Do I have more than 30 Years?

Odds of living with diabetes for more than 30 years very good indeed.. And doing so without complications odds are pretty good as well..

I'm Type 1, no complications 21 years a diabetic..
Hubby Type1, had probs with eyes 10 years ago, deffo not blind been diabetic 31 years..

What you need to do, is look after yourself, take care of your diabetes so it stays in the main in good control, as you will find a hiccup or two will and does happen along there way..

This way, apart from the necessary faffting of BG's and injections your life will be the same as it should have been without diabetes..

Hope this stettles your fears abit..

Hi Aurlito,
I am a type 2. Where have you gained all the negativity? Has someone told you that this is what will happen? There are many Type 1's who post on this board and I hope that they will soon reassure you. It is not a death sentence and can be managed very well. If it is any consolation, my grandmother was a Type 1 and died aged 92. She was diagnosed aged 7. She had other health problems, arthritis and impaired hearing, but nothing diabetes related.

Catherine.

Yes there are plenty around, and a high portion don't have complications, nor have they lost any limbs actually losing a limb to diabetes isn't as common as one might think reading the internet..

The future for those like you who are newly dignosed is actually probably a lot better than those like me who already lived with it for many years..

As technology even in the time I've been diabetic has improved, which gives better and greater control, understanding is also a lot better than it was etc, this all goes towards creating abetter future for the diabetic..

I suspect in 40 years time, you be sat there thinking what on earth did I worry about all those years ago.. You never know you might have even been cured of your diabetes, they may have found the answer to the whys' and what nots..

But if they haven't I bet they would have come up with technology that gives us the artifical pancreas, that we top with insulin and everything else is done.. Leaving us with near to perfect control as you can get..

Where have you got all this information from? Someone is painting you a very negative picture for the future. As for your doctor not answering questions...get another doctor! I would suggest that this type of health care is very poor. If you are being treated through your GP clinic I strongly recommend you get a referral to a diabetic clinic at a hospital. Generally they have more dedicated staff and a wider variety of people with specialist knowledge, dieticians, diabetic nurses, podiatrists etc

I have been diabetic 37 years, diagnosed aged 3, and I do not suffer from any long term complications and am not in bad health. I have led a full and relatively normal life, have kept down a steady job for the most part and have had children (don't know if this applies to you or not) I go out for beers with my friends and eat out regularly. I travel lots and do stuff.

Your diagnosis is not a death sentence. Don't let it dictate your lifestyle choices. Look after yourself, get the control as good as possible, eat sensibly, maybe do some exercise and you'll do just fine.

I know a number of people who have been diagnosed at varying times as youths and have lived beyond the 30 years. One gentleman I know is now in his 70's having been type 1 for over 50 of them and is in better health than some 40 year olds I know.

Please post again if you need any more support/ encouragement.

roo.be
x

My Mother in Law is type one and has been for 40+ years without too much trouble, she had cataracts but that was sorted quickly and now has near perfect vision. With great control you won't have to suffer when your older.

y

y

Aurlito,

I was diagnosed with Type 2 18 months ago, the first thing i did was to contact an old school friend of mine who apart from my family was the only other person i knew with diabetes.

When i was at school with this friend he was 8 years old a type 1 using hyperdermic needles to inject into the top of his leg he is now 48 and in his words "as fit as the next man"

Think on

All the best

Robbo.

Hi Aurlito

I have had type 1 diabetes for 27 years, as long as you look after yourself you will be fine, like a non diabetic if you abuse your body things will go wrong but as long as you control your sugar level and do your blood checks regularly and eat healthly (you can occasionally treat yourself that won't hurt)

Good Luck

Hi Aurlito

I'm a T2, but my brother developed T1 diabetes over 40 years ago aged 11. He is fit and healthy and has not developed any diabetic complications whatsoever. He maintains a healthy lifestyle, excersise/diet and good bg control, has to travel long-haul frequently because of his job and has never let diabetes prevent him from doing anything he wanted. I am looking forward with some trepidation to being alternately annoyed and delighted by him for the next 40 plus years. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Aurlito said:

I'm 16 and it's been a month since I've been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I know before I have at least 10 years before kidney dysfunction, eye blindness and amputation kicks in and at least eight years before die so now honestly, am I terminal? I mean I only have 18 years before I die right? My doctor is a jerk and he didn't answer my question regarding the complications of diabetes. What are the odds of a diabetic living more than 30 years?

