[koblenz]

On the annoying issue... it doesn't really bother me when people ask me those questions. They don't know, and if they don't have a reason to learn about it (like a relative or friend with diabetes), then they will be "blissfully ignorant". A person can't know everything about everything. I sure as **** don't.

What bothers me a little, as mentioned earlier, are the people that argue with you about the disease and how you should take care of yourself, when they know nothing about it. When asked, I have explained what type 1 is, and they argue with me about why I got it or how I should be treating it. Argggg. Fortunately, that has only happened twice, and I didn't really care if I pissed those people off anyway.

Then there are people like my grandmother. She doesn't really understand, and as she is getting on in years, has trouble understanding even when I explain it. But that is just fine with me. She doesn't judge, she just tells me that I better be doing what the doctor tells me, or she will sit me down and have a little talk with me! Anything she reads in the paper or a magazine, she clips out and sends it to me in the mail. She sent me a cute little sugar dish ... "since you can't have sugar anymore, you can put your special sweetener in it..."

On the "is it better to be type 1 or type 2" topic. I, like razr respectfully abstain from voting. I am type 1. It sucks sometimes. I deal with it. I am not type 2, never have been, never will. I don't have the foggiest idea what it is like to deal with type 2 each and every day.

All I can say "universally" is that each person does what they have to do everyday to get busy livin'.

Type 1... type 2... why can't we all just get along?

[Harold]

Read somewhere that Diabetes Mellitus was Latin for sweet urine. In that regard both 1 and 2 fit the name. True the causes are different if one ignores that neither type produces enough insulin for their needs. Another difference one could site would be how long the onset happens. While all T1's must have insulin many T2's do not. In the past it was assumed insulin was an eventuallity for T2's and still is by many professionals. Dietary recomendations are the same as are the complications. The biggest difference between the two are the daily routines. Those not taking insulin do not have to test day in and day out 8+ times a day, talk about burnout. I know the phrase taking a pill for it sounds easy, but it is not all it's cracked up to be. Many of the oral meds cause hypo's as bad as insulin and they also come with sides that range from embarrasing to lethal as in heart, liver, and kidney damage. Makes keeping to ones diet really important to avoid having to take any or taking more.

There's no good or bad for having one or the other they are both bad.

Type 1... type 2... why can't we all just get along?

We can by talking about it like we are doing here and learning from each other. We all have misconceptions and the best way to get rid of them is to talk about them. As an example;

whereas type 2 is generally bought on by obesity or other things that could be prevented but I think that people (even people with type 2 diabetes) don't understand that,

While I suppose one of the other preventable things would be pregnancies I would never say this to any woman. Then there are those that develope diabetes from thyroid and other deseases which are about as preventable as an autoimmune desease. Yes, obesity does cause diabetes in most cases, some people go along just fine then all of sudden start putting on weight for no apparent reason and find out they have it. Sometimes it's difficult to figure out which came first.

[mg_2204]

(Sugar??! Used to eat mustard sandwiches when I was young)

Funny, because I've always heard and been told (!) T2s are the baddies. Because we had a perfectly good pancreas and we were foolish enough to wear it out. With proper education and awareness, in *MY* case, I know *MY* diabetes could have been prevented. My fault! My bad. Three diabetic pregnancies and duh! Still didn't get the message. How thick can you get?! Anyway. There are times I feel I could just kick myself. Any volunteers?

I do feel bad when I think about you guys with T1. Like Jen said, and from what I've read in this forum, I also think you have a harder time. Sometimes I do feel ashamed to be T2.

But I do believe one thing unites us all : control!

I think it's a bit normal not to know much about a disease if we're not (or a loved one) suffering from it. There are too many! My sister's been suffering from arythmia for years... and I've recently learned of all the struggles she must face. Doesn't mean I don't care. But I must admit, there is lack of knowledge... and there is ignorance. And some people are just plain mean. The latter I despise.

Take good care everyone! There is not a person in here, members and guests, who don't deserve the very best in life.

Marie

[Brent44a]

Thank you, Marie. I wish I knew what I did wrong so that I could at least warn my kids. I ate a normal diet, was very active with a good BMI. I would not blame anyone for having a disease that no one wants and few understand.

[mg_2204]

I'm very sorry if my thoughts on the subject have offended you Brent. Or anyone else as a matter of fact!

