Vote to move Diabetes forum to regular Dialysis section

[greg10]

Currently the Diabetes forum is relegated to the "Off topic" section of IHD forum.  It is estimated that up to 40% of new cases of end stage renal disease (ESRD) are caused by diabetes and in some population of Americans, such as native and African Americans, the number can be up to 80%.  Should the Diabetes forum be moved to the regular discussion section together with the other "Dialysis" topics?

Thanks for voting.

[okarol]

I think there are many diabetes issues that are not related to kidney failure or dialysis and that's why Epoman put it in Off Topic, meaning that dialysis is not mentioned in the post. If the thread becomes dialysis related we move it. Similarly, there's a section in Off Topic for Other Severe Medical Conditions: like Osteoporosis, High Blood Pressure, Thyroid conditions, Cancer etc.

[MooseMom]

Actually, I think it might be a good idea to have a "Dialysis: Diabetes" forum in the general dialysis section.  I would think that people who have diabetes but are not on dialysis probably would not be coming to IHD for support or information, rather, they'd be going to a forum dedicated solely to diabetes.

Diabetics who are on dialysis do seem to have some specific issues that patients with other forms of CKD don't have.

[greg10]

I know you can end up with too many sub-forums in the Dialysis section.  However, I think there are two sub-forums Dialysis:Internet Links and Dialysis:Medical Breakthroughs, that only have about 341  and 587 threads in them.  Anyone wishing to post internet links about dialysis can be more specific than that and also generally it is posted under Dialysis:News anyway; therefore it makes sense to move or merge that with another forum and perhaps then you have room for the Dialysis:Diabetes forum.

Well, that is just one thought.

[Chris]

Diabetics who are on dialysis do seem to have some specific issues that patients with other forms of CKD don't have.

I do agree with you on that from personal experience, but also differences in Type 1 and Type 2 on dialysis
 
I haven't paid attention to see how the diabetes section is listed, so I can't say if it is different from the Transplant section. There just doesn't seem to be much activity in the diabetes section tho. My thinking was if I had a question regarding diabetes and dialysis, I would ask it in the dialysis section and anything regarding diabetes and it's other complications I'd post there even after transplant. To me the norm seems to   be seperate sections for kidney and pancreas in other websites, but not a kidney and pancreas tx where we are left out and suffer different complications some from tx and some from ongoing diabetic complications complicated with the the transplant and it's medications.
 
I just haven't seen a problem yet on how it is listed here, but understand what you are saying.

[MooseMom]

Am I wrong in thinking that diabetic patients have to be particularly careful in monitoring their blood sugar if they are on PD because the dialysate has glucose in it?  I know NOTHING about this, but I have that impression.  If that's the case, then that's why I think diabetic patients might be better served by having a "dialysis for diabetic" section in the general dialysis discussion forum.  On top of that, Chris makes a good point in reminding us that tx meds can affect diabetics in ways they do not affect non-diabetic patients, hence another reason to perhaps have a diabetic section in the general discussion forum.

I don't think there is a PROBLEM, per se, with how it is now, rather, I think maybe it could be better.

[lmunchkin]

It really seems okay the way it is!  My husband has ESRD caused by diabete's and High B/P.  But the reason we came to IHD was because of Dialysis issues, not necessarily diabeties!  I think Okarol does a really good job of placing topics in their perspective places!

lmunchkin       

[MooseMom]

I think Okarol does a really good job of placing topics in their perspective places!

That's certainly true.  And admin is really good about evaluating members' suggestions and implementing them if they think it will lead to improvement.  I trust their judgment!

[Chris]

Am I wrong in thinking that diabetic patients have to be particularly careful in monitoring their blood sugar if they are on PD because the dialysate has glucose in it?  I know NOTHING about this, but I have that impression.  If that's the case, then that's why I think diabetic patients might be better served by having a "dialysis for diabetic" section in the general dialysis discussion forum.  On top of that, Chris makes a good point in reminding us that tx meds can affect diabetics in ways they do not affect non-diabetic patients, hence another reason to perhaps have a diabetic section in the general discussion forum.

