I assume that they are referencing diabulimia, meaning withholding insulin rather than abusing it. I am a little disappointed by the choice of the word “opportunity” – which implies a positive option – but I’ll assume that it was simply a poor choice of words. Anyone who has experienced DKA, and most T1s do at diagnosis, would never think of it is a positive option no matter how tempting the thought of ‘easy’ weightloss might be for some…
Yes, diabulimia. I think diabulimia’s horrible, but I don’t see it as unique at all. IMO the main way it differs from other eating disorders is the method rather than the aetiology. If you need insulin and you avoid taking it, and you automatically lose weight, you have the ability to do yourself more harm more quickly than does a person whose anorexia convinces them they should not eat, or a person whose bulimia convinces them to throw up.
It’s easier to display disordered eating, not easier to cope with or anything.
You don’t know anthing about it Frances - absolutely nothing
Frances–before you continue making uneducated remarks towards young women with eating disorders, why don’t you google “type 1 diabetes eating disorders”…there are a plethora of heartwrenching blogs out there that are written by young women who not only deal with the difficult “minute by minute” phenomenon that is type 1 diabetes, but the social pressures to be thin, the media throwing the word “diabetes” around, describing it as a disease for the lazy,fat drains on the medical system…look, Jacq is right. You have no idea what you are talking about, nor do you have a clue what it is like to have type 1 diabetes. Not a clue.
Luck and genes. Thats it. I don’t think there is any behavior one could do to go about deliberateloy giving themselves T1 or T2 diabetes. If, for some idoitic reason, one were to want to get diabetes, there is no behavioral things one could do. You can’t eat yourself there, you can’t lazy yourself there. There are many (many many) more overweight people in the world without diabetes than with. Short of surgery or chemicals to destroy the pancrease, there is nothing one can do to get diabetes. That is true of both T1 and T2.
T1 and T2 have that in common. Which also means we have in common that we did not do anything to get diabetes.
Yea we have different ways the condition might be treated, that is treatment once diagnosed to mitigate and minimize and etc. I take Lexapro, for depression. That certainly does not mean that my depression is caused by a lack of Lexapro, or caused by my not taking Lexapro all my life. Its a treatment.
To All:
One of our most important values in the community is that of Diversity and Respect. Quoting from the post “Values of TuDiabetes”:
“We value diverse points of view. All people touched by diabetes are welcome. You may find opinions and positions that are not similar to yours and it’s OK to disagree. It’s just not OK to do so in a disrespectful manner. If you are unsure about whether something may be disrespectful to others, try to put yourself in the shoes of the other person and consider how you would feel if you were on the receiving end of the comments/contribution you are making.”
We don’t expect everyone to agree on everything, but let’s please make sure we do so being mindful of how things come across, respecting others. The purpose of this community is to help bring people touched by diabetes together, not tear them apart. Please help us in our effort to raise awareness rather than taking out our aggressions on one another.
Thanks,
The TuDiabetes Administration Team
There is a brilliant remix of it made into a techno tune on youtube though di, di ,di ,diabetes - Seriously check it out TOO funny.
Hi oh its so good to hear that im not the only one who gets upset and soooo tired of repeating myself, i think your so right that if people knew more about which type of diabetes is which and that no matter which type you are it is not a funny subject for anybody. I think the most ignorant and totally abusive comment i keep on getting when i tell people that i am diabetic which to some extent i am happy to do is ’ oh so you were a fat kid then, isnt that what diabetes is a fat people disease’ And oh boy anger management comes in to play then, or when people say to me whilst changing my canula site or checking my blood ‘cant you do that some where else’. No is the answer and would you inject yourself in a public toilet. People are mean but the problem is how do we get people more aware of the situation and how in some cases that yes it is caused by over eating or eating the wrong type of food with no exersise but this is a decision that every person who puts thier body through this is aware of, and then there are people who have no choice but to carry on and learn to live like this not through being unhealthy or lazy but due to genetic make up ect. How to help people to understand will be the next step and again how do we do this. racking my brains now. (can you hear the creaking)
i take it hard when people make comments about my diabetes or my insulin pump. it just still in a way hurts me, even though i have had it for 7 years. will it ever stop hurting when people comment about it?