My sister has a sweet tooth. Always had! She used to have blackforest cake for breakfast... on a reg basis. No kidding! Her diet and lifestyle were appalling at times. Mine were quite the opposite you see. I have developped diabetes. She hasn't. Go figure! Perhaps I had a predisposition? A 'weak' pancreas? Pfft! Don't know. I think I've developped diabetes just looking at her eating so much junk. I'm not angry. I prefer it's me rather than her to be honest. Love her too much!

But I had 3 huge warnings with diabetic pregnancies. Now I realize I didn't have the appropriate medical support... but my own fault if I haven't researched the subject more. I relied way too much on whatever docs told me. Docs don't know everything!!! And since they didn't care most of the time... well I pay the price today. But I'm not ready to say it's THEIR fault. My body, my responsability. Knowledge of this disease (any disease!) means power to the patient. And it's a message I wish to carry.

Not blaming anyone. But in my case, my verrrrrrrrrrry personal case, and as I've underlined in my previous message, it was my fault. Knowledge is the key.

Hope I haven't digged myself a hole here.

Marie

[jen18]

yeah I thought he was...

KLD, that is very true, that is why I said that I could be completely wrong...

[jen18]

when I wrote that last message I was on the first page )

I just want to say that I am also not trying to affend anyone, and I do not think that everyone with type 2 brought it on themselves I know that there are some like Brent44a that do not know what happened and I am not blaming anyone, and I know that for those that did bring it on themselves they did that unknowingly... I apologize to anyone who is pissed off at me, that was not my intention I just wanted to know if anyone else felt like this..

[Brent44a]

Marie & Jen, Please acept my sincere apologies. I did not intend to be appear offended nor did I mean offense. I am here because I feel a common bond with the people here who struggle daily, as I do, with this disease, and am saddened that I may have caused someone more distress than this disease already causes. I was actually agreeing with you in a way but failed to effectively communicate it. Again, I think you guys are great, please keep right on expressing opinions and feelings and I'll try to do the same.

[mg_2204]

Brent, I was just thinking the same today! Was about to ask moderators to remove my 2 posts in here because, like you, wouldn't want to cause someone more distress than this disease already causes. No need for apologies. Sometimes I get stuff wrong. Language barrier they say Has more to do with my brain cells having taken the day off.

Marie

[JasonJayhawk]

Yes, it is a shame that Type 1 and Type 2 are both called "diabetes mellitius."

I was in Costco, doing my weekly grazing (that is, going from sample station to sample station, gobbling up whatever yummies they are demoing out). A sample lady asked if I wanted to try an item that was extremely high in carbs, and I said I couldn't -- because I have diabetes and didn't have any insulin on me.

She responded, "Funny! You are skinny, how could you have diabetes?!"

*** ARGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! ***


I also loved hearing a friend, who happens to be a dentist, tell me that his type 1 diabetic brother-in-law only tests his glucose once or twice a day, and eats candy bars and drinks pop like it's water. He seemed to imply that I'd be able to do that, too.

---------------
JasonJayhawk.... proud of his 5.1% A1c!

[Batty]

Originally posted by JasonJayhawk
I was in Costco, doing my weekly grazing (that is, going from sample station to sample station, gobbling up whatever yummies they are demoing out).

haha on family trips upisland..we used to stop at costco for lunch around noon...haha those sample things can sure fill you up!

[Brent44a]

Jason, I get the same types of comments. I think many people remember when the term sugar diabetes was in use, and think of diabetes in those terms. They seem to know that some foods are bad, and always tend to relate that only to sugar content. The carb counting concept doesn't seem to be widely undertsood. I am trying my own eduction project with family and friends at work with limited sucess so far.

(and thanks Marie for your comments ...lets see French Canadian in England understanding a Southerner from America - there are at least five potential dialect/language barriers there. LOL)

[mg_2204]

... now that I think about it, my grand-mother used to say there were 2 types of diabetes : sugar diabetes... and another one, quite rare, salt diabetes. Salt??!?!! Ever heard of that?

Marie

[HeatherP]

I've had people say, "But you're so young, how can you have Diabetes"?

I just tell them it's an equal-opportunity disease. :p

[rzrbks]

jen18

sugar sandwiches? lol you do know that isn't the reason you have diabetes right? (unless you have type 2)

Type 1.5, LADA here

Batty

...uh he was joking around.

Yes, I was joking.

However, and here's the kicker, my father-in-law warned me that if I ate too many sweets I'd "Catch" diabetes----------He's diabetic ROTFL


even people with diabetes don't know what's going on sometimes.