Hi, I name is Christine and I have been diabetic for 40 years (type 1) after being run over at 6 by a drunk driver. They say it was bought on by shock. Nice to meet you all. :wave:
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- Thread starter TigerlilyChristine
- Start Date
Hi Christine! I am new to the forum too and I am also a type 1 diabetic, diabetic for 10 years this July and turning 19 this month. I am really interested in speaking to people who have had type 1 for several years like yourself,from a young age - to try and get as much advice as I can! Do you have any advice or experiences to share? 
daisy1
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- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
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- Cruelty towards animals.
Hi TigerlilyChristine and m_brown and welcome to the forum You will find the advice you need if you ask some questions about what is particularly worrying you. Since you have both had diabetes for some time, maybe you could share some of your experiences with us too as many newly diagnosed members need to know all they can about looking after themselves.
You will find the advice you need if you ask some questions about what is particularly worrying you. Since you have both had diabetes for some time, maybe you could share some of your experiences with us too as many newly diagnosed members need to know all they can about looking after themselves.
weeezer
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hi
i'm new to forum aswell, been t1 since 2000 when i was 26. my mum got it at 24 and has been diddling along for nearly 37 years with it, she was a smoker for all but the last year of that time & always been overweight, so gawd knows how she is problem free, but she pretty much is. she has no background retinopathy (i have) but has higher cholesterol than normal and has had high blood pressure but has brought that under control (to normal levels) by stopping smoking & medication.
its great to share experiences on ere isn't it? although my mum has it, she has little knowledge of it and just bobbles along. i'm trying to find out more, and as i don't know any other t1s, am hoping to gain lots of info from this forum
weezer x
i'm new to forum aswell, been t1 since 2000 when i was 26. my mum got it at 24 and has been diddling along for nearly 37 years with it, she was a smoker for all but the last year of that time & always been overweight, so gawd knows how she is problem free, but she pretty much is. she has no background retinopathy (i have) but has higher cholesterol than normal and has had high blood pressure but has brought that under control (to normal levels) by stopping smoking & medication.
its great to share experiences on ere isn't it? although my mum has it, she has little knowledge of it and just bobbles along. i'm trying to find out more, and as i don't know any other t1s, am hoping to gain lots of info from this forum
weezer x
Hi Weezer,
It is good to share experiences! I've been reading so many peoples stories on here today! I'm glad to here your mum is ok after having it for 37years! thats along time. You mentioned you have retinopathy? What kind of symtoms does that give you and do you think it is due to control of your diabetes in the past?
I have a few friends who are type 1 diabetics all of whom have had it for a similar amount of time as I have which is quite handy!
It is good to share experiences! I've been reading so many peoples stories on here today! I'm glad to here your mum is ok after having it for 37years! thats along time. You mentioned you have retinopathy? What kind of symtoms does that give you and do you think it is due to control of your diabetes in the past?
I have a few friends who are type 1 diabetics all of whom have had it for a similar amount of time as I have which is quite handy!
Thanks for the greetings. All I can advise all you newbies is to keep your blood sugars under control. Ive had diabetic retinopathy in both eyes, had 2 vitrectomies, and waited 6 years for a kidney while being on peritoneal dialysis every day for 7 hours. Got my new kidney 2/9/11 and haven't been able to control my blood sugars since. The anti rejection drugs increase blood sugar and I am still struggling to sort them out. So be as good as you can.
I'm very sorry to hear about the complications you've had with your diabetes Christine! Would you say your diabetes was badly controlled which led to these complications? What were your HBA1c's like? I'm pleased to hear you've got a new kidney after such a long wait! I wish you all the best with getting those blood sugars under control!
Hello all newbies,
Type 1 here as well diagnosed aged 4 1/2 so on insulin for 47 years now and complication free.
Type 1 here as well diagnosed aged 4 1/2 so on insulin for 47 years now and complication free.
CarbsRok, please tell me your secret! As you may be able to tell from my posts, I am very keen on finding out about others experiences good and bad so I can work on improving my control and hopefully have no long term complications!
m_brown said:
My secret?
I was and am very lucky to have a fantastic Mum.
Who from day one of diagnoses set out to find out as much as she could to help me stay healthy. Carb counting has always been in place from day 1 of diagnoses. To start with I had a set amount of carbs per meal then once Mum sussed out about adjusting insulin to carb amount things were even better. Obviously back in those day's it was hit and miss re the insulin adjustment as no home blood testing until the early 1980's. Exercise also plays a large part in staying healthy as well.
As many have found it's best to do your own research and find out as much as you can, due to some HCP's not always being up to date (Ark springs to mind)
The best thing anyone with diabetes can do is to find out how dif carbs affect them personally and if on insulin to understand how it works for them. Then match the action with the type and amount of carbs being eaten.
Mums are great!
