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How Has Diabetes Affected Yor Life ?

Dan10kg

Posts: 34

Feb 20, 2013 9:34 AM GMT

I have been a Tye 1 Diabetic for 31 years now, it affects less than 1,000,000 people in the U.S. although over 10% of the population have Type 2 Diabetes. It's not easy finding Doctors who know Type 1 & Type 2 are not the same disease. Last week I talked with a Doctor who kept talking down to me, to say the least I told him I wasn't going to pay for the appointment & I left. Are most Doctors Male or Female complete DICKS ?

Hammer89

Posts: 237

Feb 20, 2013 4:18 PM GMT

I also am a Type 1 Diabetic for almost 20 years. I've only ever had 2 endocrinologists and the first one I had from age 5 to age 21 and he never was a dick. He was a great doctor. Almost everytime I went in for a checkup I had great A1C's but instead of just saying "keep doing what you're doing" he would ask me what I was doing to keep my blood sugars and A1C's so consistent so he could help other newly diagnosed patients. Almost like we worked together.

I was diagnosed so young that I can't really say for sure how it has affected my life since it's the only way of life i've ever known. Of course If they found a cure things would be much easier but I have no issues with living the way I do now. I'm actually quite proud that I'm in as great shape as I am with Type 1.

My new endo is quite leanient on me about my habits and I told her right away to be tough on me and my weight/diet/fitness so I don't have any motivation to slack on anything.

Definitely find a new endo. No one knows your Diabetes better than yourself.

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Feb 20, 2013 4:27 PM GMT

Runs in the family, well there is a risk for it; so we all use less sugar than we used to back in the day. I prefer to get my milkshake from the boyz in the yard.

stratavos

Posts: 1869

Feb 20, 2013 4:29 PM GMT

My dad has type 2 diabetes, and unless I stay fit and active (at least) then I'll inherit it as well. Generally we can't have as much pasta and bread as I would like, because he does most of the cooking

about doctors:

you'll notice a lot different about them by what generation and what gender they are. Most of the time, middle aged docs are better about knowing stuff

Csrobbie2000

Posts: 359

Feb 20, 2013 6:16 PM GMT

I'm type 1, and I used to have to take 2 pills a day for it. However, ever since I started watching my diet and working out, the doctor took me off the pills for 8 years now. I still have my blood sugar test every 6 months, and it's always under control. Funny thing is that I love to cook and bake, and I do eat everything but portion control is the key I think.

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Feb 20, 2013 6:28 PM GMT

It's affected my life deeply. All those trips to the emergency room when I got carried away during foreplay and shoved peppermints up my type 1 diabetic boyfriend's ass so I could fish them out with my tongue.

LJay

Posts: 11623

Feb 20, 2013 7:03 PM GMT

A book I could write, already!

Pills, three shots a day, doctors, sugar monitoring, how many carbs in that, weigh too much, hate to exercise, bad sleep, never feel quite right, no it's not sugar its anemia, feet and legs hurt, feet don't feel, numb at night, sugar too low, sugar too high, no energy, can't sleep, can't stand schedules to eat, looks good-eat it-fall asleep, bourbon better and Manhattan worse, eyes ok? foot doctor, this has Splenda. hate Splenda, look! Sugar free. Look dummy still carbs, Oh, you can have a little, cheat today make up for it tomorrow-no I can't, depression, diet soda-gag, whaddya mean it's not arthritis it's diabetes, and the beat goes on...

Hammer89

Posts: 237

Feb 20, 2013 7:16 PM GMT

Csrobbie2000 saidI'm type 1, and I used to have to take 2 pills a day for it. However, ever since I started watching my diet and working out, the doctor took me off the pills for 8 years now. I still have my blood sugar test every 6 months, and it's always under control. Funny thing is that I love to cook and bake, and I do eat everything but portion control is the key I think.

Umm I believe you may have Type 1 and Type 2 confused. As a Type 1 Diabetic, AKA Insulin Dependent Diabetic, you have to take insulin since your body stops making it. Or techinically speaking to cover my bases, your body's autoimmune response attacks the insulin producing beta cells.

LJay

Posts: 11623

Feb 20, 2013 7:19 PM GMT

Want even more fun, Racer? I am a type 2 on insulin.

Dan10kg

Posts: 34

Feb 20, 2013 8:26 PM GMT

Some people are diagnosed Type1 because of the age, I grew up with a kid who was very fat and because of his age they called it Type 1 Diabetes. Years ago I worked with a Women who would not believe her child could be Type 2 (Guilt, she was a BUS) so the Doctor told her she was right and her son was Type 1, either way he was a Diabetic and sometimes its not just the patients in Denial. Type 1, Type 2, Hypoglycemic and now Type 1 1/2, Halle Berry & Mary Tyler Moore both diagnosed Type 1 in their early 30's. Most Type 1's are not overwieght when diagnosed, compaired to Type 2. Wheat flour in the U.S. is so heavily refined that I think it causes problems for people more prone to Type 2, things like Corn flour digest much slower and not as much as Wheat, I have even used Chicpea flour (High in Protein, Low in Carbs) to cook for my Type 2 friends & for those crazy people who don't eat Carbs. I have to say, My only weakness is Bacon, I just love it. I ran an Animal Shelter for years but I would never go Vegan, I love Pork.

barriehomeboy

Posts: 2475

Feb 21, 2013 1:35 AM GMT

Back to your original question. I'm a Medical Imaging Technologist. Yes most doctors are morons and I wouldn't trust any of them to change a tire on my car. That's where all of us paramedical professionals help you. We catch their mistakes, usually.

