Community Views: Biggest Reasons Why Type 2 Diabetes Is Confusing

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) can be a daily challenge – one that is not always easy to figure out. Many aspects of managing this diagnosis can be hard to understand, and for good reason.

To find out more about this topic, we reached out to members of the Type 2 Diabetes Facebook community. We asked: "What is the most confusing part of living with type 2 diabetes?"

More than 300 community members responded. Here is what they shared.

Having high numbers for no reason

Testing blood sugar levels is a crucial part of having T2D. But it can feel tedious! Worse than that, numbers can come up high for reasons that are not obvious. When you eat according to your doctor's suggestions and still have high numbers, it can be very confusing indeed.

"I have good sugar readings all day. Then I go to bed with a good reading and take my nighttime insulin. Then in the morning when I wake up, instead of my sugar going down, my sugar is sky-high and I stress because of it."

"Not being able to figure out what you are doing wrong leads to high numbers. It feels like I am doing everything right."

Swings between extreme high and lows

Just as it is confusing when blood sugar levels are high for reasons you do not understand, it can be equally frustrating when they are extremely low. It can feel like a roller coaster ride that you cannot get under control.

"Those extremes are scary and frustrating."

"The highs and lows."

"The extreme highs and lows feel like I am mentally ill most of the time."

Knowing what to eat

It can feel like eating right is a puzzle. Knowing what foods to eat at which times is a process of trial and error. Making it even more complicated, different doctors may have different nutrition suggestions. Plus, other factors such as stress play a role and can make it hard to get your numbers within recommended ranges.

"Knowing what to eat."

"Finding out what you can eat."

"Getting the diet right!"

Not knowing why numbers are different day to day

Several people shared that they consistently eat the same or similar foods at the same time day to day, but get significantly different readings each time.

"How different things, like stress and fatigue, can affect my diabetes from day to day."

Being questioned during meals by friends

Friends and family can have the best of intentions, but it is not helpful when they ask you if you should be eating something. They have not been with you all day long for every single blood sugar reading, so their "help" at the dinner table is not the best way to be supportive.

It is times like these that it can feel isolating to live with T2D. It helps to have support from others living with T2D who know and understand exactly what you are going through.

"Going out with friends for dinner. These folks know your condition and question what you eat."

Thank you

We want to say thank you to all our community members who took part in this conversation.