- With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
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Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Nancy Klobassa Davidson and Peggy Moreland
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., B.S.N, C.D.E
Nancy Klobassa Davidson is a registered nurse who has worked in diabetes education for 17 years. She is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) and is currently in graduate school working on a Master of Science in nursing (M.S.N.) and health care education.Nancy works with adults who have type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes. Nancy is coordinator of the Diabetes Unit's intensive insulin therapy program within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Nancy has worked extensively with insulin pump therapy and continuous interstitial glucose sensing.
Peggy Moreland, R.N., M.S.N.
Peggy Moreland is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.Peggy graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Education from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. A certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.), Peggy enjoys working with patients to set and achieve diabetes self-management goals.
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Living with diabetes blog
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Feb. 15, 2012
Dealing with the diabetes 'police'
By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
We were at a family gathering, having ice cream for dessert, when "Uncle" pointed his finger at my son, who has type 1 diabetes, and said, "You can't have that!"
My son sat in stunned silence, so I spoke up and said that he has good control of his diabetes and can have sweets as long as he gives himself insulin to cover the carbs.
Friends and family usually have good intentions. Uncle had a good friend die from diabetes and was a little emotional. Keep in mind that diabetes affects the whole family, not just the person with the disease.
Other family members often don't understand why you get frustrated with diabetes management. Or, they don't see the need to change their own lifestyle. Do you ever find that some people think that diabetes shouldn't be all that hard to handle, and that you just need to make more of an effort?
So what can you do to deal with the diabetes police?
- When you encounter an outburst such as my son received, use it as an opportunity to educate others about diabetes management. Explain that you are allowed to eat a certain number of carbs, including simple sugars.
- Ask not to be singled out. Help them to see that you need their encouragement and support. Give them some examples of how they can help.
- Examine your behavior. Your natural reaction to pushy, nagging family and friends is to dig in and resist their attempts. Be honest with yourself. Your family is concerned about your health because they're concerned about you. No one manages their diabetes 100 percent perfect. There are days when you eat things you shouldn't or feel like skipping testing your blood sugar. Letting diabetes management slide and seeing your blood sugar levels skyrocket is another matter. You can minimize their concerns by doing your best to stay on track.
- Family members, ask how you can help. Most of all, listen and acknowledge that you don't understand the difficulties of diabetes management, but would like to offer support.
As a mother of two sons with type 1 diabetes, I've resisted the urge to nag. However, when one of my sons expressed to me his frustrations with 24/7 diabetes management and took a break from it, I expressed my concern. I acknowledged his feelings and offered support. I told him I didn't want to nag, but wanted him to know I'm there if he needs support. He was appreciative and even gave me permission to call and "hassle" him once in awhile.
Peggy
16 comments posted
June 28, 2012 6:00 a.m.
Thanks for the great advice. I know exactly that feeling and recently wrote about the diabtes police on my blog. Tips I had included - the world is not perfect so dont expect us to be and sometimes hugs are better than words.
- NiceDiabetes
April 22, 2012 5:36 p.m.
In my family, I, a RN, am the diabetic police. My husband of 29 yrs is 63 & Hispanic. He was diagnosed pre-diabetic several yrs ago and given Metformin. No diet was suggested, no diabetic teaching, no guidance for self-testing. He was not even told when to return for FBS nor was an A1C done. I suggested to his dr. that perhaps he needed the A1C & should return in 4 mos. I have continued to be the one who pushes for monitoring (I love this man!) He has also been receiving meds for cholesterol & triglyceride management. A little over a mo. ago he ran out of all his meds. Could not be refilled w/o a dr. visit. He is "too busy" or "doesn't remember" to make a dr. appt. How can I get his dr. to include health education in the visit so that my loved one will understand the importance of a good diet and med management? I just don't understand how a physician can write a script, hand it to the patient, smile and let him go, no f/u, no teaching, nothing.
- Jeanne
March 5, 2012 5:23 p.m.
Type 2 here. I am more worried about the unpolice. Other type 2's who try to get me to eat like they do and deny that any damage occurs because they ate donuts for a month and they can still see where they are going! Successful denial due to a lack of immediate results!
- Michael
February 21, 2012 2:24 p.m.
What bothers me is when we have family reunions and those type 11 who are on insulin check their blood sugar to see how much insulin to inject so they can eat the special sweet concoctions. I am on oral meds so I follow my diet and can't eat those foods. That is not a complaint because it doesn't bother to see others eat sweets. These reunions go on for a weekend and everyone brings bars and cakes. My son has asked me why I bring rich desserts to our family holidays. I am the only diabetic and I just say I bring for others to enjoy. I eat what I can and let the skinny grandkids endulge. If I don't bring what they like they are so upset. I want them to remember their grandma for the good things and not that she has some disease. My family is well informed of the genetic component in many of the relatives so are careful to watch out for their health. A rich dessert at Christmas isn't going to hurt the grandkids and I will continue to watch them enjoy and remember good things about grandma.
