#type 1 diabetes awareness

[viathatoneartist]

a bit of a more personal piece. I deal with Type 1 Diabetes. The Lord God almighty has seen me through so much over 23 years of maintaining it. It's been rough but God is ever faithful.

I sometimes see other T1D people where they embrace it to the point thats all they are- someone with T1D. I can't help but feel sad about that. I have joy in my identity with the Lord and not my condition and I hope other find their identities in Him as well.

But for those who arent, Who are you besides the needles,pumps,finger sticks,and highs and lows? There's more to life than just your numbers and corrections. Take care of yourself, but please remember: You are not your T1D. You are stronger than your T1D.

[smilesrobotlover]

I cant believe I always forget this but November is national diabetes awareness month! 6 years has been crazy and it’s been hard, cuz you feel like you’re alone, but you’re not! I’ve met some amazing people at diabetes camp and I’ve even decided to work towards a career in diabetes education! Just know if any of y’all are dealing with this disease, you’re not alone! And even tho type 1 is permanent, you can still live a perfectly normal life if you keep a good eye on it! It’s not easy, but people are there to help you through it!

May we all conquer this together!

[inkadink17]

November is Diabetes Awareness Month and in case you didn’t know, Levi is type 1 diabetic!

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the blood sugar is too high and the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin to turn the glucose we get from food into energy.

Someone who is diabetic has to not only be careful of what they eat but use medical equipment such as CGMs, an insulin pump with an infusion set, lancet pens, glucose meters etc..

Sometimes diabetes is the root cause of more dangerous illnesses such as kidney and heart diseases. But there are ways to prevent it!

Most notable ones being to manage your weight and to not consume high amounts of carbohydrates and sugars.

That’s all I had to say k byeee 🫠✨

[mostghst]

happy world diabetes day to all my diabetics out there.

it’s tough having something that others cant see and cant understand. health education on diabetes to the masses is filled w ignorance, and non-diabetics either treat us like glass or that we’re just like them.

it’s tough out there for a diabitch

[yurimage]

National Eating Disorder Awareness Week - Diabulimia

CW // Disordered eating

(click for better quality)

Transcript Below

Diabulimia- Diabulimia is the informal term for an eating disorder specific to type 1 diabetics in which someone with the disorder intentionally restricts their insulin in order to lose weight. Although not listed as an official diagnosis in the DSM-V, it is an incredibly prevalent and dangerous eating disorder.

Type 1 Diabetes- Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disorder of the pancreas. Typically, the pancreas secretes insulin, a hormone that takes glucose from the blood and moves it into cells in order to be used as energy. However, in T1D, the body attacks itself and destroys the cells that secrete insulin. Without insulin, glucose from food sits around in the blood and builds up– causing a condition called hyperglycemia.¹ There’s currently no cure for T1D, so patients with the condition need to take insulin as injections or delivered through an insulin pump. T1D is irreversible, and life long, so patients need to take insulin for the rest of their lives.¹ T1D and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are not the same. In T2D, the pancreas still has insulin secreting cells; however, the body can’t properly use the insulin due to a high level of insulin resistance.² Because of the differences between T1D and T2D, diabulimia can only occur in those with T1D.

Insulin Restriction- In the absence of insulin, glucose can’t enter cells and instead stays in the bloodstream. Eventually, the body attempts to flush out excess glucose through urine– leading to severe dehydration. Since cells can’t get energy from glucose in this scenario, they instead try to get it from other sources– the body’s muscles and fat stores begin to be broken down for energy. This state is biologically the same as starvation as calories from food in the form of glucose are leaving the body before being used. The loss of calories and breakdown of fat and muscle, coupled with the loss of water weight from dehydration, lead to rapid weight loss.³ In diabulimia, insulin is restricted intentionally with the goal to lose weight.

DKA- In the short term, diabulimia leads to frequent urination and severe dehydration, immense fatigue and nausea and vomiting.³ If left untreated, these high blood sugars will eventually lead to a condition called Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA occurs when fat is broken down in the body. The breakdown of fat releases acidic compounds called ketones. Eventually, with enough build up of ketones, the blood itself becomes acidic and may eventually lead to coma or death.⁴ DKA must be treated in a hospital setting; and as such, is often the way that diabulimics are first treated for their eating disorders.

