Which to join: Diabetes New Zealand vs local branch

Forums › Off topic › Which to join: Diabetes New Zealand vs local branch - Diabetes Wellington?

keewee01

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#230286 16-Feb-2018 20:55

I'm a type 2 Diabetic, on tablets not insulin. Dud to recent other events I'm having to take much greater interest in my diabetes and work a lot harder to keep it under control.

As such I'm thinking I should get involved with diabetes organisations. I've done a bit of searching an couldn't turn up anything other than the national body advocating for diabetic - Diabetes New Zealand, and the local body - Diabetes Wellington. I'm in the Hutt Valley.

I had expected to maybe find some more local ssupport groups, but they don't seem to exist.

From what I can see of these two groups above, the national body seen a to advocate on diabetics behalf, provide information to the public and produce a regular
T ok location. The l9cal body seems to provide information and support to members, as well as having a field officer and running a shop for diabetic foods, meters, etc.

According to the Diabetes NZ website if you sign up to their membersip you can be associated with either the National body or a local branch - BUT they don't list Diabetes Wellington as one of those.

So what I am wondering is do I need to become a member of both, just Diabetes NZ (and will get the access to Diabetes Wellington services from this), or do I just join Diabetes Wellington?
Any advice from local diabetics? Thanks.

ETA - Oh and I've tried calling both to discuss and it seems neither like to answer phones on a Friday :)

KiwiTim

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#1959476 17-Feb-2018 09:26

Type 2 diabetes is completely reversible. My cousin got diagnosed last June. 5' 10" tall and 112kg. We got him exercising 3-4 times a week on the bike. Each session at least 1 hour. He radically changed his diet. Cut out fruit juice, manufactured foods (no biscuit, cake, dessert or lollies). He just eats fresh veg, fruit, meat, fish and a little dairy (but not milk). He drastically reduced how much bread he eats, and avoids pretty much all packet foods. The result is he now weights 94kg and his doctor says he is completely normal. It's all about diet, exercise and how much body fat you have. Fix that and it is completely reversible.

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Bung

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#1959561 17-Feb-2018 12:05

Completely is going too far.

"There is no known cure for type 2 diabetes. But it can be controlled. And in some cases, it goes into remission."

If it's in remission you can't chuck the diet and exercise away.

keewee01

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#1959582 17-Feb-2018 12:52

KiwiTim:
Type 2 diabetes is completely reversible. My cousin got diagnosed last June. 5' 10" tall and 112kg. We got him exercising 3-4 times a week on the bike. Each session at least 1 hour. He radically changed his diet. Cut out fruit juice, manufactured foods (no biscuit, cake, dessert or lollies). He just eats fresh veg, fruit, meat, fish and a little dairy (but not milk). He drastically reduced how much bread he eats, and avoids pretty much all packet foods. The result is he now weights 94kg and his doctor says he is completely normal. It's all about diet, exercise and how much body fat you have. Fix that and it is completely reversible.

Thanks - but you didn't answer anything I asked and your comments aren't helpful in this case - or was you cousin born 2 months prem with no blood sugar and fed glucose at birth also? I suspect not. Also some of those things he is eating now sky rocket my blood sugars.

Also you should have said "may" be reversible. Thanks anyway.

KiwiTim

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#1959614 17-Feb-2018 14:22

If you are interested in the effect of diet and exercise it is discussed here by Diabetes UK:

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/reversing-diabetes.html

Maybe my cousin's response was exceptional, but I discussed this with my GP, who has a strong interest in diet and supplements, and he said that this response would be quite expected in most people in my cousin's situation. It was my GP's phrase that Type 2 Diabetes is "completely reversible". Perhaps under certain circumstances it is not. I'm certain if my cousin went back to his old lifestyle of excess calories and a carb rich diet, plus lack of exercise, he would soon gain weight and the diabetes would come straight back. So, of course, lifestyle changes won't remove the underlying susceptibility.

rugrat

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#1959631 17-Feb-2018 16:17

I asked someone that is involved with the Christchurch one.

They said diabetes Wellington would be a better option.

A lot of local ones are breaking away from diabetes New Zealand, so not all are affiliated with the New Zealand one.

keewee01

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#1959646 17-Feb-2018 16:57

rugrat: I asked someone that is involved with the Christchurch one.

They said diabetes Wellington would be a better option.

A lot of local ones are breaking away from diabetes New Zealand, so not all are affiliated with the New Zealand one.

Thanks for that- that could explain why Diabetes NZ didn't show Wellington as an option. Good to know.