[Nachman]

My sister came over today and in the course of conversation she said "Well your not a full blown diabetic, your just a 'two diabetic'. I explained to her that most diabetics are type two and that with an A1c of 10.5 I am most certainly a 'full blown diabetic'. She didn't know what an A1c is, and didn't seem to care. She explained that since I don't have to take shots I am not really a diabetic. She thinks I am a hypochondriac, which, by the way, she is. I just let it drop for the sake of peace in the family. The ignorance is frustrating. Since I was diagnosed only a month ago I have come to realize that many otherwise intelligent people know nothing of diabetes, but I didn't expect that from my own family.

 

[jwags]

I was dx'd with an HbA1c of well over 10, similar to yours. Since I am fairly thin lots of people don't believe I am a diabetic , either. My oldest daughter who is 31 got into a heated discussion with me about it. She felt I over exaggerate my diabetes and need to eat low carb. I think the general public, family members included are extremely uneducated about diabetes. Tell your sister to read Blood Sugar 101 if she really wants to know what diabetes is.

 

[Patdart]

This sounds much like a discussion my 47 yr old daughter and I had this spring. Oh, well, so I'm a dieter, and not diabetic; she'll learn as she gains more age. She and her best friend are on the road there. She runs or walks fast a couple of miles a day and when her knees wear out, she'll learn better, maybe or hopefully maybe not! They made fun of me when I told them the ADA diet causes them to eat too many carbs. Couldn't believe me.

In any case, we must take care of ourselves,

 

[skb]

I have many diabetic friends & family members. It amazes me the lack of interest people have in their own health & condition. Fully knowing that I have excellent control, better research and knowledge doesn't stop many of them, making their own educated remarks. Sometimes I argue, sometimes I just smile & let it be.

I can do what I can do, the rest is up to them.

 

[Storm]

People have no idea it's ten times harder to be a diet controlled diabetic than be on insulin. Even with pills, it's very hard. I was relieved to start insulin.

 

[VeeJay]

People have no idea it's ten times harder to be a diet controlled diabetic than be on insulin. Even with pills, it's very hard. I was relieved to start insulin.

I want to take a mild exception to the idea that diet is harder than using insulin. Yes, it's harder if your pancreas doesn't make eough insulin and your diet doesn't do the job without making extreme sacrifices in quality of meals. BUT, if diet doesn't have to be too extreme and does the job, it isn't really that hard. YMMV

Meds and insulin are tools for controlling BG - as is diet. One should use what is needed. I don't see it as a challenge, but as a journey.

 

[smorgan]

Actually with all the "ifs" you gave, I'd say controlling with diet is much easier not to mention safer than controlling with insulin. Insulin requires a LOT of accuracy, calculating doses, eating food in the right amounts and at the right time. Errors in any of these can cause highs which obviously are damaging and even extreme lows which are even more harmful and can even be deadly. There is no such danger for a T2 controlling with diet alone.

Personally, I'll use insulin if I have to but ONLY then. I'll never use any oral meds.

I want to take a mild exception to the idea that diet is harder than using insulin. Yes, it's harder if your pancreas doesn eat't make eough insulin and your diet doesn't do the job without making extreme sacrifices in quality of meals. BUT, if diet doesn't have to be too extreme and does the job, it isn't really that hard. YMMV

Meds and insulin are tools for controlling BG - as is diet. One should use what is needed. I don't see it as a challenge, but as a journey.

 

[optimist]

I am type 1, but often meet people who know someone type 2 who doesnt care what they eat at all
Since my insulin doesnt work properly, I have to be extreme strict how many carbo I eat in addition to take shots.
When I tell someone "no thanks, but I cant eat/drink that since I`m diabetic" they tell me diabetes is a piece of cake and they know people which eat cakes, candy and chocolate every day, and I`m just trying to make my self interesting
I then just smile and starts to talk about other stuff. I have not the energy to convince them what a person with diabetes eat, either he/she has type 1 or 2, is really important.

 

[Patdart]

Well, darn it, you are interesting as it is, Optimist!

