Part 2 of 2 parts
It is amazing the number of problems
that we as type 2 patients face to learn about diabetes and how to
care for ourselves. Is it any wonder many people give up and become
depressed? I can understand this and try as I might, the only answer
I can find is to self-educate ourselves. Yes, some can find
excellent doctors, certified diabetes educators, and excellent
nutritionists, (no I did not say dietitians), and excellent support
groups. If you have one of these people, work very hard to keep
them, respect them, and learn from them. We will all probably need
to continually battle our high profit minded insurance companies for
medicines and testing supplies, but this is a battle all must fight.
I am fortunate to be part of a very
strong diabetes support group. Activities are slowing for the
summer, but I know several people are paying attention to the FDA
discussion on Avandia and several of the other diabetes drugs.
Self-education is a tool we work at together, we inform each other
about different studies and research that is published online, and we
often talk about them by exchanging emails and occasionally using
video conferences.
We as a group are thankful that we are
able to talk about diabetes and while we know of some people that are
outside of the group that will not talk about diabetes and are doing
their best to keep it a secret, this is not a goal of any of the
current members. With diabetes being the 24/7 problem, we will
accept support from each other and be glad that we have this. There
are three that are not members, but they do talk to different members
quite frequently and we help them when asked. We know why they do
not want to be members at this time and we are not pushing them to
join. Two are just happy that we thought enough of them to include
them on our email list. Their jobs keep them busy and away from home
to the point that when they are home, they wish to spend time with
their family. The third is talking to Brenda and me, but there are
other factors involved as well.
I will again list several of my blogs
for people to review and hopefully find information that will help
them learn and become knowledgeable about diabetes. Blog 1, blog 2,
and blog 3 contain information and websites to read and explore. There is some duplication between blog 1 and blog 3.
Because many of us do not have doctors
that have time to educate us, certified diabetes educators available,
or facilities available to assist in diabetes education, it is our
responsibility to educate ourselves. Some doctors will encourage
this and others will not. The doctors that will not, often feel they
are all that you need and do not want you on the internet educating
yourself. So be careful and do not bring lots of printed materials
to an appointment with these doctors. You would be better served by
asking how they feel about you finding information on the internet.
If they discourage this, then by all means use the internet and keep
quiet about it. Local libraries can sometimes be useful in finding
books or using their computers. Therefore, do not be discouraged if
you do not own a computer.
Another resource person you may be able
to use for medications is your pharmacist. Some are very helpful and
again others do not feel they should help. This will often depend on
how busy the pharmacist is.
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