Health Consequences- Consistently high blood sugars will eventually lead to severe diabetic complications such as neuropathy (nerve damage), retinopathy (damage to the retinas in the eyes) or kidney disease.³ While long term health effects like eye damage and kidney disease are already common complications for those with T1D, diabulimia significantly increases the risk for these complications. A Japanese study found that insulin restriction was the most significant factor in developing retinopathy and kidney disease; meaning that these complications were more strongly correlated with insulin restriction than other factors such as how long someone had been diagnosed with T1D.⁵

Prevalence and Risk- When compared to girls without T1D, those in the same age range that were diagnosed with T1D were around 2.4 times more likely to have an eating disorder ⁶ One study that surveyed 112 teens with T1D found that around 27% restricted insulin dosages ⁷ An 11-year study found that those with T1D who restricted insulin had a risk of death 3.2 times higher than diabetics who did not ⁸

Why I'm Making This- Accessing treatment for diabulimia is incredibly difficult. When I first began to look for inpatient eating disorder treatment, I was turned down from every residential and inpatient facility in my state. The only reason I got into a residential that time was because my mom is a very determined and very convincing woman (she threatened to sue them). And that isn’t even accounting for the lack of diabulimia specific treatment. My last time in treatment, the hospital I was at recommended I enter inpatient; however, there ended up being only a few inpatient centers with diabulimia experience in my country-- the closest one rejected me because they couldn’t find an endocrinologist to oversee my diabetes care. This lack of treatment is especially dangerous with how severe the health consequences of diabulimia are. In fact, since beginning work on this infographic, I found out I may have kidney damage. Yes, as a result of diabulimia. I also have permanent eye damage, neuropathy, and I’m finally (3 months after leaving the hospital) recovering from the short term health consequences of my disorder. And even I am luckier than a lot of other diabulimics. With a disease so prevalent, and so, so dangerous, you’d think there would be enough support in treating it. But there isn’t. Largely I think, because most people simply don’t know that it exists. My only hope with making this infographic is that we can change that.

Sources:

1- “What is Type 1 Diabetes?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed January 31, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/what-is-type-1-diabetes.html.

2- “Type 2 Diabetes.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed January 31, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html.

3- “Diabulimia.” Cleveland Clinic. Accessed January 31, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22658-diabulimia.

4- “Diabetic Ketoacidosis.” Mayo Clinic. Accessed February 11, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371551

5- Takii, Masato, et. al.. “The Duration of Severe Insulin Omission Is the Factor Most Closely Associated with the Microvascular Complications of Type 1 Diabetic Females with Clinical Eating Disorders.” International Journal of Eating Disorders 41, no. 3 (April 2008): 259–64. doi:10.1002/eat.20498.

6- Jones, Jennifer M. “Eating Disorders in Adolescent Females with and without Type 1 Diabetes: Cross Sectional Study.” BMJ: British Medical Journal (International Edition) 320, no. 7249 (June 10, 2000): 1563. doi:10.1136/bmj.320.7249.1563.

7- Markowitz JT, et. al.. “Brief Screening Tool for Disordered Eating in Diabetes: Internal Consistency and External Validity in a Contemporary Sample of Pediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes.” Diabetes Care 33, no. 3 (March 2010): 495–500. doi:10.2337/dc09-1890.

8- Goebel-Fabbri, Ann E., et. al.. “Insulin Restriction and Associated Morbidity and Mortality in Women with Type 1 Diabetes.” Diabetes Care 31, no. 3 (March 2008): 415–19. doi:10.2337/dc07-2026.

[tumblydovereviews]

Diabetes In Media: The Good, the Bad, and the Stacey

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month in the United States, and to commemorate the month, today's blog is going to analyze three diabetic characters and how good, bad, or mid their handling is.

The unfortunate reality is that diabetes representation in the media is far from perfect. As a diabetic myself, I crave proper representation of people like me, but I've had to come to terms with the fact that we as a society still have a long way to go in those terms.

