Do you think Type 1 Diabetes is an easy disease to have?

[fedupofthisshite]

I am just curious about what people think, what their impressions are. "Diabetes" is frequently used as the punchline for a joke about some unhealthy food, and while this is mostly aimed at Type 2 (I feel nothing but sympathy for Type 2 people as well, btw and just wish the jokes would stop) it's still quite shit because it seems like everyone thinks diabetes in general is something pathetic that you snigger at.

I have Type 1 almost 30 years and still get days where I fucking hate it so much. Today is one of those days...

It has taken an awful lot from me and I wonder what my life would be like otherwise.

Certainly not. I imagine it is exhausting and distressing and difficult.

No, I think it's really hard work. Recent tech has helped a bit (CGM, insulin pumps) but it must be a slog.

Mother of a 13 year old T1 here. There’s nothing easy about this unrelenting, terrifying rollercoaster we’re on.

No I definitely never though of it as easy to have, no.

No, it’s a v. serious metabolic disorder.

Not easy at all. My husband has it and it’s an absolute nuisance for him. It annoys me when people compare Type 1 to Type 2.

FYI, people also have a lot of misconceptions about type 2, bound up with attitudes towards weight. I know multiple people with type 2 who were are are not in the overweight category (bmi). There can be a strong autoimmune element in type 2.

Never thought it was easy, always thought it seemed very difficult, and my thoughts about it were compounded when I because friends with someone with T1 diabetes. I’ve never seemed to get the impression it was something that was seen as funny/not serious from media though, but perhaps I’ve missed those type of things.

I think diabetes is an incredibly hard condition to have. My son was tested for it recently and I was terrified of that being the outcome. So much empathy directed your way, you haven't had an easy path to walk at all and I can see why feeling like it's not being treated with the gravity it deserves would upset you 💐

Absolutely not. I think it seriously affects a persons quality of life and to get it from such a young age can just destroy a child/teenagers childhood/growing up. I work in a hospital and see the effect that type 1 diabetes can have, it’s truly awful and I sympathise fully.

Absolutely never would think it’s easy! Those jokes are stupid but tbh I don’t think people who say it even think it’s easy.
im sorry you are having a hard time.

Lots of people are just pig ignorant op and very unwilling to educate themselves about anything that doesn't affect them right this minute.

YANBU

No, must be a nightmare.

I’m sure you’ve considered it or even might already do it but I’ll sugest you try keto:

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/keto/

No I don't think it's funny. My brother has type 1 and has been on the edge of dying many many times because of it.
I had uncontrolled insulin requiring gestational diabetes and it was really fucking shit and gave me an insight into type 1.

I've been T1 for over 20 years and I don't think anyone can realise how mentally exhausting it is unless you're living with it. It is relentless, and as much as I have a sense of humour about it there are days when the jokes about it just make me want to cry. You can't say anything though without someone thinking you're uptight. Sorry you're having one of the bad days.

I’ve never seemed to get the impression it was something that was seen as funny/not serious from media though, but perhaps I’ve missed those type of things.

Mainly I think there seems to be a general assumption that you take your insulin, eat "healthy", make sure to get some exercise and Bob's your uncle...

Therefore if you have highs or lows it's assumed you're not trying hard enough or you're not doing it right.

Except there are SO MANY variables affecting what is the correct dose of insulin on any given day. You can eat the same food, take the same amount of exercise, take the same amount of insulin as you did with success yesterday - and get an entirely different result.

As a mother of a type 1 I know how relentless it is. It’s a constant worry and you are always thinking about it. I wish it was me instead and I worry about her future so much.

God no. I know a couple who lost their young teen to it 😔

I dont at all. Although there's a lot people can do to avoid or control type II, type 1 is a completely different disease.

There are only a handful of diseases that affect every single cell in your body but diabetes is one of them. I can't imagine revolving your whole life around your sugar levels and what affects them - a birthday drink or an extra long walk all have to be managed.

No, it’s relentless, depressing & terrifying lots of the time.

I'm newly diagnosed and it's so overwhelming. The thought of managing this every single day is just so depressing.

No, it looks like it is hard to manage and you have to be on your guard all the time. I know a few people who found it hard to deal with especially when young.

I'm diabetic. I make some jokes about it to my partner and with one diabetic friend (who usually starts us off).

It's not something I'd joke about to others. I've known other diabetics who are very sensitive to it being mentioned lightly at all - plus I don't need folks who don't know me or know diabetes to think it isn't serious.

I've got other factors affecting what I can or will eat, on top of my diabetes, and I frequently want to just give up and reap the consequences. But I have two kids to consider.

It's horrid.

Perhaps like any health issue, people don't fully understand until it affects them directly . As people have said, misconceptions and jokes really don't help at all!
The headspace it takes up is crazy, even on a good day! Technological developments are brilliant and life changing, but I feel like that's a double edged sword to a degree as people seem to think of cgms and pumps almost like a cure- oh you've got that you've got it sorted now then, all fixed!
Thinking back to your title- I absolutely do think that people think it's easy, but I don't blame them. No one knows about every medical condition do they!

🙄