[Deltagirl1976]

Oh my Holly! i'm so sorry to hear that. Is she holding up ok? I know that has got to be really scary.

[jacobsam622]

Originally Posted by Holly

It's not always about weight. My twin is heavier than I am and does not have diabetes. Sigh......she has an aggressive form of breast cancer.

The ADA's Thinking will not change until they admit that weight gain is the first symptom of type 2 diabetes. If weight gain caused diabetes over 98% of all fat people would have diabetes and thats just not the case I was over weight for about 1 year before I was diagnosed. I was between 5 and 20 pounds under weight for 30 years.
I think that our bodies see Diabetes as an invading army and reacts accordingly by storing fat. The human body has this annoying habit of storing food as fat if it thinks It going to be deprived of food for any length of time thats why starvation diets make you gain weight. After I had diabetes for about six months I started losing weight and as soon my cell were able it started storing food as fat.

Sorry to hear about your twin I hope she gets better. I have a strong affinity for twins since i have 3 year old twins

[Petruchio]

IMHO the ADA sucks worse than a Hoover.

When I was diagnosed with the big D, I was flat out FREEKED!!! The very first web page I went to to learn what I was in for was the ADA site. UGH! No matter what I tried to learn, I ended up on one page or another that said "To learn about (whatever), Buy THIS Book . . ." Every page seemed to be an ad for another $39.95 book!

What a Scam!

Then I found another web page ==>LINKED HERE<== where I learned more in ONE HOUR than I did in total at the ADA site.

That alone was enough to completely turn me off to the ADA. I will not even mention that once the ADA gets a hold of your address you end up on the mailing list from that very hot place. (Somewhere in Michigan I have been told)

/rant

[Hammer]

Jacobsam.....I agree that diabetes makes you gain weight. I told my doctor this and he didn't agree or disagree. I told him that for years before I was diagnosed, I was so tired that I always wanted to sleep. I didn't eat that much, but no matter what you eat, if you go to sleep right after you eat, you're going to gain weight. I have no idea how much weight I gained because I don't know when it started.

By the time I was diagnosed, I was really overweight....probably 60 pounds or so. If I hadn't been tired all the time, I'd have burned more calories and my weight would have stayed the same.

The medical community wants you to believe it's the other way around....being overweight can cause diabetes. Maybe in some cases it does, but in other cases diabetes causes weight gain.

[Emm]

oohh I'm glad to see I agree with just about everything mentioned here!

However I don't see how anyone can think that a lot of information is geared towards type 1 and ignores T2. I see the opposite EVERYWHERE!

I have nothing to do with either the ADA nor JDRF - Im in the wrong country But I haven't liked what I've seen of them at all. Lots of money-sucking, lots of scare tactics, lots of OLD information, and unbalanced views.

Petruchio is 100% correct about that wonderful site being the best place to learn about Diabetes!!

I avoid our own diabetes groups here in NZ because it's all about losing weight, eating lots of carbs(!!), Raising money (what for? Spreading more mis-information?) and selling medications. Pfffft.

BTW about the weight/type 2 issue - I personally think that it's T2 that CAUSES the weight for years or even decades before it becomes diabetes. Insulin is a fat storing hormone after all, and even causes hunger. I do think that living that couch potato lifestyle and eating the high carb diet would make T2 diabetes come on earlier, but I just don't think it's as cut and dried as they make it out to be.

[DarthDiabetes]

I think an issue is that 1 & 2 are different diseases with similar symptoms. Seeing them linked so close is evidence to me that the emphasis is on treating (making money forever) and not curing these two awful diseases.

[xMenace]

Originally Posted by DarthDiabetes

I think an issue is that 1 & 2 are different diseases with similar symptoms. Seeing them linked so close is evidence to me that the emphasis is on treating (making money forever) and not curing these two awful diseases.

Whether these groups motivation is pure or not, treatment still has to be the priority. Too many people die prematurely every day. They are not being successfully reached. I'm not willing to sacrifice my health to put effort into a cure.

(Over the top supposition, not really my opinion)
The number one thing these groups should strive for is to improve our disease management skills. They should be actively seeking out the uncontrolled, dragging them into their den by the ears, and forcing effective, relevant control techniques down their throats. Yes, I would actively pursue the non-compliants. Those that continued to ignore their disease would be cut off from all funded prescriptions and medical procedures. Free strips, meters, pumps, supplies, whatever for those with sub-6 A1Cs, time delayed of course for the noobs. Reduce the benefits for the non-compliants on a sliding scale. Let them die off!

[Alice]

I agree that there is a large group of diabetics that are never "reached" by education...I personally think that more Type 2's are confused by info than Type 1's simply due to the fact that Type 1's are only treated by insulin whereas only a small portion of Type 2's are taking insulin. Those that take insulin seem to be ahead of the curve...not because they are taking insulin, but they are getting additional info in some manner. Others are walking around with the belief that "eating better" means not eating sugar and seem proud that they "have never needed pills"...and such.

The forgotten segment I speak about are the people that I meet everyday at lunch. Those that tell me they don't go near sugar...but are sitting with a plate of biscuits, white gravy and honey on their plates. And are "medication free".

While I think there is patient responsibility in 80% of cases, there is just too large of a group that seems to fall into the cracks. They are basically written off as "too old", "non-compliant" or "underinsured" to receive up-to-date info.

This is the group that ADA & JDRF need to seek out. The doctors aren't going to do it...

[Hammer]

Sorry there XMenace, but I have to disagree with your method. If they adopted your method and dropped anyone who ignored the disease, then what about those who ignore it at first, then decide they want to take control, but can't because they're denied the strips, meter, meds, etc.?

