Complication levels

Nobody can say with any certainty, unfortunately.

There is evidence showing that exceeding 7.8mmol can cause damage, but as to how often and how long you would need to exceed it? It's anyone's guess. People can have great control and lots of complications and poor control and no complications. Best bet is to just maintain the best control you can.

To avoid hitting 10, have you tried injecting earlier? It may be less about the quantity of insulin you're using and more about the timing.

james122 said:

What BG levels will cause complications in the long term?. If I am 10 once a day for 15 years will that be a problems because most days I hit ten and can't control it no matter how much insulin I use. But I want both questions answered as they are both important to me.

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@tim2000s posted a chart showing the increasing risk of complications with higher HbA1Cs. Hopefully, he can post it again for you.

I control my diabetes very strictly, but it's impossible to get perfect levels 100% of the time. Getting an odd short-lived high doesn't mean you'll get complications

Are you getting the 10s at the same time each day? Maybe a little tweak can improve those levels a little. But please don't stress about complications. It sounds like you're doing a good job

Hi James, it's a difficult question to answer, in all honesty if you live your life in fear of the future it will consume you. Instead being mindful of the future but living each day as it comes is the easiest way to deal with this type of fear. Have you read Dr Bernstein's book ? It is a revelation as he is a type 1 who educated himself on managing his type 1 and is now in his 80's with no complications, his book is a good read and will give you confidence in managing yourself.

I used to be like you constantly worrying about the future, I came to the conclusion that I was wasting energy worrying and so live day to day with doing what I can to manage my diabetes, yes i get high readings but test, correct and record and change what I need to.

I know high numbers upset you but try and put your management into perspective and work on your day to day and the rest will take care of itself

I feel this! My mum has had many complications, heart complications and a stroke. She has been in and out of hospital all her life with type one and complications there off! I actually feel I have more of a grasp on my sugars that she has ever had, but I'm still terrified! Seeing it first hand from my mum having two heart attacks, a heart bypass, pace maker and a stroke first hand has really taken its toll! I'm currently living in fear of this! I so feel it's starting to affect me, I feel it weighs on my mind quite a lot! Even though I do look after myself very well. @Juicyj how did u get out of this cycle? I don't know whether to see my doc because I do feel it's stressing me a lot!

@james122 and everyone, I have the same concerns. I have been AT LEAST 10 for the last 27 years, every day despite trying super hard to look after myself, and as far as I know, to date, I only have background retinopathy. I put my 'good luck' down to naturally having very low blood pressure (a factor that in conjunction with blood sugar, I believe exasperates complications) , I have a good BMI and test literally all the time.

I know my control, despite trying, is awful but my HbA1c isn't too bad. (recently 7 following very bad post pregnancy control) I don't trust the Hba1c as I see the fluctuations up to 15+ daily. I expressed my distrust of this test based on my results to doctors. One response was that because I test so much, when I do reach 16ish, I correct, resulting in the fact I'm never that high for that long so it's not as bad as it seems?!?!?

Thanks to this forum, ive recently become aware of the risks of the variability between highs and lows. This seems to be a little in conflict with what I've been advised by my doctor. I'm just thinking like others have said, try your best and try not to worry.

@Sarahkylie88 At one point it was just getting way too much, it was the fear of the unknown and also feeling very low, I had a super DSN and talked through my fears with her, the end result was I was either looking at anti depressants or cognitive therapy, as I work full time and a mum neither option appealed, so I started with going low carb to stabilise my bg levels, a doctor told me fluctuating bg levels were contributing to my low moods, this settled me a lot, then I joined a Buddhist meditation group and started practising that, the meditation taught me to live in the present, I was consumed about the future which may or may not happen, but living in the present taught me to enjoy life again, not take things for granted and to breathe properly too. I think meditation is a good exercise for anyone, teaches you to just enjoy life now. Stabilising bg helped a lot too, I have had background retinopathy for the past 3 years, this year it came back normal which I think is testament to this.

Finally talk to others about how you feel, here in the forum you are not alone and can talk to others in the same boat, knowing you are not alone in how you feel helps a lot

Thank u @Juicyj I will speak to my dsn. The thing is my levels are well controlled, not had a hba1c over 7.3 in about 12 years and I take care of myself! I could do with losing weight tho. I just find myself comparing myself to her and worrying that's what's in store for me! And the thought terrifies me! I just feel I'm carrying it around with me all the time and I don't know how to shake it off! As u said, Like u, I'm too busy thinking about the future to properly enjoy the present X X X