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Scott Benner 0:00
Hello friends, and welcome to episode 988 of the Juicebox Podcast.

Jenny Smith and I are back today with another diabetes myth episode today we're going to discuss the myth that there's a good and bad kind of diabetes. While you're listening. Please remember that nothing you hear on the Juicebox Podcast should be considered advice, medical or otherwise, always consult a physician before making any changes to your healthcare plan or becoming bold with insulin. If you'd like to hire Jenny, she works at integrated diabetes.com Set diabetes for 35 years she's a dietician a CTE, she's wonderful, you'll hear integrated diabetes.com Speaking of good deals, use my link drink ag one.com forward slash juice box. And when you do, your first order will come with a free year supply of vitamin D, and five free travel packs of 81. You can use the offer code juice box at checkout at cozy earth.com to save 40% off of your entire order. And if you go to us med.com forward slash juicebox you'll be getting a special link just for Juicebox Podcast listeners. And you can get started with us med Alright, let's get to the show shall we?

This episode of The Juicebox Podcast is sponsored by touched by type one. Now touched by type one is a fantastic organization helping people with type one diabetes. And their big event is coming up on September 16. I will be speaking a number of times that day at the event as will Jenny touched by type one.org. And I believe there are still tickets available. The tickets by the way are completely free. Touched by type one.org. Head over there now. Get some seeds come out and says today's podcast is also sponsored by the contour next gen blood glucose meter contour next.com forward slash juicebox. Get yourself an accurate meter. Get yourself the contour next gen. Jenny Hey, how are you?

Jennifer Smith, CDE 2:20
I'm great. How are you?

Scott Benner 2:21
I'm ready to do another diabetes myth. This one is that you have the bad type. Oh, okay, let's figure out what this means.

Jennifer Smith, CDE 2:31
I'd also like to know what the good type is. Oh, great. I'll take that guy.

Scott Benner 2:35
I think the good type is the opposite of the bad type. There you go. Isn't it fascinating how people want to compare things? Right? It's everything is a comparison, if you have this kind of diabetes, and that person has that kind of diabetes, one of them must be better than the other one. Let's figure out which, by the way, I'm going to skip to the end for you. And neither of them are gonna type it. But let's find out what because you

Jennifer Smith, CDE 3:01
have to choose I guarantee 100% of people would be like, No, I'm not gonna choose either. Thank you for giving me an option. Yeah, I

Scott Benner 3:09
don't want either of them. Thank you. Okay, people ask me all the time. Do I have the good diabetes or the bad diabetes? And the next person says, so type one. Is that the good one or the bad one. So now people with diabetes are like, Well, which one do I? I didn't know. Okay, now. Oh, you're a type one. That's the bad kind, right? Because you can't have sugar. I could never do that. I hate needles. That's a whole quote from somebody.

Jennifer Smith, CDE 3:41
That one just drives me especially when it comes from. I've had a lot of parents who have actually brought that up, you know, where a friend or somebody has said, Well, you know, good for you. I'm so glad that you can do that. I totally, I couldn't take that needle. Or I, I couldn't do that to my child. I'm like, Well, you know what, you worked really hard, hard to have this wonderful little person in life. I guarantee that if they said that you had to like jam a needle into the kid's brain every day to live. You would do it. Yeah. Yeah. Right. I mean, you would

Scott Benner 4:14
do exactly what everyone else does go into a private room, go like this for a second. And then walk out and do it. Like and then Shaklee shuts your mouth and get going. My boss said to me, Oh, you have the bad kind of diabetes. And this person is a type one. And they said the first thing that popped in my head was Oh, I thought I had the good guy. And he goes I'm just kidding. But that's a thing somebody like just felt comfortable saying to them. When I was misdiagnosed as a type two, the doctor said at least it's not the bad kind.

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Jennifer Smith, CDE 7:01
And I wonder if that comes from comes from the idea that maybe type two is still seen as the potential of lifestyle management where it doesn't include medication or injections or pomp or what appears to be more work than someone with type, right type one versus type two. But we know enough today to say that both of them can be very difficult to navigate. Both of them include really hard things to learn about managing and navigating this kind of medication versus that kind, you know, food and life variables, they cross over from type one to type two. So again, we all know there's not one good and one bad type. But

Scott Benner 7:56
I'll say this too. And this is where it becomes really dangerous. If these are physicians saying this to you, then their expectation is if I'm sussing through all this correctly, if you don't have to take insulin, then it's better. Except I just got done editing an episode that's going to go up soon with a type two, it's going to just be called type two stories, Nancy, and in and Nancy is 58. And she's had type two for a very long time. And what we figured out while we were talking was that if a decade or more ago, someone would have given Nancy insulin, her life would have been significantly better. Right? Probably and and just her story went that way, right? But if a doctor is thinking, that whole thing, like if you're not shooting insulin, it's not as bad, then that's why I think at times, you get the idea from people that using insulin is giving up when you have type two. Like don't give up and use insulin. Do another sit up, have another watercress salad, you know, like, like, be miserable for another year, don't lose any weight and have your a one C not go anywhere. And then I'll just tell you it's diet and exercise when it's over. All right. Yeah, I think that's maybe the biggest problem that comes out of this that I mean, besides saying to somebody, Oh, do you have the good kind or the like, can you imagine going up to somebody and saying cancer? Did you get the good one or the bad one? Like no, it's cancer. Thanks. Yeah.

