It Needs to Stop (Vent)

I have to say, I am really getting sick and tired of all the assumptions about diabetes, all types, and anything related to it, made by people who are not diabetic, not researching diabetes, not a specialist in diabetes, or an educator of diabetes. I am also beyond irritated at diabetics who use their disease as an excuse, making it easier for the ignorant to assume such asinine crap. Following are some examples of said crap that I have personally observed and this is clearly the only way I can really get it out, no interruptions.

Coming from a 300+ lbs Type II Diabetic: 

“At first you could say that I was upset, and I tried to follow the exercise and diet plan, but I soon came to realize something: "curing" me of the disease is not worth giving up the burritos. Nowadays, I just take a little insulin and I can keep on keeping on.” 

There are two things that I can take from this that really piss me off. First off, whether you are a Type I or a Type II Diabetic, THERE IS NOT A CURE! Yes, we all wish for it but to live in this false reality can be quite dangerous for those who believe that Type II Diabetes or any form leading up to it can be cured (that includes marginal and pre- diabetics). “Well, my doctor says…” SCREW your doctor! Go and see a specialist, especially if you have one of the many nimrods out there that think they understand diabetes. If ANY doctor tells you that there is for sure a cure to any type of diabetes, run like hell. 

For Type II Diabetics, exercise and nutrition are merely the most natural way to MANAGE your diabetes and keep your BGs in check. Yes, once you have lost above 5% of your body fat, you will find that you can eat more and exercise less whilst maintaining a good BG range. However, I dare you to go and eat 2 slices of pizza, drink half a litre of non-diet soda, and follow up with a large piece of chocolate cake and a glass of milk. Then I want you to tell me your BG range over the following days. Not pretty, is it? The disease will always be there once you cross the threshold, but it does not mean you should be discouraged. If you are marginal or pre- diabetic (same thing), a good nutrition and exercise plan can prevent you from sinking deeper into the disease, and those of you who are full-blown type II’s, you can: gain control over your BGs, look better, feel better, live longer, not be fatigued, think clearly, and slow or stop the process of “living decay” that occurs when high glucose levels in the blood erode the organs. 

Now, the second thing that irritates me is the utter laziness. Diabetes, no matter the type, can be frustrating and is certainly no easy feat, but to boast about being lazy and giving up? That is nothing but a slap in the face to those who work hard to gain control, and is fuel for the ignorance fire. As a Type I Diabetic, I require insulin as my pancreas no longer produces insulin. Henceforth, I cannot control my diabetes with just exercise and nutrition (though it certainly helps). 

Type I Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that – in most basic of explanations – is thought to be caused by confusion amongst an overactive immune system that believes β-cells to be poison. The T-cells (anti-bodies) attack the β-cells (communicates insulin needs to the pancreas), killing them off until the pancreas shuts down due to it being “no longer required”. In Type II Diabetes, insulin has trouble connecting to the muscle tissue through receptors due to a large amount of fat creating a barrier. When insulin has trouble getting to the receptors over an extended period of time, the pancreas can produce less and less insulin, and even shut down due to it being “no longer required”. There is also Type 1.5 Diabetes, which is a combination of the two. So, as you can see, they are vastly different. 

Now that you have a little background, we’ll get back to why the laziness irritates me so much. To tell me, or any other Type I Diabetic that you see insulin as a quick fix, when you have the opportunity to live almost free of symptoms, side effects, and consequences, is just plain pathetic. Yes, I could certainly stand to lose weight, which will help in the control of my diabetes due to my need for lower insulin intake, but (and here’s the catch 22) insulin, as a hormone, can cause weight gain. So, I am on a tricky path, but you, 300+ lbs sir, can simply lose 50 lbs and have more freedom in your life.

From the same 300+ lbs man: 

“Don’t you feel bad about being dependent on insulin. I use it and my dad used it. It’s just our life now.” 

To those non-diabetics out there who see all types of diabetes as one, and to those who are ignorant of your own disease, hear me now: Type I Diabetes just happens. It is not our choice. Type II Diabetes is largely caused by lifestyle. It IS their choice. Now stop comparing the two! We are NOT one in the same!

Non-diabetics: 

“Why do you get irritated by having to check your blood, take a shot, and eat no carbs? It’s not like its hard; it maybe takes but 5 minutes all up out of your day. After that, you’re good to go.” 

First thing’s first, WE NEED CARBOHYDRATES TO LIVE! And that’s all she wrote. 

Second: No. It is not easy. As mentioned in my post “Testing Blood Glucose”, I said that it was a process that must be done many times throughout the day, and always ends in pain and numbness. Taking insulin is not easy because it, too can be painful with the hitting of veins and can cause hard balls of scar tissue, making it hard to even inject insulin. Aside from the above three things, all is good, right? 

Wrong! Keeping within a normal BG range (which for diabetics is higher than non-diabetics) is no easy task. Not only do I have to check my BGs to see where they are, I have to eat when it’s low and take insulin when it’s high. I will not go into detail about highs and lows as they will be in later posts, but either direction sucks. I do not feel good, I cannot process information, I get dehydrated, I am constantly busting to pee, it hurts to pee, I am fatigued, I am weak, I am hot, my heart is racing, I cannot see, it is hard to breath, my memory is shot, and I cannot focus. The list is a mix of highs and lows. To top that off, Type I Diabetics go on living knowing that every high BG is damaging internal organs, and every low is one step closer to a heart attack. So, once again: No, it is not easy.


Non-diabetics:

Please explain to me how you know so freaking much more than what I do? 

To medical professionals: I know my damned body. Stop telling me that nothing is going on and then freak out when it turns out I'm right. No need for the snide attitude because you were wrong. Also, when I come to see you and I announce that I am a Type I Diabetic, that should be all of the information you need, but to then ask if I am insulin dependent? All I can say is that it makes you look like an incompetent jackass. Please, educate yourself.

To everyone else: Believe me, I know what is best for me and I certainly understand my disease FAR better than you ever will. I live a restricted life, so do not tell me to not do something simply because you cannot understand how it works. Do not complain about my restricted diet. In no way does it effect yours. Do not turn confusion into anger and direct it at me. You are allowed to ask questions. Not what you want to hear? Stop and think about the fact that observation is all that you have to "deal with". Do not bring up my choice in food during a low BG (I despise food enough as it is). Do not freak out over a BG result. Do you not think I see it? Besides, you have no bloody clue as to what you are reacting to or why it is the way it is. Only I know that, so BACK OFF!

If I get upset at my diabetes, know that I sometimes just need to vent. My diabetes does not apply to you, and so neither does my vent. I am the one who has to live with this disease 24/7, and most probably until the day I die. All that the above does is stress me the hell out and there is absolutely no need for that.

As this has become quite a post, I will stop here (that, and I’m feeling vented). However, I assure you that there will be many more of these to come. If you have any questions or have heard some asinine comment made by an ignoramus, please, do tell.



-- The above information is based upon my understanding of what I have learned over the past few years. I am by all means not an expert, so please consult your Endocrinologist or Diabetes Educator for information regarding your disease. --