yehhh a Diabetic team would be great - everyone from the doc to the educator to the endo. Beaut

When I last saw my endo, his nurse took me out for some blood tests. She supposedly knew all about diabetes because she had to do injections and testing for a month. Hmm... It's great that they have to do that, but they don't really have to worry about their results, or what they eat, and it's all over so soon!

Hey KCP *waves* It's Emmie here from the everybody site

[JediSkipdogg]

Most just nod in agreement. Do you understand cancer fully when someone explains it? Do you understand what a hernia is? How about Myelodysplastic Syndrome? I doubt it and depending on how interested to learn, you may just shake your head and nod as well.

[Penny]

My doctor isn't diabetic, but he is very understanding, he doesn't act like he knows everything, and really listens to me. My husband on the other hand.....sometimes!!!! Today past lunchtime, I was hungry since I had not eaten anything because of bloodwork today. I made a salad, romaine, spinach, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, a little onion. I added low carb dressing, and a little shredded cheese, and since I was so hungry, sprinkled on bacon bits. Hubby said "No wonder you can't get your numbers down." I read the label to him...no carbs, no cholesterol, he said "That and the cheese can't be good for you." I tried to explain that the tomatoes were worse for my diabetes than the cheese and bacon bits. After all this time, he still doesn't get it most of the time. And the man who just had open heart surgery, still has 2 eggs every morning!

[KCP]

**KCP waves back!** Fancy meeting you here EMM!

[karen]

Originally Posted by JediSkipdogg

Most just nod in agreement. Do you understand cancer fully when someone explains it? Do you understand what a hernia is? How about Myelodysplastic Syndrome? I doubt it and depending on how interested to learn, you may just shake your head and nod as well.

Jedi,

I understand what you are trying to point out to me, but people that truly have been around diabetes alot, such as an endo, CDE, etc. and deal with this disease constantly, I don't even believe they understand the emotional connection to how it feels to go low, how much anxiety is connected with a simple walk around the block and hoping you don't drop, etc. etc. etc. My question was not about other diseases and how much worse it could be, but if people involved with this disease truly have a good understanding of what we go through or if it is all a numbers game to them.

[blue_eyed_devil]

No, I don't believe they do.

I actually believe that most medical professionals don't especially. They understand the mechanics sure, but how can they know what it feels like? I know for a fact my endo doesn't understand... He believes we should all be super thin whippits with perfect bgs, or he mock you...

Back on topic... It's like trying to explain childbirth to a man or a man trying to explain being kicked in the groin...

[Stuboy]

I dont think the majority of people really do understand. But those CLOSEST to us have a much better idea... esp. if you can feel like soul mates. Certainly I think Laura understands what hypo's feel like... she's had her fair share of those herself in the last 18 months or so.

I wonder if there are any diabetic diabetes nurses/specialists out there... they truely would understand!