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March 5, 2003

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Question from Irvine, California, USA:

Have you ever thought of separating the questions into type 1 and type 2 questions? The two types of diabetes are so very different.

It is extremely disconcerting for me, the parent of a type 1 child, to read questions from type 2s where they mention their “extremely high readings of 160 -180 mg/dl [mmol/L]” when I’m trying some days to get my daughter’s sugars anywhere under 200 mg/dl [11.1 mmol/L]. For those of us contending with type 1, it’s very discouraging to realize that a day without any 300s mg/dl [16.7 mmol/L] or 400s mg/dl [22.2 mmol/L] is not necessarily any kind of victory at all!

Furthermore, it is frustrating to me that people who do not have to get diabetes, namely very overweight people with poor diet and exercise habits, ask a lot of questions about the real need for compliance. Complying with a diabetes plan isn’t an option for those of us who are parents of children with type 1. We just have to do it.

Honestly, I have to commend all the doctors and nurses and dietitians who answer questions on this website. You are a tremendous source of help and encouragement. I don’t mean to offend anyone (my mother is one of those non-compliant people with type 2!) — I just think that perhaps it would be less frustrating for many others besides myself if there were two D-team areas. Thanks for letting me vent and again, thank you so much for being there for all of us struggling with this disease.

Answer:

From: DTeam Staff

When we first started the “Ask the Diabetes Team” in the fall of 1995, the questions were all about type 1 diabetes. Over time, as more people found our web site, the topics expanded to cover all aspects of diabetes, including type 1, type 2, gestational, and other forms of diabetes (MODY, for example), and even diabetes in pets. We take all questions, because the people asking are genuinely in need of help.

Also, many questions are relevant for anyone with diabetes, such as questions about blood glucose meters, insulin pumps, and types of insulin.

JSH

[Editor’s comment: too have sometimes wondered about whether “splitting” or “lumping” the various questions is best. As Jeff says, we’ve concluded that it’s probably worthwhile for all people reading this section of the website to see the other scenarios that arise in dealing with diabetes, whether it’s something applicable for their kid, or their neighbor, or perhaps even their own parent.

Thanks for writing, and thanks for the kind words. Please keep reading, and we hope your mom will, too!

WWQ]