RE: What do you think is the biggest misconception about being a type 2 diabetic?

[MyType2]

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We want to ask you a question. What do you think is the biggest misconception about being a type 2 diabetic?

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MyType2 (pbs.org/mytype2)

[MyType2]

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[Bigbluefrog]

Originally Posted by MyType2

MyType2 needs your help. 10 minutes of your time and opinion (on the MyType2 site: pbs.org/mytype2) gets you into a drawing for an iPod Nano!

Survey Link: http://bit.ly/c4VxIQ

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MyType2

the biggest misconception is not knowing the difference between type 1 diabetes and type 2. Even the medical community confuses the two illnesses.

This illness has many names, but most lump diabetes types into one category.
The misconception that it is solely related to diet and exercise.

Those are lifestyle dietary and obesity that can trigger type 2 diabetes, but the person must be predisposed to diabetes genetically. there have been cases of reversal of type 2
2 is treated with oral medicine and lifestyle changes.

Type one is caused by a virus that triggers autoimmune disease, it is NOT diet related. It can be very deadly if misdiagnosed, or ignored.
There is no cure for type one diabetes.
the pt needs insulin to be given by injection or pump, must be monitored with a blood glucose meter or CGMS 4-12 times a day. Or basically 24/7
THe two diseases have significant differences.

[deafmack]

I think the biggest misconception is that a person with type 2 did this to themselves. While lifestyle may play a part it is not the cause. Because of this misconception of people with type 2 having done this to themselves, this misconception is also passed on to others who have other types of diabetes including those with type 1.
Like the previous poster said, type 1 and type 2 are different but they are equally dangerous but in different ways.

[Joretta]

I think the biggest misconception is that there is a cure for either type. Because through all my reading type 1 is a malfunctioning pancreas and type 2 is a malfunctioning liver. Neither of which get repaired through diet and exercise this step is only the medicine that will help along with pharmaceuticals like metformin and insulin can help stop complications. People who believe their type 2 is cured is living a lie as the insulin resistance is under control but will lurk there forever. But this is my interpretation through lots of reading and education of both.

[Bigbluefrog]

Originally Posted by Joretta

I think the biggest misconception is that there is a cure for either type. Because through all my reading type 1 is a malfunctioning pancreas and type 2 is a malfunctioning liver. Neither of which get repaired through diet and exercise this step is only the medicine that will help along with pharmaceuticals like metformin and insulin can help stop complications. People who believe their type 2 is cured is living a lie as the insulin resistance is under control but will lurk there forever. But this is my interpretation through lots of reading and education of both.

That is good point, even if type 2 appears cured, the person could relapse.

I did not know that type 2 is related to the liver. I thought it was insulin resistance, meaning the body makes insulin but is not able to process glucose effectively.

[Tiana]

Originally Posted by Joretta

I think the biggest misconception is that there is a cure for either type. Because through all my reading type 1 is a malfunctioning pancreas and type 2 is a malfunctioning liver. Neither of which get repaired through diet and exercise this step is only the medicine that will help along with pharmaceuticals like metformin and insulin can help stop complications. People who believe their type 2 is cured is living a lie as the insulin resistance is under control but will lurk there forever. But this is my interpretation through lots of reading and education of both.

I would have to agree with Joretta. I thought diabetes (Type 2) was always associated with pancreas. Also agree there is no cure. However, maybe cause I'm new at this, so far it seems like we have got back to a "normal" life after finding Cassie's diabetes specialist.

[britmegs]

We are pretty new to this. My daughter (age 10) was just diagnosed with type 2 in April of this year.

Anyone we tell cannot believe it's type 2 because she is not obese, she eats healthy, is very active, etc. Even the pediatrician said she is not typical of what he normally sees in children, as most are type 1.

I also hear lots of times that it can be 'cured'. Someone in our family heard there was surgery that could 'cure' type 2. They sent me a link on bariatric surgery....for my 10 year old???

Her first A1c was 7.7. We just had a Drs appt and it's down to 5.3. Does that mean she is 'not diabetic' anymore?? NO--it means that we are controlling her blood sugars and are successful at this point.

I was also told that the problem is insulin resistance. Her cells are not using the insulin put out by the pancreas correctly. So they send signals that they need more. The pancreas keeps putting out more insulin....so actually she has an excess of insulin in her blood. This is why she was so hungry all the time. The more carbs she had, the hungrier she would get.

[meng3]

I think it's absolutely that we did this to ourselves. I was 19 when I was dx. I was active and not overweight.