So, without further ado, let's get into three notable (whether for good or bad reasons) examples of diabetes in the media!

The Good: Sonia (Silly Sundays)

This piece of representation is as entertaining as it is vital. It's important to teach preschoolers about managing conditions and treating others with medical conditions well at a young age, and Silly Sundays does a commendable job in the process.

I've been waiting to talk about Silly Sundays for a while now; only recently did the show start airing episodes here in the States. The series focuses on three kids: Hugo and sisters Sonia and Mel. The three of them are cousins and go on adventures every Sunday when their family comes together, hence the show's title. Sonia, the middle cousin, happens to be diabetic, and wears a CGM and insulin pump. According to this interview, the idea for Sonia to be diabetic wasn't floated around until one of the staff member's sons was diagnosed and realized there weren't many characters with his condition on TV for him to see. This isn't touched on much in the show, with the exception being in the episode Sit Still Sonia where Sonia has a low blood sugar episode but struggles to relax and sit still. I love Silly Sundays' take on diabetes since it incorporates the condition into its plotlines in a way that feels realistic. Sonia's diabetes isn't the main focus of the episode, but it does tie into her everyday life in a way that manages to not hinder the main plot but educate on the condition at the same time.

I also love how Sonia's character isn't portrayed as 'perfect,' per say. She's still a little kid- she's impulsive, loud, and makes mistakes. It's so easy to feel pity for a chronically ill character and force them into a Mary-Sue persona, but Silly Sundays doesn't do that at all. Sonia may be diabetic, but at her core, she's an ordinary person, just like we all are.

The Bad: Oliver (Hannah Montana)

If you're at all familiar with Disney sitcoms you've most likely heard of Hannah Montana and her friend Oliver. However, most people fail to realize that Oliver has type 1 diabetes, and for good reason as well- the condition is mentioned once in a 'very special episode' and never again in the series' run. This would have been okay if it weren't for how badly the show fumbled in writing an episode about Type 1 diabetes in the first place. In fact, this episode, 'No Sugar, Sugar,' was temporarily pulled from Disney Channel and had to be reworked into a whole new episode just to be re-broadcasted again.

Oliver's type of diabetes is not specified, creating a sense of confusion as to why he's so desperate to eat sugar in the original cut. If Oliver had Type 1, he'd simply have to take insulin before having a sweet treat; as a type 2 diabetic myself, I can still have treats from time to time as long ad I check in with my body via my own CGM. Oliver can't do that for whatever reason.

Instead of focusing on the actual diagnosis itself, the episode is hyper focused on sugar. Not only is the stigma against diabetics and sugar so overplayed, but this stereotype is made even worse when considering that Hannah Montana is a show for children. You need to be extra careful when making content for little kids since they're so impressionable and can be sucked into conspiracies easily. Spreading blatant misinformation like Hannah Montana did is unacceptable.

While the episode was eventually refurbished and remade, the point still remains that the mere fact that the episode managed to get so far in production to be published out to the public is crazy in itself.

The Stacey: Stacey McGill (The Babysitters Club)

Stacey is arguably the most notable example of the three that I'm covering in this article. She gets her own section because there are multiple depictions of her in various mediums, and each of them are varying in their quality levels. None of the representations are bad, per say, but some are definitely better than others.

The original book series did an okay job, for a series that began in 1986. We got multiple books focusing on Stacey's condition, from one with her telling her friends about it to her ending up in the hospital. However, my problem comes with the fact that even in books where diabetes isn't even relevant, Stacey's condition is still shoved into our throats, and I'm saying that as a diabetic myself. I don't need to hear that Stacey has diabetes every ten seconds.

One scene that bothered me a lot was in a book where Stacey was babysitting a little girl named Charlotte whose parents were away. Charlotte was sick and didn't want to take her medicine, so Stacey showed the girl how she is forced to take insulin every day and that she should be grateful she only has to take cold medicine every so often. While I can understand where Stacey is coming from, swaying someone over because of a condition you have is not the best way to go in that regard.

