Yes of course, you'll be fine once maturity sets in ;)
I too am concerned about possible damage that low BGs can have to my memory. About a year ago I asked my endo about the connection and she said something like this. Repeated low BGs over the years can cause cognitive impairment, especially to short term memory. I then asked her what BGs would be dangerous and she replied that normal people can have their BGs drop into the 60s so she theorized 50s were dangerous.
I also read in one of the early chapters of Walsh’s “Pumping insulin” that he stated just about the same thing, only he added that repeadted low BGs could cause ST memory loss like forgetting new names. I cannot remember peoples name to save my life!
I think TU does a great job of addressing the dangers of high BGs and explaining the risks, but I think this may lead diabetics to underestimate the risks of repeated low BGs.
I’ve had Type 1 for 36 years. I don’t think my memory is better or worse than most people my age. I’ve had my share of lows through the years, but have only passed out twice. I credit my pump and CGM for reducing the number of severe lows that I have. I still have plenty of lows in the 60’s and even 50’s. But my Dex has really helped me stay out of the 30’s and 40’s except for very rare occurrences.
I have memory problems but thought it was from my fibromylgia, maybe it's both? I've been T-2 for 19yrs now......I have more problems with short term memory.
You sound just like me!!! I am worried about my comprehension now, it seems to be getting so much worse lately. People tell me it's just the stress I'm under right now but this has been an ongoing problem. Maybe the stress is adding to it, who knows...
I'm in the same boat with lots of other folks in this conversation: diabetes a long time (34 years), bad memory, wonder if it's diabetes-related. I'm 37, and I sometimes forget whole conversations. I don't mean like "Oh, right, I forgot that you asked me to e-mail you last week". I mean like "I have no recollection of talking to you last week". It freaks me out. I also have a terrible time remembering how to get places, even if I've been there many times. It's almost as if every road looks the same to me, and I can't remember which goes where.
All that said, my mom is the same way, and she doesn't have diabetes. But she's 30 years older...
We should do a survey on TU about this Emily.
Let's not forget about all the brain cells we lost in our university days.
I was not diagnosed until after I was graduated, so I had some cell loss in those years :)
I have a strange memory problem called Selective memory. I can only remember the things I want to remember. I think it's diabetes related.
I would like a doctor to concur so I can show this post to my family.
please respond for to wit. asap.
i dont know if i have memory loss from diabetes, as i was only diagnosed a year ago. however, in the weeks before diagnosis my memory completely went. i forgot everything, where things were, meetings i had to attend, what id gone into a room for. everything, so i think hgh bg DOES screw memory, at least working/short term memory.
My uni days were fantastic too, can't remember a thing about them. Selective memory is a type 1 complication, it has been proven in numerous studies here in Donegal. Pancreaswanted, you sure you weren't on the lash with some Irish people who then cooked you an almighty fry for breakfast. It is known to have happened to unsuspecting individuals in the past.
I am one month short of my 80th birthday, and two months short of 70 years of T1. I think my memory is in better shape than what I have read in most of the replies. Up until 17 years ago I had lots of serious lows, but that's when I started pumping, and since then my lows have been much less severe.
What a wonderful achievement tomb. 70 years of living with diabetes, there was a time when I didn't think I would live long enough to see my 40th birthday. You are a credit.
wow! 70 years of D! what is your secret, besides pumping?
being on the lash with the irish is definitely an aggravating factor at times....
Three things come to mind. 1. the pump. 2. I do a lot of bicycle riding (on the road). 3. I take things one day at a time.
A lot of good comments to this question. Unfortunately, there's just very little research and documentation on T1's with severe recurrent hypoglycemia and cognitive impairment. I think any T1 (probably some T2's) who've had many severe lows where you passed-out and/or had seizures have some cognitive impairment. For me, I really have trouble concentrating, and remember and processing information. As I mentioned previously, most of my severe lows were pre-pump days and before glucose monitors were available. I still have lows but not nearly as low as during the period 1965-2003, the years when I was on MDI. Fortunately, we now have glucose monitors, insulin pumps, CGMS to help us. I wish more endo's were aware of T1's who've had many instances of severe, recurrent hypoglycemia resulting in cognitive deficiencies. It really irritates me when someone says my "memory issues" are due to growing older. Glad to have friends like you have share the same issues.
I've played chess and board games my whole life. I figured keeping the brain active would help prevent memory loss. I really don't think it does though. My memory is horrible, and it's definitely worsened these past couple of years. I'm 41, diagnosed T1 at age 3.
Don't know if it's D or just plain getting old.
Plenty of us have abused our brain cells in our youth. But I know my Mem has diminished. And I know so many people that continue damaging their brain cells and yet have much better memory than I do. I visited my brother (also a T-1) a few days ago and he said "Yeah, lows totally hurt memory."
It sounds like many of us have asked our Endos about Mem-loss and most endos reply that there is little to no research on it.
It would help if the Endos talked to each other and brought up this issue.
Or is there a way we can request research???
hi Jethro,
i really would like to advice you to get an cgm system.maybe parttime. even when your insurance does not cover it..i have my diabetes now for 60 years..and i am, since wearing this, without hypoglycaemia..for me the most important success since i started using insulin 60 years ago.
good luck
werner