BBC news item with comments section

[dawnmc]

@sid, what could we do about it though sid?

 

[shop]

I think that what seems to be the problem is that the media have so many misconceptions. Diabetes is no longet just T1 and T2.

As with everything in life there are people who want to help themselves and those who dont. Diabetic or non diabetic. I have learnt more from this forum than I have in the 6yrs being diabetic.


MOSTLY.....1. How dedicated the majority of members are at PROACTIVELY managing this condition BOTH TYPE 1 & 2.


2. How supportive members are with each other.

3. There are other reasons for diabetes and those with LADA have a raw deal at the moment as they have to wait too long for a firm diagnosis and therefore too long for the correct treatment.

Surley The HCPs and the HHS could concentratrate on the following:

Correct and none judgemental reporting of diabetes.
Quicker diagnosis of LADA and quicker or more effective treatment.
More Positive action/ praise and reporting of successful T2 management.
More Education for all Diabetics to be able to self manage.
More global awareness of the difficulties we face but also the determination and enthusiasm.
I do sort of understand parents of T1 kids but they should be annoyed with the media/ health authorties for allowing misunderstanding and attacking sweeping statements.

 

[phoenix]

Yes, I've seen exactly this kind of prejudice on the Diabetes UK (charity) Facebook pages where I sometimes fight a lonely battle against the parents of T1 diabetic children who complain that their kids are labelled "fat and lazy" because of the association with "fat and lazy" T2 diabetics.

I was surprised by it.

Stephen, I'm not surprised. This is not what I think now, but was what I thought at diagnosis.

I lost a lot of weight before official diagnosis. It happened in 2 distinct phases, separated by almost 3years. I went from overweight to the middle of normal BMI and from there to underweight.
Long story, but after the first weight loss I self diagnosed T2.I managed to 'treat' the symptoms caused by my declining pancreas with diet and exercise.(after all I reasoned, that's what a doctor would tell me to to.. just a mild condition; or so I thought. Far easier not to go to a strange doctor and try to explain in a language I didn't speak well.)
It was after the second weight loss that I ended up in hospital for 10 days. I was shocked that I needed insulin, flabbberghasted that they said I had T1 but there was a rather strange relief that it wasn't T2 . There was nothing I could have done about it. I could stop blaming myself.

And when I left the hospital weighing 52Kg (I'd put on weight) , I bumped into a French acquaintance . I told her I had just spent time in hospital and had diabetes. This lady, who had never seen me as anything but thin, said 'you must have been eating too much of our good French food".
Those stereotypes are strong, for a long time I told anyone who would listen all about LADA and that T1 was autoimmune and not at all the same as T2. So yes, I can quite understand the feelings of those T1 parents, some of whom have had to deal with their children being bullied as a result of the misconceptions and stereotypes.

Oh and Sid, sorry to say but I'm a Guardian reader. :lol:

 

[Unbeliever]

I I am sure that t1 and T2 are far more closely linked than some like to think. I totally agree DIABETES is the important word.

Diabetics of the world unite ! There are more similarities than differences.

It appears to be human nature to take that stance. I have even heard "my cancer is worse than your cancer"

I experience a lot of problems because even hospital staff try to class me as having age -related macular degeneration instesd of diabetic eye disease. Everyone assumes T! because I am not overweight! Incidentally , although I have spent countless hours - no doubt amounting to weeks in the eye clinic the only people I have ever seen there carrying excess weight have also had severe mobility problems and there have only been a couple of those out of the hundreds of patients I have encountered.
Makes you think...

So come on Sid ! Thnking cap on ! What can we do?

Re your comment about problems here ,borofergie ,I think his forum is In a very healthy state don't you?

New people welcoed, new ideas accepted . Ok it can take a while for us all to "shake down " together but this forum is alive and kicking! Our disagreements are only to be expected, are all open and above board and noone seems to bear grudges.

Well done us!

 

[borofergie]

Re your comment about problems here ,borofergie ,I think his forum is In a very healthy state don't you?

New people welcoed, new ideas accepted . Ok it can take a while for us all to "shake down " together but this forum is alive and kicking! Our disagreements are only to be expected, are all open and above board and noone seems to bear grudges.

I think it's in an incredibly healthy state. Healthy disagreement is the lifeblood of any forum!

 

[paul_melb]

One only has to look at the explosion in the number of T2s in China to see the fallacy in the lifestyle argument. While the Chinese may well have better tolerance of rice and in some areas wheat, they do not have it to the high sugar/carbs diet that is becoming so popular there. There have always been fat people in China...but not fat from eating western style processed foods, until the last 25 years

 

[xyzzy]

Just read the comments on the Guardian web site and its just a Type 2 ass kicking competition, so many T1's just have no idea about T2 and think we are all lazy fat slobs - Typical Guardian readers I guess, pretending to be so 'right on' and really as up tight as they can be, tree huggers the lot of them :evil:

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR it makes me so mad when T1's wants to be distanced from T2's and whinge that "its not my fault". Well its not my fault I am T2 either I didnt choose to be diabetic, if we could just all learn to stand together and educate people about carb restriction, starting with the NHS and DUK then it could save the NHS millions, but instead we just argue amongst ourselves, its all very sad really.