I have several friends who are diabetic and manage theirs differently than I do with lots of meds and eat as you say so it is confusing to the general population. In fact, one of them is a nurse.

 

[VeeJay]

I have several friends who are diabetic and manage theirs differently than I do with lots of meds and eat as you say so it is confusing to the general population. In fact, one of them is a nurse.

A couple people I know well do this - and are following their doctor's advice in doing so - who now have lost some feeling in their feet. One is a young woman - well, young to me - probably in her mid-forties. This is very sad, especially so because neither are willing to even think about changing their diet.

 

[CarolSue]

When I tell someone "no thanks, but I cant eat/drink that since I`m diabetic" they tell me diabetes is a piece of cake and they know people which eat cakes, candy and chocolate every day, and I`m just trying to make my self interesting

I realize I'm responding to an old post. I have found that when someone offers me something I shouldn't eat I just say "No thank you, I don't care for any." No further explanation. If you say that you're on a diet or you're diabetic, this just makes them try harder to get your to eat it, or feel guilty about not eating it. My MIL used to offer me pie and I would say "No thank you". She would put it in front of me anyway, and I would just let it sit there. Later, when she said "You didn't eat your pie" I would reply, "I told you I didn't want any." Eventually, she quit trying to force it on me. LOL

 

[foxl]

I use insulin, I thought it would be easier, I still eat with GREAT discipline, however, the relief of having lower readings makes the use of insulin well worthwhile.

Let's just say, there are people who do successful, intensive management, and others who do NOT.

 

[MAO]

Next time just say, You're right, I'm not a full blown diabetic, I'm only half blown, you're the other half!!

 

[CarolSue]

Next time just say, You're right, I'm not a full blown diabetic, I'm only half blown, you're the other half!!

Excellent answer! LMAO

 

[MCS]

I found out early on Diabetes is a personal goal oriented disease in which you can pick and choose your coaches.

 

[naynay]

Not to name names, but it irritates me when others believe a Type 2 can always control their diabetes with diet and exercise.

I am a Type 2; I've been down the road of diet an exercise; didn't work for me.

I've been down the road of pretty much every diabetes med out there; they didn't work either.

I've been down the road of basal insulin alone; didn't work.

I've been down the road of basal insulin with bolus insulin; didn't completely work.

I am now using an insulin pump. It works better for me than anything else did, but I still have times when I cannot explain why my bg's are in the 200's when I ate perfectly lc/hf all day and night.

Are there exceptions to the rule? Absolutely. Am I one of them? Absolutely.

I do the best I can, but at the end of the day I must use the tools that are available to me in order to keep my bg's as low as I can. I have not obtained those wonderful low numbers so many here on the forum have, but I know I will get there. To say that a Type 2 who uses insulin does so just so they can excuse their bad eating behaviors does not hold true for all Type 2's, so please don't imply. I know many Type 2's who ignore their diet as well because they take a "pill" and test their blood sugar maybe once a day. I'm not one of those. I test at least 6-8 times per day, I eat lc/hf, and I'm very aware of what causes huge spikes for me and how I feel when they happen.

Thanks. Just wanted you to know that smugness is not something I tolerate real well, and sorry, but I take offense to anyone who I feel is rubbing their success in my face because I was not able to attain the same.

 

[CarolSue]

I read back over this thread and I didn't see anyone who was implying that all Type 2s can control their BS with only diet and exercise. Some mentioned what they do and other indicated that they have added meds and insulin as needed. As far as some who eat poorly and then inject insulin, sadly, they are out there and they are only fooling themselves. But no one said that all type 2's on insulin are there because of laziness. Everyone needs to do what works best for them.

 

[naynay]

Perhaps I am being too sensitive then and took what was said the wrong way. I am doing what I have to do to stay in a healthy range, and for whatever reason that sometimes doesn't always work. Once my body decides to calm down with all the hormonal imbalances, then perhaps I will begin to see better and better numbers. For now I just keep doing what I do. In the end, that's all I can do right?