[davef]

Originally Posted by EeyoreButterfly

Please forgive me if I am reading this the wrong way, but it sounds like several of you are of the opinion that people with Type 2 bring it on themselves or it is a shameful thing. Am I misreading what you are saying?

Eeyore,

I may be reading it differently but I think the previous posters did not imply we bring T2 on ourselves. I taking this at face value, that beanlynch is upset with being confused/mistaken as a T2m, which is the most common form and for which there is not only a lot of common misconceptions but also a widespread opinion that we bring it on ourselves.

Originally Posted by mazea

I'm annoyed with how people think type 1 is like type 2 in the sense people expect you to be able to eat like a type 2 without having insulin.

Strangely enough I feel the same but in the exact opposite. I'm T2 NOT using insulin and I do get tired of people thinking I can eat something and covering it with insulin. I can't, for me life is just not that simple. I have a HUGE amount of respect for anyone using insulin (both T1s and T2s) as it would seem to be really the ultimate balancing act, equally for T2s not using insulin we have our own challenges, the biggest one (for me) is having to work to ensure that what I eat does not send me high as I don't have many tools in my arsenal to combat highs.

Originally Posted by soso

I think the world will be a better place when everybody stops blaming T2's for their disease, little chance when the media keeps trotting out the old "lifestyle choices" routine.

Soso, very well said, thank you for that.

Originally Posted by ErikaA

It's not politically correct to pick on someone for being overweight... but it's okay if they have type 2??

And I love this forum because people don't treat each other like that here... so I really hope it won't start.

Unfortunately, while it may be politically incorrect (and I'm not entirely sure it is), this does not stop people discriminating or making fun of overweight people. I believe that it is far more likely for somebody to point or make a comment at/about an overweight person than to make a comment about the colour of person's skin.

I have always this forum to be a great place no matter what type you are and I don't think it is starting. I do honestly think that the OP is simply sharing/venting about something that bothers them.

Originally Posted by fgummett

I believe that the majority of posters here on DF do not judge Type 2 as a behavioural problem that is "self-inflicted" by sloth and gluttony, and I truly appreciate being able to feel comfortable, without getting that attitude here.

I agree Frank.


To be completely honest, when I log on here, I first click new posts and read practically every post without looking to see what area it has been posted in (T1/T2). If I can offer any help/support I will do so, if it is something that I have nothing to offer on then I'll move on, unless I notice that the OP has had no/few replies in which case I post some words of encouragement which will bump the post onto the New post list and my elicit more replies.

We are all in this together, I find I get support and help from everyone whether they are T2 or T1. When I first read the OP I started to take umbrage, but I re-read it and I now don't feel any offense was meant. If beanlynch finds that this is something that is upsetting, then this is a place where that can be shared.

If you did mean to offend, then bite me - joking!

[ErikaA]

On a scale of one to ten you are about 7/10 for directly over generalising, attacking and typifying others. Who exactly you are accusing or attacking is not stated directly but every inference is to type 1s. Which type 1s? Was there someone in particular in mind? Not stated.

Actually I think I had a good go at the general public too, but I have directly witnessed a lot of bigoted comments made by type 1 diabetics since my own dx. I'm not generalising at all, i'm specifying my own experience, walking into the world of diabetes. And I see no need or reason to pick on individuals for comments that may well be unintentional.

I don't think it is always intentional. I do think it is at best thoughtless. I think the title to this thread was thoughtless.

And I don't think it hurts to point out that when you are busy telling me it's not all about me, that every time you define type one as 'not type 2' rather than by it's attributes, you are effectively implying there is something wrong with being type 2 (other than having a dinky pancreas which is kind of every diabetic's problem). And the fact that type 2s express that they feel that that is what is being said/suggested (and have done in this thread) should be enough to suggest that maybe you aren't saying it the best way.

My pancreas is dying by the way...I hardly think that can be considered an attack on type 1s...

Define the different types however you like. Just be careful not to be putting other people down while you do it. There is a reason why eating disorders are becoming rampant in the diabetic community. A little more sensitivity wouldn't hurt.

[Gary_W]

I think the main difficulty here is that the media has jumped on the diabetes bandwagon and talks about it as being an epidemic. When it speaks in these terms, it always mentions obesity and links the two.

Obesity is becoming the new smoking and is being portrayed as an anti-social disease to have. Not saying this is my opinion, just saying that a lot of the press do seem to put this idea into the public mind.

So, you have a press that thinks that obesity = diabetes and that obesity is your own fault, so you have the link made in a lot of peoples minds that diabetes is your own fault and that the healthcare system is spending their taxes for something that you could have avoided if you'd not been so irresponsible.