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Well said Sid based on what you just posted I just went and read the comments on the oh so "liberal" Guardian site about T2's.

It is bile, filth and lies for the most part, the absolute equivalent of being racist. It's ironic that these people would probably be some of the first to be up in arms over other forms of discrimination.

It is not the general average man in the streets fault that he has been poorly educated about diet or poorly protected from danger by successive governments. When that average man on the street gets T2 it's not their fault they are lied to and told utter "mod edit" by the people who they put their faith in to help them.

I heard last night that in my part of the world T2's are now effectively being BANNED from being referred to the local specialist hospital diabetic centre and that all T2 care is now in the hands of gp's. God help us all.

Shame this is a family site as I'd call them all a bunch of ..... :x

 

[Sid Bonkers]

@sid, what could we do about it though sid?

Well we are all united in one thing and that is that by reducing our carb intake our diabetes is better managed and better managed diabetes will lead to fewer complications and the whole point of the editorial was to high light the out of control costs of treating diabetic complications, in both T1's and T2's, unfortunately diabetic complications are not discriminatory between the two (plus) types, obviously as there are more T2's the costs are going to be pro rata and therefore greater but that doesnt mean T1's are exempt from complications.

Sorry I was getting side tracked there, what I meant was that if the NHS wants to save money on diabetic complications then perhaps its time to look at recommending some form of carb restrictive diets for gaining better control. Its not like they dont know about it as I was advised by a SDN to low carb, it just needs the whole of the NHS to get behind it.

Of course there will always be those who will not be helped for whatever reason but I am sure that most, given the simple advice to test and reduce their carb intake until their bg levels were lowered to recommended levels (or lower), would be more than happy to at least give it a try especially if it meant avoiding complications.

Its always been a no brainer for me, test strips are always going to be cheaper than treating diabetic complications, unfortunately all these quangos and committees and elected ministers are always looking at this years budget instead of the bigger picture/future.

 

[borofergie]

@Sid

AMEN!!!!!!

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

 

[Unbeliever]

Should we all write directly to the Pm? Ok I know he won't see any of them but someone will do an analysis of the subject of mthe letters and he may take note of that- even if they have all been sent on directly to Andrew.

Perhaps an emphasis on the cost SAVING suggestions we are making as advised by Sid/Terry.
I jist don't get DUK's point. I understand that they want to raise money but how can frighening everyone into thinking that diabetes is going to bring the NHS to its knees help?

AOL news posted an item about diabetics in Hungary being denied analogue insulin if they failed to comply with guidance from their Drs about a "healthy diet". This was to be assessed by 3monthly HBA1cs. The editorial asks if his might happen in the UK.
Why are we being attacked? I have felt threatened by "the system " since diagnosis. If it hadn't been for a few wonderful individuals within the system but wih the courage to buck it I am not sure where I would be now. All very depressing.....

 

[noblehead]

Just read the comments on the Guardian web site and its just a Type 2 ass kicking competition, so many T1's just have no idea about T2 and think we are all lazy fat slobs :evil:

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR it makes me so mad when T1's wants to be distanced from T2's and whinge that "its not my fault".

Sid, you have to remember that the views of these people posting those comments are not representative of all type 1's, with articles like this you will always get wind-up merchants who are not diabetic and are looking to upset those who have the condition.

 

[lucylocket61]

And they used a photo of a very overweight person to show the Type 2's. What about all the overweight people who are not Diabetic? or the thin type 2's?

Once again they are trying to blame people for their condition using photos and Out-of-context quotes so we are demonised as wasters causing babies to die from lack of treatment because of our selfish indulgence is taking up the NHS budget :twisted: :twisted:

 

[Paul1976]

And they used a photo of a very overweight person to show the Type 2's. What about all the overweight people who are not Diabetic? or the thin type 2's?

Once again they are trying to blame people for their condition using photos and Out-of-context quotes so we are demonised as wasters causing babies to die from lack of treatment because of our selfish indulgence is taking up the NHS budget :twisted: :twisted:

I saw that picture too-It seems to be the default one the media pulls out of the bag. :roll:

 

[didie]

There's some Type 2 dissing on the Diabetes.co.uk Facebook page as well.


https://www.facebook.com/Diabetes.co.uk

 

[Defren]

Just read the comments on the Guardian web site and its just a Type 2 ass kicking competition, so many T1's just have no idea about T2 and think we are all lazy fat slobs :evil:

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR it makes me so mad when T1's wants to be distanced from T2's and whinge that "its not my fault".

Sid, you have to remember that the views of these people posting those comments are not representative of all type 1's, with articles like this you will always get wind-up merchants who are not diabetic and are looking to upset those who have the condition.

