Spreading the news - do you?

[Iolanthe]

Anyone got any thoughts on telling family and friends about being diagnosed with Diabetes? Mine is currently "a need to know" basis and that is my husband, father and one very close friend. I only actually told my husband and father last week and that is four weeks after first diagnosis, in fact you lot knew before they did! I am trying to educate my husband but he does not seem to want take it on. I've given him links to websites, downloaded PDF and picked up leaflets just to give him some basic info. Trouble is, he thinks I am vey capable and can cope, which I can and now I have got an appointment to see a specialist, I think he thinks that is it. But there are other things that I would like from him, a bit of emotional support and also to accept that this is a life thing and it will effect me for the rest of my life. I am normally very emotionally strong, I've told him I am scared but he does not want to seem to hear that.

The other thing is I need him to know that he can put me at risk, and sorry this is a bit gross, but he has a terrible case of athletes foot, he goes running, I saw it the other day. I've bought him cream, powder and spray and I have scrubbed the shower and bathroom floor and made him use seperate bathmats. But he does not seem to really take this seriously. I had thought about finding a really shocking pick of what can happen to diabetics feet but this is extreme. But if anyone knows of of any resource that is useful for explaining it to family and friends would be really grateful.
How has everyone else's family, friends and work reacted? Currently I am not planning on sharing the news of this condition with anyone else (I already wear a Medic Alert bracelet and have got this updated). :|

 

[peppiB]

Personally I have no problem with anyone and everyone knowing about my diabetes. It is not an infectious or contagious disease, it is a condition which I have learned (thanks to this forum) to control. I am a carer to a mentally ill epileptic, and her condition worries me far more than mine.

 

[sixfoot]

Personal preferenc of course but just tell them if asked. It isnt anything to be ashamed of.
The other thing of course i that once you demonstrate control even in the face of adversity it is a source of personal pride and that is priceless.

Good luck
Dave P

 

[fergus]

I appreciate how you're feeling Iolanthe. I told no-one about my diagnosis because I thought it made me seem defective and that people's perception of me would be coloured by their understanding, or lack of it, of diabetes. It took me a long time to tell my then girlfriend, now my wife, because I convinced myself that it would be a deal-breaker and she'd be off. I also thought that I could take care of it myself and so no-one else really needed to know anyway.
I think about it differently these days. Now I don't care who knows, in fact I'm proud that I can manage it effectively and that it's helped me learn so much about human biology that I would otherwise be completely ignorant about.
At the same time, my friends are able to keep an eye out for me if necessary now that they know, and that's a real comfort too. To be honest, they're mostly pretty keen to know more about diabetes and apply some of that knowledge to their own health. As I'm thinking about it now, I don't remember a single 'negative' reaction from anyone I've told about my type 1.
You might be surprised when you tell people your news, it could be a very positive thing?

All the best,

fergus

 

[Doczoc]

My wife and kids know although I've not yet told the rest of my family. Don't want them worrying and like Fergus indicated, feel a bit like a 'failure' as ludicrous as that sounds. I don't see them too often as I am in Manchester and they are all in South Wales. My next visit home I will announce it. All my colleagues and friends know though.

 

[lilibet]

I was diagnosed in-patient after couple days of symptoms, and this was towards the end of my hols. My family knew, as i was at their home when GP called to 'advise' me to get to A and E NOW!

My mum told the whole street, where I grew up, who told others etc etc
I actually only told about 3 people in total, OH told other friends he thought should know (who came to see me in hospital) and my friends at work told the rest of my colleagues (because I wasnt returning to work post hols, everyone would have asked where I was anyway).

So, by the end of week two, Millions knew
I personally dont have a problem (other than the ignorance and stupid questions -ie how come you got it, you're not fat etc :roll: ).I didnt cause it, I didnt ask for it and I dont feel ashamed by it.

