I subscribe to Real Simple (looooove), and got my May 2010 issue in the mail today. As I flipped through, I came across an article called "Numbers to Live By" in the Health section. I saw a headline of Blood Sugar, so of course I had to read it. Much to my dismay, but not to my surprise, they address Type 2 Diabetes only as "diabetes". Perhaps because I'm a bit cranky from a pasta-induced BG of 327, I decided I'm writing the editors. I'm tired of being lumped in the same category, and I'm not going to let it pass. So, here's my letter:
Dear Editors,
Although I was delighted to receive my May 2010 issue today, I was disheartened by the incomplete information you provided on page 152 (in the 'Numbers to Live By' article).
Your section on Blood Sugar simply refers to "Diabetes", although the advice and information you provided clearly is specific to Type 2. Though I realize that Type 2 Diabetes is currently the most prevalent form of this disease, I believe you owe it to your readers to be more specific. Type 1 is an auto-immune disease, and your advice to "shed any excess pounds" to control blood sugar levels does not apply to these diabetics. More information on Type 1 Diabetes can be found at the website for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=101982 .
As someone who has lived with Type 1 Diabetes for the last 24 years, I can tell you that these sorts of generalizations are at best ignorant, and at worst hurtful. I hope to see better researched articles from you in the future.
Thank you. Kim V.
I tried to keep it as sass-free as possible, but man - it was tough.
Didn't see it, but love your letter. Maybe a start like " Hey you stupid ______ (insert favorite colorful word) LOL just kidding, your letter shows great restraint IMHO!!!
I couldn't agree more! It's kind of one of those topics that bugs the heck out of me...I mean, I hear all these people talk about how if diabetics would just lose weight they wouldn't have to suffer with the disease..That if they would work out and get off their lazy butts, they could put an end to their daily medication...Really? Then why is it that I work out 5-6 days a week, weight 130 pounds, but still have diabetes!?!?!?
Whew! Sorry, it just seriously annoys me. Please keep us updated as to if you get a response or a correction to the article next month! I'm interested to hear...and good for you! :)
I will probably have my issue in the mailbox when I get home, but who knows when I would have gotten around to reading it, so thanks for the heads up. I will be sending a letter similar to yours.
I agree with you, and your letter is great. THis, too, is a pet peeve of mine, and I have also written/called/emailed various media outlets, including the TV shows The DOctors and Dr. Oz. I heard back from The Doctor's and they were very interested in what I had to say, and inquired about various issues they should include on a show.
I just saw it, that WAS my favorite magazine!!! Kim you read my mind this is a HUGE issue I struggle with daily. I was in the endo office with the Minimed rep last week and spoke to this point, they said sadly Type 1 was only about 10% of the community. We tossed around a few suggestions on how to get the differences more mainstream.....Having had Type 1 for almost 25 years I cannot believe that I still have to explain the difference to educated friends, coworkers and people I meet that this is not a result of poor habits nor will it go away. I have 4 boys and each delivery I educated the hospital staff on how to treat me. (I kept my pump on during the C-sections!)
I'm going to write to the editors as well and my local newspaper. The commercials on tv are getting so generic when speaking to "diabetes." There must be something we can do.
I could not agree with you more !! I think your letter is very well put and something that needed to be done because these kind of generalizations happen to often !! I have to say thank god that I know so much about this disease, because you cannot even trust that all medical professionals know how to treat T1 ! There have been at least 2 to 3 occasions where I have been in the HOSPITAL and they do not even know how to treat my T1 the right way. One time I was brought in by ambulance due to DKA and they quickly gave me fluids and an insulin drip to correct it but after 4 hours they disconnected me from the drip and were going to allow me to go to sleep over night without any insulin !! I was flabergasted !! I said to them I am not a T2 I am a T1 and my body needs insulin constantly otherwise I am going to be in the same boat that I was in when I arrived !! They blew me off for about an hour or 2 until I started getting sick again a throwing up and sure enough they checked my sugar and it was right back up where it was when I first came in. They quickly hooked me up to the drip again and apologized but I was so mad !! It scares me because what if I wasn't fully aware of what was going on ?? Then what would have happened !! They have tried to feed me before without giving me insulin too and I have to tell them "No I need insulin before I eat anything that has carbs in it !!" It is unbelievable !! Grrr I am getting grumpy just typing this lol
that exact same thing happened to me when I was rushed to the ER with KTA - they were trying to force juice down my throat and I was screaming that I needed insulin but they though that I was low and confused - finally they pricked my and swa that I was high and gave me insulin. I've alos been to the ER for 2 lows though - that's worse
I hate when someone new finds out that I'm diabetic and their first thought is that I'm Type 2 and try to give me advice b/c their mother/father/grandmother or whatever has it and sees what they do or don't do.
As far as the hospital thing goes, that is always a scary situation. The first time I had to go to a regular hospital and not Children's Hospital I freaked out and for good reason. I was in ICU and the dumb resident doctor wouldn't listen to a word I said. I told him to contact my endo, so he calls my PCP. I tell him I take Humalog and Lantus and what the dosage is, he gives me NPH and Humalin. I get my breakfast in the moring and my tray is literally full of food. The next day when I was discharged I went directly to the hospital's CEO's office and placed a huge complaint. I don't know what they did with the doctor but after my insurance paid their portion of the bill the rest was written off by the hospital.
