Has anyone managed to live without Type 1 diabetes complications?

[elie1102]

Hello, I've been type 1 diabetic for 5 years. can I still live a life without complications? how hard is that and have a high percentage of people with T1 diabetes achieved that?

 

[CarbsRok]

Hello, I've been type 1 diabetic for 5 years. can I still live a life without complications? how hard is that and have a high percentage of people with T1 diabetes achieved that?

Hello Elie,
If it helps at all I was diagnose almost 51 years ago and have no complications. As far as I know my life has been exactly the same as non D's except for the jabs twice day as a child and having to count (Mum did) the carbs on my plate and plenty of exercise having two brothers was a great help in that dept plus horses and farming as I grew older and earned my living on the land.
There are many people who have no complications so fear not.
One thing I have never done in all the years of diabetes is never missed an injection or bolus for meals. Yes like most teenagers the rebellion set in and I would eat sweets behind parents back, Mum always knew so had extra insulin to cover it.
In this modern age with meters there is no reason as long as people make sure they keep their bloods within reasonable levels not to live life to the full and complication free.

 

[elie1102]

Hello CarbsRok,

thanks for your kind and encouraging answer. I am happy to know that you live a complication free life. If I may ask one more question, do you usually drink alcohol and/or smoke, and how does that affect your glucose control?

 

[CarbsRok]

Hello CarbsRok,

thanks for your kind and encouraging answer. I am happy to know that you live a complication free life. If I may ask one more question, do you usually drink alcohol and/or smoke, and how does that affect your glucose control?

I gave up smoking at the age of 11 and 2 fags ....................... Mother caught me not good I might add.
I don't drink but that's from choice as I don't like the taste. My Uncle who has type1 as well he always has a tipple and socialises quite a bit but moderation like all things is the key. He has been type1 for 50 years as well and complication free he will be 81 this year

 

[noblehead]

Not completely free as I've had retinopathy issues in the past, but other than that I've no other complications and have lived with type 1 diabetes for 34 years, I do drink alcohol but only on a weekend but don't smoke (but did try it in my teenage years).

@elie1102, Provided you control your diabetes to the best of your ability you can help prevent the onset of complications, if you Google The Joslin 50 you will find many success stories where people have lived for 50+ years with type 1 diabetes and have none or very few complications.

Going to tag @yingtong as he is a member here and has lived with type 1 for nearly 60 years.

 

[yingtong]

Hi elie1102, I've been type 1 for nearly 54 years and I have only a couple very minor complication,I freely admit to falling of the rails for 5years but I got married and started a family and decided that I had better look after my diabetes.I have worked all over the world and done almost every thing in life that I wanted to do,I have played many sports to quite a high level.I am66 years old,7 months ago I started a new chapter in my diabetic life,I started on a insulin pump and after a lot of hard work I think I have got it mastered,say that diabetes always throws a Wobblies and I'll end up having to do some basal testing.i have a couple of bits of advice I would give,treat your diabetes with respect and don't let your diabetes rule you,you rule your diabetes.I hope you have a long and happy life,as I have done and intend to carry on doing.GOOD LUCK.

 

[iHs]

I will have been type 1 for 50yrs in February and apart from carpal tunnel syndrome, frozen shoulders and a touch of background retinopathy in one eye in my mid 50's, my life with diabetes has been fairly good even with some bad hypos at times. I am very lucky that a lovely bloke came into my life in my 20's and has stood by me whatever.

In the next 10yrs many things will start to change regarding how diabetes is managed.

 

[tim2000s]

I've a spot of background retinopathy, but nothing else after 27 years.

 

[philchap1]

48 years for me, have had lazer for eyes but none since 2003, other than that everything else working fine, still working as a plasterer, played Rugby Union until I was nearly 40, have a drink occasionally but don't smoke, I've had a great life with a fab family ( 3 grandchildren and another on the way ) diabetes hasn't ruled my life but i've respected my lifelong companion and hope to go on for years to come lol, good luck x

 

[rochari]

50 years on insulin here and no diabetic complications. The only thing I occasionally get are small gum problems which my dentist always blames on the diabetes. Mind, over the years I've heard that comment so many times from health professionals for simple things like colds that are taking a while to clear up or cuts and bruises that also last a while. I don't drink but do smoke.

Bill

 

[JMW]

Hello, I've been type 1 diabetic for 5 years. can I still live a life without complications? how hard is that and have a high percentage of people with T1 diabetes achieved that?

may I ask your age ? I have lived a longer than normal life with out complications. I have had Type 1 diabetes for 40 years.