What is diabetes type 2?

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance or desensitization and increased blood glucose (sugar) levels. It is a chronic disease that can develop gradually over time and can be linked to both environmental factors and heredity.

How do members experience diabetes type 2?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with diabetes type 2*

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Fatigue
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Modafinil Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine Rest
Common symptom
Back pain
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Heating Pad-Hot Packs Lidocaine patch Ibuprofen
Common symptom
Stress
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Listen to Music Reading Prayer/meditation
Common symptom
Chronic fatigue
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
NADH Pregabalin Relaxation Techniques
Common symptom
Pain
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Tramadol Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen Gabapentin

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for diabetes type 2*

Treatment
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment

(Metformin ER)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
24,308
Tried for
diabetes type 2 (85)
Treatment

(Lantus)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
8,172
Tried for
diabetes type 2 (20)
Treatment

(Glipizide ER)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
4,119
Tried for
diabetes type 2 (13)
Treatment

(Januvia)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
1,738
Tried for
diabetes type 2 (9)
Treatment

(Victoza)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
1,267
Tried for
diabetes type 2 (7)

*Data from patients with diabetes type 2, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with diabetes type 2*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Metformin ER)
Perceived effectiveness
for diabetes type 2 (24 evaluations)
Side effects
diarrhea abdominal pain 3 more
Total evaluations
24
Tried for
diabetes type 2 (85)
Treatment

(Lantus)
Perceived effectiveness
for diabetes type 2 (6 evaluations)
Side effects
low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) weight gain
Total evaluations
6
Tried for
diabetes type 2 (20)
Treatment

(Glipizide ER)
Perceived effectiveness
for diabetes type 2 (1 evaluation)
Side effects
skin lesions
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
diabetes type 2 (13)
Treatment

(Januvia)
Perceived effectiveness
for diabetes type 2 (1 evaluation)
Side effects
rashes (redness, swelling)
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
diabetes type 2 (9)
Treatment

(Victoza)
Perceived effectiveness
for diabetes type 2 (1 evaluation)
Side effects
diarrhea nausea
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
diabetes type 2 (7)

*Data from patients with diabetes type 2, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has diabetes type 2 on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 16
20s 206
30s 1,045
40s 3,004
50s 8,919
60s 14,342
70+ 11,146

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 13,780
Female 25,042