Better to be diagnosed young?

Hi all,

It's hard these days not to know several people personally - or through a friend/colleague, etc - someone who has type 1, or indeed type 2. I was diagnosed age 6 so it's difficult, impossible nearly, to remember what my life was like when I didn't have diabetes. All through the major 'incidents' in my life my diabetes has been with me; puberty, teenage years, my partying days (I still have quite a bit of party left in me at 25, although it's calmed down),etc and now adult life.

A lot of the people I speak to who have problems in controlling their diabetes were diagnosed during their teenage years or as an adult. I regularly meet up with a school friend, who was diagnosed more or less at the same time as me, when we are in the local diabetic clinic and he has never had any significant issues with his condition - just like me. We are both very hypo aware and sugar level control is second nature - it's our life because we've had it so long and it's done without much thought.

I suppose this is more of an observation of mine and I wondered if anyone agreed or disagreed with me. Anyone been diagnosed at a young age and feel the same? Or maybe entirely differently?

I would put my good control and general health down to my mum. She was very regimented in my control - but not to the extent that I didn't have a life or hated her for it. I suppose I have a lot to thank her for because she's set me up for life. I also think because I don't really know any other way than being diabetic that I never had the big lifestyle change. It's always the no sugar products I purchase and I automatically adjust my insulin depending on what my movements are and I don't find it requires a blood test. The trauma (if that's what I can call it) of being diagnosed diabetic was all taken on by my mum. When someone said I had to inject every day for the rest of my life I just shrugged my shoulders, said "ok" and went back to colouring in! Whereas my mum I think just about fainted.

Wondered what people thought? Has it been a blessing in disguise to be diagnosed so young? Are there any parents of young children who would agree with this? I can't imagine what it must be like to have a child who is diabetic. I salute you as the responsibility and worry must be frightful.

Thanks for reading,

A ponderous Jenni

Re: !

Debloubed said:

Hi Jenni, I think I was the same in my mid 20's, never tested and thought I could predict my levels, and never had an hba1c over 8! never have done actually but I wish I knew then what I know now as I think I played a dangerous game. Maybe it's an age/maturity thing (no offence!) but I thought I was invincible in my 20's! but now in my 30's and a mother myself, I think more about why it is so important to test and also, as I am getting a pump soon, I MUST test otherwise they won't let me have one :wink: I often think about before I was diagnosed and I can't remember any difference really?! Other than, like you say, always opting for the sugar free varieties and saying no to sugar in coffee and tea etc but I carb count now and find it SO much more liberating and rewarding even!


Interesting post, thanks for starting it

Click to expand...

I've thought about your reply and to be honest I find it hard not to take offence when you mention my maturity level! I certainly do not think that I am invincible and I think you are misunderstaning me on a gross level! I've re-read my post a quite a few times and find it very difficult to see where immaturity and a cavalier attitude towards a chronic illness are portrayed.

The point of the initial post was to generate a discussion on managing diabetes when diagnosed at an early age in comparison to being diagnosed when you can think back to the time when you didn't have the illness. My point being that a diagnosis in infancy and having the condition heavily managed and controlled by an adult - I feel - has given me a good base to work on as an adult with the condition.

Thank you all for posting replies to my thread. It's been interesting to see the different perspectives and ideas we all have about diabetes and how being diagnosed at different ages has affected us/our children/friends.

I don't think an age exists where it's 'easier' - and not just for the person who is diagnosed. Lets be honest - it's not easy at all! At different ages we've all got different responsibilities and our families and loved ones have different levels of responsibility to us.

I definitely agree that the earlier the diagnosis then the concern over the long term health implications associated with diabetes is far greater. I remember being at the dentist a few years back and he said "Oh you know that diabetics can be more prone to gum disease"...I just thought- add it to the long list of everything else I'm more prone to! I suppose you just work with what you've got and do the best for you, don't you? Although I know there are people who have lived with diabetes half the years I have and have had suffered some of the problems associated with diabetes.

I am very much a 'glass half full' kind of person and everyday I feel lucky for the life that I have and the people I have in it with me. My mantra has always been that I am a person with diabetes, not a diabetic person. There are far more interesting and shocking things about me than my wee friend diabetes!

Thanks so much,

Jenni