Hypo's and long term brain damage

[Neil Fowkes]

I know exactly what you are talking about. My stats are not too far off yours. I'm 44 now - diagnosed type 1 in 1997. I've had many hypos in the last 18 years. I had my first appointment with a memory specialist (and another doctor and another consultant) yesterday. The memory specialist did a whole bunch of tests with me - both for memory and cognitive function. I was told that (almost undoubtedly) that my memory issues and noticeably slow cognitive function has been caused by the recurrent hypos. I have particular problems with short-term memory and struggle to rapidly process information provided to me and provide an immediate response. I'm scheduled for a brain scan to see if the damage is visible.

Feeling quite down about it to be honest. Gotta stop those hypos.

Lee, I too have had many years of bad hypo's, I was too sent for brain scans and EEG's etc. Two years ago I was diagnosed with early onset dementia, my specialist at the memory clinic in Derby said he could only surmise that the amount of hypo's combined with seizures that I suffer when going into one has caused the onset of early Alzheimer's, losing my ability to recognize a hypo coming like a lot of type 1 diabetics also adds to this. A study completed in July of this year in America has now linked Alzheimer's with type 1 diabetes with sufferers over 80% more likely to get Alzheimer's than non diabetes sufferers.
I have told both doctors and memory clinics for nearly 10 years that I felt there was a link, now at the age of 51 it is now happening, I have been made to feel like a liar, told we all get this as we get older and most of all its the medication you take for other ailments.
I don't wish to make you feel worse than you do now Lee, just fight for what YOU know isn't normal forgetfulness, more has to be done on type 1 with dementia a sign that we who went onto human insulin nearly 30 years ago are now showing the effects of taking this insulin long term.
I remember porcine insulin users not having anywhere near the problems that the human named products have had including myself, now the reality is showing up!!!!!!