Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lauren on January 16, 2010 at 2:31pm

In type one support groups that I've been to in the past a lot of what was talked about was really more type one oriented - talks of cures, treatment plans, dealing with the disease on a day to day basis, growing up with it, etc. While there are some similarities regarding the emotional stuff that goes along with dealing with either type, a large chunk of the topics brought up in the groups is going to be different and not really relevant to a type two. For example, a cure for type two diabetes is likely going to be different then a cure for type one diabetes. Stuff like that.

However, I don't think that it is cool for a group to be rude to a type two looking to join. You would think that they would have politely explained why they didn't want the original poster in the group or at least suggested an alternative. Sounds like the original poster just encountered a bunch of grumpy diabetics. It probably would have been a depressing group anyhow! :-p


(Oh, and I'm going to add one to your list -- planning for pregnancy. At some point the hubby and I are likely going to want to start a family and type one is really going to make that process hard. Most type twos don't have to deal with that).

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Permalink Reply by Natalie ._c- on December 14, 2010 at 1:20pm

Sorry for the late reply, but I had to answer this -- Type 2's have to deal with EXACTLY the same high-risk pregnancy management as Type 1's. Even if they were on pills before, they have to go on insulin, and deal with the same hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy.

Plus, many future Type 2's develop gestational diabetes, and have to deal with it all, too.

I wish you would take some time to learn about Type 2 and its difficulties -- sometimes they are different from Type 1, and sometimes they are exactly the same.

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Permalink Reply by Scott on January 7, 2010 at 7:17am

There are a lot of misconceptions about diabetes. And diabetics are not immune to them. We've had a number of discussions, such at this one, that have become very heated. Part of the issue is that they are really two different diseases. Similar symptoms and long term prognosis, but they have totally different treatments and causes.

T1's may look at T2's and say, they can just take a pill. They don't have to worry about having a seizure in the middle of the night from a hypo event. What T1's may not see is that controlling T2 takes changes to lifestyle. Dieting & exercise are two of the hardest lifestyle changes to make. The fact that so many T2s are diagnosed only after complications have already begun is heartbreaking.

Conversely, T2's may look at T1's and think that they can eat whatever they want because they can just take extra insulin. If a T2 skips their meds for a day it may not really be that big a deal, numbers run a little high. If a T1 doesn't take their insulin, even if they don't eat anything, they will be in a coma and most likely dead within 24 hours. A T2 may not see that controlling T1 takes constant attention, all day, every day on how whatever you are doing will affect your BG.

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Permalink Reply by Zoe on January 7, 2010 at 8:08am

I'm going to basically skip over the "are we the same or are we different?" question in my response because I think the answer is "both the same AND different". (human beings trying to control our blood sugar who have two different type problems doing so).

What I do want to comment on is the whole homogenous group thing. As someone who ran therapy groups for many years I was aware that one of the most valuable thing about any group, aside from any professional expertise the facilitator brings is the value of people dealing with the same issue in life getting together and sharing it. Whether that issue is Depression, Eating Disorders, Alcoholism or Type 1 Diabetes, great peace of mind comes from knowing you are not alone, that someone understands your unique experience in life and can help you carry the load. This attitude can go a bit far at times like "you can't possibly understand me because you are not an alcoholic, never suffered from an addiction, not a Type 1". It can become an "us and them" angry attitude that isn't healthy and it sounds like those Type 1's who e-mailed you were victims of that. For professionals there are arguments for both sides. If you have a group with more varied experience (say different age groups, genders, or Type 1's and 2's in the same group), they can learn from each other. Type 2's for example generally work more with diet and exercise as their sole tool; Type 1's have often been living with diabetes longer, etc. But bottom line is there is no excuse for rudeness. Me, I got to "walk in the other's shoes" even before coming to TuD because I was misdiagnosed as Type 2 for a year and a half before being rediagnosed as LADA.

