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+1 Fencer, Russ G, Unbeliever

Wizard / Talking Cow - thank God I didnt come across you then when I felt at my lowest ebb
otherwise I might well have thrown myself off Scarborough Valley Bridge!

People join this forum because they want to share experiences, learn about diabetes, need support with making necessary adjustments. They ask questions to allay insecurity and fears, to learn to deal with the facts. By doing so they are building self confidence and will eventually take diabetes in their stride.
But it takes time and practice and has nothing to do with molly coddling.
 
Taking cow/Wizard

I was replying to your original post when it disappeared into the ether!

While I like your robust, "just get on with it" attitude, I also have to agree with some of the caveats others have posted. Your paras about eating don't really apply to Type 2s on diet only, though equally I agree that we don't have to demand special treatment wherever we go! There's usually something we can eat, and an occasional small sin doesn't hurt us :wink: .

One point I do have a problem with, though. You posted:

It's also possible to test blood and inject while driving.
Click to expand...

It may be possible to do this, but it's illegal - just as eating while driving is illegal. It comes under the legislation which refers to having both hands free for handling the wheel, (ie, being in full control of a moving vehicle) which used to be printed in the back of the Highway Code along with other useful snippets, like not using fog lights except in falling snow or fog.

Mind you, it's a long time since I read a HIghway Code!

Viv 8)
 
When I think about it I don't see what the harm is in a little mollycoddling and wallowing in self pity.

I am sure that there are many mebers/posters who just get on with things. putting their family friends work colleagues first and never complain.
Theyn something just upsets them , it seels like the last straw and they come her to vent knowing that there is bound to be someone who understands.

As doiabetics are more prone to depression this could be a very useful function of the forum.
They can then go away and resume their everyday lives where noone has any idea that they are any less cool than wizard /laughing cow. We all need an outlet for negative thoughts .
The OP seems on second reading to be as full of negative thoughts about others as it is full of self congratulation about Wizard's own management of the disease..

I am always very happy to read success stories but baffled as to why people always feel the necessity to impose their own ideas onto others.
Not a Dsn by any chance are you wizard? It is not all abou eating and foodstuffs as I have beeen reliably informed by my consultant. I ofen feel hat T2s not on medicaion do not understand the
limitations of the medication. {I do not consider the universal metformin tto count} Even when T2s take insulin they often have to continue taking medication too. Quite a balancing act.
As whitbyjet pointed out forums such as this are useful sources of information and handy ips for coping strategies.
your OP has been quite useful however, in making us consider why we are here. May I ask why you are here if you are so intolerant of the problems of others?
 
I am newly diagnosed T2 and am completely shocked and embarassed reading this thread.

I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago today and at no time did I wallow in self pity or feel sorry for myself.
I embraced the whole situation in a positive way. I continued with my normal life and still had nights out. The only difference was trying to understand the whole eating concept with diabetes and try and adjust to a whole new eating regime. (I had previously virtually survived on chocolate)

I was given very little advice when diagnosed. In fact I was told to base all meals around carbs which totally contradicts most of the advice in this website. I am the type of person who likes to know as much as possible about a situation in order to deal with it in a practical way. I have not read about the consequences of bad management but would rather find out the best way to manage and control diabetes so it doesn't control me.

I have found this website and forum to be brilliant. However, on looking back at my posts I have asked some stupid questions but I felt they were relevant at the time. Did those who answered me think I was being stupid and self pitying? I hope not. I would probably have asked more questions in the future but now I am not so sure. I thought this forum was a great idea where people who suffered the same problems could share thier experience, knowledge and anxieties. I also enjoyed the sense of humour used in many of the threads adding a bit of light heartedness to an otherwise serious conversation.

I feel I have embraced my situation with positivity from the outset. I have not been upset at any time and view it as a chance to turn my life around, lose weight, get fitter and feel better. I already feel better than I did 2 weeks ago. And I am looking forward to getting into a nice wee black dress, size 10, for Christmas. Am currently size 18. If that's not optimism then what is?
 
There's room on the board for sympathy in some posts, and anti-victim advice in others. I don't see where denigration or imposition of views comes into it.

You can eat ANY food. .......You do not deserve nor should you expect a special "vegetarian" menu.

I wish I had the nerve to say this to vegetarian guests who expect special meals to be cooked for them!
However, the point with airlines is that they serve a wide range of special meals, so why not to diabetics-- it's a question of fairness.
 