Zinc

Posts: 197

Feb 21, 2013 1:51 AM GMT

barriehomeboy saidBack to your original question. I'm a Medical Imaging Technologist. Yes most doctors are morons and I wouldn't trust any of them to change a tire on my car. That's where all of us paramedical professionals help you. We catch their mistakes, usually.

Funny, while I would not necessarily trust a Medical Imaging Technologist with my differential, I most certainly would let them change my tire.

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Feb 21, 2013 2:01 AM GMT

Good question/post. I have been a Type I diabetic for 23 years [this June] and I think of diabetes as if it is my child... I think of it off and on fairly continually, I plan my day and life around it, I take it with me everywhere [obviously]. I had a fantastic endocrinologist in my youth. Dr. Bunick was AMAZING!! She beamed from ear to ear when walking into the exam room and ALWAYS seemed thrilled to see me, making it difficult for me to contain my own joy for seeing her...ha. She had a way of making you feel that you were her only patient. Even now, my current endocrinologist is pretty nice, but it is strictly a "professional" relationship, in that, I manage my own diabetes, ultimately. I really only use my current endocrinologist for tweaks here and there, but she looks to me for answers usually. In short, some days the disease is a burden and some days it is not. Still, I take it and my health very seriously, because I want to enjoy my life in THIS body.

LJay

Posts: 11623

Feb 21, 2013 2:24 AM GMT

Sorry to have replied to your thread title only.

No, most doctors are not complete dicks, at least not in my experience.

I have a pretty good pool of experience. My mother was a nurse for 50 years and certainly ran into a few jerks. I also have had too many occasions to deal with doctors myself. The vast majority have been good at their work and good with patients. Some have approached sainthood.

If you run into a doctor who is not right, just switch. If there is malpractice involved, report it. In the meantime, if you get the quality of care that I have experienced from nearly all of my doctors, you are in good hands.

Dan10kg

Posts: 34

Feb 21, 2013 2:43 AM GMT

I was diagnosed with type 1 at 13 and then at 14 I was lucky enough to have an endocrinologist + many doctors who found I had a Blood disorder called Spherocytosis (causes my red blood cells to charge shape and die off faster), I get many Doctors that don't factor one disease into the other, like I get Anemic when the Red Blood cells die. My Spleen was removed at 14 also. 2 weeks ago I had a Low Blood sugar moment in public was hospitalized and told I had an irregular Heart beat. I asked them if my Blood cell issue could cause this and never got an answer. After 5 EKG's and 2 stress test at the Hospital & now after my Red Blood Cells are back to normal, yesterday I had another stress test with no irregular Heart beat to be found. I get that many Doctors don't have Type 1 patients and than add Spherocytosis to the mix but why can't they hear the patient and than do some research about what they don't know. I have had many friends die from complications with HIV and had to educate many Doctors about what they had no clue, I'm so old I remember it being called Gay Cancer, so to have too at this day & age have to educate a Doctor about Type 1 & 2 Diabetes has gotten annoying over the last 3 weeks. Another day, another Bitchfest.

NHLFAN

Posts: 370

Feb 21, 2013 3:36 AM GMT

racerx76 said
Csrobbie2000 saidI'm type 1, and I used to have to take 2 pills a day for it. However, ever since I started watching my diet and working out, the doctor took me off the pills for 8 years now. I still have my blood sugar test every 6 months, and it's always under control. Funny thing is that I love to cook and bake, and I do eat everything but portion control is the key I think.

Umm I believe you may have Type 1 and Type 2 confused. As a Type 1 Diabetic, AKA Insulin Dependent Diabetic, you have to take insulin since your body stops making it. Or techinically speaking to cover my bases, your body's autoimmune response attacks the insulin producing beta cells.

You beat me to this response! Spot on with it too.

NHLFAN

Posts: 370

Feb 21, 2013 3:47 AM GMT

I'm a type 1 and it's going on 22 years now. I would say most family doctors aren't worth a damn when it comes to diabetes and managing it very well. They don't spend much time doing Endo work in school and it's not their main focus. My regular Dr. tried his best, but I refused and asked for a endo to be assigned to me. She was a major beotch the first time we met. Maybe it was a bad day or whatnot, but I still remind her of it today. She's an awesome Dr and is hard as hell on me to keep things on track. Happy to say my control is very good and has been for years.

To the OP, find yourself another Dr who understands diabetes and the proper treatment for you. They aren't all the same, so keep looking.

