50 years with type 1 diabetes.

[anniehi41]

Congratulations! Forever grateful for the expert knowledge you have gathered over the last 50 years and are able to pass on to us.

 

[smaynard]

When I was diagnosed in the long distant past pasta etc was not available so never grew up with it and on the odd occasion when I have tried it just haven't liked it.
Mum bless her always as a treat used to make a diabetic friendly sponge cake made with sorbitol so always thought cakes were dry. Hence very little interest in that dept. Mum was heart broken when I asked her not to make the cake as hated it.
Back in the 1960's carbs were always restricted, to X amount per meal. Until a few years ago I was always very active as worked and lived on a mixed farm and stud farm, school days were spent very active due to sports at county level which included cross country. So used to consume about 250 carbs a day. (no meters in those days)
I have ME now which means not active so carbs are reduced so no weight gain from inactivity.
I'm very grateful to my Mum for giving me the grounding in self care and teaching me to be responsible for my actions and condition from day one and also treating me no differently from my brothers. Thus a normal childhood ensured
So in summary
Good care from Mum
Exercise
Never missing insulin injections
Understanding what went in my mouth and accounting for it.
Keeping up with technology.

Congrats to you and your Mum! I think your 5 point summary is very succinct and powerful, thank you for sharing.

 

[Mundford1948]

On the 5th of April 2015 I reached the milestone of 50 years on insulin with no complications

I have been on Insulin injections for 54 yrs, I also have had no problems, you must keep to your diet, and excercise. Bob.

 

[blao]

On the 5th of April 2015 I reached the milestone of 50 years on insulin with no complications

Fantastic, well done! This year I have reached the first 25 years still a long way to achieve 50! I guess that you have had a good HbA1c ... Am I right? Excercises are also vital. Your reply/advice is more than welcome.
Best, G.

 

[CarbsRok]

Fantastic, well done! This year I have reached the first 25 years still a long way to achieve 50! I guess that you have had a good HbA1c ... Am I right? Excercises are also vital. Your reply/advice is more than welcome.
Best, G.

Well done for reaching the 25 years as well . I always had plenty of exercise as a youngster having two brothers leaves you no choice. I all honesty I have no idea what early A1c's would be as doubt they were invented back then, A1c now is always between 6.2 and 6.4.

 

[Lisbet]

Congratulations! Also reached my 50yrs in 2015 and had a wonderful year of celebrations! Carbsrok - do apply for your Joslin Medal from the USA too - go to their web site and apply online and you'll get it in the post. No need for a Drs letter if you have proof you can send (e.g. your Diabetes UK medal or certificate!) You can also join the Joslin Medallists Facebook page and talk to others who have 50 years - it's a interesting group, though very American biased as you'd expect.

I never used to count the years until very recently, then saw so many in online groups celebrating their 'Diaversity' so checked out when I was diagnosed (had forgotten the date!!). I have few complications - retinopathy treated over 30 yrs ago and very stable with no after effects since then, and no loss of vision field whatsoever. Bit of cheiroarthropathy (stiff hands - see http://iddt.org/related-health-issu...ems-associated-with-diabetes/chiroarthropathy) but all else good and I have the best HbA1c I've ever had at the moment.

Posted this celebratory blog on my Reflections on having Type 1 in the past 50 yrs before, but putting here for anyone who's interested! https://grumpypumper.wordpress.com/2015/10/30/reflections-on-50-yrs-with-t1-diabetes-1965-2015/

 

[Gaz-M]

wow I have not seen this thread before

Well done CarbsRok and keep up the great work

 

[lizdeluz]

Likewise, I hadn't noticed this thread, so want to say well done to you, CarbsRok and other 50iers for just being brilliant!

