Hi, I live in a small community and have never met anyone that was much older with diabetes. Sometimes I worry that I will not be able to make it to an old age. I have had type one diabetes since i was two and it is slowly becoming more managable my blood glucose is at it's lowest and healthiest. Like I said I have never met anyone and am constantly worried that I won't have a normal life like having children. Just need a little hope
You just met 20K oops, it might be 30K now, people! Welcome to Tu!
I used think that I would be dead by the time I was 40 however now I'm 45 and have a kid and am reasonably healthy. It is a lot of work but many of my peers who don't have diabetes are struggling with age issues too so I feel like I've won by making it this far in pretty good shape. I sort of regret not getting more engaged with diabetes and, more generally, being healthy when I was younger as I would perhaps be in better shape now but better late than neer. Starting early is a good idea.
There are lots of people here with kids too, FWIW
Welcome. This is very special community.
There are lots of long timers on Tu--we even have some who have had D for 75 years! I have survived 50 years with few complications (only retinopathy, well controlled for years.)
AR is correct--the earlier you start to really pay attention to your D, the less likely it is that complication will arise. Also, the technology today is miraculous: pumps, CGM, glucose meters---it is a whole new, brighter world for diabetics.
You can really lead a normal, healthy life, just like anyone else--you will just have D as part of that.
As others have said, the better you manage T1 the more normal life you can have. I've had it for 52 years now & I don't think having T1 has ever stopped me from doing anything, like sailing across the Atlantic or hitch hiking around Europe with friends.
Like you I never knew anyone with T1 until one of my closest friends developed it when we were both 30, but she is the only one I've ever known. But I always told friends & colleagues & they accepted that when we went out to dinner I'd disappear to stick a needle into myself. If I acted weird it was always "Oh Annabella, go & drink some juice"
I can't comment on pregnancy as I've never had a child but that has nothing to do with T1.
You can live as normal a life as anyone.
Hello, I was diagnosed at the age of 2 and just turned 57. I don't necessarily think that 57 is "old" but 55 years is a long time to be a diabetic. I have only had minor problems such as carpal tunnel in both hands which was surgically resolved, a microvascular cranial nerve palsy to my right eye which resolves on it's own, hypoglycemic unawareness which starting an insulin pump 6 years ago has helped. I have graduated from college, then nursing school. I was a nurse for 30 years until I retired this past March. I got married and we have a wonderful 26 year old son. My diabetes was never made out to be something that would prevent me from doing what I wanted, except for eat whatever I wanted. My life so far has been great but I also have a great support system. I hope that I have given you hope for your future.
While I'm only 22 my great grandma is an outstanding example of a healthy happy type 1 diabetic. She has live to 86 years old and she's still going! The best part (and most inspirational to me) is that she was diagnosed with T1 D at age 11. She's a real positive influence on me and a great role model as to the person I want to become. I hope that helps you out. I know sometimes it scary to think about the future with D but you just gotta keep going!
Jecelia...
Amused laughter... you will have as normal a life, as you let yourself!!!
Don't know how OLD we are required to be... how bout 43 +/- years as a T1.... that count?!
Pregnancy, and life more generally may have lots of complications, perhaps more than some, perhaps far less... but having a healthy child is ENTIRELY possible....
Don't worry it will happen plus the "practice" is a lot of FUN (89
Stay strong :). You're not alone, and if you're controlling the D-beast then you're doing everything that you can to stay healthy. Just remember... we're in this together. You can do this.
- Melody
Hi! And welcome. T1 diabetic for 38 years now. Two pregnancies, one after diagnosis and it went fine and both kids healthy. Absolutely no side effects! Remember, I didn't even have a glucose monitor when first diagnosed. Went through my pregnancy checking my urine with a color chart to see if I was running high!(yikes)
You can do it!
Jecelia,
No worries. You have a very good chance of living long & happy. I am 60 years old, and had diabetes since I was 5.I never had a glucose meter until I was 25. Technology is truly on your side. Pay close attention to your diabetic routine and remember to start fresh after you have a bad spell. Don't blame yourself just start over.
I hope for good control and good luck to you,
Susan Foster
Detroit, MI
Another to add to the pile.
I've had type 1 since I was 10. I grew up hearing all of the doom and gloom stories that my doctors seemed to, almost seemingly with enjoyment, tell me to scare me into the ways of a strict diabetic control lifestyle.
I honestly didn't think I'd make it very far.
I'm 38 now and honestly, while I can't speak for everyone I know. People are different, but I have a very slight numb little toe on my left foot, and...That is it by way of the horror stories I was told to expect. I still have my ability to feel lows. I can still, err, better watch my phrasing here, but I can still perform in the ways that grown ups like to.
I have two kids, one divorce, and a very loving girlfriend.
My life is my family and I think that if things continue at this rate, I'm going to live to a very ripe old age and enjoy my grandchildren too.
My girlfriend is quite a lot younger than me and wants to have her own kids as well. It isn't even a slight glimmer in the back of my mind that I won't be around to raise them now.
Oh, I bought my house last year. I live a very busy lifestyle as a chef.
Umm...Does this sound normal enough for you?
The Doctors continue with the scare stories...
I'm still doing my very best one day at a time.
I'm not saying don't listen to them, but try to understand what they see, and what they don't. They don't see very many healthy people doing well, and when they do, they have a tendency to tell you that you're on your last legs and point to the failed patients as testiment to this.
I guess in a sense it's their job.
Just don't take it too seriously, and don't be afraid to experiment with your own care. No one knows how things effect you as well as you do.
If you have any doubts about what you have in mind, ask on here. Hell even message them to any of us who replied.
As for female diabetics. I've known a few who went through pregnancy with type 1. One who actually contracted it during her pregnancy. That was a real hoot for her...But she did it. She's fine. Kids don't have type 1. All is well in the world.
One day at a time. It all falls into place.
Oh wait, I wanted to add that you see a lot of older people on here. Again when I was a kid and being told I wouldn't make it to 50, things were seemingly very different treatment wise.
I had this huge slab of plastic to take glucose fingerprick tests, and they weren't all that accurate. Technology combined with awareness, combined with SO many more diabetics to talk to and help one another means it's just exponentially increasing all of our lifetimes to what is considered a normal range again.
Who knows, perhaps that was also a little tall story telling from Doctors back then as well.