Questions for Research

Type 2
1

I am doing a research paper on diabetes but I am having a very hard time getting people around me to talk about it. I have come up with some basic questions that I think are important. The main focus for this project is sharing the struggles, fears, and daily lives of people who suffer with diabetes. Because this is a reseach paper for an English 100 class at Western Kentucky University, I need your permission to use your words. If you would like to participate i9n the discussion, but don't want the world to see what your answers are, please email your answers to amanda.gouy584@wku.edu. Also, if you would like a personal copy of the research, I would love to provide you with one. And, tu.diabetes requests a copy of the finished work, therefore, I would like to know if you want me to use your real name. I have been using individuals initials so that they are able to find their "words" in this paper. I want to thank you in advance for your help and look forward to all the responses.

Best wishes,

Amanda Gouy Morgan

1. When did you find out you were a diabetic?


2. How did you find out you were a diabetic?


3. What were your immediate feelings after the diagnosis?


4. What are your fears?


5. What are your struggles?


6. Do you have a support team?


7. How do you control diabetes?


8. Does your support team hurt/help you? Can you give examples?


9. Do you have a family history of diabetes?


10. Would you like to add anything?

2

My daughter was diagnosed at age 6.
She was always drinking and going to the bathroom and also always hungry.
She was too young to understand, but managed.
Her fears are that she would never be able to go an Insulin pump.
To keep her glucose at good control, so that she can have a good day.
Only the medical team,no support groups.
She takes 6 shots and checks 7 times a day.
They hurt her because with hold the adequate care and technology available out there for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics.
Several family members.
Pumps should be more accessible to both types of diabetes.

3

A very similar survey was done by Danny just recently. Did you check out the page with the info already provide?

4

Is this survey just for Type 2 Diabetics? Since it’s in the Type 2 Forum, I think that should be clarified before more people reply… as many of them are obviously Type 1.

5

ooops, sorry!! I am still figuring out the navigation. Ahh, good I was able to delete the comment!

6

I found out I was a diabetic at age 41 in 2010. I found out by going to the doctor and getting tested. I was falling asleep after eating carbs and would see double. My family would have a hard time waking me.I was also very thirsty.my feelings after being diagnosed was a denial. I kept thinkiing the doctor would call and say it was a mistake.I realised I really had diabetes when my doctor put me on two different insulins a month later. I accepted it by that point.my fears are the complcations of diabetes! I try to keep good control of my blood sugar to minimise the risks.my struggles include giving myself shots and checking blood on time four times a day. I control my diabetes with insulin pills and exercise. I go online for my support using diabetic support sites. Yes I have a family of diabetes.

7

Good question, Liz. I believe there is a qualitative difference in the experiences between type 1s and type 2s. It’s not that one has it rougher than the other, but that they are simply different. For instance, because the onset of type 1 is often fairly rapid with a overt symptoms, it is hard to ignore, whereas the onset of type 2 is insidious, sometimes taking years before doctors finally admit what has been going on. Type 1s are also more likely to receive education and access to a team of CDEs, nutritionists, and specialists immediately – in part because of the need to learn how to inject insulin immediately, in part because type 1 is viewed as acutely life threatening. OTOH, Type 2s have to fight tooth and nail just to see a CDE to discuss their diabetes needs even once, perhaps because of ignorance, belief that weight loss will “take care of” type 2, or maybe even simple stubbornness. While I’m fairly certain in the end, we all experience the same emotions, I think cause, solution, and meaning placed on the “everyday experiences” of the two types will differ, at least somewhat.

8

I am willing to do the survey, if you want type 1’s. Otherwise, ahh cant help.

rick phillips

9

I was diagnosed in May of this year.
2. I was sent for a blood test
3.Total disbelief since I exercised and my diet is good.
4.Living alone with a chronic illness.
5. Exercising without getting a ‘low’.
6. Yes.
7. Diabex XR, diet and exercise
8. I am deaf and my team is very foreign, I can’t understand what they say to me. Am in the process of changing.
9. No.
10. I guess I should say I have diabetes 2.