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Permalink Reply by The Diabetic Welfare Queen on January 7, 2010 at 8:45am

I think every person, and their diabetic complications may be very distinct and personal, as well. I know my dad, who was a Type 2, didn't have nearly all the complications that many Type 1's have... but he sure had a lot of hypo episodes, and he sure was in the hospital a lot for either low, or high blood sugar. He got to a level that no diet or exercise, or oral meds could help him at all to control his Diabetes, and he always, always followed his diet. Did everything doctors asked him to do. I think due to much ignorance about insulin, and other options, my family just insisted he do it with exercise and diet until there was just no way he could anymore, because his pancreas was a total fail. My father endured dialisis, blindness, neuropathy of the legs, heart disease, strokes, you name it. I think, honestly, we can't judge another person's experience just by our own. How the disease progresses is a completely individual thing. What we can do is fight for more balanced and accurate information out there, fight for tougher requirements for more educated healthcare professionals, and fight for more funding for research. Am I a bad Diabetic because I'm not going blind right now, but will most likely when I'm 60, like my dad? I don't think so. We really should step away from that mentality.

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Permalink Reply by Christalyn on January 8, 2010 at 1:53am

Any type of flucuation from normal body rhythm has got to cause some kind of hinderance in the body. Yeah a TYPE 2 may be able to take just a pill, but it may not be enough. It certainly doesn't mean you can go pig out. I know personally I have paid the piper for "pigging out" and taking my meds. I am normally sluggish and can't move.

There are times where my meds make me feel sick and I don't go out in public fearing I may calapse. If you don't know Metformin cause GI track problems which is not cute to have happen when a toilet is now around.

I just hired a personal trainer to help me change my "physical habits." I couldn't do it alone. It just wasn't happening.

As for a Type 1 taking extra insulin. I refer back to my earlier comment. Taking or doing anything outside the normal on a consistant basis will have a profound affect on the body. This is why they try to keep people on schedules. I have discovered this secret and appreciate everybody that has to change their lifestyle to live like us.

I was told my a pharm sales rep. that eventually all TYPE 2 will be come like Type 1 because our pancreas will eventually breakdown and turn into a dudd. Do you know is this true??

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Permalink Reply by Marps on January 8, 2010 at 6:27am

I have heard the same. I wouldn't say ALL, but I would say a large percentage. Maybe not even half of Type 2s, but still... eventually many type 2s will also have to be on injections because even at diagnosis your pancreas is saying "Man, I'm tired!"

After a few years of giving it meds (making it lazy) and/or not changing your physical habits, it's just gonna say: "F it." Keep in mind, when the pharmacist said that, he was also including many elderly people who are type 2. They would be older and many of their normal organs would be getting "tired" by that point anyway.

So, yes it's possible.. but I would say he was incorrect in stating ALL.

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Permalink Reply by Monique Lopez on January 8, 2010 at 11:18am

No it's definitely not true!

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Permalink Reply by Cara on January 8, 2010 at 1:41pm

I've never heard that all type 2s will become type 1s. I'd think the ones who do are misdiagnosed to begin.

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Permalink Reply by nel on January 8, 2010 at 5:12pm

My knowledge is : the true type 2 person using insulin is a type 2 insulin dependent , usually insulin resistant , may still require metformin .

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Permalink Reply by Joshua Marshall on January 27, 2010 at 11:06am

Well said, Scott.

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Permalink Reply by Cara on January 7, 2010 at 8:15am

Type 1 and Type 2 are totally different animals. Type 1s make no insulin and require insulin constantly and forever. It is also an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system attacked the pancreas and destroyed the islet producing cells. Type 2s are insulin resistant, and don't always require insulin. Type 2 seems to have more of a genetic component to it, meaning it runs in families, but this can also be the case in type 1.

Most of the research and news in the media deal with type 2 and its treatment. When I hear the word diabetes on TV, I listen closely, only to find out it deals with type 2.

When I was expecting my 1st child, I was on a diabetic and expecting group and they were all gestational diabetics. These women would whine and complain about having to test their blood sugar and take insulin and woe is me was their attitude. I got fed up one day and went off, telling them I'd gladly trade places with them. Once their baby was born, the chances of them still needing the insulin was slim. I would still require it, and the only thing which would change would be the amount of insulin I'd need to take. I was very angry at their attitude towards what was actually my life until I'm dead.

I think all diabetics need to treat themselves gently and respectfully and take care of themselves. We all have a chronic illness which requires nearly constant monitoring. Its exhausting no matter what.

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