[Scarlett]

I read this number (or maybe close to that percent) in Sugar Busters-I'm amazed that our threads outnumber all the other threads

We are proud beasts... aren't we!

[xMenace]

We're special!

[LancetChick]

Type 1's are sort of forced to take an active role in diabetes management from the get-go, but with type 2's taking an active role is often optional..... at least for a while. My Dad has type 2, is on Glipizide, does not own a glucometer, and would no more check out a diabetes message board than he would take up figure skating. I suspect there are a lot more type 2's like my Dad than there are like the ones who post here who take their disease and their health seriously.

[ant hill]

We have to have this disease whether we like it or not. As for the immune system well we all need that but to curb the Killer "T cells" from our Beta cells is the major concern here. And so to all type 1's, It's the thing that we have to have.
AHHHHUUUGGGHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

[Eddy]

What with the vast majority of diabetics now type 2 [at least in the USA], everything "diabetic" seems targeted toward the type 2 crowd. We type 1 folks are left to fend for ourselves... so fend we do!

[Chappo]

Obviously this statistic changes from country/region/locality etc.

Countries which very high indigenous populations (Pacific Islands, South East Asian nations etc) will have a predominantly higher rate of Type-2 diabetes due to the genetic predisposition. However, while the Type-1 incidence is therefore higher in Western countries, this is slowly being equaled by the obese lifestyle and a strong rise in Type-2 diabetes. Then we start to get into the A1/A2 milk saga and the diagnosis rates of Type-1 diabetes in countries that are attached to either type of milk.

*Sigh* - so many things come to my mind now, i'll pass on spamming the statistics.

However, Eddy is spot on: Type-1's all too commonly get grouped in with people who are Type-2, and the generic understanding of Diabetes is solely of Type-2. I cannot tell you how many times people say "You're not even CLOSE to fat, how can you have diabetes?".

That's one thing raising awareness and education can significantly change.

*Refreshed for the afternoon, time to get back to work*. This thread has just inspired me to get back to work as an IDF YA...

[Stuboy]

Originally Posted by LancetChick

Type 1's are sort of forced to take an active role in diabetes management from the get-go, but with type 2's taking an active role is often optional..... at least for a while. My Dad has type 2, is on Glipizide, does not own a glucometer, and would no more check out a diabetes message board than he would take up figure skating. I suspect there are a lot more type 2's like my Dad than there are like the ones who post here who take their disease and their health seriously.

What's wrong with figure skating? lol I have type 1 diabetes AND i figure skate! lol

I guess without any intentions of insulting those that are type 2... there's a lot more to treating type 1, it's more complex and there are more tools involved, carb:insulin ratio's, effects of insulins, types of insulins, the list goes on.... so perhaps there's more to talk about when it comes to treating type 1?

[fgummett]

You guys are just high maintenance

Unfortunately as was said above... you have no choice but to deal with your D, whereas as a Type 2 I can choose to firmly bury my head in the sand and do nothing... I probably won't die within months but it will take years off my life and maybe I'll lose my sight, kidneys, or limbs in the process

[Gary_W]

Originally Posted by Chappo

However, Eddy is spot on: Type-1's all too commonly get grouped in with people who are Type-2, and the generic understanding of Diabetes is solely of Type-2. I cannot tell you how many times people say "You're not even CLOSE to fat, how can you have diabetes?".

I had a good one yesterday. My daughter was invited to a birthday party of a schoolfriend. It was held at an indoor rollerskating place. She's never been on rollerskates, neither have I. My wife couldn't be there.

As I've JUST managed to get a loan pump which is clipped onto my belt, the idea of falling over and breaking £3000 UK of loan equipment did not appeal. I didn't want to disconnect as the party went on for 2 hours and there was no-one there not taking part in the skating that I particularly wanted 'the diabetes' conversation with to ask them to look after my pump for me. Fortunately, one of the other dads I know well DOES skate and my daughter happily went on the rink with him whilst I watched. All was well with the world. She was having a great time and we were all perfectly happy. I walked her around the little training bit in between times where I could wear outdoor shoes. Enjoyment had by all (apart from where she slipped and grabbed my shirt plus tubing )

One of the other fathers started giving me a semi-hard time about why I wasn't out on the rink. At first I just said I didn't fancy it, but he wouldn't let go. So finally, I said 'I'm type 1 diabetic. I've just spent months getting this £3000 pager on my belt to treat it and I'm too clumsy not to fall on it. As it's a borrowed one, that wouldn't be good...'

