Although years lost sounds terrible, when one considers how life used to be for Type 1’s - at one time the average life expectancy was 48, or even less - and from this study it equates to about 70 for men and 76 for women. In so many ways, that’s actually good news, and it is getting better. For some here, since so many are exceptional in their self care, it means a normal lifespan. Honest, my whole life with T1D, I’m assumed my life will be shortened, significantly, but now, maybe not so much…
2 Likes
I was diagnosed and told to plan my life on making it to 60 but no way will hit 65. 65 came and went, 70 came and went so now looking at 80 and beyond and think I have never been in better shape. Kids 1/3 my age can’t keep up with me. YAY!!!
8 Likes
I love it @CJ114
I won’t be a victim either!
2 Likes
I am very fortunate because when diagnosed in 1959, I was never told I would die young. I was told that if I had a baby that the baby would probably die. Luckily I wasn’t interested in having a child until I had been married 16 yrs. All went well with my pregnancy.
I remember, when I was a teen, that a pharmacist told me that I would probably outlive many people because of taking such good care of myself. I am now 70 and am hoping for more good years. I was also never told that there would be a cure.
1 Like
I’m so glad that I was not told that I would die young when I was diagnosed. I was a child at the time, and I think I would have been traumatized a bit. Although I never think of myself as a victim, I do know myself and I know that this would have stuck with me.
I was diagnosed in 1990, and that was “the decade for the cure” for the JDF. I did have to swallow some disappointment when the 90s were over with no cure, but I got over that a long time ago. At least there have been huge advancements in technology since then!
2 Likes
I was diagnosed at the age of 8 in 1970. We were all told all the horrible things that would happen. I would lose my eyesight in 5-10 years ( this one scared the crap out of me as a child!!), I would never have children (not a concern at the age of 8), I would lose my legs & kidneys (not something I thought much about) and I would make it to 30 years of age! I mean I couldn’t grasp the reality of what I was hearing but that fear must have worked. None of this has happened. And while birthdays have never been a big thing for me, I do celebrate every birthday I have had since I turned 30. There have been many! And I am still kicking and living healthy!
I never really thought much about my long term life as a young adult. It wasn’t until I finally found a complete medical team did I realize I had control over my outcome. So with some work and lots of help, I have made it through 50 years of diabetes with none of the complications we were scared with back in 1970. So here I sit thinking about retirement when I get there. Although the way things are going, retirement age when I get there will probably be 70. Oh well, I just have to keep plugging along and doing the best I can. Long life, healthy life. It is happening for us everyday!
3 Likes
I was also diagnosed in the early 90s (the decade of the cure) and the message then seemed to be…just hold on, take really good care of yourself for a few years, and then it will be cured! Workable CGM was always just around the corner, too. (Does anyone else remember the “dream beam”?) But, CGM is here now and I’m very grateful for it. It’s changed my life so much for the better.
1 Like
When I posted this, I worried that I had hit a bad note, but honestly, the positivity pf people here is so powerful, so uplifting, so moving…
3 Likes
I was diagnosed a few years earlier, and 5 years old at the time. Don’t recall hearing this bad news until I was in college and no longer seeing my (non-endo) pediatrician. Was the first I heard of potential eye complications, etc. But this was also before DCCT results, so there was no proof that better control could reduce complications. And only animal insulins were available.
Now 55+ years with T1D, some loss of vision & cateracts, several trigger finger and frozen shoulder treatments. But nothing that has stopped me from successful life.
I never paid much attention to the talk of the cure being just around the corner. Living with diabetes was my “normal”, and made changes as treatments, pumps, cgms etc came out to make it easier to obtain near normal BGs.
3 Likes
I was diagnosed at the same time as you. 1987. I was given the 5 year speech. Don’t worry cure is around the corner.
I got that speech every time I went to the doctor for at least 20 years.
They they sort of dropped it for a newer line,” well technology keeps improving”
I have to say the newer insulin’s did make a huge difference for me and cgm really helped a lot. However, I’m still waiting for my cure that was promised to me 34 years ago. That makes me 29 years past due on that promise. .
3 Likes
I was diagnosed in 1955 at age 13. At the time I tried to figure my life expectancy (a tough thing to contemplate for a 13 year old) and decided I wouldn’t make 70. In 14 days I will be 79. Am healthy, active (walk 31/2 miles or use treadmill at least 4 times a week) and enjoying my 5 grandchildren (although I will be enjoying them more when I get my second vaccine shot two days after my birthday).
3 Likes
Thanks for posting. I was diagnosed at age 12 in 1969. Was told I was going to go blind, lose my legs, etc. It just makes me really mad that this was the message I got. Like shape up baby or you’re going to die kind of thing. so 51 years later, with diabetes under GREAT control for me, all of that fear mongering did not work. They were wrong. I am glad you are doing so well Sally!
1 Like
Back when they told you that ,it was true. No way they could see the future technology and testing.
1 Like
I don’t know about you, but for me, one of the biggest contributors to my care has been my own. I was not treated correctly when I was younger, and given next to no education, so the defining characteristic of my health, notwithstanding some great doctors, has been my own interest in learning about diabetes, healthy eating, exercise, self care, and consistently working to maintain good control.
Then again, there have been numerous improvements to care. I was put on ACE inhibitors the second time my diastolic was over 90 - I was 30, 6’4", 175 lbs., ate semi-vegetarian, and worked out 5 times a week - and that was 30 years ago. It’s the reason my kidneys still work well. I’m not sure when I was introduced to meters, but I do know when I started using CGMs, and although the latter has been useful, my average numbers are not greatly different, although it has probably reduced variability.
At some point, I lucked into good doctors, and although I’ve had a few that were subtly detrimental, some were great, with a great support team. A few were notable for their ability to suggest improvements to my insulin regimen, and if not them, they had NP’s who helped resolve all my issues in one visit.
2 Likes
You are right. I learned most of what I know by pouring over articles and treatments and message boards. I only got the very basics from doctors.
3 Likes
Thankfully, when I was diagnosed in 1966 at age 12, I was given just the opposite message. My mother started to cry, and the doctor said, “Don’t worry. She will eat right, exercise, and take her medicine, so she probably will live to be 99.” I am looking at my 67th birthday next week, and I have no intention of stopping now. My mother passed away in March 2020, and she was 96 years old, so I have heredity on my side. If we all just do the best we can, what more can anyone ask? My motto is enjoy life, stay positive, and be kind and helpful to one another. You will feel great in doing so.
5 Likes