Loading ...Diabetes Misdiagnosis: A Different Horror Story
In light of actress Brittany Murphy’s sudden death and the questions raised about whether diabetes played a role in her demise, the glitzy glow of celebrity shines dimly on other under-rated questions; namely, the misdiagnosis of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and how it affects the person suffering from the disease.
What are some of the dangers associated with diabetes misdiagnosis?
The majority of people with diabetes have the type 2 (90-95%), but sometimes a wrong type can be diagnosed. There can be overlaps in the profiles of type 1 and type 2 and it isn’t always clear cut. This does not alter the fact that a misdiagnosis can have dire consequences on that person if they are given the wrong treatment such as diet, pills and insulin intake. Other factors such as heart disease can also be adversely affected by a mistaken type of diagnosis.
Take, for example, professional snowboarder Sean Busby. Excelling at the sport even as a young teen, his thirst for adventure and daring pulsed him forever forward, and by the time Sean was in his late teens, he had earned the support and admiration of many sponsors and was entering world-class, elite competitions.
In March of 2004, after having just successfully raced in Canada’s National Championships, he faced an unexpected adversary far deadlier than any slippery mountain slope. An unquenchable thirst persisted, which he first attributed to rigorous training. As his health worsened, he could no longer deny the fact that he was vomiting after every meal and had lost 30 pounds in two weeks! Although doctors suspected diabetes, they at first diagnosed and treated him for pneumonia. He stayed in the hospital for nine days.
But he was still not getting better only getting worse. By the tender age of twenty, the Californian was misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes and placed on medication. Typically, type 2′s are given pills to help their body properly use the insulin their body is making. But, if you are type 1, you are not making any insulin. Sean was not making or getting any insulin. By June of 2004, he was still very sick. Finally he was correctly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
In his own words: “After that first shot of insulin, I felt like a human being again. I was happy to find out what was wrong, but I was scared for what diabetes would mean for my snowboarding.”
Sean faced his adversary head on, determined not to let it affect his career even though he knew there were challenges of altitude, physical exertion and climate that could cause sharp fluctuations in his blood sugar. When opportunity didn’t knock, he built his own door.
He said: “Since there was no book to follow, I had to create a way to wear my pump inside my speed suit, which I place in an old knee-brace and strap around my thigh. My movements aren’t restricted and the insulin doesn’t freeze. And I make sure to take extra supplies.”
In December of 2004, Sean started the first “Riding on Insulin” camp, which allowed kids with diabetes to try snowboarding under the supervision of professional snowboarders and doctors. Sean has become a role model in the diabetic community for both types of the disease. He is a true example of the power of the human spirit and his very name is a synonym for valiant and a mantra for accomplishment, no matter who you are and no matter what the odds.
The message here is to be your own health advocate, know the differences between type 1 and type 2, and make sure you are getting the care you deserve. Brittany Murphy may have been wrongly diagnosed with type 2. Sadly, we will never know.
By M Dee Dubroff
