Hi!
My name is Traci Wood. My 15 y/o son was diagnosed with diabetes in 2004. My daughter is doing a school project and has chosen the topic Type 1 Diabetes. She is using various books and websites to gather the facts about diabetes. However, she wanted to go beyond facts and share information about real people living with diabetes. She has come up with a few questions and would be grateful to anyone who would take a few minutes to answer them. We will compile the information on Jan. 31st and include it in her report. Thanks in advance for your help.
What is your age and gender?
How long have you been living with type 1 diabetes?
3.Do you have a pump?
Do you prefer to control your type 1 diabetes with shots or a pump? Why?
What is the hardest thing about living with type 1 diabetes?
What is your biggest worry or fear about living with type 1 diabetes?
Is there anything else you would like me to know about living with type 1 diabetes? If so what?
How long have you been living with type 1 diabetes?
5 years (since July 2003)
3.Do you have a pump?
Yes
Do you prefer to control your type 1 diabetes with shots or a pump? Why?
Pump because I can give much more accurate doses of insulin that matches my needs at different times of the day, month or for different activities.
What is the hardest thing about living with type 1 diabetes?
For me, it is maintaining a healthy diet.
What is your biggest worry or fear about living with type 1 diabetes?
That I will have complications later in life or problems with pregnancy
Is there anything else you would like me to know about living with type 1 diabetes? If so what?
Even adults can be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes!! I was 21 when I was diagnosed.
How long have you been living with type 1 diabetes?
41 years
3.Do you have a pump?
yes
Do you prefer to control your type 1 diabetes with shots or a pump? Why?
I have more flexibility, and helps me take better care of myself
What is the hardest thing about living with type 1 diabetes?
everything gets harder and harder the longer you have it
What is your biggest worry or fear about living with type 1 diabetes?
that no matter what I do, the probability of a serious complication is pretty high
Is there anything else you would like me to know about living with type 1 diabetes? If so what?
It’s depressing to have the monster breathing down your neck 24/7. There aren’t enough kind and intelligent doctors around who understand that not all People with diabetes are the same. or as we say, YDMV - your diabetes may vary
How long have you been living with type 1 diabetes?
2.25 years
3.Do you have a pump?
yes
Do you prefer to control your type 1 diabetes with shots or a pump? Why?
Pump,better control and fewer pokes (I am needle phobic)
What is the hardest thing about living with type 1 diabetes?
I was not a scheduled person before my diagnoses–I don’t do schedules well–makes controol a bit chalenging even with a pump
What is your biggest worry or fear about living with type 1 diabetes?
Not being able to afford supplies when I retire
Is there anything else you would like me to know about living with type 1 diabetes? If so what?
There are no days off…it is always with you and needs you thought/attention
Dear Kristin, Thank you for replying. I think I would prefer a pump too if I had diabetes. Thank you for answering all of the questions. It will really help my report. Sara
How long have you been living with type 1 diabetes? 50+years
3.Do you have a pump? OhYeah
Do you prefer to control your type 1 diabetes with shots or a pump? Why? I took shots for 40+ years. The pump is far superior. The best part of using the pump was, for the first time in my life, if I wasn’t hungry,I did not have to eat. You inject insulin, you better be ready to eat soon after.
What is the hardest thing about living with type 1 diabetes? After all these years there is really nothing that is HARD, just a nuisance.
What is your biggest worry or fear about living with type 1 diabetes? No worrys Mate!
Is there anything else you would like me to know about living with type 1 diabetes? If so what? Diabetes is a 24/7 job. Stuff happens. Don’t worry about those unexplained lows and highs. They can be explained, but more important,learn from them. Don’t apologize for having diabetes.
How long have you been living with type 1 diabetes?
1 year & 6 months
3.Do you have a pump?
Yes
Do you prefer to control your type 1 diabetes with shots or a pump? Why?
Definitely Pump, Because I’m so insulin sensitive, it allows me to give the fractions of a unit I need. It also allows me to turn off or turn down my basal insulin when I’m exercising, or unexpectedly active. Once you take a shot of insulin, your stuck with it.
What is the hardest thing about living with type 1 diabetes?
The adjustment I’ve had to make. I spent 29 years living my life a certain way, and the last 18 months, I’ve had to relearn my entire way of life. Basic things like eating and running have become a constant experiment.
What is your biggest worry or fear about living with type 1 diabetes?
Long term complications like losing my eyesight. Having a healthy pregnancies, and children. Having a low while driving.
Is there anything else you would like me to know about living with type 1 diabetes? If so what?
While it is never easy, it forces you to become more aware of your body and health. It has also given me great respect for the body itself, and all the things we take for granted in our day to day life.