The graphic novels and the 2020 Netflix series top the original books by a landslide, but I specifically want to discuss the latter example since it's the one I felt has had a more profound impact on the general population. Unlike the main books, Stacey's condition isn't thrown into every introduction of her character. Instead, there are a handful of episodes focused on the diagnosis, and all subsequent mentions are displayed via subtle signs, such as her insulin pump and her ability to drink a juice box when her sugar is low. Outside of her condition, Stacey is a New-Yorker fashionista, and unlike the books, the show doesn't neglect Stacey in that regard at all. Her diabetes is a part of her; it isn't just her.

While no new Babysitters Club content is currently being made, I can only hope that future iterations of the series, if they ever do happen, do as exceptional of a job in portraying diabetes as the 2020 series did. It's a shame that the series was cancelled so prematurely.

So there it is! Those are three examples of diabetes and how the portrayal of the condition has evolved over time. we've discussed all types of representation, from good to mediocre to god-awful. But, in the end, the effort to portray such a marginalized group is appreciated, even in the final result is less than stellar. Now that more research and is being conducted and awareness is growing, I'm confident that the way we see this disease will only continue to get better and better as time goes on.

[type1diabetesinfandom]

In a different, yet just as important, viewpoint jumping off of my last post:

@ people with diabetes or diabetes advocates

When you see someone say or post the ignorant 'this iz so sweet imma get diabeetus' idiocy

Do NOT respond with wishing harm on them!

Seriously, what?

I know a lot of diabetics overreact when someone says the thing, and i've been there done that got the crappy shirt etc

It's frustrating, SO frustrating, to see this disease taken so lightly and ignorantly almost everywhere, especially if you're having a bad time or feeling burnt out. But if you really feel the need to respond, whether specifically to the person OR just in general

DO NOT RESPOND BY WISHING HARM ON THEM!

First off, it's a horrible, genuinely morally reprehensible thing to do. Step back, give yourself space, and cool off. Vent in private if you feel the need to. That's what friends and DMs are for! :D

Second, when your behavior is worse than that of the person you're upset with, YOU ARE NO LONGER IN THE RIGHT. You are no longer a victim—you're a jerk. I don't care how upset or hurt you are. Act like a normal fucking human.

Also

TELLING SOMEONE YOU HOPE THEY DEVELOP T1D IS WISHING HARM ON THEM

If you see a joke or, in this case, something that's unfortunately become a common phrase, that makes light of diabetes or is based on ignorance and stereotypes or otherwise upset you, here's what you do:

1. Step away.

Yes, I'm serious. Breathe. It's a stupid phrase—do not let words, especially some random stranger's words, hurt you! Do not give people that kind of power over you.

2. Decide if you're up to getting (civilly!) involved.

2a. If you decide you're calm enough to talk to them about it and why that little thoughtless thing they said and then totally forgot about was upsetting to you, take this as an opportunity to educate. Especially when here on tumblr, because you're not talking to just that person! (Unless ofc it's in DMs). You're talking to everyone who will see that post!

Take the opportunity and use it wisely!

2b. Block 'em.

Again, perfectly serious here. Never be guilty about blocking someone, even if it's for as simple a reason as they popped up on your screen and were annoying.

I block people who say diabetes jokes, all the time! Especially when I'm browsing a tag and that kind of content is cluttering it. The button is right there: use it!

Tldr: be nice to each other

[gtzgoblin]

Anyone in the diabetes community able to help with a dexcom issue? I'm running my alerts through x-drip ATM because they don't seem to be pinging properly. Sometimes are but it's only a one-off noise, most often it's only a single vibrate, sometimes they aren't showing at all (I was high for 4 hours the other night, didn't get an alert until two hours out of range, then obvs sugars were messed up for the entire day because of it after it took another 2 to drop down - and TBF highs aren't really that much of a worry, I don't want to miss hypos). I'm definitely not going to wake up for a weak vibrate, and I will probably (and probably have) just turn a single noise off and do nothing about it. I basically need the equivalent of an air raid siren to respond.

I've taken my phone off do not disturb and (the horror) put it on loud. Dexcom is set to always override so that shouldn't have mattered anyway but obvs now running the risk of being woken up 20x a night by alerts from other, usually silenced, apps. Tried turning all my other alerts off but it was painstaking and I still managed to miss a load (then fucked up my whatsapp in the process!)

