I really like being Diabetic because...

Smallbrit

Well-Known Member
Messages
284
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I am grateful right at this moment because it stops me eating the entire tin of ginger biscuits from IKEA that are in front of me in one go.

And on the "less sucky" things to have - I also have severe hearing loss (it's really bad) and even though I have super duper hearing aids, I spend a lot of my day asking people to repeat themselves, smiling inanely as though I'm following what they're saying, and possibly agreeing to do something I had no idea I was agreeing to. I imagine most people who meet me think I'm incredibly rude and/or have more than a screw loose. Avoiding the ginger biscuits doesn't provoke the same level of reaction...

But that is my particular diabetes. My mum had type 1 and I watched her inject enormous syringes of insulin in the '80s; I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
 

kevinfitzgerald

Well-Known Member
Messages
692
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
All things that hurt (emotional and physical)
I am grateful right at this moment because it stops me eating the entire tin of ginger biscuits from IKEA that are in front of me in one go.

And on the "less sucky" things to have - I also have severe hearing loss (it's really bad) and even though I have super duper hearing aids, I spend a lot of my day asking people to repeat themselves, smiling inanely as though I'm following what they're saying, and possibly agreeing to do something I had no idea I was agreeing to. I imagine most people who meet me think I'm incredibly rude and/or have more than a screw loose. Avoiding the ginger biscuits doesn't provoke the same level of reaction...

But that is my particular diabetes. My mum had type 1 and I watched her inject enormous syringes of insulin in the '80s; I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

I remember those syringes. I was diagnosed Type 1 in 1981 so remember them well. Big glass syringes, glass and steel that had to be boiled in water first to steralise them. Oh and the needles that had Fatima Whitbread holding them!

Anyway, I am glad I have diabetes because when I was diagnosed in 1981 there was a treatment for it. It was first used to treat Diabetes in 1922 so anytime before that it would have been a death sentence..
 
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Rokaab

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,159
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
But that is my particular diabetes. My mum had type 1 and I watched her inject enormous syringes of insulin in the '80s; I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
I vaguely remember them - though only vaguely as I was very young at the time - I was diagnosed in 1977 at the age of 2, but despite the fact I remember very little from my early childhood I remember those huge humungous things (especially when compared to a small child).

I'm one of those people that is not glad I have diabetes and never will be, I was always classed as a brittle diabetic which meant as a kid my control was um 'not control', many hypos, so my parents had to force me to drink a sugary drink because I'm a stubborn so and so when I'm hypo and even more picky than normal and even now I'm still really picky about what I'll eat and drink - my parents must have had an awful time.

And although I'm now a lot better controlled I will still never be glad of it, yes it is a lot better than many things but I still wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
 

NewTD2

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,563
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I hope you remember me.

You were one of the first people here who really helped me and I want to thank you again.

Anyway if you remember I was put on insulin Glargine for just 13 days when my bg levels read between 5s and 6s. I’m now on Metformin and they are still reading between the 5s and 6s.

Unfortunately I was told by my DN they suspect Type 1.5 (LADA) a slow onset T1.

They will carry out C-peptide and GAD tests end of Jan 2028.

I am so nervous right now and will be confirmed 13 Feb next year.

Any advice?

Andrew
 

NewTD2

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,563
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Helping others gives such reward. Well done you! I try to educate patients through belinging as a volunteer to a patients participation group at our GP, drafting Newsletters to patients and had one gentleman made aware and saved his life of an aortic aneuryism thanks to a newsletter telling men to get the free check at 65...

Helping others in community for social activity has helped enormously too. I have helped to set up a table tennis social activity club. Members from 35-83!! And so many laughs each week. We are in stitches...

I have otger health issues and T1 made me more aware of helping myself and not relying upon the "specialists". For that I will always be thankful.

I have two siblings, and they have no health issues. Out of us, I can genuinely say I am the kindest and do more community help than they. I actually am ashamed that they have full health and do nothing to help others with anything.

So yes, I also believe that I have grown to be a better person due to health issues. Not due to religion or politics but from bring me!!

I hope you remember me.

You were one of the first people here who really helped me and I want to thank you again.

Anyway if you remember I was put on insulin Glargine for just 13 days when my bg levels read between 5s and 6s. I’m now on Metformin and they are still reading between the 5s and 6s.