The problem is, people are conditioned into believing that Doctor knows best. When advised on what kind of diet to have and that testing is not needed people believe them. Many people unlike us here don't think of looking for information or perhaps some do, don't like what we advocate here so ignore and don't read here again. The people here wanted to control their diabetes, they want to stay free of complications or not exacerbate ones they already have, so are looking for help. Once we know what is required, then we do it.

My opinion is that NHS budgets can't just be seen as a year to year amount of money, but involve long term planning. It also involves a complete re-education of PCT. The carbs with ever meal idea is not working for a great many of us, and in some cases is making people sicker year on year. Put more money into diabetes now, reap the rewards later. To give all diabetics, but primarily T2's proper nutrition advice and strips. Make newly diagnosed patients aware of the consequences of not following the advice and offer support to those who need it.

Unfortunately, unless people are prepared to look for help such as this forum, and PCT are given training in a completely holistic approach to diabetes it will stay the same. Education, training, and initial investment in diabetes is the only way I can see a positive future for the majority of diabetics in the UK.

Ignorance of T2 diabetes is going to continue, even if the Government put out an announcement, there will some who will always say diabetes is brought on by the patients own bodily abuse. In that respect I think we all need to grow thick skins and accept there is little that is going to change on that front, certainly in the foreseeable future.

 

[Paul1976]

I've been here before too-when I had Bowel cancer in 2010/11 there was always something in the media how Bowel cancer was caused by a junk food diet,low in fibre,rich in red meats and sedantry lifestyle,none of which applied to me and it is very deflating because you feel that the Doctors don't believe you when you tell them that wasn't the case! :roll:

 

[Sid Bonkers]

Just read the comments on the Guardian web site and its just a Type 2 ass kicking competition, so many T1's just have no idea about T2 and think we are all lazy fat slobs :evil:

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR it makes me so mad when T1's wants to be distanced from T2's and whinge that "its not my fault".

Sid, you have to remember that the views of these people posting those comments are not representative of all type 1's, with articles like this you will always get wind-up merchants who are not diabetic and are looking to upset those who have the condition.

I know not all T1's think that way Nigel but reading every comment one after another saying "I'm a T1 and had no choice" just wound me up a bit, like anyone really has a choice? My T2 was caused by long term corticosteroid use, yes the steroid made me put on weight but we know that not all obese people get T2. It just hacks me off that some T1's can be so cruel to T2's. As I keep saying, we are all in this together whether we like it or not. The complications and the consequences of hyperglycaemia are the same for us all.

Sorry if I upset you it not my intention to upset any of the enlightened T1's here

 

[xyzzy]

There's some Type 2 dissing on the Diabetes.co.uk Facebook page as well.

Didie thanks for that. I just read some of the comments and I am really shocked by some of the attitudes which takes a lot. Like I said earlier it equates to racism or anti Semitism to me. What next "T2 cleansing" perhaps, or shipping us off to work camps where we can all lose those evil over indulgent kilos. Why not just shoot us all and be done with it.

 

[borofergie]

There's some Type 2 dissing on the Diabetes.co.uk Facebook page as well.

Didie thanks for that. I just read some of the comments and I am really shocked by some of the attitudes which takes a lot. Like I said earlier it equates to racism or anti Semitism to me. What next "T2 cleansing" perhaps, or shipping us off to work camps where we can all lose those evil over indulgent kilos. Why not just shoot us all and be done with it.

I've been fighting a lonely battle on that Facebook page all day (along with IanD). I'm not easily discouraged or depressed, but hanging around in the company of truely uninformed diabetics is genuinely troubling. I just want to hold up a big sign saying "come to Diabetes.co.uk and save your toes".

Sincerely, for all our petty squabbles over what "low-carb" really means, diabetes.co.uk really is a safe place for the newly diagnosed to come to and learn how to defeat their condition (or for the old timers to discuss the finer points of management). We often say that the DCUK bunch aren't representative of Diabetics as a whole, but a single glance at the DUK Facebook page will show you just how informed (and unfortunately how unrepresentative) we all are.

 

[Unbeliever]

Defren says that the discrimination wouldn't end even if the governmen put out an announcement . Paul says he has "been here before 2 with his bowel cancer.

They are both quite right. One government after another has been putting out the message that obesity leads to serious diseases like cancer and diabetes. Even some of the pharmacy chains jumped on the band wagon.
Neve r a mention from anyone DUK included in the National media hat obesity could be a SYMPTOM not a cause.

Now DUK sensing an opportunity to frighten the government into investing heavily into research by ditching the present generation of sufferers or hrowing them to he wolves. his is exposing diabetics to more prejudice. I CAN well understand why T!s distance themselves from T1"s but they are sadly mistaken if they think the general public will see this distinction or will even wish to.

I have said before pity we can't find an influential figure to represent us. It is quite common for large charities to take on a life of their own and lose ouch with heir roots.
Do we know of any high-profile diabetics?