I think that most people with Type 0 (thank you Patient X and Jean V…) don’t have a clue about T1 or T2. I seem to puzzle a lot of people @ work, etc. who are like “I had no idea that giant thing on your belt with a tube coming out of it was an expensive artificial organ!”. It doesn’t make them evil or whatever but it is very hard for me to imagine not knowing anything about diabetes since I am rather preoccupied with it? I will say that I’ve been intrigued to learn more about T2 by hanging out in this diverse community. It fits in nicely with what I’ve read about the history of the genetic causes of both diseases. I knew I should have gone to medical school!
Since you “know than me about diabetes” I expect you to use that information in its prevention. Please continue the work in educating yourself. I am happy to hear it because there are still lots of Type 1’s that refuse to be as diligent as yourself in learning about Type 2.
There is literature that would suggest that Type 2’s should start on insulin or a combo of insulin and pills. Of course you knew this all ready from your research. So this is a difference of opinion in the medical community on how to treat Type 2 upon diagnosis. A co worker of mine got diagnosed 2 month before me. he was immediately started on insulin. I was given pills. Now I have moved on to pills and insulin.
I don’t mine explaining the differance. I have been doing it for years.
Sense there has been so much media in recent years, I believe that some people are starting to understand.
In recent conversation with my friends, they have been asking questions as to why there is such an increase in diabetes. Typically it stricks up a intelligent conversation. Don’t always consider it negative. Perhaps one day someone who may overhear your conversation will recognize the symptoms in themselves or a family member and will be able to obtain treatment.
Dargirl, I like your positive spin!
However the fact that diabetes is in the media a lot might not be a good thing. Most media coverage is pretty questionable. If I were Type Zero, I’d think that Type 1 was the ‘worse’ type, which you only get as a kid. And that Type 2 is the ‘mild’ type, which only overweight, sedentary middle-aged people get, and which would go away with diet and exercise…
I am insulin dep. Type 2. I still take meds too. So if I was to get off of insulin I probably would still have to take pills. I want to do what ever it takes to keep my body working properly. I am even trying weight loss which is hard when you don’t think you are terribly fat to begin with.
Where did you read that Type 2 lose 4% of insulin production a year? This is interesting.
I remember yelling at the television a few weeks ago because a doctor (a doctor!) was talking about diabetes and how it was caused by poor diet. Never specified the type and, even if he did, it would still be insulting to Type 2’s!
The ONLY reason Type 1’s get so much attention is b’c it’s mainly children who get it. Now I’m 47 years old and nobody pays this Type 1 any attention. Hey we DO grow up.
Yes, as far as the public is concerned, diabetes usually means type 2. It IS the most common kind, so in a sense I can see why it gets more attention. However Type 1 has been around forever, and insulin treatment is the only way to manage it and people do know about insulin, at least a little.
What people find most surprising is when they find out that I am adult who did not have diabetes up until I turned 42, and then it was Type 1. They’re always kind of taken aback by that.
But hey I’ve no problem explaining the differences and as far as I’m concerned, if the media can’t do it right at this time, I’m not going to wait around for it to explain the difference to people I meet and people I know.
Well, actually most T1s are adults by far. In fact, by some measures, more adults are diagnosed T1 than kids. But kids get the sympathy vote and when it comes to getting peoples money, nothing beat a kid diagnosed with a chronic condition. And just in case you feel like nobody is paying attention, maybe the JDRF is starting to get the message. Read this interview, the JDRF will hopefully be worrying more about adults and focusing more on preventative issues.
Thank you bsc. I just wanted to blow off. Yes I know the facts but MANY ppl (including the JDRF) sometimes forget those little kids grow up. I’ve been a Type 1 since I was 10 and my daughter is also a Type 1 She took it at 11 but is now 22. Kids are what are used many times when it comes to diabetes. But as we all know there’s loads more adults with Type 1 than there really are children
I have no problem explaining it to folks either. Alot of what you just said is so true. But I will leave it where it is. (poor me LOL)
Wouldn’t it though?