A lot of people ignore diabetes at first, then decide on doing the right thing. Also, what recommendations should people listen to, the ADA or the people here? The ADA would hold more weight, so if you didn't adhere to their recommendations, you'd be cut off? Everyone here would fall into that category, so we'd all be cut off.

[DarthDiabetes]

I totally agree and disagree here, I believe that an artificial pancreas will come much sooner then a cure (for either type) and while this is wonderful, and really all we can focus on (good control) I guess I do buy into the theory, conspiracy or not, that a cure is not profitable.

[mg_2204]

... what kind of future is there for the human race when $$$$$ are more important than people??!?!

[mg_2204]

Originally Posted by xMenace

They should be actively seeking out the uncontrolled, dragging them into their den by the ears, and forcing effective, relevant control techniques down their throats. Yes, I would actively pursue the non-compliants.

I'm not very comfortable with that way of thinking I must say. Numerous elderly people have type 2 diabetes and sorry, most don't - can't - won't ?? understand concepts such as carbs, and testing on a regular basis. Mind you, doctors often don't provide them with meters! Or they are instructed to test once a week, once a month even! Most don't know what their numbers should be anyway. I have yet to meet an elderly person who knows what an A1C is. Some are told they could lose a foot or a few toes but they don't have a clue why they could lose those. We know all too well diabetes has more complications than losing a foot! And trust me, in my line of work I meet a lot of elderly people... Try to force relevant control techniques down the throat of an 80 year old woman

I often have quite interesting discussions about diabetes management with elderly people and believe it or not, as a younger T2, I was pretty much told the same thing they were once told : 'Take these twice a day, don't eat sugar and come back once a year for a blood test.'

I am perhaps the inquisitive type? Or curious? But that's just me. Some people believe doctors hold the absolute truth and will do as they are told. They won't ask questions, they won't wonder, they won't try to further their knowledge about their disease or the treatment ---and why should they??! After all, their doctor is supposed to be the expert and they believe they are in good hands.

Pharmaceutical companies make £ot$ of money with meds and supplies and they want to keep it that way but ignorance keeps doctors, nurses, and the entire medical team working and making money too. Never forget that. My guess is that as you read this post there is yet another recently diagnosed T2 diabetic being told : 'Take these twice a day, don't eat sugar, and come back once a year for a blood test.' Or (and most probably) another recently diagnosed T2 diabetic (or a very fed up one just like me!) is avidly reading 'Natural Diabetes Remedy' ...

It's all about education. But people are not getting it. Sad! And so unfortunate. I'm not ready to throw a stone at the individual. Ok, perhaps a few stones at the pharmaceutical companies

[jacobsam622]

Originally Posted by mg_2204

I'm not very comfortable with that way of thinking I must say. Numerous elderly people have type 2 diabetes and sorry, most don't - can't - won't ?? understand concepts such as carbs, and testing on a regular basis. Mind you, doctors often don't provide them with meters! Or they are instructed to test once a week, once a month even! Most don't know what their numbers should be anyway. I have yet to meet an elderly person who knows what an A1C is. Some are told they could lose a foot or a few toes but they don't have a clue why they could lose those. We know all too well diabetes has more complications than losing a foot! And trust me, in my line of work I meet a lot of elderly people... Try to force relevant control techniques down the throat of an 80 year old woman

I often have quite interesting discussions about diabetes management with elderly people and believe it or not, as a younger T2, I was pretty much told the same thing they were once told : 'Take these twice a day, don't eat sugar and come back once a year for a blood test.'

I am perhaps the inquisitive type? Or curious? But that's just me. Some people believe doctors hold the absolute truth and will do as they are told. They won't ask questions, they won't wonder, they won't try to further their knowledge about their disease or the treatment ---and why should they??! After all, their doctor is supposed to be the expert and they believe they are in good hands.

Pharmaceutical companies make £ot$ of money with meds and supplies and they want to keep it that way but ignorance keeps doctors, nurses, and the entire medical team working and making money too. Never forget that. My guess is that as you read this post there is yet another recently diagnosed T2 diabetic being told : 'Take these twice a day, don't eat sugar, and come back once a year for a blood test.' Or (and most probably) another recently diagnosed T2 diabetic (or a very fed up one just like me!) is avidly reading 'Natural Diabetes Remedy' ...

It's all about education. But people are not getting it. Sad! And so unfortunate. I'm not ready to throw a stone at the individual. Ok, perhaps a few stones at the pharmaceutical companies

I didn't start this thread so people could start attacking the ADA or drug companies. Every last one of you who takes a drug whether it be insulin or oral Medication owe your life to drug companies. Put another way "people who live in glass houses should not throw stones". The point of the thread was to find out what you think the ADA, Joslin Inst and other groups of there kind need to do to stay relevant "Constructively". Bashing is not going to help bring about change only open and honest discussion will do that.

[BlueSky]

The ADA has become a business interest group and is essentially beholden to its contributors. The list of top contributors below speaks for itself. They are mostly pharmaceutical companies that make a lot of money out of catering for diabetes requirements. You will note that Cadburys Scweppes is in there. It was after Cadburys pledged their financial support that the ADA announced that sweetened drinks are OK for diabetics. Such thinly veiled pandering to vested financial interests makes taking the ADA seriously kind difficult.....

Granted, the ADA does a huge amount of work. They spent $223million dollars doing it in 2006. My question is, to what extent did this benefit diabetics? In the 30 years that I have been a diabetic, I have not used any services of a diabetes association. A cure, if and when it happens, is likely to come from a commercially funded startup. And I have not found ADAr information particularly useful either. So, no, these groups are not "relevant" in terms of my experience of being a diabetic.

[mg_2204]

Originally Posted by jacobsam622

Bashing is not going to help bring about change only open and honest discussion will do that.

I was simply giving my opinion. Now if that is considered bashing well sorry. I shall keep my opinions to myself.