Unfortunately I was told by my DN they suspect Type 1.5 (LADA) a slow onset T1.

They will carry out C-peptide and GAD tests end of Jan 2028.

I am so nervous right now and will be confirmed 13 Feb next year.

Any advice?

Andrew
 

donnellysdogs

Master
Messages
13,233
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
People that can't say sorry.
I hope you remember me.

You were one of the first people here who really helped me and I want to thank you again.

Anyway if you remember I was put on insulin Glargine for just 13 days when my bg levels read between 5s and 6s. I’m now on Metformin and they are still reading between the 5s and 6s.

Unfortunately I was told by my DN they suspect Type 1.5 (LADA) a slow onset T1.

They will carry out C-peptide and GAD tests end of Jan 2028.

I am so nervous right now and will be confirmed 13 Feb next year.

Any advice?

Andrew


Hi Andrew

Gosh,if they suspect T1 or LADA why are they making you wait so long???

How are you feeling? More importantly how's your levels??

Crikey, I am really shocked at delay in getting aconfirmed diagnosis and treatment.

Hope you are ok though, good to hear from you...hope that you can remain as a T2 rather than late onset.
Metformin wouldnt (in my opinion) be keeping you in 5-6's if you were a T1...
 
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NewTD2

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,563
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi Andrew

Gosh,if they suspect T1 or LADA why are they making you wait so long???

How are you feeling? More importantly how's your levels??

Crikey, I am really shocked at delay in getting aconfirmed diagnosis and treatment.

Hope you are ok though, good to hear from you...hope that you can remain as a T2 rather than late onset.
Metformin wouldnt (in my opinion) be keeping you in 5-6's if you were a T1...


Type 1.5 is a slow onset of T1.

I really hope and pray I’ll remain T2 so that I can reverse it or put into remmision.

But I’m now preparing for whatever happens so that I won’t be too shocked next year!

Will be asking you a lot of questions about basal/bolus measurements.
 

NewTD2

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,563
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi Andrew

Gosh,if they suspect T1 or LADA why are they making you wait so long???

How are you feeling? More importantly how's your levels??

Crikey, I am really shocked at delay in getting aconfirmed diagnosis and treatment.

Hope you are ok though, good to hear from you...hope that you can remain as a T2 rather than late onset.
Metformin wouldnt (in my opinion) be keeping you in 5-6's if you were a T1...

I’m feeling ok except that my body is still weak. If you remember I went on a starvation diet for 5 -6 weeks on 400/500 calories per day. Zero carb so I’ve lost so much energy that I could hardly walk and gave up my job.

I’ve now slowly reintroduced carbs so I’m getting my energy levels back but not yet 100%.
 

donnellysdogs

Master
Messages
13,233
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
People that can't say sorry.
Type 1.5 is a slow onset of T1.

I really hope and pray I’ll remain T2 so that I can reverse it or put into remmision.

But I’m now preparing for whatever happens so that I won’t be too shocked next year!

Will be asking you a lot of questions about basal/bolus measurements.

Very unlikely you will need basal/bolus.

Have you changed eating at all?
 

donnellysdogs

Master
Messages
13,233
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
People that can't say sorry.
I’m feeling ok except that my body is still weak. If you remember I went on a starvation diet for 5 -6 weeks on 400/500 calories per day. Zero carb so I’ve lost so much energy that I could hardly walk and gave up my job.

I’ve now slowly reintroduced carbs so I’m getting my energy levels back but not yet 100%.

Yes, Sorry, I remember now.

What plans are you making for xmas eats??
 

NewTD2

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,563
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Very unlikely you will need basal/bolus.

Have you changed eating at all?

Yes I have changed my eating. I’m eating more but still low carb. Plenty of vegetables, 2-4 ounces meat, nuts, no bread, potatoes, pasta and starchy stuff.

My bg levels are still reading between 5s and 6s and it’s now 6 weeks since I was taken off insulin Glargine.

Do you think I’m T1?
 

NewTD2

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,563
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Very unlikely you will need basal/bolus.

Have you changed eating at all?

Just had my A1c last Monday since diagnosis/ Ketoacidosis last September.

If my daily bg levels are reading between 5s and 6s do you think my A1c has gone down?
 

kieraw

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I like having diabetes as it allows me to do my job. I work as a diabetes youth worker and being able to connect with the kids I work with really makes me feel like I'm making a difference.

