Diabulimia

[Gina]

What do you all think about this Diabulimia phenomenon that is going on right now?

[Scott Strumello]

I think its BS, frankly. Its something the popular press has latched onto, but the fact is that its largely unsubstantiated. If it were such a huge problem, we would have heard about it decades ago.

[Gina]

Well considering it is a category that I think I fall under, I don't exactly think it is bullshit but, I do think manipulating insulin doses to lose weight is a problem many people face. But, the way the media is portraying it is BULLSHIT. They don't really tell anyone how to get help. They just make it seem like everyone that does it are terrible people or something.

[Ron Doyle]

Another way to sell "newspapers" to an unsuspecting world.

[Rickst29]

Well, the TALK is new... but the problem has been around for dozens of years, I knew a teenager with the problem way back in the 70s. Very difficult case, her psychiatrist father and all his resources (including me) were unable to convince her to change her ways until AFTER liver damage and eye problems had already occurred.

[Scott Strumello]

Its no secret that the issue is hardly new, what is new is the fact that they've given it a name: diabulimia (or is that diabulemia ... no matter). But I question the statistics the media has cited that 1 in 3 people with type 1 diabetes supposedly have "diabulimia" considering there aren't even accurate counts from the CDC on the actual number of people who even have type 1 diabetes in the first place. That's right, we have been relying on estimates (and inaccurate ones, at that) for decades, and as the recent study SEARCH for diabetes in youth has suggested, the long-used estimates of 5%-10% now appear to be inaccurate and appears to be a significant undercount (although the rapid growth in type 2 have moderated the actual percentage), but the SEARCH study is not complete at this time, but its worth noting that prior to that, the CDC has never bothered to quantify what type of diabetes patients have. How, then, they can dare claim that nearly one third of all people with type 1 diabetes uses less insulin than required in order to lose weight seems to be nothing more than sensationalism.

The other thing that troubles me is that this appears to be a "condition" that has been created by the pharmaceutical industry to sell more insulin to the type 1 audience, since it is estimated that the type 1 universe uses less than one-tenth the volume as the typical type 2 patient, who due to insulin resistance, generally requires more insulin to achieve comparable levels of blood glucose reduction. I knew a woman with type 2 who was actually so insulin resistant that she actually special-ordered U-500 insulin (which is 5 times as potent as the current U-100 standard). When I asked her if she had ever had a c-peptide test to confirm the level of endogenous insulin production she actually had, she responded that she had never heard of it before. How, then, does she know if she actually "needs" insulin? If her c-peptide is normal or elevated (as it is with many type 2's), then adding insulin is not good treatment, it actually increases her risk for heart disease and other complications.

[JJs Mom]

I thought you might be interested in this research. This is a very important women’s health issue in diabetes. Women with type 1 diabetes who take less insulin than prescribed have an increased risk of death and higher rates of disease complications. This behavior occurs in the context of eating disorder symptoms. Here is the link to the study conducted at the Joslin Diabetes Center.

http://www.joslin.org/1083_4281.asp

[JJs Mom]

Hi, it's me again. Here is a link to an NPR interview with Dr. Ann Goebel-Fabbri on this subject.

http://soundmedicine.iu.edu/segment.php4?seg=1603

I have a very personal interest in raising awareness of this issue, and I hope that you can use this information.

[Kim Elizondo]

Ive read a little on it, but for awhile didnt really understand what it was. Now that I know, it seems strange that someone wud risk their life by taking insulin so they cud lose weight. Hmm...seems stupid to me!

[iroseland]

hmm

Mostly it sells commercial time and paper.

They seem to be doing a bang up job of villifying the small minority of folks who actually do have the problem. Also, as with other eating disorders they have done a fine job of making it seem like it never happens to guys..

Let me tell you..

I doubt that, I have on a few occasions joked about how I could get my weight under controll pretty fast if I was willing to skip the insulin. ( never tried it though ... Eeeeeeeewwwwwwwww ) The last time I had ketoneacidosis was 1984, that was way to recent as far as I can tell. Especially with the part where once I start puking I simply do not stop.

At the same time eating disorders and diabetes seem like they would be natural best freinds.
We have a problem that involves what we put in our mouths, we have the be thin stress from the regular socioty and then we get the super extra fancy bonus of Dr's that will reward any kind of weight loss.

When I was younger I ended up dating a few girls who ended up being freinds with ED. As it turnd out they liked dating me because I was never preoccupied by their eating habits as I was too busy with my own.

So, if there are any folks reading this with the problem, the goal is thin and healthy. In the end healthy wins.

At the same time I am not going to say I have never used some of the weightloss tips on the proana sites out there...




Ivan!

[Rachel]

Diabulimia is not new. The name is new. Someone medialite picked up on it, and they all fed off each other, as they tend to do. Are we really surprised by that?

Diabulimia is an eating disorder, just like anorexia and 'regular' bulimia. It irks me when people mention how stupid or gross they think it is - but maybe that's ok, because they obviously have no idea what they are talking about - meaning they have not been affected by the disease. It's a desire, that turns into a habit, that turns into an addiction you have NO control over until you realize that and seek help.

Diabulimia is not BS. I've only heard about it once in the media, and I resented it being there as of course it was inaccurately portrayed. Now, apparently, people are misled about it, and where does that leave us when you actually come into contact with someone who is suffering? Certainly not with compassion. Certainly not with support. Why would you want to invest time helping a stupid, vain person with a BS disease?

I shall step off my soap box before I get very upset. Thank you.

Rach
Recovering from diabulimia

[Betty J]

Diabulimina isn't something new but there is more concern then before. The first time I heard of what young women do re: insulin and bulimina was quite a few years ago. When it was reported in the media it didn't have a name.

[Mette Krogh]

Dear all members on DIABETEStalkfest,

I do hope you will foregive me for intruding. My name is Mette Krogh. I work with a communications company in Denmark and I do not have diabetes. However, I have several friends and a relative with diabetes - types 1 and 2 - and due to their struggles and due to my work, I have found your site.

I am currently researching this concept of 'diabulimia' that you are discussing on your site. I hope you will allow me to intrude in relation to this.

I have found your discussions very interesting, because you are debating many of the aspects we are discussing, namely;

- Is it a media stunt?
- How common is it - have you tried it?
- What thought, worries and struggles comes before the first omission - are 'diabulimcs' aware of the risks of complications'?
- What physical and mental considerations lies behind the disorder'
- Is it a disorder or is it mostly 'prom-night' related?
- How can 'diabulimics' be helped and by whom?
- What would help you who have tried omitting insulin and would like to recover from the disorder?
- Do you as adults with diabetes discuss the problem or is it tabu?
- etc.

It is interesting to see that you have different views on this topic already. Is it possible to find common ground, I wonder?

I would be very happy to hear from you on all aspects of this topic - either on this thread or by mail (I do not know if I am allowed to write my e-mail addresse, Gina?). For your information, I only use the input for research and your identity is not considered.

Should you, however, be interested in sharing your views and experiences to help others, please let me know how I can contact you.

Thank you in advance, and sorry again to intrude.

Best regards,
Mette Krogh
(e-mail can be obtained if you request it on this thread)