I'm happy to continue running x-drip (though have some concerns about how well it's picking up the data/delays) but just wondering how everyone else manages? Is there a specific ring tone that keeps going? When you click okay on the alert does that make it go away forever? Should I be swiping to snooze? Like what the hell am I doing wrong?

Nothing I do seems to make the slightest bit of difference and it's very frustrating considering people have been raving about the system for years! Can't go back to libre because I need it for closed loop.

Also, on the subject, my x-drip gives me a numeric value in the top bar where dexcom is just a symbol and you have to expand to see the number. Any way dexcom does that? Should I just stop whinging and keep running x-drip because I know I like it? Lmao.

[achronicmess]

Because You Can’t See It

TW: This post deals with chronic illness and its impact on mental health, specifically my personal experiences in this context.

You can’t see it. Most people would probably describe me as a dynamic, positive, and cheerful person. Because you can’t tell by looking at me that I’m sick. And often, I almost forget myself how much I deal with every single day. I usually go through life smiling because my illnesses are part of me, but they don’t define me. And even though I struggle, there’s no reason for me to treat those around me poorly. Often, I even feel really good, but then a day like today comes along, and all my positivity seems to vanish.

Yesterday, I was full of energy and drive, checking off my to-do list without any problems. Today, the world looks different. My alarm rings at 8 a.m. There’s so much to do; I absolutely have to keep working on my term paper. But just before 11 a.m., I’m still lying in bed. This time, it’s a migraine. My head is pounding, the light seems to stab through my eyes into my brain, poking around in there. I feel so nauseous that I try to stop myself from throwing up by doing breathing exercises. I know I should eat something to feel better, but I can’t get anything down. I can’t even touch my coffee. I’ve been lying here for almost three hours now, focusing on my breathing and thinking about all the things I need to get done today. At 11 a.m., I finally drag myself into the bathroom, hoping a hot shower will help. But I don’t even make it to the shower. I feel so sick that I just sit down on the bathroom floor. Breathe, I tell myself. Inhale, exhale, don’t panic. But as I sit here next to the dryer on the floor, I feel unbelievably pathetic. Here I am again. I feel terrible, and once again, my body is failing me, as it so often does. I break down in tears. Great, now I’m sitting here crying on the bathroom floor, and from this point, my thoughts spiral.

It’s always the same. It starts with “Why?”. Why me? What did I do to deserve this? Why is my body so fragile? Why can’t I just be healthy? Be normal? Why me? I sink into self-pity and hate myself for it because there are people who have it so much worse than I do. But the thoughts won’t stop. I feel like a failure. Weak, because I can’t even get through a simple day. Because I so often can’t meet my responsibilities. Because I neglect my friends, cancel plans, and can’t stick to deadlines. Because my studies are dragging on. Because I can’t establish routines. And all of this is just because my body is attacking itself from the inside, can’t protect me on the outside, and gets overwhelmed by stress. I’m young, and I have many goals I want to achieve in life, but on days like this, I just wish I didn’t exist at all.

After half an hour, I finally manage to get into the shower, hoping my meds will start working soon. I decide to leave my tasks for the day aside and just go back to bed until I feel better. I know I’ll beat myself up tomorrow for not getting anything done. For being unproductive and pushing my tasks off. Even though, deep down, I know it’s not my fault. That it’s important to take care of my health and myself on days like this. That my fragile body is part of me, and I have to accept it. That I’ve become who I am today because of my situation. That my illnesses have made me a strong person. That I am strong.

But the only person telling me that is myself. And it’s not always easy to believe it. From others, I hear things like: “But you look so fit,” “You have diabetes? But you’re so slim!” “You have rheumatoid arthritis? But you’re so young!” “Oh, stop complaining. Wait until you get to my age.” “Why are you always so tired? You’re still young and full of energy.” “Another vacation? You hardly work as it is.”