I am careful with my diet and test my blood sugar all the time but I have never learned to count carbs, although I am well aware of what foods contain them! I am planning on doing DAFNE next year, as the spaces are all filled for 2012! I believe they teach how to count carbs in this! Can I ask what your HBA1c's are like? and what they have been like in the past? What kind of excerise do you do? I enjoy walking but always wonder if its intense enough excerise for me! Also what insulin regime are you on? I am currently taking Novorapid and Levemir but I am changing to Novorapid with Humunlin I next week!
I am careful with my diet and test my blood sugar all the time but I have never learned to count carbs, although I am well aware of what foods contain them! I am planning on doing DAFNE next year, as the spaces are all filled for 2012! I believe they teach how to count carbs in this! Can I ask what your HBA1c's are like? and what they have been like in the past? What kind of excerise do you do? I enjoy walking but always wonder if its intense enough excerise for me! Also what insulin regime are you on? I am currently taking Novorapid and Levemir but I am changing to Novorapid with Humunlin I next week!
m_brown said:Mums are great!
I am careful with my diet and test my blood sugar all the time but I have never learned to count carbs, although I am well aware of what foods contain them! I am planning on doing DAFNE next year, as the spaces are all filled for 2012! I believe they teach how to count carbs in this! Can I ask what your HBA1c's are like? and what they have been like in the past? What kind of excerise do you do? I enjoy walking but always wonder if its intense enough excerise for me! Also what insulin regime are you on? I am currently taking Novorapid and Levemir but I am changing to Novorapid with Humunlin I next week!
Exercise is I walk rather than use the car, I used to ride horses and breed them so had plenty to look after
I worked on farms for many years so that was exercise all day long :lol: Dogs like exercise as well.A1c's since they were invented have always been in range no complaints. I use a pump with animal insulin in it.
You can learn to carb count yourself google b-dec and sign up to teach yourself :thumbup: A couple of books to invest in are using insulin and think like a pancreas which can be found on Amazon.
TigerlilyChristine said:
Hi Christine, you might be telling my life story. I have type 1 for 32 yrs and have suffered retinopathy in both eyes, have had 2 vitrectomies, suffered kidney failure and was on peritoneal dialysis for 7 years. I received the gift of a kidney 4 and a half years ago. I now have a new lease on life and I regret not keeping my blood sugars in check when I was younger. I researched all about diabetes when I got well and now have a greater understanding of my body and this disease. My HbIac's are now usually 7.5.
weeezer
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m brown - my background retinopathy turned up in 2010, 10 years in...my hbA1c's had all been 5-7 apart from one stray 9 after emigrating to australia and being away with the fairies for a bit! (i thought my latest result was 10.7 and was hugely worried but turns out it was 6.8, 10.7 was my fasting bg, the doc gave me wrong result :roll:
wouldn't know i had it, just showed up on the eye screening. i'd popped a baby girl out in dec 2009 so i think she can take some of the blame!!!! anyway, was horrified at the time, but know that with vigilance i can halt it there thank you very much!!! (here's hoping anyway :angel: )
wouldn't know i had it, just showed up on the eye screening. i'd popped a baby girl out in dec 2009 so i think she can take some of the blame!!!! anyway, was horrified at the time, but know that with vigilance i can halt it there thank you very much!!! (here's hoping anyway :angel: )
Carbsrok! Ahh an insulin pump! I’m reading about a lot of those on this pump. Do you think that helps with having better control? I have signed up to B-DEC and I will have a look into those books – thank you!
Weeezer - I am approaching the 10 year mark with my diabetes! Hearing your rethinopathy came as early as 10 years is surprising! I had always assumed it took a lot longer than that! So they just found it at your eye screening, the annual one? Is it possible it will go no further and cause no further issues or require any treatment? I hope it doesn’t!
Weeezer - I am approaching the 10 year mark with my diabetes! Hearing your rethinopathy came as early as 10 years is surprising! I had always assumed it took a lot longer than that! So they just found it at your eye screening, the annual one? Is it possible it will go no further and cause no further issues or require any treatment? I hope it doesn’t!
weeezer
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yeh, my mum has had it 37 yrs and no background retinopathy. i reckon striving for a super low hbA1c prior to conceiving my little girl probably didn't help coz very quickly dropped to early 5s - i think this may have triggered it??? or just being pregnant? playd havoc with blood pressure towards end of pregnancy so maybe that had a bearing on things? i'm sure with non pregnancy & vigilance i can hold it at bay from developing any further.
saying that...i was reading a post from a t1 who had stable control over many years and had developed background retinopathy. my mum has had quite instable control & still has none, it's not always logical is it!?!?!
saying that...i was reading a post from a t1 who had stable control over many years and had developed background retinopathy. my mum has had quite instable control & still has none, it's not always logical is it!?!?!
Ah so do they think that maybe a big drop quite quickly in your hba1c could play a part..?
Its definately not always logical! I hope the health care in Australia is helpful
Its definately not always logical! I hope the health care in Australia is helpful