Its a part of my life,. It doesnt define me but is part of who I am now so I dont have a proble explaining. Esp as on premixed insulin and have to whip out an oatcake now and again :lol:

 

[Sid Bonkers]

Hi Iolanthe,

All though only recently diagnosed I have told everyone who I see on a regular basis, as I am on insulin I feel it is important for all my friends and family to know so they wont panic and will know what to do in if I should have a hypo.

As others have said its not a disease and certainly not anything to be ashamed of, I know we are all different but quite frankly I don't care what others think, I know that my family and true friends will always be sportive, that's what friends do.

As for your husbands Athletes Foot, I suffered with that for years, tried everything and nothing worked. Then Lamisil came along, Lamisil is a breakthrough single-application treatment for Athlete's Foot, and IT WORKS..........Your local chemist will stock it, its not cheap and you will think you have been ripped off when you see the size of the bottle, but it will do the trick and your husband will thank you for it as he will never suffer itchy feet again.

 

[cugila]

I tell anyone who asks I am a Diabetic. Why would you want or need to hide this fact ? It is just a condition I have . This then usually prompts a discussion as to what is permissible Diet wise. A lot of confusion then starts as they all seem to think that cutting out sugar is all you need to do......wrong !!

I recently booked a Hotel and asked about the breakfasts. I informed them I was Diabetic and was told ,yes we can give you fruit juces, cereals, fresh bread, toast, sugar free spreads etc.
He was very surprised when I told him I couldn't possibly eat that sort of food ? It was not good for ME. We then had a discussion and hit on a breakfast menu that suits me fine. This man's mother is a Diabetic. He was very interested in my diet control and was looking forward to a chat about it when I get there later this year. Might get another convert there ?

So. Just tell anybody you wish. Do not hide away from reality.

Ken.

 

[hanadr]

Hi Iolanthe
I have told everyone. I have to tell exercise classes and walk leaders, because it affects them . I wear a bracelet with the information.
As to your husband's athlete' foot. If you can't clear it with over the counter medication. Make him see the doctor.
To protect yourself from it, keep your feet dry as much as possible. If you need to go into wet places where it might be, wear latex socks.
HOT launder anything that has the spores on it. should you pick it up, don't panic, see the diabetes team. It won't cause you too much trouble if your BG control is Good( around 5)
PS I love the music( G&S Iolanthe )

 

[Trinkwasser]

I tell anyone who asks I am a Diabetic. Why would you want or need to hide this fact ? It is just a condition I have . This then usually prompts a discussion as to what is permissible Diet wise. A lot of confusion then starts as they all seem to think that cutting out sugar is all you need to do......wrong !!

Yes I tend to blether on to everyone about everything, so I tend to mention it. It's surprising how many other people are also diabetic, or know someone who is, and it's even more surprising when people actually seem to know something about the condition other than the stereotype views. Sometimes there's an ability to educate the clueless, which sadly includes not a few diabetics.

Agree on the Lamisil Once for foot fungus. Hint: try testing his postprandial BG, chronic fungal and other skin infections may be worsened by high BG

Vick Vapour Rub may also work, when I asked my podiatrist about this he said

"What would you rather smell of, Vick or Lamisil?" he had a point, I bought the Lamisil

 

[Spiral]

I started a similar thread in another section of the forum, these were the kind of answers/discussion I'd hoped for...

it is such a public condition, isn't it? :? What you eat, when you eat, why you can't/shouldn't eat etc...

Like Trinkwasser I tend to blether on to anyone about most things :roll: so people I know, know... This includes work and friends, and some members of my family, but not my mother. My 12 year old son is becoming very knowledgable

I know it isn't anything to be ashamed of, but there is a culture of blame out there. My mum (with whom I usually have good relationship except when it comes to talking about my weight) has spent the last 20+ years nagging me about my weight, telling me it is for my own good and that if I don't do something about it I will get diabetes, especially as I had gestational diabetes, and I will have to have my leg amputated like my grandmother.... She then offers me cake, and if I say no, she offers me different kind of cake (all home made)... it is sometimes easier just to accept... So I have not told her... yet it isn't a secret.