And no matter how much I know these people are wrong, that they’re ignorant and have no right to judge, I internalize these things. So I feel guilty when I call in sick. I feel bad when I have to cancel appointments. I feel incompetent because I can’t handle everyday tasks like a healthy person can. And I’m afraid of being judged. Afraid of being seen as unreliable or lazy. Even though I’m doing my best.

I don’t want pity from others, but what I do wish for is understanding and recognition. For me and for all the other people who are struggling with chronic illnesses. There’s so much more to it than just the illness. It’s a huge mental burden. Especially in a society so focused on performance. We give everything we can, but to keep up, we have to give so much more than a healthy person.

But no one sees that. Because you can’t see it.

October 18, 2024

[savannahjamesauthor]

ARCADIAN: A POETRY COLLECTION by Savannah James

9/30/24 on Amazon, Kindle, & Kindle Unlimited

🖋️Synopsis:

In her first poetry collection, Savannah James dives headfirst into her experiences as a type one diabetic, life with obsessive compulsive disorder, and ableism in the school setting. Through prose, notes, and letters, she portrays the hardship of having a disability, along with the trauma of dealing with one at such a young age. She calls out the public school system that failed her and others like her, finally giving voice to the younger version of herself that didn't have the power to defend or advocate for herself. This collection, ironically titled "arcadian", is the author's soul transterred onto paper, written with the hope that others like her will feel seen and validated through her story. Before reading please read the trigger warnings. Sensitive topics are discussed at length.

[pvtjoker22]

Happy World Diabetes Day folks.

Fun fact:

It is the 100-year anniversary of the discovery of insulin

[blank-between-parentheses]

I will never not giggle at the irony of being diagnosed with T1 diabetes in November.

Happy diabetes awareness month!

[shipskicksandgiggles]

T1D Awareness Month Masterlist

for those who don't know me, hi, I'm Ellis, I have type one diabetes and an unhealthy relationship with characters with more trauma than they should reasonably have. I also write fanfiction. the result is this! I wrote for national diabetes awareness month (ndam), but haven't yet shared them with tumblr. this is a series, but I'm pretty sure you'd be fine reading any one of them on their too

Pins and Needles

Relationships: past Steve Harrington/Nancy Wheeler

Summary: Steve Harrington's earliest memory is of a hospital when he was four years old. Everything that happened later was in part the result.

Warnings: Steve Harrington has Bad Parents, hospitals

Pumps and Possibility

Relationships: Steve Harrington & Robin Buckley, Steve Harrington & Max Mayfield

Summary: Thirteen is a big year for a lot of boys. It’s your first year of being a teenager, your voice starts to change, you start to notice girls.

It became a real possibility that Steve could get an insulin pump when he was thirteen.

Warnings: Steve Harrington has Bad Parents

No More Sugarcoating

Relationships: Eleven Hopper & Steve Harrington

Summary: Maybe it was the concussion talking, but Steve had a headache. There were four children in his car, which he hadn’t started his day expecting.

At this point, he decided to just go with it. Nothing could truly shock him anymore.

Except for maybe the girl with superpowers.

Warnings: Low Blood Sugars

What Family Can Be

Relationships: Steve Harrington & Dustin Henderson, Steve Harrington & Eddie Munson, developing Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson

Summary: The first person Steve willingly told was Dustin.

His worst low blood sugar happened around someone he never expected to need to tell.

Ever since 1983, Steve had seemed to collect a family.

Warnings: Low Blood Sugars, implied Steve Harrington has Bad Parents

[darthsarcom]

I am genuinely confused why most people seem to think if a diabetes has low blood sugar, they need insulin. This misinformation has killed people and will continue to do so.

Like, think logicaly for half a second. If my blood sugar is low, I have a lack of sugar in my blood.

And I know its not that they think insulin gives sugar or something, when I've had high blood sugar I've had people ask me if I needed sugar.

[themissingrightsocks]

It's November!! That means it's Diabetes awareness month! I wish all my fellow diabetics a happy November and know that you got this. You are valued and diabetes is hard and it sucks sometimes but you're doing great and I am very very proud of you.

Remember to dose for insulin and check your blood glucose. Have a little treat because you deserve it, and have a great month!

[yamislittleangel55]

I made a little video for Diabetes Awareness Month!