I don't think there is a PROBLEM, per se, with how it is now, rather, I think maybe it could be better.

 
From what I was told by members who had diabetes andwere on PD from chats n here, that there is a dialysate that is somewhat better for diabetics, however blood sugar should be monitored  a little more frequently because it can raise the blood sugar depending on each persons reaction. More frequently if one has trouble feeling high or low blood sguars (Hyper/ Hypo). I can't remember all the members who discussed this in chat though, I can only remember one of the members. But with that, if I was on PD and had diabetes, I'd go to the PD section to ask questions first to look for other diabetics who are on PD than the diabetic section first. However I can see how one might word their topic to where they would ask in the diabetic secion first if the peson wasa fairly new member.

[RichardMEL]

(personal opinion only, not posted as a moderator)

I would perhaps support diabetes being under a "related medical conditions" forum rather than "off topic" which sounds like it's irrelevant (which it isn't).. but I do think moving it into dialysis topics can get confusing. Yes, many new cases of kidney failure are caused by diabetes (usually type 2, due to weight issues) and I supposr having seperate topic areas to cover the very unique issues that diabetics face (I'm not one, so I won't pretend to go into that).

I think that this is a dialysis forum first and foremost rather than a diabetes forum. There are enough subtopics in the current dialysis area (eg: general, diet, transplants etc) where diabetes related issues can still be posted with appropriate topics as they relate to, for exampe, the renal diet for diabetics, or specific dialysis issues.

So anyway, i voted "no"

[PatDowns]

@ RichardMEL
You might want to update your "facts" on diabetes and kidney failure.  It is now the most common cause of kidney failure in the U.S., accounting for nearly 44 percent of new cases, with blacks comprising almost a third of those.

http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kdd/#1

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/statistics/#Kidney

http://nkdep.nih.gov/news/campaign/african_americans.htm


It is also on the rise worldwide, especially in developing countries.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/13/kidney.disease.diabetes/index.html

http://www.nature.com/ki/journal/v67/n94s/full/4496031a.html

Not to mention that once on dialysis, diabetics must face numerous complications that others who do not have the disease have to go through.  So, I vote with Greg10 on this.  Plus, I think "Women's Issues and Renal Failure" should have its own forum as well.   Please note, this is also personal opinion only, not posted as a moderator.  (-:

[okarol]

Diabetics, like other kidney patients, can be pre-dialysis, on dialysis, or transplanted.
There are sections for each stage of the disease.
In the diabetic section they can discuss everything from insulin changes, dietary issues, neuropathy, vision problems, etc, all things that could be happening before or during the time they begin dialysis.
I am not sure I understand the benefit to a new person coming on IHD to find information if we move the topic.
Anyway, the votes are in and so far most people agree about leaving it where it is.

[paris]

It has worked well for years.  I am the kidney patient and never had diabetes.  My husband has no kidney failure, but type 2 diabetes.  I go to a different site for his disease.  It makes sense to leave it where it is.

[Chris]

I belong to a diabetes site and went there for information and then came here when I found out about tis site for dialysis and transplant related information. I then saw the diabetes section, but to me this is a dialysis site first. I have not noticed on other sites a specific section dordiabetics on dialysis either, so my vote is to leave it and that it has never been a problem before after all these years.

[Rerun]

Let's just ponder it, and the next SKYPE Séance with Epoman meeting we can talk about it.  Kit put that on our agenda.  Thanks.

Rerun, Moderator           

[RichardMEL]

This response is posted as me personally, not as a moderator...

@ RichardMEL
You might want to update your "facts" on diabetes and kidney failure.  It is now the most common cause of kidney failure in the U.S., accounting for nearly 44 percent of new cases, with blacks comprising almost a third of those.