10

I like your reply, angela. I am so amazed at how little info my type 2 friends have been given, and how they are made to feel that they are “lazy and non-compliant” when they get so little actually correct information in the first place.

God bless
Brunetta

11

There has been a lot of replies, but most question are asking if the research is for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. I am a type 2 diabetic, which is were the research was mainly focused on. However, the biggest thing I have learned so far, is that many people with type 2 diabetes are not very vocal about it. (please understand this is MY opinion) I would like to know for everyone, regardless of the type of diabetes you have. I feel that we, as a group, have a lot of fears and struggles. And that is what my research is to show. That having diabetes is hard work, that many people struggle with every day. I would like to use all the responses in my research. If you an objection to this, please let me know ASAP. I am working on the final project now.

12

no, but I will. Would you like to answer the question or have any advise?

13

I am not having a lot of luck speaking with Type 2 diabetics. I am stating my opinion here, but I feel like people with type 2 diabetes are not as vocal about the disease. I wonder why?

14

OMG, you are so right. I am so frustrated at the help I get, because its not enough. Then when I tell someone I am a type 2 diabetic, their first response is that I should have exercised more and ate better.

15

Rick,

I would love to have your input.

Thanks!

16
  1. When did you find out you were a diabetic?

Type 2. November 17th, of 2009

  1. How did you find out you were a diabetic?

It’s been a long road of symptoms that were ignored, or treated as other things… but the final straw that broke the camel’s back were chronic yeast infections. My gynecologist diagnosed me.

  1. What were your immediate feelings after the diagnosis?

I was shocked that it had happened so early in my life… and then I thought “wow, I really blew it this time.” It took some time for me to understand that I didn’t do this to myself, nor could I have prevented this.

  1. What are your fears?

Further losing beta cell function, so that I have to go on medications or insulin, which are costly, as I do not have a job right now. Never being able to find a job because I have Diabetes, and companies love getting online and spying on people… Getting complications regardless of having good control… etc, etc.

  1. What are your struggles?

Not having access to a proper medical team due to a lack of insurance. I haven’t gotten to see an eye doctor, or a dentist, or a podiatrist… or even an endocrinologist. No access to affordable or paid for test strips.

  1. Do you have a support team?

I have one general practitioner that I visit every few months at a volunteer free, medical clinic. I only get about 15 minutes, don’t get a lot of guidance, get very few strips (if any) from them.

  1. How do you control diabetes?

With a low carb diet, and exercise.

  1. Does your support team hurt/help you? Can you give examples?

They mostly are there for running tests. They don’t really have any input into anything. And when they do, it is to tell me low carb is bad… Sure, I am sure doctors have NO trouble putting patients in dangerous experimental medications all the time… But no trouble telling people “NO way, you need to eat LOTS of carbs, every day!” or some other nonsense.

  1. Do you have a family history of diabetes?

Yes, but it has only ever been the men in my family who have had it… Until me. But I have PCOS as well.

  1. Would you like to add anything?

I feel that the Diabetes “crisis” is going to be more of a “crisis” for people to have to run and learn what to do, on their own… Because the medical establishment is so lacking, right now, when it comes to information, and tools, and giving rightful access to Diabetics to the tools they need… We really need MORE Dr. Bernsteins out there… more people who have this, who are aware how to deal with it, and to not put hurdles in patients ways.

17

can you lead me in the proper direction of danny’s questions? I am unable to locate it.

18

I am not really sure what discussion that poster was referring to… but this is Danny’s profile: http://www.tudiabetes.org/profile/Danny63?xg_source=profiles_memberList. Here are discussions Danny has started: https://forum.tudiabetes.org/topic/listForContributor?user=3aswq6djtm5h6&sort=discussionsStarted. If it’s blog posts, he usually archives those, so you may have to ask him for specific ones…

19

A poster earlier in this thread stated:

Reply by DARGIRL 21 hours ago
A very similar survey was done by Danny just recently. Did you check out the page with the info already provide?

I am not familiar with such a thread. Maybe you may know of something similar, Danny?

20

I deleted my lengthy post answering the question b/c someone pointed out that I was the wrong type! Now I learn it’s ok. Doubly sorry nubie?