Dear Denise,
Thank you for replying. I am needle phobic too. The only needle I am not afraid of is the needle that they use to take blood for a study I am in at the hospital where my brother is treated. I want to help find a cure for diabetes so I think about that and not the needle. Have you had diabetes for 25 years? Thank you this really helps me. Sara
Dear Sam,
Thank you for replying. You are very positive and encouraging. Thanks for all the great info. It will help me a lot. My brother used to take shots before he got a pump and it was hard for him to eat when he wasn’t hungry too. Sara
Dear Mandy,
Thank you for replying. I am glad you reminded us to not take our health for granted. My brother used to have a lot of low blood sugars. The pump has helped him too. You have helped me a lot. Sara
How long have you been living with type 1 diabetes?
3 and half years
3.Do you have a pump?
nope
Do you prefer to control your type 1 diabetes with shots or a pump? Why?
i haven’t tried a pump yet and only control it with shots.
What is the hardest thing about living with type 1 diabetes?
Not being able to do everything i want to do, for example
i cant join the army cuz they dont employ diabetic people.
What is your biggest worry or fear about living with type 1 diabetes?
i dont really hav any fears but i guess i’m worried about my parents and how they cope with me!!
Is there anything else you would like me to know about living with type 1 diabetes? If so what?
diabetes can happen at any age. i know someone who was diagnosed at just eighteen months and his parents had to inject him!!
How long have you been living with type 1 diabetes? 34 years, I was released from the hospital on my 17th birthday
3.Do you have a pump? Yes a minimed
Do you prefer to control your type 1 diabetes with shots or a pump? Pump
Why? I used shots for 27 years, really I was not thinking of getting a pump until I spoke with a group of HS students where I was working. When I did, I saw that of the nine diabetics in the room I was the only one using shots routinely, so I went o my doctors office and told him I wanted pump. My wife had been suggesting it for five years and I had resisted. When I met those students I just could not be that far out of step.
What is the hardest thing about living with type 1 diabetes? The hardest thing is relative and may change each day. However, the day in day out regulation is hardest for me. I am sort of a free flow person, I do not like to eat at specified times or specified things. Diabetes requires regulation and I really dislike that.
What is your biggest worry or fear about living with type 1 diabetes? The loss of eyesight is number one, kidney disease is number 2, advanced neropathy is number 3, low loss of control lows is 4 and dtk / highs are fifth.
Is there anything else you would like me to know about living with type 1 diabetes? If so what? Yes, type 1 diabetics have a responsibility to do medical trials. My mother made this clear to me and i have found she was correct. So far I have been in type 1 rezulin trials and lyrica trails.
My mother who who passed away in 1986 was a control subject in the pump trials in 1976 and laser trails for retinopathy. My aunt who died at age 13 from type 1 complications was in insulin trials. As you can nearly every one of us have or will benefit from their participation in trails. I feel strongly we have an obligation to do trails today, not for our benefit but for the next generation. My aunt Patty Ann who was 13 when she died was int eh U20 insulin trials. She and others made modern insulin possibile.
Second, I beleive we will someday find a vaccine for Type 1 diabetes. When we do it wil be for the next generation to avoid diabetes. That will be a glorious day. lets hope ti happens soon.
How long have you been living with type 1 diabetes?
10 years. it will be 11 years in March.
3.Do you have a pump?
yes
Do you prefer to control your type 1 diabetes with shots or a pump? Why?
I prefer to pump because I hate to get up and have a shot, it takes me AGES to fall back asleep.
Also, because I am at university and work, every day is different. The pump allows me flexibility to live.
What is the hardest thing about living with type 1 diabetes?
having to deal with it ALL of the time. having to explain it to employers, or lecturers (so they dont get mad when you walk out of class to get some juice or because your sugars high and you REALLY need to pee…)
What is your biggest worry or fear about living with type 1 diabetes?
problems with pregnancy, and that my children will develop it
also, that if I move back to the US not being able to afford healthcare.
Is there anything else you would like me to know about living with type 1 diabetes? If so what?
Even after 10 years, I still hate it. I deal with it, but Im not happy about it. I try to put on a brave face but really, it gets me down alot. Luckily I found someone who understands it, has learned about it, and can even fix up my pump for me when I cant be bothered. It has made the biggest difference of anything in my life. Support from friends, partners, and family is the most important thing.
How long have you been living with type 1 diabetes?
11 years
3.Do you have a pump?
Yes, Omnipod
Do you prefer to control your type 1 diabetes with shots or a pump? Why?
I prefer to pump definately! It’s so much easier to correct a high blood sugar and give tiny amounts of insulin. When you’re out in public all you have to do is push a couple buttons instead of having to pull out a syringe or insulin pen and poke yourself right there. It also has given me much better control b/c it delivers a background insulin all day.
What is the hardest thing about living with type 1 diabetes?
It never goes away. Everything you put in your mouth you have to think about the consequences of it later. You might be in the middle of walking around the mall with your friends and you feel low. So you have to stop. Test. And eat if your low.
What is your biggest worry or fear about living with type 1 diabetes?
Complications. Whether it be tingling in my feet to worse eyes sight or problems with pregnancy. I aslo fear that if I do have children, they will develop diabetes.
Is there anything else you would like me to know about living with type 1 diabetes? If so what?