Umm, please re-read my post again, or maybe three times. WHere did I state any alleged "facts" about diabetes? I didn't. I posted a personal opinion regarding the notion of a seperate diabetes section on IHD. I didn't say anything about diabetes as a disease, it's causes or how it is on the rise in the world (none of which I dispute, incidently).

I find your response to be somewhat offensive, because you clearly didn't seem to appreciate the point I was trying to make. If you're going to respond to something why don't you respond to what was actually said, as opposed to what you want to believe was said.

[cariad]

This response is posted as me personally, not as a moderator...

@ RichardMEL
You might want to update your "facts" on diabetes and kidney failure.  It is now the most common cause of kidney failure in the U.S., accounting for nearly 44 percent of new cases, with blacks comprising almost a third of those.

Umm, please re-read my post again, or maybe three times. WHere did I state any alleged "facts" about diabetes? I didn't. I posted a personal opinion regarding the notion of a seperate diabetes section on IHD. I didn't say anything about diabetes as a disease, it's causes or how it is on the rise in the world (none of which I dispute, incidently).

I find your response to be somewhat offensive, because you clearly didn't seem to appreciate the point I was trying to make. If you're going to respond to something why don't you respond to what was actually said, as opposed to what you want to believe was said.

I agree with you totally, Richard, and had the exact same reaction when I read this.

Also, I absolutely hate the idea of "Renal Failure and Women's Issues" being a separate topic.

[rsudock]

I think it may be kinda nice to put dialysis and women issues (ie-periods, pregnancy, etc..) in a section altogether. I see many new members post about these topics quite frequently. It may be nice to have a section where you could fine all the posts regarding these topics in one section instead of doing search after search....

Just my two cents!

xo,
R

[okarol]

I think it may be kinda nice to put dialysis and women issues (ie-periods, pregnancy, etc..) in a section altogether. I see many new members post about these topics quite frequently. It may be nice to have a section where you could fine all the posts regarding these topics in one section instead of doing search after search....

Just my two cents!

xo,
R

There are posts occasionally, and yes a few more recently, but over the last 6 years it's a very small percentage of the overall topics discussed.

okarol/admin

[Chris]

This response is posted as me personally, not as a moderator...

@ RichardMEL
You might want to update your "facts" on diabetes and kidney failure.  It is now the most common cause of kidney failure in the U.S., accounting for nearly 44 percent of new cases, with blacks comprising almost a third of those.

Umm, please re-read my post again, or maybe three times. WHere did I state any alleged "facts" about diabetes? I didn't. I posted a personal opinion regarding the notion of a seperate diabetes section on IHD. I didn't say anything about diabetes as a disease, it's causes or how it is on the rise in the world (none of which I dispute, incidently).

I find your response to be somewhat offensive, because you clearly didn't seem to appreciate the point I was trying to make. If you're going to respond to something why don't you respond to what was actually said, as opposed to what you want to believe was said.

Yes, I thought that was very odd too.

[kitkatz]

Let's just ponder it, and the next SKYPE Séance with Epoman meeting we can talk about it.  Kit put that on our agenda.  Thanks.

Rerun, Moderator           

I was unaware I was running a seance and a list!

[okarol]

Let's just ponder it, and the next SKYPE Séance with Epoman meeting we can talk about it.  Kit put that on our agenda.  Thanks.

Rerun, Moderator           

I was unaware I was running a seance and a list!

Looks like you've been promoted Kit! 

[rsudock]

I think it may be kinda nice to put dialysis and women issues (ie-periods, pregnancy, etc..) in a section altogether. I see many new members post about these topics quite frequently. It may be nice to have a section where you could fine all the posts regarding these topics in one section instead of doing search after search....

Just my two cents!

xo,
R

There are posts occasionally, and yes a few more recently, but over the last 6 years it's a very small percentage of the overall topics discussed.

okarol/admin

ok. yeah it probably wouldn't be enough for entire section.

xo,
R

[kitkatz]

I do not do well with a list, ya know!