- Ferne
February 19, 2012 8:56 p.m.
As the wife of a late onset type 1 I have been both the carb police and on the defense against those intrusive remarks. Most folks don't understand carb to insulin ratios, haven't a clue what diabetes, 1 & 2 are all about. They only "know" if a diabetic lost weight and exercised they would "recover". It does get tiresome trying to educate these people, sometimes it's worthwhile, other times a waste of effort. We sometimes find it easiest to simply respond with "he's allowed" and let it go at that. Tight control is important, as is good diet and exercise, again, the A1C tells all as does the daily testing. It's important, too, to live your life around the disease, not to make the disease the focus of your life. Best wishes to all.
- Jean
December 10, 2010 3:33 p.m.
just read your article and noticed you have 2 type 1 our 9 year old was dia. 9 mo. ago and our 12 year old 1 mo ago. thank you for sharing and encouraging others.we have a lot to learn.
- scott
June 1, 2010 4:40 p.m.
yeal for all those who have control. we are not all alike. i am type 2. have a hard time with control. know all the dangers, etc... just have a difficult time staying in control. i do not need to be bullied or policed. i just want to live and live very well.
- doris
May 29, 2010 6:48 p.m.
Is there a fitness program for a borderline diabetic? Fred
- Fred
May 28, 2010 9:27 a.m.
Diabetes these days allows everyone to eat as they please, which is good. One should, however, bear in mind that having diabetes makes one more pre-disposed to other complications such as heart disease, liver disease, and kidney disease. Bearing that in mind, I would suggest that every diabetic be very careful about their choice of food.
- Mike
May 27, 2010 7:44 a.m.
Way to go Lyndeka!!!
- Nancy and Peggy
May 19, 2010 3:54 p.m.
I have adult onset diabetes and am a recovering health police to my family. I had to experience policing to realize how thoughtless the comments are, even from medical professional at church, who monitor our selections as we eat! I have learned "to be as wise as a serpent and as gentle as a dove" with my responses.
- Lyndeka
May 19, 2010 8:01 a.m.
I have beeen told that my five year old daughter (with type 1 diabetes) "could get well if she only lost some weight, and had a healthy diet". She is slim (116cm and 21kg), and our family have always had a healthy diet. It is frustating to be told things like that, it feels like they are blaming the disease on me (and her father). Fortunately we have good control on her diabetes. A couple of days ago we attended a big celebration. She had pizza, soda with sugar, cake and ice cream - and all day we managed to give perfect insulindoses. She was not below 4mmol and not above 8mmol all day. I feel so happy when we manage days like this, so she can have the same that the other children her age has. But most days we have a very healthy diet - as we also did before she got the diagnose.
- No name given
May 18, 2010 9:28 p.m.
I'm type 2 and in good control without meds. I have more trouble with people trying to persuade me to eat "just a little" of their sweets. It's frustrating when well-meaning family members or friends decide they have a right to comment one way or the other. I make it a point not to lecture them on the unhealthy way they eat!
- Carol Ann
May 18, 2010 8:47 p.m.
Its the 24/7 management of diabetes 1 for the young that is a challenge requiring a more contemporary bridge. Recently in Australia our Prime Minister announced his government could improve management of diabetes by rewarding doctors with extra payments if their patients achieved good diabetes management. This is a true story! I am astounded because I see a young friend of my daughter whose motivation to manage his diabetes would greatly improve and benefit from from first of all having access to improved diabetes management science and support. I guess the thinking is with a cash incentive GP's will aquire and improve their diabetes training and knowlege.
- carolyn
May 14, 2010 2:45 a.m.
One way of dealing with such people is to tell them that you have chosen not to comment on everything they have eaten or drunk that day and could they extend the same courtesy. Quick lecture on insulin helps also!
- Katie
May 13, 2010 7:41 p.m.
I have type 2 diabetes and I was diagnosised 6months ago. I do tight control . I have something sweet once a month. My bloodsugar numbers are in great range. My life has changed for the better. I have also lost 43lbs. I eat health and I work out. So you can indulge at times just remember diabetes can be controlled with proper diet and exercise. Just remember keeping your diabetes under control must always be your number 1 concern. Your a1c will let you know how well your doing.
- karen
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