Complications

I was taking 10mg of Lipitor daily and had no side effects. I was on it for one year. I’ve been lucky with medications and have never experienced any side effects, unless you count hypoglycemia from too much insulin.

Like Scott I have now had minor retinopathy for the past 4 years or so. I was diagnosed with it in both eyes, and since then, last month I was told it is only in 1 of my eyes! I’ve had diabetes for 16 years. I was told many years ago, that if someone made it 10 years without complications then they’re doing well. Needless to say, we’ve heard or know people who have made it a lot longer than that without any complications. Every day is a new challenge, so to say, but I wouldn’t be who I am today without it!

I know just what your dad was thinking. I was dx’d in '74 and come from an extended family of 36 type l’s, most of who had it during the “dark ages” of self care. I had seen first hand how db can unravel a life, thread by thread. So, when I got it, I was absolutely certain I wouldn’t hit my 20 year anniversary and hence took very poor care of myself (“what difference will it make anyway”). I also made some less than wise “life navigation” decisions because I thought I was doomed.
Well, a few regrets later, here I am, still kicking, and in reasonable health after 33 years! I have had laser treatments and got good results. I went through a scary period of spilling protein in my urine, but my kidney function returned to normal after I established good control.
Because noneof us know what lies ahead, I try to practice living fully in the present moment, being thankful, and grabbing those little bits of joy as the float through my days.
"

I agree…it is quite annoying when non-diabetics say that you just need to “take care of yourself.” As if it were that easy… Sometimes when you do everything right, things still come up.

I’ve had type 1 for five years now, and about a year ago I had surgery for non-calculous gallbladder disease and GERD. They weren’t sure if it was due to diabetes complications, but it’s likely. Recovering from surgery with diabetes is tough! My blood sugars were all over the place, and I’m still relearning my bolus ratios that changed after surgery.

I hope your surgery recoveries went well, and congrats on the 21 years! That is such an accomplishment, and one that I doubt people without diabetes can really understand.

I’ve had one laser treatment (so far) for retinopathy. That was in September 2006. I have to get check-ups every six months and the one done in March 2007 came out fine. Yay me! I also have some neuropathy in my feet. I’m on meds for high blood pressure and cholesterol. And, I just discovered, the ongoing problem with my left should is frozen shoulder. Wheeee, ain’t this fun?!

As for dealing with it all, I can’t really say that I do anything special. Except, maybe, cry now and then, whine to my husband and/or blog about it.

Oh my lord! just reading your comment made me so mad. There is nothing that gets me going more then a non diabetic saying, why dont you just eat right. They are so ignorant. Sometimes you just need diabetics to vent to! Most of the time its people that are my friends, family or boyfriend and I just want them to do a little more research into it if they care about me. They always pressure me to drink and whenever I use my diabetes as an excuse its never good enough! I just want them to understand it and have a bit of sympathy at times.

sorry about the negativity, my life is actually really good. I just need to vent once in a while :S

Yep, having hyperglycemia is what I hate the most about having diabetes. Lows are something I can’t predict. They are scary. They’ll ruin any day I have one. During one, I can break things and/or hurt myself. I could get into legal trouble (been there, done that). I would be extremely dangerous behind the wheel of a car. I could die or kill other folk (never done that so far).

Laser treatments gave me a few headaches, but they were just something I had to get done to keep seeing. My new kidney gave me a nice scar and I take lot of drugs to keep the kidney working. My sister Cindy (the kidney donor) has a nice scar too. If she were ever in need of another kidney, as a donor she would go to the top of the waiting list for cadaver organs. For the most part, these procedures and processes are orderly and have relatively predictable outcomes.

I’ve been using Lipitor for a long time. I was using BP meds for 5 or 6 years. A side effect of having a kidney transplant was that my BP has returned to a normal range, meaning I no longer take BP meds.

I can definietly relate in your eye escipades. For 2 years now I’ve been having “eye troubles” (that’s putting it lightly). I’ve had over 30 laser surgeries and Avastin injections plus 2 cataract surgeries. I am also on meds for high blood pressure as well as high cholesterol. I’m not really sure how I deal with it mentally. I guess people would say that I deal with it great, but that’s on the outside. On the inside I’m constantly thinking what next? That’s what has brought me here in search of support and understanding from fellow diabetics in my situation. I’m tired of living this disease alone.

hi katrina ive suffered with frozen shoulder and it can be very painfull and can be 18 months plus before it finally heals.it comes in 3 stages first six months very painfull and hurts everytime you move your arm up and down example like combing your hair fastening a bra up is impossible even though i dont wear one but that was a question my doc asked me lol.
then it starts to freeze up and you cant move your arm above your head at all even though the pain isnt as bad .mine got really stiff and had to have it manipulated under an aneastethic,made it better could move it more then spent alot of time at physio doing exercises because you have to keep it moving or it could easily freeze back up .

Good thread. Ive been type 1for 43 years in Oct, and diagnosed at 10 mos. Ive had one round of laser for each eye, but am corrected to 20/20, and thats it. I think part of it is luck, part of it is self care. I know diabetics who go as far as measuring every meal, eating and injections same time every day, etc who cant keep their BS under control. I had a good friend, also a type 1, who starting at childhood his parents ignored it, and it carried on as an adult. I was shocked to learn after we room-mated for a short time he NEVER checked his BS. EVER! He didnt even own a meter! What were his A1C’s? Who knows-he never went to the doc. Well, he passed away at 31 due to his body simply shutting down. Within 18 months he lost his vision, kidney failure, liver failure, and finally passed. It was very sad. Ironic thing is, he was Magna Cum Laude at University of Washing electrical engineering. Brilliant guy but ignored his diabetes. That is motivation for me seeing what happened to him.

On another note, there are several studies that show after about the 25 year mark, if you havent had major complications your chances drop dramatically. Of course it doesnt give us free reign to do whatever we want, but it certainly gives us hope.

Hey girl. You have not had diabetes long enuff to have problems. I have had it for 34 years. I am 34 years old.
My A1C level was 31…
Ppl tell me you shouldnt drink alcohol / your a die-a-betic. Well they dont know how the alcohol relieves my pain (from diabetes)
Thank you for telling me about the breast lumps. I thought I had cancer.
GOD bless you.

I totaly understand about the food problem. I weigh 115 lbs. EVERYBODY makes me eat/////// they dont know how sick it makes me. I’ve also had diarhea for 3 years, I had lasic eye sugery (because I was blind) I have to wear glasses…
Hope all is well

God is my Helper, everyday.

I hear ya. I have been Type I for 27 years and am struggling with a whole lot of complications right now: I had a triple bypass back in October, I have had four surgeries on my right eye in the past five months for retinopathy, I have bad circulation in my legs...yeah it is very difficult to deal with all the problems. I was a rebellious child, and didn't have insurance during my twenties. Now I'm 35 and working hard to get healthy.

It is difficult but it is not impossible to be healthy. Stay positive, work hard, and rely on your supporters here on TuDiabetes and in your family and circle of friends. :)