Recently Diagnosed W/ Type 1 Diabetes - Some Questions?

Question

About a month ago, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I'm still a kid, so I was wondering if it had any long-term negatives. I quickly accepted the disease though and try to think of it as an advantage

(Before I would eat unhealthy foods, and live without worrying about problems, but now that I have this disease, i HAVE to eat healthier foods so it might benefit me in the long run anyway)

I just had some questions

1) Even if the disease is under control, does simply having the disease increase my risks of complications, just because I have the disease?

2) How likely is it that my children will get the disease

3) Even if you keep everything under controlled (as mentioned in question 1) Will I die more earlier then without it? For example, if I keep a good Blood Sugar 80% of the time, will the 20% of the time it isn't good add up to me when I am older like 60-70 causing me to perhaps "die earlier"

Thanks for the responses.

No one in my family that I know of has Type 1 Diabetes, however, my grandmother has type 2, and I believe that a lot of women on her side (my mother side of the family) had type 2 as well.

But yes, I may be the "oddball" as well lol.

Right now I think I am in the honey-moon stage, my BG levels have been 90-120 on average, the reason I was just asking question 3 is because I know when Im out of this stage it's going to be much more harder to manage, and even if I try my best, I would want to know if the disease honestly lowers life expectancy.

Anyway, there was this lady who staged in this period for 9+ years, hopefully I can do the same, or until an alternative treatment / cure is discovered.

Thanks for the replies by the way

Answer 1

These are mature, pointed questions best discussed with the diabetes educator at your doctor's office.

Your best is all you can do - don't let it stop you from being a kid.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I am very impressed with your attitude. I'm guessing you have a very support family and medical team which can do wonders for a achieving good control of your diabetes. I was diagnosed 11 years ago when I was 15.

If you maintain close control there is no reason you can't live a long, healthy, complication free life. The advancement in diabetes care has remarkable over the past 50 years, from at home blood glucose testing to the insulin pump (which I have and totally love). Who knows what other advancement you and I will see in our life time.

I have recently started trying to have a family so I have been reading a lot about the chance of passing this on to my kids . A diabetic women has a 5% chance of passing it on and diabetic man has a 7% chance of passing it on. I'm not sure what I think about the hereditary link of diabetes because I am the first one in my family to have it.

Diabetes is manageable and you should always strive for 100% good control but some things are out of our control so don't get discouraged when your bs jumps for no apparent reason. Just correct and move on and you will be able to lead a happy healthy productive life. And you will probably be healthier than most people you know becuase you have to take of yourself.

Answer 4

2

Answer 5

Ok, I really don't think you're gonna die early because you have diabetes; I mean, you're keeping it under control, so you'll be fine. My grandmother has diabetes (I don't know which type, but she has to monitor it and keep it low, and try not to let it get to high), and she is 77 years old. She's had diabetes for a long time, a good while before I was born and I'm 21. Now it is said that it is every other generation so it is more likely (according to statistics), I guess that your grandchildren will have diabetes thatn your children. But then again I don't think that's as true as the stats because my aunt also has diabetes (diagnosed over a year ago). So, you just have to make healthy decisions about your diet, and it sounds like you will. Just take care of yourself. You know what to do so just do it; get some Nikes if it'll help (lol). So anyway, anyone can live with anything if they take care of themselves and treat their bodies according to their "disease". So take care. God Bless.

Answer 6

Hi Ray,

sorry to hear about your diagnosis. You do seem to have the right attitude about it.

I have been a diabetic (insulin dependent) for more than 40 years, so I know (I still remember!) the fears you have now.

Firstly keeping your sugar levels controlled will remove much of the risk that comes with being diabetic.

You know this, from your question. I can, unfortunately, tell you what happens when you don't keep a healthy balance...I have had eye problems, thankfully controlled now, and amputations through infected ulcers in my feet. These are not pleasant things to happen and I know now I should have tried harder to keep myself under better control

So there's the warning! However, although I would not consider the condition as being an 'advantage' the adoption of a really healthy diet will, as you have noted, help to remove some of the risk of further health problems.

I have had a full and varied life (I'm now 63 and was diagnosed at 20 years old) and my diabetes has not prevented me from enjoying a good lifestyle.

You should be able to take part in almost any kind of sport. I played 5-a-side football (soccer) until I was in my 50's.

There is a belief by doctors that diabetes renders sufferers more likely to have heart problems, non-healing ulcers and wounds, and eye problems. All of these will be significantly lessened by ensuring you keep control of your blood sugar levels. (If I had my time over again I would CERTAINLY take better care of myself!)

Yes, it is true that the 20% of the time you may not be 'in control' can and will affect your overall health. Aim for 100%.

Your diabetic doctors and support staff are really the best people to speak to, as they are aware of all the latest practices and progress. I'm still forty years out of date!

Despite what you'll feel about them sometimes they DO know 'what it's like' and won't be telling you what you don't want to hear out of spite (honest!)

The jury is still out on the heredity factor...there is some evidence to say it IS a factor and an equal number of people where it doesn't seem to have been a factor. There is some evidence, as I say, to support the belief it runs in families...are YOUR parents diabetic?

I have had four children since being diagnosed and none of them are diabetic, nor are any of my thirteen grandchildren. My parents were not diabetic so I'm just the 'oddball' (but people have been saying that for years!)

Anyway, Good luck with your life and control. If your parents haven't passed it on to you, the chances are you will not pass it on to any children you may have in the future (though perhaps you should avoid marrying another diabetic?)

Enjoy your life and good luck,

BobSpain

Answer 7

I have had type 1 for 3 years now. I am 32 and a girl. Anyway I am glad to hear that you are handling it fine. I have 2 kids and their health was my first concern, I was told by many diabetes people that my kids have between a 3 and 5 % chance of being a diabetic. (for type 2 it is a 30+ % chance) so rest easy on that one.
As long as you stay in good tight control you lower your chances of all the bad stuff. Yes you are more likely to experience all of those complications but the tighter control you have the less likely you are to have thoses problems.
In the beginging it helped me to read all I could about diabetes, go to the american diabetes association web site and look for book ideas. Hopefully you have a good diabetes team helping you I did and I am very greatfull to have them. Good luck to you but it sounds like you'll be fine.
My diabetes has changed my life for the better. In a way I am glad to have it (better me then my child I always say)

Answer 8

Doctors Reverse Diabetes Without Drugs : http://Help.DiabetesGoGo.com

Answer 9

#1 Food That Reverses Diabetes : http://Diabetes.neatprim.com

Answer 10

i am an 1 type diabetic 2 but don't worry about anything :
answers:

1)if u don't take care yes
2)i don't think so
3)no don't say like this diabetes have nothing to do with death and i hope u a long happy life.