A belief that a person with T2 deserves it is very unfortunate; no-one deserves this and we should all do our best to discourage this kind of thought. It is a big 'I told you so' of a very unpleasant kind.

A belief that a person's lifestyle may have contributed to the fact that they have T2 diabetes is SOMETIMES true. I do not place any judgement with this, and those annoyed by this statement should read the paragraph above. It is a fact that certain lifestyle choices can increase your risk of developing T2. It is also a fact that you can live the life of a saint and still get it. That's the wonder of genetics.

So there we are. We have folks with T2 who, as a job lot, get blamed for their condition. Some may look at the way they have lived and think 'I could have done that differently'. Some may look at the way they lived and be genuinely surprised by the condition turning up. Both will be struck by the unfairness of someone else they know that totally abuses their body on a daily basis and never has so much as a cold.

Then we have the T1's and where this post originated from. Most of those with T2 who read this will be well aware of the misguided and occasionally hurtful things that can come up because someone you know has the wrong idea about T2. I want you to imagine being subjected to all of the above (shouldn't be hard, as it's probably happened) and then realising that the person concerned has an entirely different metabolic condition that unfortunately has the same name.

T2's don't deserve the hassle they get. T1's don't deserve to be hassled by people assuming they are T2's whom they feel they have the right to get at.... I appreciate that T2's, as a group, don't deserve to be picked on. I hope you can appreciate that it can be unpleasant for a T1 to be roped in to the same stereotypes that are leveled at T2's. If they are not true for you guys they certainly aren't true for us; it is a very different disease that happens to share some unfortunate long-term pitfalls.

I would welcome more media clarity on the whole issue. If re-naming either T1 or T2 as something other than diabetes helps to distinguish then I'd be in favour. I know some people with T2 that think they don't have 'bad diabetes' because they don't have to inject. Clearer labeling of the conditions would help patients, care givers, the general public and the media to realise that they do require differing management in the vast majority of cases. Through greater understanding comes the ability to treat all concerned with the seriousness and dignity that is needed.

Gary

[ss20stewart]

I totally agree, tech. I am a type 2 but my doctors have found out that my pancreas has quit working and they feel that I might actually be included in the adult onset type 1. Since October of this year they have been working to get me started on a pump. after 6 years of mdi's and pills I got my pump on Nov 6. My numbers are back in line and weight I have gained in the last 6 yrs is beginning to come off. I feel that my doctor is not up on all the latest with t1 & t2. She has her on misconceptions of the disease. I understand the stereotypes that have been put on t1 vs t2. I totally see the difference now. For 6 yrs I was told no sugar by my doctors... never once did they tell me that carbs are the enemy but in moderation everything works.

[akielpinski]

This is my view from a T1...

I do get frustrated when people mistake type 1 with type 2. The reason for this is not the cause of the disease (did you eat too much sugar? ect) but the treatment. I get so tired of people saying, "Well maybe if you tried this diet or that pill, you wouldn't need to take insulin." What's most frustrating is when you explain to people that type one is an autoimmune disorder and they don't listen.

I think people with any type of diabetes get frustrated with people who think they are an expert on diabetes when they are not, and frustrated with people who won't listen even when you take the time to explain. But oh well, what can you do?

[fgummett]

Originally Posted by akielpinski

I think people with any type of diabetes get frustrated with people who think they are an expert on diabetes when they are not, and frustrated with people who won't listen even when you take the time to explain.

Hear hear..!

[Tattoo azz]

education, education, education.
Gary, i agree with you, the press should take a long hard look at themselves, because they are spreading confusion. How many times do we see an ad in a magazine saying there's a 'new' treatment for diabetes, only to find that it's only meant for t2?
I do get annoyed when people say that it's my own fault and that i should have eaten less sweets as a child, but i just tell them to read more about diabetes as t1 is completely different to t2.

[Lizzie G]

Originally Posted by Gary_W

I think the main difficulty here is that the media has jumped on the diabetes bandwagon and talks about it as being an epidemic. When it speaks in these terms, it always mentions obesity and links the two.

Obesity is becoming the new smoking and is being portrayed as an anti-social disease to have. Not saying this is my opinion, just saying that a lot of the press do seem to put this idea into the public mind.

So, you have a press that thinks that obesity = diabetes and that obesity is your own fault, so you have the link made in a lot of peoples minds that diabetes is your own fault and that the healthcare system is spending their taxes for something that you could have avoided if you'd not been so irresponsible.

