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Lifestyle/drug use/life expectancy

freakfrog38

freakfrog38

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I'm a type 1 for 17 years now. In my mid teens to early 20s I drank a lot of alcohol, and smoked a fair bit of marijuana. I've moved on to harder drugs since. I
Was found in many hypoglycaemic states over the years, but always in time. I'm wondering how long I can continue to live like this before it really starts to effect my diabetes (health). Since stopping my alcohol intake though I haven't had a bad hypo in a few years. I'm in my mid 20s now and would like some advice on how to prolong my life, but also enjoy it! Any comments or ideas welcome
 
Well done on reducing your alcohol intake. Alcohol can cause nasty hypos and can make them more difficult to spot.

If you're using hard drugs then diabetic control will only be one of your many worries. I don't know what you're using, but if you want to stop then there are a number of organisations that can help. You may also want to have a chat with your GP or someone who you feel comfortable with. If you need drugs to enjoy your life, then maybe talking about your hopes and concerns with someone might help.

How to enjoy your life? My top tip would be keep as healthy as possible. Health, happiness, wealth in that order, I think.
 
I did take a period where I went and worked in the building trade in London for 6 months. I had to come home as the hard manual labour was sending me into hypos sometimes without me being aware. I wouldn't say I need drugs, but I do enjoy taking them. I was planning a working holiday to Australia, but after not taking to London, I think it would be much harder to control my diabetes there with the heat etc. I would say happiness comes before health. But maybe you will prove me wrong in the long run. Thank you for the reply
 
Now I've left my 20s I think I value my health more (not saying that you don't) I also think that having poor health makes it harder to be happy, but your order may well be right. Ideally, we could have all three in perfect amounts!

I can't advise about a working holiday in Australia, but if you really want to work and travel, maybe there's a less physical job you could do? A friend worked for a year in Australia doing clerical work mainly. If you really want to do it, don't let your diabetes stop you. Hopefully, your doctor could advise you or you could ask here on the forum. There are plenty of well-travelled people here :)
 
All I can say is, my now teenager's dad died ( my ex partner) 3 1/2 years ago, leaving her without a father at the age of 11, she was heartbroken. It was constant alcohol and drugs ( some things I didn't even know about !!) and a waste of a life, his choice. Please don't continue down the same route, I saw a nice looking, slim man, articulate, turn into someone unrecognisable, he was 5 months in hospital before he died.
I wish you a long and a happy life,
best wishes RRB
 
I had a similar teenage/young adult life style freakfrog38, the years when you think you are invinsible to everything

I,m now 45 and things started going downhill for me in well my 20,s, carpel tunnel and trigger finger, but thing got worse in my 30,s and after a few operations felt better but that was a false hope hahaha the past 2 years have seem me with many coplications, some I never knew where down to diabetes until I joined up here and it all started making sense.

Unfortunatley I still drink far to much but Ive not had a ciggy for 9 weeks, never had any drugs for 10 years and will hopefully stop/reduce my drinking habits in due time

IF I were you I would stop the drugs etc and never return to them so you don't suffer in later life, good luck :)
 
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