Click to expand...

Far from convincing yourself that you are down and out now you have diabetes, listen to what everyone has told you so far. There are many people on this forum with years upon years of living with this condition, some without any complications too. It is up to you to take control from the start and manage your diabetes well, and keep your blood glucose within target range as far as possible.

Good luck!

Nigel

Hi Aurlito,

You're more likely to worry yourself into an early grave, than for diabetes to get you first! :lol:

Wherever did you get your information from? It is very pessimistic and pretty inaccurate if you don't mind me saying so.

You say "I'm 16 and it's been a month since I've been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I know before I have at least 10 years before kidney dysfunction, eye blindness and amputation kicks in and at least eight years before die so now honestly, am I terminal? I mean I only have 18 years before I die right? My doctor is a jerk and he didn't answer my question regarding the complications of diabetes. What are the odds of a diabetic living more than 30 years?" :roll:

If you "know" all these things why are you asking us?
NOBODY "KNOWS" these things for sure. You could be struck by lightning tomorrow, but I bet you're not!

Maybe your doctor didn't get a chance to answer your question about complications before you "shut off" from listening to what was being said to you? :?

Also, have you visited the Diabetes Youth Club on this forum? You can discuss your worries with people nearer your own age.

I think this is all too new to you and still raw. Have patience, get advice, read up about it, and try to take a more positive view.
I thought I was the most pessimistic person in the World, but you may well take my title off me! :wink:

I read about a T1 who was 93 , I am related to somen by marriage who is in his 50's and has been T1 since he was under 16 so don't worry. It's a shock but like most conditions if you look after yourself you can live as long as other people.
Try to avoid the horror stories and concentrate on being healthy-take your insulin when needed , eat well and make sure you go for regular check-ups.

Hello,

My name is Carol, I became a diabetic type 1 at the age of 11. I am now aged 44 years old, yes I am registered blind however with operations I have a certain amount of sight in my left eye, but totally blind in the right. I have many other complications including Kidney problems and at the age of 44, I have been told I have had a mini stroke. So yes these things can happen. But they happened to me because I was not a good diabetic. I did not look after myself properly and had very high sugars. This is because, I didn't want to accept I was a diabetic. I wanted to be like everyone else. So please the first thing you must do, is accept you are a diabetic. It may sound like I am trying to scare you, but belive me I am trying to help you see what I did and how you can stop this from happening. My sugar levels now are perfect, and my only wish is, if I had my time again I would have controlled it from the very beginning and I truley believe that I would have none of these problems, however I did. You must try to keep your sugar levels under control and look after yourself and you can have a great life. Never give up

I am 24 years 'in' (no comps other than background retinopathy 3 years ago which I have reversed) but I know a lady who is 45 years in and has just started on an insulin pump she has had complications but as everyone has already said, some long termers have them due to not having access to what we have access to today. You are young and have your life ahead of you. Take control and keep on keeping on!!

Hi Aurlito

Sorry to hear you have a not so sensible doctor – I think some health professionals feel it necessary to scare diabetics into controlling their blood glucose levels by scaring them witless with doom n gloom statistics. :roll: :roll:
Sadly this type of approach often does not work & the stress caused by this approach pushes up blood glucose levels!!

As has already been posted complications can be reduced dramatically by:
- Not smoking.
- Undertaking screening for complications – screening is available for a reason & early identification of any potential complications can also massively reduced those complications from getting progressive– screening is there for a reason & still many individuals do not attend appointments for eye screening etc.
- Blood glucose home testing (which was not available when I was first diagnosed - yikes!!!) enabling you to know what is happening with your blood glucose level and take any necessary action to treat particularly if your blood glucose level is high.
- Accessing information via a forum such as this - because there are always helpful "diabetic" tips & hints available - just think in years to come you will be a "diabetic veteran" (I was called this recently and felt very honoured to be considered as such!) & you will be able to advise others who are at the same stage you are now.

I am celebrating 40 years Type 1 Diabetic on June 6th this year – its not been without its difficulties but I am still intact and on a good day everything stills works! :lol: :lol:

All the best.

Txx