50 years with type 1 diabetes.

That's amazing well done, what are your tips to staying so well, as you're diagnosis is well before the lchf phenomenon and what has been your staple diet, how have you managed to stay unaffected all through the years?

I see on your information you dislike 'pasta, ice cream and chocolate' this is probably your secret weapon me thinks, could you have been one of the first low carbers?

 

OOPS sorry..........................................shall I tell tim2000 or will you

 

Oops Sorry! Ma'am

 

Thank you, and you did it without all the tech and mass of available info we have today. A very encouraging story.

 

Congratulations!! I celebrate 43 years this April, as a type 1 Diabetic. And no complications, my consultant puts it down to good genes crossing fingers long may it last. Have to say I've not always been the best Diabetic but as I've got older I realise where I went wrong in the past . But also I do have a positive attitude towards it, of course sometimes I get majorly fed up with it too. Diabetes doesn't define me, it's just a part of my life. I'm now on MDI and reasonable control - Hbac1 hovers around 7.5 - 8.0 .

 

May I ask what the ICHF phenomenon is? I've googled but am none the wiser, apologies for my ignorance

 

Ah thank you for the LCHF info, I will have to look into that as so far I haven't co e across it at all.

You must have very good genes in your family, well done to your Uncle!! My maternal grandmother had diabetes type 1 she was diagnosed in the late 50s as far as I remember, but her diabetes seemingly went undiagnosed it seems a long time, she was so ill that she lost her sight and had one leg amputated. Her physical condition used to put the fear of God in me I'm afraid. So when I became diabetic at the age of 18, I actually thought that was it! Her sister (my great Aunt, had diabetes type 2 - and controlled it with tablets). So on my diagnosis I did go a bit crazy those first few years, as I thought "live for today" .....although like you I have never missed an injection and thank goodness I have never had DKA.

When I was first diagnosed it was just one injection a day, and urine testing, which I hardly ever did, as I thought it most "disgusting" in my total ignorance. My mum, bless her, was very good, she learned so much about the condition and helped with diet etc, I used to have the first diet sheet from those days which strictly forbade Pasta!! But back then pasta was a rarity anyway. Cheese was very encouraged however, and I went from someone who never liked cheese to eating a lot of it.

When I look back so much has changed for the better, diabetic life back then seemed to a rebellious teenager like me, to be way too much restricted.

I have said this before on here, but my diabetic team at the hospital are just so wonderful, and since doing the New Deal course (I live in Scotland, it's Dafne in England I believe) I have learned so much more.

The diabetes teams in my past, well some were ok and some were just downright awful. When I was pregnant with my third baby, in 1988, I was told by a diabetic specialist nurse, I really shouldn't have got pregnant as a third baby was such a risk to my health. When we discussed this at the New Deal course the DSNs couldn't believe a nurse would say such a thing.

Like you it's hard to recall life without diabetes, apart from I was always able to eat what I liked, and never put on any weight. Whereas once I became diabetic that seemed to change. I'm only half a stone over correct weight for my height, but would really like to lose those 7 pounds.

I would also add the blood test kits today and the pens, and tiny needles, have all made such a difference to my life.

I recently turned down the offer of a pump, mainly because at present its all going ok, but I know the offer is still there for in the future. At present, I find my pens flexible, as after the New Deal education I do my fast acting Novorapid after I've eaten to allow me to count the carbs.

Sorry if I have gone on a bit, and maybe off topic, but I know few diabetics and it's nice to share with like minded people.

 

I just find it quite amusing to hear us saying we have good genes... When our genes are faulty!! It does make me chuckle

 

Yes, it's bizarre, but so is pricking your finger at least 5-6 times a day and injecting....or pumping, whatever it's just great to be alive (and have good genes despite the bad diabetes ones)

 

Congratulations and welcome to the 50 club

 

well done 48 years for me.

 

Yes congratulations from me and welcome to the 50 club also

 

Congratulation

 

40yrs for me. i do often wonder though, how the science and technologhy involved in sending space craft to the outer reaches of the universe, yet, we are still sticking holes in ourselves to stay alive. it makes no sense. someone knows the answer to this?

 

Well done. I am due to reach mine next October 2016. So far no major complications - still working fulltime and driving etc. I hope that they don't remove the medal before I get it! Like you I have had to work hard to be complication free. My dad diagnosed 2 years before me (1964) died in 1998 from diabetes complications (he did 34 years). So continue on and hopefully I will always be riding your coat tails and remaining complication free!

 

50 years for me October 2016 too. Some complications but feeling ok right now.