It is hard. But I am so thankful for the advancements that have been made to help make it a little easier to manage. Yes, it’s there 24/7, you get no time off…but it helps when you have a suport group like this one. You know you’re not alone and it makes it that much easier to handle this lifelong disease =)
What is your age and gender?
I am male, 71 years old
How long have you been living with type 1 diabetes?
64 years
3.Do you have a pump?
No.
Do you prefer to control your type 1 diabetes with shots or a pump? Why?
I don’t mind the shots, and the pump adds some complications that I can do without.
What is the hardest thing about living with type 1 diabetes?
With the wonderful tools we have today to manage diabetes it isn’t all that hard. It was a lot more difficul when I was diagnosed over 60 years ago.
What is your biggest worry or fear about living with type 1 diabetes?
That if I become incapacitated, f.ex. by a hypoglycemic episode I will become a liability for someone else to take care of me.
Is there anything else you would like me to know about living with type 1 diabetes? If so what?
Once you come to grips with it it is actually a benefit because you have to learn to discipline your life and your lifestyle and that ain’t all bad.
How long have you been living with type 1 diabetes? 32 years
3.Do you have a pump? yes
Do you prefer to control your type 1 diabetes with shots or a pump? Why? I definitely prefer the pump. Multiple daily injections didn’t give me the type of control and flexibility that I needed. With the pump AND the continuous glucose monitor and frequent testing I’ve been able to bring my diabetes under MY control. I control it, it doesn’t control me! Yes the technology of the pump helps me.
What is the hardest thing about living with type 1 diabetes? The non-stop companionship of this condition (lows interrupting my day, high’s bringing me down, being dependent on the health care system). Plus, feeling frustration that “the system” doesn’t find a cure for this, when I know it MUST be possible! I feel helpless sometimes because of that. One of the best things about living with T1 is being in tune with my body. Everyone’s body is telling them messages all of the time - the body can be very wise. But only people with diabetes are really ‘forced’ to listen closely. I appreciate knowing my body so very well. It’s made me a much healthier person than I may have been otherwise.
What is your biggest worry or fear about living with type 1 diabetes? It’s a bit irrational, as there are ways to prevent this, but I’ve always been very afraid of going blind. After 32 years, there are no real signs of complications, so I keep positive and enjoy life to the fullest!
Is there anything else you would like me to know about living with type 1 diabetes? If so what? This condition is one that teaches so much, if the person is willing to listen, they can live an even healthier more active and happier life than they could before they were diagnosed. The help of support in any form, as long as it’s honest and positive, can do wonders for the soul. Go to a diabetes summer camp if you’re a kid (or even if your an adult - be a counselor or staff nurse or volunteer)! I’m so excited that women with diabetes these days can safely have babies (they discouraged us when I was a kid)!
40 and female 2) since march 11 94 3) yes 4} My choose would have to be pump therapy much better control. 5)The day to day challenges of lows or highs is the worst part you feel really CRAPPY!!! 6)Just the COMPLICATIONS! But in thease days technolgy is the major key they have so much to offer this should not need be a worry.7)That its ok! to live life to the fullest. And can live a next to NORMAL LIFE just you need to live a different life style thourgh daily monitering of fingersticks, to site changes to Carb counting. Its just another way of dealing with challenges we face. Not say its a easy road on this Journey there are bumps and even roller coasters sometimes but we will get there someday thourgh AMAZING! research and funding thourgh jdrf and nih. There will be a cure in our lifetime. Please vote at www.search kindly .com for jdrf. Thanks and good luck on your paper. My brother also has diabeties. If you need any more help please feel free to contact me! halfnote96@ aol.com or diabeticidol94
pump, since i started using the pump my a1c improved from 9.1 to 6.5 and it is so much more convienent.
living with it everyday, remember all i need to do to keep myself healthy
having children, not hurting myself or a child
it is only as difficult as you let it be but there is no reason you cant live like anyone else. diabetes to me makes me realize that i have a better ability to take great care of myself.
I’ve had diabetes since I was 10 years old. I was diagnosed in a coma from DKA with a blood sugar over 1000.
Yes, I have a pump. I started on a Minimed 508 in 2000, moved to a Minimed Paradigm a few years later, and started on a Deltec Cozmo 1800 in July of 2008.
I prefer to control my diabetes with a pump. My body absorbs the insulin better through continuous infusion than the 10 years I used MDI (multiple daily injections).
The hardest thing about living with Type 1 for me isn’t the constant monitoring, the careful eating, or the perception of others. The hardest thing is feeling low or high. It racks your body. Some days you just want to be able to eat or run or sleep without consequences.
My biggest fear/worry is that mistakes of my past did damage that is not yet apparent. Or that even my careful monitoring might not save me from complications.
I wish people realized Type 1 cannot be “controlled” in the sense that if you do what you’re supposed to do with your meds, it’s in remission and you don’t have to think about it. It’s controlled on an hour-by-hour basis. If you are vigilant and careful, maybe you’ll avoid the low or the high this time. But if you blink, you’re going to have to deal with that moment of out-of-control. I hate being asked if I’m “in control.”
