Hi. Im type 1. Am 36 years old and have been diabetic for 34 years. I was diabetic before glucometers. That, plus in my earlier years, not taking care of myself I’ve got complications. In 2005, out of nowhere (I never had high blood pressure before) I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. I had a triple bypass. In 2007 I passed out while driving, and was in a terrible accident. Thankfully no one else was hurt. Like most of the other old-timers, I don’t know what it’s like not to be diabetic. But I will say this… managing your blood sugars is SO important. I’ve been trying so much harder since the heart disease. My kidneys and eyes are still good, but I’ve also got frozen shoulder and hip. Good luck to you
At the young age of 6 almost 7 I was diagnosed type 1, 10 days before my 7th birthday, so this October I’m going on 18 years of D… i’ll be 25. Its been a long tough road, but who said life would be easy? I dont remember life without D. Currently I have no complications, yes I wear glasses but just for driving. And I will say through my younger teen years that I remember, I didnt take very good care of myself. My A1C was always around 9 or 10. I then recently kicked my self into high gear and started on the omnipod pump September 2008. My A1C at that time was 9.1 now i’m at a steady 5.9!!! Lowest all time A1C
I do worry all the time, I fear the future and it doesnt always include the fear of diabetes complication but life in general. Everbody is different and no matter what happens in your life, live it to the fullest and get the most out of everyday…
Linzie
Whooo hooo on that A1C, Linzie!!
I’ve been type 1 for 11 years, diagnosed at 14. Becoming diabetic has opened up many venues for me. It’s been really hard, which helps account for why I FEEL so damn much! I’m really emotional, but I tend to feel others’ pain to the point that it almsot feels like my own. It’s weird, but I attribute it to my diabetes and the scares that I’ve encountered, because I can really relate to so much!
Type 1 has given me courage. Facing the long term complications, the daily regiment, etc has made me a very brave girl. I’m not afraid to stand up for myself and tell people what I need because I know what it’s like to not have what you need. I have faced my own morality and I know that I have to do what I’m in this life to do- because time is not money, it’s just short.
I’ve written and published books, opening up my soul for others to bear witness to. I’ve learned how to take care of my body, how to listen to my instincts, how to help others in their troubles… Diabetes has given me a lot.
It has TAKEN a lot, but it’s given me a lot too… let me try to be positive here. haha.
Now, aside from all of that, I don’t know if the person that I am now is the person I was “meant” to be, or if it’s BECAUSE of diabetes… but I think it may be at least a mixture of both.
Good luck.
wow. That is an amazing story. Thank you for sharing. It’s nice to see that you’re still positive after being through so much. Thank you for telling me the “negatives” because I’m never too sure about it. I’m scared of it all, but it keeps me in line to take care of my body.
Barrie
I don’t think this is discouraging at all. It’s honest and I have to say that while I’m pretty optimistic, there are definitely a few days here and there when I just flop my body into a chair, shove my meter off the table and onto the floor, and throw myself a Pity Party. After a few hours of that, though, my family declares the ending of the party, and I’m glad of it. While it is necessary, feeling angry and sad isn’t going to make it go away. So, I cry a bit, then wipe my eyes, put on my gloves and fight again!
Hi Steve. I was just recently diagnosed myself. And all the questions you posted are questions I have too. I feel like I need support from others that have the same thing we do. I want friends that can guide me on how I feel. I struggle to try to make it a good day every day but it’s difficult. All you wrote I am feeling too. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one. I was so bad that I was scared to eat anything, this caused me to lose weight I didn’t have to lose. I am still struggling with trying to get use to the whole change. Most days I feel weak and tired and have to make the best of trying to get through.
Thanks for asking the questions Steve. At 51, just diagnosed T1. Started insulin last week and have been wondering all those questions. I’m figuring it’s like a permanent new born baby. They may sleep for 2 minutes but the eating thing is constant. I’m finding this is a constant. I’m feeling better than I have in a while so that’s the good news for me. Now it’s how do I do my life now. I fear for the future. I’ve just got to change my expectations. I may not live to 96 like my grandparents…I’ll take 90 with good BG numbers now!!! I’m bummed today. I thought I had a handle on this and wammy…today seems a little different. And a Question for other PROS reading this. Does it ever get straightened out? Do you ever feel in control?
Hi Anne,
Control is somewhat “relative”, lol. I know that is no help, but we all will have a day where stuff just doesn’t work like it’s “supposed” to. I call those my WTF? days.
There is a bit of science that gets us started on the path to control, but long-term, it is much more of an art form. Everyone tends to be somewhat different, but we call all learn from the experience of others. There is enough collective knowledge here that someone will have experienced something similar and say “Hey, here’s what I did”. Being educated about your own diabetes will allow you to make an educated decision about whether that might work for you or not.
I’ve learned more here in the last 8 months than I think I have in the last 40 years about D. It is incredibly helpful to be able to talk with someone who actually sees where you are coming from because they have been there themselves.
Don’t worry about being bummed about it now and again. That is a natural part of being diagnosed (that whole 5-stages of grief thing). One thing to try and also remember is that affects not only ourselves, but also our loved ones (those crazy T3s!). They go thru the same process maybe faster or slower, they may be uncomfortable talking to you about it. I’ve found that they usually want to help, if you let them, but just may not know how.
Hang in there, girl, you’ll do just fine
Hi, I have had Type 1 Diabetes for 45 yrs. I’m 46. Thank god I don;t have any serious complication (yet). I feel like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. My A1C is 9.8, My bloodsugars are extremly difficult to control, I’m on the pump. Thats one good thing. So I have more control over the diabetes then it having control over me. Meaning I have a choice, When I want to eat, what I want to eat If I want to go hiking or any strenuous activitys I can turn the pump down, I have moe flexabilty. I’v also had the sensor that was really nice, but it was to exspensive for the supplys. Things are somewhat better with the pump then before, otherwise I would be on like 6 shots a day and dealing with reactions from low bloodsugars. Over the years it really takes a toll on you. I’v had my eyes laserd many times They are stable now. I had early signs of Kidney Disease. They are also stable, My feet are good no problems there. My hands? Terrible! I have severe carpal tunnel in both hands muscle atrophy, trigger fingers curling fingers were my fingers were in a fist and couldn’t straightin them out. But I can still use my hands thanks to surgery, cortisone injections and therapy. For how long? I don’t know. I have Autonomic neuropathy. I use to think I wasn’t going to live past 30. Then 40. Now I’m wondering 50. I’m really scared now. But out of all this. I am thankfull for what I do have and what I still can do. I have a beatiful healthy daughter she will be 27 yrs old. And my husband of 28 yrs.
Wish it were easier:) Glad you have the pump…I too, remember trying to live w/ multiple injections per day and waking up w/ low, lows in the middle of the night and chasing highs during the day. I have been more fortunate in that my diabetes onset was a little later in childhood…15yo, I suspect we will find out that that means a difference in genes and risk of complications. We all must struggle…but, unfortunately, some even more than others. I have found this community to be very valuable in keeping me sane and finding real information to help me manage my diabetes:) {{{So glad you are here too}}}} Be well and happy.
Hey, thanks for your comments - somehow, I missed them when first posted. You’re right, of course, one can be generally optimistic & still have days when we’re down. Keep fighting!