Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lili on June 20, 2007 at 6:56pm

I don't because of all the media stories lately using "Type 1.5" to refer to double diabetes instead. It just gets too confusing. So I just say I'm a Type 1 most of the time, unless they want to discuss it in detail.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by M on June 20, 2007 at 11:09pm

Double diabetes is a term I've never heard of over here (New Zealand). Then again, I haven't really heard anyone use the term Type 1.5, other than online. I don't think double diabetes is even recognised as a name - not sure though, I've never been in a situation where I'd hear anyone say it. In fact, I'm not even sure that I've ever heard anyone use the term LADA either!

It can get confusing being on an international site where we seem to have quite a few things - even insulin names - that are just different enough to confuse us all!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kathy Barbis on June 21, 2007 at 8:02am

I just call myself a type 1. If anyone questions it (but you werent diagnosed until your 20's, i thought type 1 was for kids)
If i am talking to someone familiar with the disease, I may elaborate.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gail Suzanna on June 21, 2007 at 6:23pm

I call myself a type 1.5, because I like being unique! I get lots of comments from people who have never heard of it, but it is simple to just tell them it is late onset type 1 in adults. I've heard type 1.5 being referred to as double diabetes, too. So I may eventually just say I am type 1. Some surveys don't give you the option to select type 1.5, so then I select type 1.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Susan K. on June 23, 2007 at 9:56am

I just say Type 1. Many people don't even know what that means. The average non-diabetic person, I am finding, knows next to nothing about diabetes and may vaguely "know someone" who has or had it (usually a Type 2) and tends to ask questions like "How many shots a day do you give yourself?" and "Can you eat _____?" Or, if they know what Type 1 diabetes is, they look puzzled and say, "But only children get that." Sometimes, if the person seems curious, I take the time to explain the whole deal to them (the autoimmune process, the fact that I have to give myself a shot literally every time I put something in my mouth, the fact that it's carbs that raise your blood sugar and a diabetic person does not have to avoid everything that contains sugar), but other times I don't feel like teaching Diabetes 101. It all depends on my mood.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Leslie Dare on June 28, 2007 at 2:03pm

Ditto on all fronts. Sometimes when I'm obsessing (in a positive way) about diabetes, I'm willing to teach D-101. But I'm struggling emotionally with it, then I tend to hide and minimize conversation about it.

So true that many don't know what it means.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Khürt Williams on June 23, 2007 at 10:46am

I don't mention Type 1.5 or LADA at all. Most people don't even know that there are different types. For those that know there is a difference I just say "I am Type 1".

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tim Neill on June 23, 2007 at 7:37pm

I usually just go with "Insulin dependent" if it's just a normal person on the street asking, that usually stops the line of questioning.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Chloe on June 24, 2007 at 3:17pm

I just consider myself type 1, since my chart and my letter to fly with my stuff say type 1. I really haven't told anyone about being diabetic, but when I wrote it on my chart at my annual eye exam I received a strange comment from the technician. He said, "you don't look fat, did you lose a lot of weight?" Honestly, wasn't quite sure how to respond then, but I sure have a few things would say today!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by sosowhat on July 29, 2007 at 8:18pm

I say T1, but as a chatty Cathy this usually leads to a more detailed description of my woes!
Most people have no idea of what we have to freakin' do.... and I am happy for them... (not beig sarcastic... sincere)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rebecca on May 4, 2008 at 5:41pm

I gave up too. I say I have a odd form of Type 1 and that my pancreas is about to give out. I usually don't get anymore questions after that. It might not be 100% accurate, but it resolves the issue.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Melitta on May 4, 2008 at 7:27pm

I say I have Type 1 diabetes. I had rapid-onset Type 1 at age 35 (along with Hashimoto's disease, another autoimmune disease that is linked to Type 1), and I am very insulin-sensitive (quite the opposite of insulin resistant). It is just a myth that Type 1 diabetes is a childhood disease. I personally think it works against us to say we have Type 1.5 or LADA. A new book, "Type 1 Diabetes in Adults: Principles and Practice" (Informa Healthcare, 2008) says that adult-onset autoimmune diabetes is two to three times more common than classic childhood onset autoimmune diabetes (p. 27). Those of us diagnosed as adults represent the vast majority of Type 1's. The Expert Committee on the Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus doesn't recognize Type 1.5 or LADA; the Expert Committee says, "Type 1 diabetes results from a cellular-mediated autoimmune destruction of the beta-cells of the pancreas. In Type 1 diabetes, the rate of beta-cell destruction is quite variable, being rapid in some individuals (mainly infants and children) and slow in others (mainly adults)."

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page