Insulin_John said:
I know that a badly-managed type 1 diabetes will cause "complications" (itself a multitude of sins) later in life, but how about a moderately-managed type 1?
I'm talking about myself, I'm 45 and test & inject regularly, but do not lead a strict regime of no beer/fatty foods etc and only exercise intermittently (I used to be very physically fit). I am always failing to drum up the will to be strict about my lifestyle.
As blokes don't live as long as women anyway (usually), would you say that diabetes shortens our lives at all?
John,
This subject has been covered many times before and I remember one member who had type 1 diabetes for 63 years posting a truly inspiring story, here it is:
''I am now 63 years old and was diagnosed with type 1 when I was 8 months old. At that time in history it was recognised that many diabetic children were dying as a result of lack of proper care in their family's. A decision wasmade to open, I believe 4 specialist childrens homes, to teach the children to be able to manage their own diabetes care. I wasa child believed to be at risk and at five (?) years old wasplaced into a home in Kingsdown, nr Deal, Kent, known as St Monica's. It was run by, what was then called the Church of England Children's Society (later to become the Children's Society). It was a lovely caring environment for boys and girls. We used to check our blood sugars over a bunsen burner and we were all on 80 Lente insulin. We were taught to calculate our food on a carbohydrate basis and I have continued that principle ever since. I moved to a different children's home in Salford, again run by the same organisation called St Georges, when In was 11 years old. (There must be many people out there having experience of both homes.) This was a boys only homeand again the insulin regime was 80 Lentefor all the boys. I left at 16 years old, returning to my family home. I have always been a keen sports person and the early cotton wool protections I experienced made me very competitive. I played football up to 51yearsof age, have run several marathons and half marathons andcurrently enjoy cycling and Pilates. I have no health problems, my control is fine, although hypos can occur if I get it wrong after intense exercise but I love my active lifestyle. One ambition I have is to attempt John O'Groats to Lands End on my bike when I retire in 18 months time. Not the longest but I haveenjoyed and continue to enjoy a full and rewarding life.''
No one can say for sure if diabetes will shorten our lives and the only way we can ensure that we live as long as possible is take care of our diabetes by maintaining good bg, bp and cholesterol levels, stopping smoking (if you smoke) and drinking in moderation if you drink. Exercising daily and eating a healthy diet is also paramount and should go a long way to help us in our quest for longevity.
I'm on my 31st year with type 1 and I was talking with someone recently who has had it for 47 years without complications, the advances made in insulin treatments and equipments in recent years have gone along way to help us lead a full, long and active life.
It's never to late John so hope you start to get back on top of things soon, good luck!