A belief that a person with T2 deserves it is very unfortunate; no-one deserves this and we should all do our best to discourage this kind of thought. It is a big 'I told you so' of a very unpleasant kind.

A belief that a person's lifestyle may have contributed to the fact that they have T2 diabetes is SOMETIMES true. I do not place any judgement with this, and those annoyed by this statement should read the paragraph above. It is a fact that certain lifestyle choices can increase your risk of developing T2. It is also a fact that you can live the life of a saint and still get it. That's the wonder of genetics.

So there we are. We have folks with T2 who, as a job lot, get blamed for their condition. Some may look at the way they have lived and think 'I could have done that differently'. Some may look at the way they lived and be genuinely surprised by the condition turning up. Both will be struck by the unfairness of someone else they know that totally abuses their body on a daily basis and never has so much as a cold.

Then we have the T1's and where this post originated from. Most of those with T2 who read this will be well aware of the misguided and occasionally hurtful things that can come up because someone you know has the wrong idea about T2. I want you to imagine being subjected to all of the above (shouldn't be hard, as it's probably happened) and then realising that the person concerned has an entirely different metabolic condition that unfortunately has the same name.

T2's don't deserve the hassle they get. T1's don't deserve to be hassled by people assuming they are T2's whom they feel they have the right to get at.... I appreciate that T2's, as a group, don't deserve to be picked on. I hope you can appreciate that it can be unpleasant for a T1 to be roped in to the same stereotypes that are leveled at T2's. If they are not true for you guys they certainly aren't true for us; it is a very different disease that happens to share some unfortunate long-term pitfalls.

I would welcome more media clarity on the whole issue. If re-naming either T1 or T2 as something other than diabetes helps to distinguish then I'd be in favour. I know some people with T2 that think they don't have 'bad diabetes' because they don't have to inject. Clearer labeling of the conditions would help patients, care givers, the general public and the media to realise that they do require differing management in the vast majority of cases. Through greater understanding comes the ability to treat all concerned with the seriousness and dignity that is needed.

Gary

Gary has pretty much covered everything I was thinking, but I guess a couple of points I would add:

1) As 90% of diabetes is type 2 those in the medical profession dont always have enough experience to be of much assistance to type 1s. As Gary so eloquently put we cant run away from the fact that some type 2 is brought on by obesity and poor lifestyle choices. As a type 1 at times it is hard not to be angered when you receive substandard care because all the focus is on type 2 and personally I do on occasion have to fight with myself not to think unkind thoughts. I guess another thing here is that some of us type 1s have a tendency to slightly gloat in the fact that we are in no way to blame for our condition and that we are the paragons of virtue and perfection.....it will be a good day for some of you T2s when they find that actually, type 1 does have a link to some kind of bad behaviour!
2) Type 2 diabetes is in the public eye and the press so frequently as it is seen as something that can be prevented, which is often correct. It is unfortunate that this sometimes leads to misconceptions about type 1; as much as the general public like to be experts with their misinformation at least they are AWARE....their knowledge may be far from perfect but at least the press has done its job in making people aware of the condition, hence more likely to get tested for it rather than let themselves be diagnosed through onset of complications, and at least people are aware that there are things they can be do to make this disease less likely to happen to themselves....so the fact that some type 1s get p***ed off at being judged as this that or the other is irrelevant, lives are being saved.
3) My mother in law is type 2. She is hugely overweight and the diabetes is just another symptom of her ongoing battle with food and eating. She is so big that she has trouble with her joints so it is hard for her to exercise. She is basically addicted to food and yet receives no help for this. Whatever anyone says about weight, diabetes etc this poor lady has a really hard time and isnt in the best equipped position to get the help she really needs. I love her to bits and whilst there are times when i think 'why on earth are you eating so much junk and not taking any exercise' for the most part I understand that her struggle runs much deeper and that it is the same for many people.

So overall I guess my opinion is that however people got to where they are then we all just have to do our bit to help them get where they want to be. If we are pre-judged and linked to something we dont want to be linked to then we get over it...in time peoples' understanding of the similarities and differences will improve as they do with everything; in the meantime its not doing anyone any real harm and as a group of people us with diabetes need to help and educate and take care of each other to make sure we all have the happiest and best quality of life possible!

Wow, long rant there!!!

[Scrabblechick]

Lizzie, you said a mouthful (in a good way! LOL). I appreciate your perspective and your sensitivity.

[T2womanNc]

Wow! alot of emotions surround this subject. I have to admit that even I thought that it was my fault I have this disease. I actually did not give it the respect that it as a disease disserved. I thought diet and exercise would fix me.

