Type I Diabetics Only: How Long Have You Had it and What Complications Have You Had?

Question

I am 31 and was diagnosed at age 15; so far so good in terms of complications, but I always had it drilled into me that complications were more or less inevitable eventually. Yes, there are exceptions, and I am in reasonably good control (I've been on an insulin pump since I was 20 thanks to a forward-thinking endocrinologist), but no diabetic has perfect blood sugar. My sister is a Type I diabetic as well, as was diagnosed two years before me, has had two children, and has had no complications either. Frankly I think that we have been 'lucky' since we both periodically run into the 300s and might be characterized as brittle diabetics. I'd say our A1C levels hover around the 7 areas. Anyway, I'm just curious to know what your experiences with complications have been; it's always been interesting to me how the disease affects different people in different way.

Answer 1

I was diagnosed as type 1 when I was 9. I'm 43 now, so it's been 34 years. As for the complications, well, I've been through most all of them. In 1985, I was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, which was corrected with laser treatments, and has been stable ever since (9 laser in al, and still 20/20 vision). Hypertension and heart disease were exacerbated both by diabetes and huge amounts of stress I was under at work. I have neuropathy, although somewhat mild. I had triple bypass surgery in 1997 when I was 34. And, in 1992, I underwent a Simultaneous Pancreas and Kidney transplant, which had me completely off insulin injections for almost 5 years. During that time, my overall health and my neurpoathy seemed to improve, although it was short-lived, as the organs succumbed to chronic rejection and eventually failed. Had a subsequent kidney transplant in 1999, which has lasted 8 years, but the strain fo diabetes on what is essentially a foreign kidney is causing ti to slowly die out. And, yes, I kept good control over things, although it was rather difficult when I reached adolescence, and my entire metabolism and body chemistry were changing. I've also found that, as renal function deteriorates, glucose control gets a bit more difficult, but that's also because the renal disease has also led to hypoglycemic unawareness, leaving me insensitive and somewhat asymptomatic to the drop in levels until its way far down (like in the 30's?). Don't mean to frighten you, but let you know what I've been through. And, I am characterized as brittle diabetic.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I am not a diabetic but my boyfriend is. He is 21 and was diagnosed when he was about 3 1/2. Complications..he died from it. They ressurected him with difibulators. Basically his pump (mini med) failed gave him way too much insulin and he went into hypoglycemic shock and died. Other than that (haha) he's had few complications. Minor things like being told something is sugar free only to find out it wasn't. Getting high and sick ect. No foot problems, no major illness. I know that a few years ago his father (also type 1) got sick and was hospitalized with a diabetic type illness but i don't know the details.
My grandfather was also a type 1 and had no major problems until he was diagnosed with cancer and the meds were offsetting his insulin and vice versa, eventually a mixture of the two killed him. Good luck :) I've been told by every type 1 i know that if you take care of yourself you won't have nearly as many complications, small or large so just watch yourself and be happy :)

oh and as the first person posted my boyfriend has diabetes induced soriosis but that's mostly because he likes to stay a tiny bit high after the pump incident. And he doesn't advise anyone to get off the pump, he loved his until then and see's it as it was a freak accident.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

i was diagnosed at 23 and so far so good- I am now 30. I try very hard to take care of myself but ya my A1C's probably hover around high 7s to low 8's so far- so I worry alot at least my last one was down to 7.7 so I am happy but i want it down more. I do what I can to avoid the complications and I do watch my diet and exercise but I always wonder if I do enough of each.

I have noticed that If I am high for a week or two consecutively, then dry skin patches appear usually on my hands (palms) or feet (often the heels but on occasion the toes). It goes away when control resumes for two or three days. That probably is not a good thing.

I have also noticed that if I wander around (I used to be a swim teacher when I was initially diagnosed) without socks or shoes on my feet got really dry and my heels had huge build ups of dry skin that developed into shallow holes. This was corrected by a) now working on dry land with a different job. and b) wearing shoes and socks or c) being fantastically uncool when I wear sandals but still wearing socks to keep my feet clean and dryer.

cleanness, EXERCISE and prevention are key i think to avoiding the badness of our disease. All we can do is keep trying... and hoping. I hate having the sword hanging over my head but at least we can do something about it and we are aware of it!
Since i have been running for the last 2 months i think that has helped for improving my circulation and my A1C.