Jennifer Smith, CDE 9:19
It's almost it's that's not a terrible comparison. Because as we know, today, there are many cancers that are more likely respond to treatment and more likely to definitely, completely, you know, deal with and navigate and you end up on the other side without cancer any longer, right. And then there are cancers that are more difficult, but if you look at the broad scope of cancer, like cancer is crap.

Scott Benner 9:46
Yeah. The way I feel like it's like if I had a car if you and I were in a car together and we had an accident, and I broke my leg into places and you broke your arm in one place, would someone stick their head in the car and go Oh, you got the good brake and He got a bad break. I mean, we're all we're all in the same goddamn car accident. Again, this is terrible, thank you, it doesn't need to be judged against itself, which is, which is really over and over again, what pops up in some of these episodes is just people's desire to make something bigger than the other thing faster than the other thing worse than the other thing like it just play, I gotta look into that. Is there like a real like, psychological thing that people? Why do people want to make comparisons all the time, I'm sorry, you talk like,

Jennifer Smith, CDE 10:29
Oh, I was actually going to say use, you just mentioned the mental component. And I was going to bring up the fact that what they're looking at from an outside perspective of not having lived with it, is the idea that again, type two may look, quote unquote easier, because they see less technology in use, they see less rules, so to speak in management, than somebody who has the pump or the insulin pen or the injections to do or you see them doing a finger stick or whatever it might be. But the mental management of diabetes in general, is not easier in either capacity. It's not easier in either case. Right? So I think that's a misunderstanding, again, from the general public of easy versus hard. diabetes is a struggle.

Scott Benner 11:25
Yeah. Well, listen, my brother has type two diabetes. And until recently, he has been doing everything a doctor has been telling him and it's not going anywhere for him. And it's been incredibly frustrating, and difficult, and all the things that you would consider. I mean, you could apply to type one, like I've heard people with type one, say the same things that he said, Just because he doesn't need insulin, or I don't know, he can't get low, you know, it doesn't mean that it's not a horrible struggle for for somebody else. Right, by the way here that I'm going to, I'll talk to Erica about this and one of the Mental Health ones, because I think that this comparison thing, it needs to be looked into a little bit. So I mean, not that it's, you know, a great surprise. But, you know, there's a lot of research here from psychological institutions about why people compare themselves and other things to each other. And

Jennifer Smith, CDE 12:18
I think that would be a great conversation with her. Honestly,

Scott Benner 12:21
I'm gonna do that. Anyway. Neither of you have the bad kind of diabetes. And both of you had the bad kind of diabetes. I mean, like you, if you're just pregnant, if you just get gestational for a few months, and you make a baby and boom, it goes away. Right? Did you not have a bad kind of diabetes?

Jennifer Smith, CDE 12:43
100% 100%, you had a kind, that still meant that your pregnancy experience was shifted in a way that it would not have done. So for that duration of time, you had a lot more to navigate and take care of does that make it the better kind? Because technically, for the majority of women, it does go away. Post delivery? Yes. Again, just a it's just a crappy thing to say to somebody. Just don't say it. What was your

Scott Benner 13:15
lips? You and I talked before we started recording, I'm gonna fold in something we said into here. Sure. So we were talking about you know, people having different issues and finding fixes for them, maybe a supplement or something that they could take that really helped them. And we started kind of philosophizing between each other about why some people bemoan that, oh, I have to take this every day now. And why some people think, Oh, my God, I found an answer to my problem. Right, like, and so I think that's kind of like that mindset is important to add into this episode, because you have diabetes, type one type two, lot of just it doesn't matter. You have diabetes, to think of it in any way, shape, or form as the bad kind, I think is, is not good for you

Jennifer Smith, CDE 14:08
know, from a mental standpoint. No, it always makes you feel like as you said, I take a supplement to help with this problem. Oh, my gosh, I have to take the supplement. My My opinion is, gosh, I take supplements for things. I'm glad I found something that works. I'm like, great. I'll take the supplement exam to deal with whatever this was, right?

Scott Benner 14:28
Because the the alternative is to say, and you and I, we talked about this earlier, like I don't know where this idea comes from. But people expect perfection. They expect these they expect things to work the way they were promised. God knows who's promised that to them. Right? But like there's this expectation of there's a pristine kind of health and if I don't have that it's something's been stolen from me and everyone else has it. But I mean, how long do you have to pay attention that nobody has it? Like, everyone's body is not perfect. And so yours. Yes, diabetes is like, I'm not trying to minimize what diabetes says, obviously. And it's a lot and it can be difficult. But if you can find the answers to it, I think the next kindest thing you can do to yourself, is to stop saying good or bad in your head. Just absolutely, yeah, this is my graduation. And this is how we take care of it.