I was diagnosed with chronic Hypoglycemia in the 80’s and placed on a High Carb diet, so imagine my surprise that I find myself on the opposite end of the spectrum. The whole T1/T2 thing still confuses me. As a T2 I have Adult onset of Hyperglycemia, necessitating the use of insulin for survival… Maybe the verbiage matters, even to me.

I am thankful that as a T2 I got to live my life a longer time without having to rely on insulin to survive… I can readily admit my ignorance of the struggles a person who has lived with this condition all their life. Still, I hope to be able to learn how to improve the quality of my life from their experience.

After listening to this debate I have decided to identify myself as being in the mist of “pancreatic failure”. I think I will get more respect and perhaps less blame for my condition.
Blessings,

Laurra

[fgummett]

I agree that the media is misleading. I agree that 90% of D out there is Type 2 so most media stories focus on that but neglect to specify Type 2 BUT...

Obesity and Type 2 are strongly associated. Most people assume that Obesity is the cause and Diabetes the effect. It is equally valid to suggest that the underlying metabolic disorder which leads to the Type 2 also causes the Obesity.

Chicken and Egg - Cause and Effect... which is which?

I am mightily tired of being told (often by the media but sometimes even on DF) that "we can't run away from the fact that some type 2 is brought on by obesity and poor lifestyle choices." I am not so so certain that is a fact..?

As for where the research dollars are being spent... so far as I can tell, all Type 2 research is devoted to how to solve the problem of a psychological/behavioural/eating disorder... not a metabolic disorder, with complications every bit as devastating as Type 1.

[drummingfool]

I think I may have misspoken earlier.

Im not saying that type 2 diabetics are at self fault for their condition. Thats not what Im saying at all.

The point is, as a type 1, I feel there should be more research in the field of type 1's. With only 10% of diabetics being type 1, it makes us feel like a minority in an already different group.

The amount of research, I suppose, coincides with those statistics (1/10), but like I said, I feel that maybe there should be more done on the issue.

Type 2's, I hope I didnt offend... not my intention in the least. I'm in the same diabetic boat as you guys are, simply with different mechanics.

[davef]

Originally Posted by drummingfool

I think I may have misspoken earlier.

Im not saying that type 2 diabetics are at self fault for their condition. Thats not what Im saying at all.

Type 2's, I hope I didnt offend... not my intention in the least. I'm in the same diabetic boat as you guys are, simply with different mechanics.

I don't think you mispoke and as a T2 I certainly did not feel offended. As you say we are all in the diabetic boat.

[starrdbes]

...the line between all the types of diabetes is a lot more fine than most of us think. That is why is it so confusing to learn / start off. When I was young (before I was affected by diabetes) I used to think that T1 had too little insulin and T2 had too much... We really are one of the same, just like all the different Cancers. Cancer is Cancer; if we could figure it out, we'd all be better off. If we can figure out one type of Diabetes; we'd all be better off for that too. Why don't we try to relate and gain knowledge? We can only be better off knowing more.

We all have our own preconceptions from the bits of information and opinions we hear. Doesn't make any of us right. As someone said, it is a very emotional subject. The bottom line is that NO ONE deserves any disease. No one even deserves a common cold. It just doesn't make sence to deserve any part of your body to be failing for any reason. That is just a silly suggestion.

I was first diagnosed as T2. That REALLY didn't make sence. I have ZERO risk factors and the only family history was my grandfather (living with alcoholism) who in fact did not care properly for his mind or body. Imagine my confusion. I managed to embrace the diagnosis as best I could, and after trying all the different medications and a changed diagnosis of T1, adult onset, I have complete respect for people who manage diabetes with diet, exercise and medication. It is no easier than T1, it is just a different method of management. I've tried both roads; they both suck, but I will take them for what they are and give to others the information I've gained through personal trials and tribulations.

I have a lot more things going on in life than to worry about other people's misconceptions about me and the way I live. I will however take the opportunity to correct ANYONE. Yes..ANYONE.

[microwave]

I see these as two completely different demons, slightly related illness at best. Neither of which anyone deserves.

I would like to pose an question I honestly would like to know. This question in no way is meant to cause insult!

Is there any of the type II's that have lost weight, are now a healthy weight and continue to struggle with there blood sugars?

I only ask because the the few friends I have that are type II lost weight and are normoglycemic. All the years I worked in the hospital the patients continued to be quite obese.

I am honestly curious to see if the problem persists or if its at least more manageable.

Again this is not menat to offend. I am learning for myself.

micro