Hello to all

[Firemaple1]

I just found out today that I have Type II Diabetes. I'm 32 years old.

It didn't come as a surprise. I had been feeling the symptoms for the last six months but was in denial and as a college student, I don't have health insurance, so I didn't go to the doctor.

Finally, a condition developed that I couldn't ignore. The blood test was run and my glucose level was 260.

To comment on this thread. Type II diabetes is caused in large part to diet and lack of exercise. These are poor personal lifestyle choices that people make.

In my case, I'm 80 pounds overweight. I at the typical American diet. ANd I didn't exercise. (I considered myself a food addict or compulsive overeater, whatever you want to call it. But that's a topic for another day.)

So, am I ashamed that I have let my health go to the point of developing a chronic disease? You bet I am.

So, while I'm only hours into my diagnosis, I can understand fully why peole with Type 2 would be ashamed. To admit to diabetes is to admit to a poor lifestyle.

While I'm niave to much about diabetes, I would venture that someone with Type I would not have nearly the guilt attached to their diabetes as somone who was diagnosed with type two.

I haven't told anyone yet. I don't know if I will. I'm just really overwhelmed right now.

What makes matters worst is that when I started developing the symptoms six months ago, while I wouldn't go get checked for reasons listed above, I did begin exercising and eating more healthy. I have lost 40 pounds so far. My goal is to control my diabetes through diet and exercise alone.

I don't want to tell my parents because I don't want to worry them.

I don't want to tell my brother because he is the picture of health and works out constantly and my relationship with him is nice, but we only talk a few times a year and I just don't want to get into it with him.

Anyway, I'll sign off for now.

[Gemstone]

Hi and welcome to the forum,

First, let me tell you that NO, type 2 diabetes is not only due to poor lifestyle. You first have to have the genes or everybody with a poor lifestyle would have it and it's not the case. I had glucose intolerance and gestationnal diabetes in my 20's and no, I didn't have a poor lifestyle at that time, I was weight training 5 days a week and eating a healthy diet as it was at home when I was still living with my parents, doing many sports...no computers at home at that time.

I am not ashamed of having diabetes nor should you. If you had made a councious choice, there would be reasons to be ashamed but who knows years in advance you'll develop diabetes or any other disease for that matter!!! Not wanting to tell is a whole different issue, at least for me. Everybody can see that I am overweight, that can't be hidden; it's evident that I have a poor lifestyle. I really don't feel guilty that I have diabetes.

Twenty or 30 years ago, they didn't know as much as they do now. You can see the recommendations for healthy eating change every so often now. How many products were good then and are now cancerigen?

Now, if you don't act on it, it's another matter... you know you have it, you know that if you don't change your way of life you'll have more problems with time and you know or can learn pretty easily how to control it.

It's impossible to be in control 100% of the time but as long as you get back on the trains as fast as you can when you fall, you'll do good.

You just learned you have diabetes and lost 40 pounds already? Take care not to loose to fast and get other health problems.

I understand your need not to cause worries to your parents. If you live with them though, you'll have to be sure they know how to react if you get hypoglycemias or hyper.

Learn everything you can about the disease. Learn to control it.

[Anita]

Hi Firemaple1,

I'm so sorry to hear how you've found out about your diabetes problem :-(
At least you went to your doctor and didn't go on ignoring the problem, which obviously will not disappear.

Don't worry, as Gemstone said, if you take action in the matter, you might be even surprised to see it doesn't effect your life as much as one might think.
And don't worry, there are many people having the disease and having having a normal life style for years :-)

[juliedevos]

Hi Firemaple1

Welcome to the discussion board.

There are a few things I want to say:

1. Like Gemstone said diabetes is in part genetic for many people. Please dont think because you had a poor lifestyle that that is the reason you developed the disease. It goes much deeper than that. Genetics plays an extremely large and important role in this disease.

2. On not telling....well maybe that is your choice but beware. Some of the medications that you take will cause low blood sugars. If you have never had this before it can be quite scary. A friend of mine just recently had a very severe low where she actually passed out during a basketball game. This has NEVER happened to her before and she's 30 and has had diabetes since her early teens. Good thing she was with a friend who knew she had diabetes and knew what to do. This friend of mine is a Type 1 however this just doesnt happen to type 1's. My mom is a type 2 and has had a few scary lows after exercising while being on meds and she needed help because she was so low. I think not telling is dangerous for yourself...you never know what could happen and you pray that if something does you are with someone who knows what to do!!

3. It may seem hard at first dealing wiht diabetes but its really not that bad. It is managable and there are many people with the disease that know what you are going through now and what you will go through. Keep your head up and dont ever let it stop you from doing the things you love!

Julie
Type 1 for 15 years now