I don't like having diabetes for all the usual reasons. Mainly because it's a massive pain in the behind!

I like what others have said: there are far worse conditions to have, and I count my lucky stars that I've got one of the 'better' ones.

It's all about positive mental attitude. If and when you can muster it up.

Hi Jeremy,

How did you get into being a youth worker for diabetes? It’s something I’d like to explore and my nurse mentioned it to me in our last meeting. I’m in my final year of university and studying childhood and youth studies, as well as working part time in youth work. Where abouts are you based?
 
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MauroM

Member
Messages
17
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I'm new here, but felt I had to comment on this topic.
When I was first diagnosed, I really felt like nothing good could come from being diabetic. It was like I was strictly worse than a non-diabetic version of myself.
13 years later, as a masters student in engineering, I'm glad to have grown up learning almost daily about statistics, tendencies, complex systems responses, having immediate effect on my health related decisions (as opposed to, say, waiting years for the consequences to show): basically, if something messes with my blood sugar readings, it is probably bad for me, and forcing myself to a rotine of self care and exercising (it had great effect on my appereance). It's a level of awereness that would not be possible for a non-diabetic me.
I like this awereness, I like that I learned to love and care for myself, I like that I have an understanding of physiology and nutrition far beyound my peers and I like that, by definition, I have an unusual way at seeing and dealing with life.

I'm also glad to have excuses to missing appointments I don't really want to attend.

(english is not my first languange, sorry if something doesn't make sense in my reasoning)
 
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Messages
18,448
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bullies, Liars, Trolls and dishonest cruel people
I really like being diabetic because.......
Nope can't think of anything I like about it. In fact I detest being diabetic....over 58000 injections (since 1972). Losing the sight in my left eye....Stage 4 CKD.
Glad to see so many positive posts BUT for me there is nothing I like about it

I have to agree with you @porl69, When I was first diagnosed in 1989, I was a new single parent with 2 children, so I just got on with it. but lately it has taken it's toll and I find it quite difficult at times. Don't get me wrong, I still get on with it, I still keep ploughing on and I won't let it burden me, but Like It, really :wideyed: as John McEnroe used to say........you cannot be serious, it's just :wacky:
So, I can't say 'I really like being diabetic because'............... some have turned their lives around with big lifestyle changes, that's great and good for them :)

ps that's a whole lot of injections, incredible :wideyed: so keep on swimming up stream :)
 
Messages
18,448
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bullies, Liars, Trolls and dishonest cruel people
Helping others gives such reward. Well done you! I try to educate patients through belinging as a volunteer to a patients participation group at our GP, drafting Newsletters to patients and had one gentleman made aware and saved his life of an aortic aneuryism thanks to a newsletter telling men to get the free check at 65...

Helping others in community for social activity has helped enormously too. I have helped to set up a table tennis social activity club. Members from 35-83!! And so many laughs each week. We are in stitches...

I have otger health issues and T1 made me more aware of helping myself and not relying upon the "specialists". For that I will always be thankful.

I have two siblings, and they have no health issues. Out of us, I can genuinely say I am the kindest and do more community help than they. I actually am ashamed that they have full health and do nothing to help others with anything.

So yes, I also believe that I have grown to be a better person due to health issues. Not due to religion or politics but from bring me!!

You're a tough cookie DD and a lovely person too :)
 
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kitedoc

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,783
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
black jelly beans
I'm new here, but felt I had to comment on this topic.
When I was first diagnosed, I really felt like nothing good could come from being diabetic. It was like I was strictly worse than a non-diabetic version of myself.
13 years later, as a masters student in engineering, I'm glad to have grown up learning almost daily about statistics, tendencies, complex systems responses, having immediate effect on my health related decisions (as opposed to, say, waiting years for the consequences to show): basically, if something messes with my blood sugar readings, it is probably bad for me, and forcing myself to a rotine of self care and exercising (it had great effect on my appereance). It's a level of awereness that would not be possible for a non-diabetic me.
I like this awereness, I like that I learned to love and care for myself, I like that I have an understanding of physiology and nutrition far beyound my peers and I like that, by definition, I have an unusual way at seeing and dealing with life.

I'm also glad to have excuses to missing appointments I don't really want to attend.

(english is not my first languange, sorry if something doesn't make sense in my reasoning)
@MauroM, may Young's modulus always be with you!!!
 
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