I think we all take it a little hard when someone is ignorant about our illness as it is so personal to us. It can be really frustrating when people don’t understand what we go through but I always try to remember they may have something in their lives that I don’t know anything about. I guess I’m lucky as I have surrounded myself with people who are not stupid enough to judge me and a boyfreind who likes having an ‘android’ as a girlfriend. I think it’s useful to take these comments and try to educate the speaker. Of course it can get exhausting and sometimes I just don’t bother but luckily my friends/ family are the first to jump in and verbally slap anyone who is rude to me. I guess that’s what makes the whole thing easier to deal with 
oh well when you put it like that your right being a better person and helping people understand is so much more important than getting angrey over what they say. I should think myself blessed too for having such fantastic friends and family as well as a very tolerant loving husband. its great to hear every ones views makes me think about things in a wider perspective and seeing maybe how much i need to relax and enjoy life a bit more
I think many people are just plain ignorant about diabetes, unfortunately. I have nurse friends who don’t seem to understand what needs to be done with a high or low blood sugar and that just floors me! My kids know! I also think when people do have it as a punch line for something is because they’re uncomfortable with it. Which is sad. I treat people’s ignorance as a time to teach them, and I make it quick and to the point. I have found, though, when people find out I’m a type 1, they are full of questions, mostly good ones, and they want to learn. Although some people think it is a terrible thing to have type 1, I’m partially glad I have it. It has been life changing for me in many good ways, and some really irritatingly obnoxious ways too. Would I trade it in, maybe. But would I end up with something more life threatening, probably. At least diabetes won’t kill me, unless I allow it to.
Your comment re nurse friends reminded me of my favorite instance recently: I went to see a new GP. Granted, I see an endo for diabetes but my GPs in the past have at least a solid idea of diabetes while not being specifically trained for it. She said, “I see on your form that you take Humalog. No long term insulin?” So I said, “oh actually, I’m on a pump.” She gave me a blank look and replied, “so no long term? You should have both.” AH!
My favorite is when they frame it with “I’m a [insert medical profession here], so I know what I’m talking about… This is how you do it! Insulin is for treating lows!” lol
My other personal favorite is “Don’t you dare say such and such is wrong! They are a [insert medical profession here]! They have done research and studying you and I could never possibly do! You should never have candy!” lol
Umm, Lizmari, I can’t see how anyone thinks insulin is for treating lows. How you come across anyone with that position (post 1982) is, honestly, beyond me.
It isn’t even funny. If you do, indeed, come across such types you should’nt be laughing.
I think that because D is controllable with whatever works for you makes it more “humorous”. 
I really don’t care too much. They don’t know me and as far as I am concerned if they are going to judge me for something that what not a choice for me then they do not deserve to know me as a person.
If you really want to watch something funny about diabetes, watch “Half Baked”. Hilarious, I promise.
People make fun of everything…It does not bother me, ignorance is ignorance, it is what you do and say when it matters that should count the most.
I’ve had diabetes for almost 20 years and the comments and ignorance continues. The newest craze of course is “does your insulin pump let you text/have GPS?” Unfortunately thats just the way it is with a lot of major diseases. I just roll with it. I find that if you poke a little fun at yourself, it puts a lot of these ignorant/rude people out of place and they shut up. Unfortunately that doesn’t work for everyone - I have a pretty sarcastic sense of humor! - C
I have finally gotten to the point here in Baton Rouge of telling people off about Diabetes. It seems I run into a lot of people claim to be T2 some I could see it yes many no way. Their facts are all screwed up and I just think they are liars and that’s beside the point. Like I have said before if you are a diabetic claim it take a stand and move on with life. It is true in some T2’s that losing weight and exercise can make your diabetes seem to go away only because you are more active and burning more carbs and watching what you eat if you slow down on all that you will see it right back. So all the loose a little weight and the eat less crap I am tired of hearing I maintained a weight for many years after high school it was 195 until I about 30 then I went to 225 for a while lost weight and felt like crap so I made sure to gain it back and felt better I started taking insulin and gained another now 30 lbs and yes I now feel sluggish and will start to exercise more as soon as I heal from a broken ankle and foot. Before people open their mouth they should have some facts and look at the situation in front of them. Not all people are diabetic because of weight it is a medical condition.
What really bugs me (I’m a mother of a newly diagnosed 14 year old with type 1) is when “well meaning” people start talking about their brother or cousin with diabetes (who is now blind) but doing well… I don’t really want to hear about the long term complications at this time and I truly (maybe naively) believe that with the latest advances, this will not happen to my child! Also, tired of hearing “it could be worse, it could be cancer”… I know a lot of people who have survived cancer and have moved on. Diabetes is constant… until the cure of course… My daughters boyfriend is type 1 and got a track scholarship to college. His friends used to put bags of sugar in his locker as a joke… he rolled with it, but how stupid!