You know I do so love it when people join a forum just to put the boot into others..so kind and so giving!

This reminds of another poster on a different forum I frequent. He had suffered problems with depression and anxiety for years and years, in excess of 10. He suddenly found "the answer" and was recovered. Did he share his knowledge with others, encourage them and advise them (NOT mollycoddle) that there was light at the end of the tunnel and that is was possible to live but not be ruled by this condition?

No, he decided to put the boot into those that were using the forum for support and he also referred to them as victims, calling them all manner of things. Never mind it took him years to get his own backside into gear and he asked for help from medics, therapy, meds etc..he now had the answer and everybody who asked for help was weak and pathetic.

As for the poster that is sick of reading certain posts, well, nobody forces you to read or answer them. You may think them over the top but the people posting have very real concerns and if others wish to answer, that's down to them. Nobody should be made to feel stupid for posting a question and to turn on someone who does ask is an unfair thing to do..if it bothers you, why reply?

I'm really quite surprised to see some people posting in agreement with all this, especially knowing that many recently diagnosed aren't even given the most basic facts to work with, they are just sent on their way.
It's all very well learning how to manage diabetes but if you don't know where to start then a forum like this can help tremendously in empowering a person to take an active role in their own healthcare.

No, it is definitely not the end of the world but to some it can feel like it so while someone finds their feet, perhaps you would like to contribute here and reassure people that they can live a reasonably normal life.

You know, like so many here already do. 8)
 
Wizard/laughingcow/cheese monger :D Sorry I got mixed up with all your names, I think it might be the last one.

Thankyou so much for taking the time to write such insightful words, AMAZING, I feel like I'm CURED.

Forget forums for support, forget DSN's..we all just need to listen to you. YOU, have the answer..and no way are you a smug little shine on along with it, like some people who think they have ALL the answers. You have taken the weight off many a struggling Diabetics mind..How can we ever thank you.

I' m binning my needles now and reaching for the Vodka as I type...so long as I have my coca cola by the bed you have said I'll be fine...AMAZING ,I wish I had read this educational post years ago..Oh God where did I go wrong :wink:
 
I was diagnosed in June with Type II at the ripe old age of 53 following a stroke on a flight between Sydney and Hong Kong. Needless to say my life was turned upside down.

The first place I came to after diagnosis was this forum where there is a wealth of knowledge and advice. I read everything, decided what would work for me and got on with it with good results. I've not wallowed in self-pity once because there's no point. I had a family who were totally freaked out by what had happened to me without me wallowing and adding to their worries. Following on from the stroke, the diagnosis of diabetes was not as devastating as it might have been on its own. My family and I were relieved to have found out why I had had the stroke. For me it is a case of onwards and upwards and doing everything possible to avoid another stroke by controlling the diabetes. In a way I was lucky to have had the stroke (from which I am 95% recovered) because my diabetes was subsequently diagnosed. Otherwise I could have gone on for months if not years before being diagnosed. I'd never presume to tell someone else how to deal with their diabetes.

One thing I have learned is that diabetes is like a slippery eel and there is no one-fit-all formula.

I have learned masses from this forum and would not be as in control as I am without the incredibly useful wisdom of the members here - so thank you :)
 
Another Friday another idiot starting an argument for no reason.

Smidge
 
talkingcow said:
7. flu jabs - I'd like to see the statistical correlation between well-controlled diabetes and increased risk of catching flu owing to compromised immune system. The current data throws all diabetics together. I've never had a flu jab, nor caught (serious) flu - is that a statistical fluke?
Click to expand...

Your limited diabetic knowledge is showing cracks Talking Wizard, being diabetic does NOT make one more likely to catch flu but it can make having the flu a whole lot more serious, which is why we are offered the flu jab.

Just thought Id put you right on that one :D


Mods/Admin are multiple accounts, dual identities, sock puppets now allowed on this forum? Perhaps Benedict or Alaska might like to comment? :wink:
 
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/flu-and-diabetes.html
"People with diabetes are at a greater risk of catching flu (influenza)..."

it's the first line, Sid.

The theory is, a compromised immune system is responsible. Unfortunately the statistical evidence showing the correlation between poor management and increased chance of catching flu is not available, or at least, is not readily available.
 
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