Jennifer Smith, CDE 15:20
And I think, you know, we talked previously, too, about the idea of a pump fixing everything, right. And I think unfortunately, sometimes the idea that that idea of perfection, may start from some clinical professional, being able to say, hey, you know, let's look at starting a pump, because this will take care of this, this and this, their perspective is lacking the day to day with what it really takes to have diabetes and navigate it. Yes, a pump may help. It may make things more positive and a little bit easier and whatnot, but it's not going to be perfect. So I think that needs to also be understood in terms of there is, there's nothing that's perfect.

Scott Benner 16:08
Yeah, I guess I'm gonna take I was joking earlier, I'm just gonna take it back. You don't have the good time. You don't have the bad kind. You have diabetes. This is what it requires. You are, I think, lucky enough to live in this time. Because, you know, you don't have to go back 100 years, it's 100 years ago, this would have just killed you. You wouldn't be alive. 110 years ago, my daughter wouldn't exist. All these people listening wouldn't exist. And now you do. It's insane. Yeah, I mean, it's, it's really, it's a wonderful gift to live in this time. If your pancreas is gonna stop working so far in history.

Jennifer Smith, CDE 16:42
Right now is the time for that to happen. Yeah. And obviously, hopefully it doesn't. But if it does, yes, absolutely.

Scott Benner 16:48
And I think it's hard to keep that in mind. Sometimes when you think, well, this isn't what I expected, or what I wanted. And it's not a you know, it's not perfect, but you're, you're alive, and you know, you're functioning and you have every opportunity. And I know that the big stuff is the doesn't get explained correctly by some people's doctors, and they struggle, but that's why we put all this here. So hopefully, that doesn't happen to us, you know, as few people as possible. I didn't mean to bum us out at the end here because No, the bad kind is. I mean, what people say is so ridiculous. It almost borderlines on funny. So anyway, I appreciate you doing this with me,

Jennifer Smith, CDE 17:24
of course yes.

Scott Benner 17:34
I want to thank Jenny for coming on the show today and remind you that she works at integrated diabetes.com. And of course, let's thank touched by type one, not just for the good work they do. But for sponsoring the Juicebox Podcast you really should even if you're not coming out to the event, go check out what they're up to at touched by type one.org and find them on Facebook and Instagram. Lastly, I'd like to thank the Contour Next One contour next one.com forward slash very informative page. easy to navigate. To find out more make your purchase right

if you were a loved one has been diagnosed with type one diabetes. The bold beginnings series from the Juicebox Podcast is a terrific place to begin listening. In this series, Jenny Smith and I will go over the questions most often asked at the beginning of type one. Jenny is a certified diabetes care and education specialist who is also a registered and licensed dietitian and Jenny has had type one diabetes for 35 years. My name is Scott Benner and I am the father of a child who has type one diabetes. Our daughter Arden was diagnosed in 2006 at the age of two. I believe that at the core of diabetes management, understanding how insulin works, and how food and other variables impact your system is of the utmost importance. The bold beginning series will lead you down the path of understanding. The series is made up of 24 episodes, and it begins at episode 698. In your podcast, or audio player. I'll list those episodes at the end of this to listen, you can go to juicebox podcast.com. Go up to the menu at the top and choose bold beginnings. Or go into any audio app like Apple podcasts, or Spotify. And then find the episodes that correspond with the series. Those lists again are at Juicebox Podcast up in the menu or if you're in the private Facebook group in the feature tab. The private Facebook group has over 40,000 members. There are conversations happening right now and 24 hours a day. You'd be incredibly interested in. So don't wait. So don't wait. Check out the bowl beginning series today and get started on your journey. Episode 698 defines the bowl beginning series 702, honeymooning, 706 adult diagnosis 711 and 712 go over diabetes terminologies. In Episode 715, we talked about fear of insulin in 719 the 1515 rule, Episode 723 long acting insulin 727 target range 731 food choices 735 Pre-Bolus 739 carbs 743 stacking 747 flexibility in Episode 751 We discussed school in Episode 755 Exercise 759 guilt, fears hope and expectations. In episode 763 of the bowl beginning series. We talk about community 772 journaling 776 technology and medical supplies. Episode Seven at treating low blood glucose episode 784. Dealing with insurance 788 talking to your family and episode 805 illness and ketone management. Check it out it will change your life. When you support the Juicebox Podcast by clicking on the advertisers links, you are helping to keep the show free and plentiful. I am certainly not asking you to buy something that you don't want. But if you're going to buy something, or use the device from one of the advertisers, getting your purchases set up through my links is incredibly helpful. So if you have the desire or the need, please consider using Juicebox Podcast links to make your purchases