 

[Angela_T]

On the 5th of April 2015 I reached the milestone of 50 years on insulin with no complications

Congratulations any advice how you do it I follow diet and units to what I eat and still juggling and now got Diabetic Neuropathy
So glad your well and ok though

 

[CarbsRok]

Congratulations any advice how you do it I follow diet and units to what I eat and still juggling and now got Diabetic Neuropathy
So glad your well and ok though

I was very lucky as a child as had a very proactive mum who kept me on the straight and narrow. Like all teenagers I went off the rails a bit but didn't and haven't once missed my insulin. Always very active as a child and adult until about 5 years ago when diagnosed with ME, which basically wiped out the exercise.
I do eat what I want with the exception that I stick to a limit of the amount of carbs I eat per meal. It used to be a lot of carbs but as not active now that's cut back considerably.

 

[Angela_T]

I was very lucky as a child as had a very proactive mum who kept me on the straight and narrow. Like all teenagers I went off the rails a bit but didn't and haven't once missed my insulin. Always very active as a child and adult until about 5 years ago when diagnosed with ME, which basically wiped out the exercise.
I do eat what I want with the exception that I stick to a limit of the amount of carbs I eat per meal. It used to be a lot of carbs but as not active now that's cut back considerably.

Glad you had a good childhood. Sorry about the ME though must be very painful and difficult. I have physical Sensory Nerve problems over time and Diabetic Neuropathy no fun walking is slow and can't run anymore even the elderly walk passed me and beat me and I'm 35yrs old. Take Gabapentin for pain I just hope my physical Health comes back if not I'm going to use my mind a lot instead and be successful that way. Been Diabetic for 24yrs now. I'm still fighting had it since I was 11yrs old. Glad your keeping an eye on the Carbs

 

[Angela_T]

well done Angela.T xxx

 

[CarbsRok]

Glad you had a good childhood. Sorry about the ME though must be very painful and difficult. I have physical Sensory Nerve problems over time and Diabetic Neuropathy no fun walking is slow and can't run anymore even the elderly walk passed me and beat me and I'm 35yrs old. Take Gabapentin for pain I just hope my physical Health comes back if not I'm going to use my mind a lot instead and be successful that way. Been Diabetic for 24yrs now. I'm still fighting had it since I was 11yrs old. Glad your keeping an eye on the Carbs

Hi Angela, very sorry to hear about all your problems, not good hope that a suitable treatment can be sourced to help you sooner rather than later.

 

[Angela_T]

Hi Angela, very sorry to hear about all your problems, not good hope that a suitable treatment can be sourced to help you sooner rather than later.

Thank you. Angela T xxx

 

[Wurst]

On the 5th of April 2015 I reached the milestone of 50 years on insulin with no complications

Respect. You are a forum member we should all listen to as opposed to certain 'jumped up' new members who have no experience in diabetes management and who claim to be scientists/ diabetes specialists simply because they can google :-0

 

[CarbsRok]

Respect. You are a forum member we should all listen to as opposed to these jumped up new members with no experience in diabetes management who claim to be scientists because they can google :-0

Hi Wurst, every one has their own equally valid views on how they manage their own diabetes. I've learnt a lot from members over the years which has helped me and many others live well with diabetes. Like all advice you must remember though that bucket of salt is needed for some of it (mine included)

 

[Wurst]

Hi Wurst, every one has their own equally valid views on how they manage their own diabetes. I've learnt a lot from members over the years which has helped me and many others live well with diabetes. Like all advice you must remember though that bucket of salt is needed for some of it (mine included)

I fully agree but what I am saying is i'd take someones advice who has experience over someone who is merely trying to get their number of posts up. :-0

 

[static192]

On the 5th of April 2015 I reached the milestone of 50 years on insulin with no complications

really good work very inspiring i must say

 

[Juicyj]

Fabulous work @CarbsRok what an inspiration to all of us, it also helps to hear this particularly for our younger members who worry about the future of living with type 1

 

[CarbsRok]

Fabulous work @CarbsRok what an inspiration to all of us, it also helps to hear this particularly for our younger members who worry about the future of living with type 1

It's now a grand total of 51 years on insulin and still going strong. I have a new lease of life with the help of a rescue Labrador called Angel (Hells Angel on the odd occasion) but a real poppet who insists on walks at 100mph twice a day.