'Why do you need that? You can just treat it with one injection a day, can't you?'

I explained that it must be a very intelligent injection if it can do that.... But yes, it is all tied in to the fact that most people believe that diabetes is T2 as that is the one that the media is currently telling the world is brought upon ourselves...

Gary

[xMenace]

Originally Posted by fgummett

You guys are just high maintenance

Unfortunately as was said above... you have no choice but to deal with your D, whereas as a Type 2 I can choose to firmly bury my head in the sand and do nothing... I probably won't die within months but it will take years off my life and maybe I'll lose my sight, kidneys, or limbs in the process

The do nothing option is unfortunately too prevalent on both sides of the fence. My friend Steve's older brother Guy is an example. Blind and on dialysis, he slipped away around the age of 30. It is much easier to rationalize for the pre-diabetic or the "mild" type 2's. The end may come sooner for type 1's, but maybe that's a better thing

Take control!

[shiftzor]

Originally Posted by Stuboy

What's wrong with figure skating? lol I have type 1 diabetes AND i figure skate! lol

I guess without any intentions of insulting those that are type 2... there's a lot more to treating type 1, it's more complex and there are more tools involved, carb:insulin ratio's, effects of insulins, types of insulins, the list goes on.... so perhaps there's more to talk about when it comes to treating type 1?

We are just the diabetic elites intent on world domination of carbs.

I think there are defiantly more variables when it comes to type 1 to start with, but I do think type 2s have to go through most if not all the life changes type 1s do, like diet etc. Type 1s get thrown in the deep end, while type 2 move slowly to the deep end, essentially we end up in the same place. Maybe as the years go on with the influx of type 2 we might see more of them posting about insulin and things.

[Jan B]

The MAJOR difference is Type 1 is an autoimmune disease, unlike Type 2. Some estimates are that only 5% (not 10%) of diabetics (in the US I think) are type 1.

And, if you are lucky enough to have one autoimmune disease, you are more likely to have another, than someone without one at all. I have a little collection & that's why I pay special attention to supporting my immune system. Immune health is critical to us, and it can make us feel so much better, and make us less likely to be struck by colds, etc.

Side note: Women tend to be affected more often by autoimmune disorders; nearly 79% of autoimmune disease patients in the USA are women.

I have learned a lot about type 2 on this forum and there are many lovely friends and folks here with type 2. The reason I joined though was to find other type 1s. Reason being, type 1 is different in MANY ways and misunderstood by the general population as was already mentioned. I very commonly get asked if I've already lost a bunch of weight . . . or, you aren't big, why do you have diabetes.

[fgummett]

Listening to discussions like these and attending support group meetings etc... it is interesting to note the dynamic between Type 1s and Type 2s. Sometimes it can almost become an "Us" and "Them" situation. They are two different conditions but as mentioned above, the outcomes can be the same. To my thinking the kind of ignorance displayed by the general public is where we should be showing solidarity and educating them. On occasion one can get the feeling that Type 1 is seen as a "real" disease while Type 2 is self-inflicted because we have let ourselves get fat and lazy... thankfully I don't get that feeling on this forum but it is prevalent especially in the media.

[Jan B]

Originally Posted by fgummett

Listening to discussions like these and attending support group meetings etc... it is interesting to note the dynamic between Type 1s and Type 2s. Sometimes it can almost become an "Us" and "Them" situation. They are two different conditions but as mentioned above, the outcomes can be the same. To my thinking the kind of ignorance displayed by the general public is where we should be showing solidarity and educating them. On occasion one can get the feeling that Type 1 is seen as a "real" disease while Type 2 is self-inflicted because we have let ourselves get fat and lazy... thankfully I don't get that feeling on this forum but it is prevalent especially in the media.

I love you Frank -- this forum has helped me understand a LOT about what T2s go through. Type 2 is very much a real disease and I for one, have a load more compassion for T2s than before I joined this forum. I used to be one of those who even said T1s were the "real" diabetics. I have learned much better now.

[fgummett]

Thanks Jan I don't think any of us have it easy