It was a pediatric endocrinologist named Dr. Steven Ponder. Let me see if I can find the post… found it.
http://www.caller.com/news/2011/mar/02/breaking-down-the-myths-about-diabetes/
I look at it this way. If we do not explain the differences and do the educating on types and what can and can not be prevented then those with type 0 are going to take the little tibits of misinformation from T.V or where ever and believe it. I can honestly say that my college is great in the sense that people there have been educated about diabetes for the first time last yr when the college did the jdrf walk and stop diabetes as well as educating on world diabetes day. These people now come up to me and will say your the type 1 right? you need insulin? And I say yep there are great and with this type of education going around I feel we really get the word out on diabetes! I would rather help people understand and let them ask the questions then not know and spread false information. I am blessed to go to a college that is so proactive in the fight for a cure!
As a former type 2 but secretly type 1 all along. Depending on the doctor you go to and what your overall blood work is that is how they start the treatment. My first doctor told me I was type 2 but I will always be on insulin. I got a second opinion and that doctor decided to start me on pills with a mere 10 units of insulin at night. The next doctor changed my pills and diet dramatically. I was also told to lose about 15 to 20 pounds and exercise 30,mins daily even if its just walking. This particular doctor did not want to increase my insulin because she thought I was young and could maintain it so that was her method exercising. Which actually helped me stay as healthy as I did that is until the secret came out…lol…I think it is irresponsible for any doctor to treat someone with diabetes based on research and not the patients blood work because as you know it affects everyone differently.
People with type 1 generally have no choice but to know more about diabetes. People with type 2 have the luxury of being attentive to their disease if and when they feel like it. Mainly because it takes about 20 years for it to really break your body down and it can take a matter of minutes for a type 1. I commend you and every type 2 here for taking it seriously.
Acidrock is right. To develop Type 2, you have to have the genetic make up first. Being obese can make the Type 2 “come out”, but the genetic make up had to have been there to begin with.
It’s hard explaining the differences between the types when even fellow diabetics don’t understand. We should all be banding together to present the best possible scenarios and truths.
- Type 1 for 13 years.
I agree with everything you are saying Doris, I’m Type 1, diagnosed at only 9-months-old, not even one yet and I’m now 22. T1D is the reason why I grew up so fast. I’m a firm believer when it comes to separating or changing the name of type 1 and type 2. honestly, i believe if people weren’t so confused between the two, type 1 fundraisers would attract more money in finding a cure and we would have one by now simply because its commonly diagnosed in childhood. but the MEDIA are so focused on the obesity and poor eating habits “idea of diabetes” that they just don’t care about finding a cure for either one of us! when I was younger i absolutely hated when people said type 1 and type 2 are the same, as a child i didn’t believe a type 2 had a right to compare themselves to me. But that was when I was a kid!! LOL!
Hi Brian: “Follow the money” also takes you to why there is so much emphasis on children with Type 1 diabetes, instead of the vast majority of new-onset Type 1 diabetes which is seen in those >20 years old. Cute kids garner a lot of sympathy and dollars for a cure, and JDRF and ADA both exploit this. Some adult who gets Type 1 just isn’t going to look cute on a poster or in a Congressperson’s office. Sadly, of course, this leads to the myth that only children get Type 1, and a whole lot of misdiagnosis of adult-onset Type 1’s as Type 2 diabetes.
My older brother is now pre-diabetic. Type 2 runs in my father’s side of the family- only showing in my grandfather who is tall and lean, but obviously getting older in his 80s. Didn’t develop Type 2 until about 5 years ago.
My brother is 6’3" and just over 200 lbs. He regularly works out, works in a machine shop, so is constantely moving around and is not obese- hardly overweight at all. He carries a lot of muscle and uses the bike and elliptical machines to keep his metabolism up. He eats mostly vegetables and small amounts of meats. Extremely low carb. Age 29
Type 1 doesnt run in my family either. But the jury is still out on what causes Type 1. I’m the first in my bloodline to have Type 1 show it’s head. It could have been a gene my family carried for years, or it could have been caused by some environmental factor- such as limited vitamin D exposure.
One of the BEST ways to get someone’s eyes to roll back in their head is having ME try to explain the difference between T1 and T2, LOL (at myself!). I pay close attention to my “audience” and maintain a healthy dose of humor. Even if they don’t understand, I know that they ARE trying to empathize with me and I appreciate it.
One of the easiest steps that the media could take is to clearly label every diabetes report with T1 or T2 (tag it, too for search engine purposes!).
For example, a TV report could start with “Latest news on Type 2 diabetes treatments…”, or “I’m speaking with Dr. N Doe Crine, a specialist in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes patients…”
Fair Winds,
Mike