Are any of the respondents who are type 1 asymptomatic for hypoglycemia? Haven't found anyone else who is like me. I can function perfectly well with BS in the low 30's. No sweats, lips, tingling, etc. Understanding my body as well as I do helps to identify low blood sugar before it gets to low where I pass out. Thankfully only two trips to the emergency room in my life....Knocks on wood.

Dan10kg

Posts: 34

Feb 21, 2013 8:34 AM GMT

The older I get the faster my Blood Sugar drops, I was put on Lantus years ago and that can stay in the body between 18 and 28 hours, 2 Doctors asked me 3 weeks ago why dont you take Lantus, because it doesnt work for my body Blanche. I wonder what Doctors hear me saying to them. My father was always in his own world, his brain is like those old German clocks with the dancing bears going round and round (I think that what most Doctors are seeing when I speak). Don't pay attention to the man behind the curtain ! Ok you knew I had to throw in a Gay reference right, Is that you Judy.

Dan10kg

Posts: 34

Feb 21, 2013 9:03 AM GMT

When I was 24 I asked my endocrinologist for an HIV test and other blood work, she told me I didnt need it. I told her that every person should be tested in my opinion. So two weeks later back in her office she was so happy to tell me I was HIV -, so I asked about the other tests & she was startled it was not such a big deal to me, I was 50 years younger than the other people in the waiting room. I was roomates with a guy who HIV +, he complained about how the other people looked when he would go see his Doctors, if your old enough to remember before protease inhibitors, HIV + patients would go from Healthy to Death-Door in a matter of days. What is strange to me is who few advancements have been made in the last 30 years for use Diabetics. I get how much money Drug companies make off of us, look at the cost of Insulin in Mexico at what these Mother Fuckers get in the U.S., but at what point do we matter to the powers that be. When Bill Clinton left office he gave money to Type 1 Diabetes and AIDS research, drug companies tried to raise prices on insulin than and of corse When that asshole Gorge Bush was in office Insulin jacked from 25.00 a bottle to 45.00 and now its 70.00 to 150.00 per. You can still get Novolin at Walmart for under $25.00 a bottle though. I have an issue with George Bush saying that Gay Marriage would be the destruction of the american family. My brother was divorced 3 times & my sister twice, both think Gay people should be able to have unions but not Marriage, yeah because Str8 people have stronger bonds than we do. Mama always said - Stupid is as Stupid Does !

NHLFAN

Posts: 370

Feb 21, 2013 3:45 PM GMT

The cost of insulin is crazy. I use novolog and it's only available with a prescription. Was on a trip to Arizona, dropped the bottle and it broke. It was the only one I had with me, so you can imagine my shock when the pharmacy wouldn't sell me the insulin I needed. It was the weekend and no way to get doctor to send a prescription. Was able to buy humalog(?) for the day before getting back home.

I wear an insulin pump now and have for 4+ yrs. was best decision I've ever made and not having to take shots 4+ times a day is awesome.

Dan10kg

Posts: 34

Feb 21, 2013 3:57 PM GMT

I grew up in Michigan and then you could get syringes without a script, the dumbasses who think drug use will stop if you can't get syringes. I put my Insulin bottles in these little foam holders, so far if I drop the bottle it does not break, they are by INSURE, they are $3.00 to $5.00 a pair.

NHLFAN

Posts: 370

Feb 21, 2013 4:50 PM GMT

Dan10kg saidI grew up in Michigan and then you could get syringes without a script, the dumbasses who think drug use will stop if you can't get syringes. I put my Insulin bottles in these little foam holders, so far if I drop the bottle it does not break, they are by INSURE, they are $3.00 to $5.00 a pair.

I think you can still get syringes w/o a script. The clerks just usually ask questions you'd know if you're a diabetic. Guess it's their way of making sure, not that it's going to prevent anyone from buying them for drug use. Things may have changed in the last several years though.

Dan10kg

Posts: 34

Feb 23, 2013 12:03 AM GMT

In New York you need a script for syringes but I get them online so you don't need them with that. It depends on the state you buy them in. I would rather people using drugs could get clean needles but its like passing out condoms, so dumbasses think condoms cause sex and syringes cause drug use. Are all politicians Mormon, get a clue people. I don't dislike Mormons but I think going without coffee causes them to be a bit crazy.

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Apr 15, 2013 9:54 PM GMT

My doctor just recently emailed me my lab results. I just found out today that I have pre diabetes. In order for me not have any risks, my hemoglobin level has to be below 5.6 percent and my levels are at 5.7. My mother and half sister has diabetes so I guess that it's going to happen to me. I feel so devastated and a little down today. Hopefully my doctor can help me see a nutritionist to possible manage and/or reverse my hemoglobin level.

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Apr 15, 2013 10:07 PM GMT

It has affected me only in having to hear others talk about theirs. It seems to consume their every waking hour and comes up in nearly every conversation over food. I feel sorry for them. It must be hard to live with.

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How Has Diabetes Affected Yor Life ?