Late winter '74, 17 years old. The GP freaked when he did the wee test and saw the colour. That, combined with the drastic loss of weight, he knew straight away what the problem was. He told my mother to take me straight to the emergency room at Box Hill Hospital. He phoned ahead so they were ready for me.
We had no idea what was going on, but the first we knew was when we heard one of the doctors in the corridor say “the young diabetic in cubicle 3”. We knew which cubicle we were in.
Since then I’ve lived a full life, sometimes a bit close to the edge. Too many near-death experiences with severe hypos. Many highlights including living 5 years in Saudi Arabia and competing in the 2010 running of the Marathon des Sables in Morocco.
As I’m still healthier than many of my contemporaries, I don’t have much to complain about.
Hi, I’m another “long timer” Celebrating my 50th year - diagnosed at age 10 in 1960. Mostly eye and joint problems, with some minor kidney issues during my pregnancy (28 year old son doing great), but overall - still trucking!
I’ve been meaning to chime in on this one for a while , but with covid, family issues and work being crazier than usual … I’ve been T1 for about 44 years, since the spring of 1976. So far I’ve managed to make it with few complications and a few very wild hypoglycemic episodes.
. I remember my mom taking me to the pediatrician because I was drinking excessively and urinating a lot. The pediatrician tested my urine and sent me to the local hospital. It’s been insulin and testing ever since…
Hello all! My name is Brittani. I was diagnosed at age 3, 1991, with T1D. As of 4 years ago, I am a retired T1. I received a pancreas transplant 6/18/16 at age 28. 25 years was enough time to do some damage for sure. I have had multiple surgeries on both eyes for retinopathy, my kidneys are decreasing in function (even prior to Panc transplant), bad neuropathy in legs and feet, and some other circulation issues. Thank goodness that the only issue that can get worse now are kidney problems. When I was younger I was considered uncontrolled. I tested at least 10 times a day, wore a pump, and still had to give insulin. It was completely normal for me to be over 600 and in a hour be 15. I was definitely tired of living that way!
Hello everyone! I am new to this so…my name is Brenda, I was diagnosed in 1967 at the age of 3. I’ve read some of your posts and you are all awesome! Where I live I don’t know anyone personally with T1D. I also have my 50 year medal from Joslin. I’m hoping this will be a great group to converse with! Take care!!
Hello , my name is Brandon, but my friends call me Dub. I was diagnosed in 1987 at the age of 12, I’m 45 now 32 years with this, close to 15 on a pump. Found this site looking for an explanation for why my sugar won’t come down from the lower 300s for most of the afternoon and evening amd then be fine again the morning only to start to rise again the next day. In reading some of your stories it gives me hope that I’ve got a good chance at a long time to go, not that I didn’t think I did, but the older I get the more I pay attention to what I’ve always considered to mostly be a pain in the @$$. I’ve always had pretty good control and I consider the 300s to be unacceptable but they seem to be more and more frequent as I age, first time I ever saw one on a meter was just a few years ago. Very frustrating.
Hi @Dub and welcome to the forum. My first thought would be your basal rate later in the day isn’t quite enough for what you need - something you’ve probably already picked up. Interesting though if it comes down on its own (I’m reading between the lines - please correct me if I’m mistaken). When I’m up there I don’t come down without additional insulin, and fluids to wash out ketones.
Congratulations on doing so well for so many years! Wishing you all the best as you work on solving the mystery of what’s going on. Our bodies need different things as we age so the way I look at it (in general, but just for you) is that the old tried and true needs to be revisited. Maybe a new exercise routine with work better now, or you could need supplements you didn’t need before to keep your body functioning as well as it used to. I’m not a doctor, just making a couple of suggestions that could apply to diabetes and life in general.
Keep us posted!
Oh yes, I made some adjustments last night, my doctor one called me a diabetic gone wild because I was always changing settings so I try to wait things out a little longer now, she also said season change can affect things, which i don’t buy. And yes I take adjustment insulin via injection when it’s that high. Another thing is I have no ketones,which is good but weird isn’t it? Glad to have found this group, a lot of experience here.
I’m a diabetic give wild too. My doctor and nurse educator have told me I need to allow a few days for any tweaks to settle in. I would make one and a day or two later make another; waiting had been helpful and I’ve trained myself to be patient unless there are severe lows, which has not happened. I have discovered I need to make seasonal changes - for me it’s fall and I believe late spring/early summer. All I can do is go with the flow.
What did your doctor say about the ketone-less highs, if you don’t mind my asking? I’m interested. Anyway, best wishes and carry on.
@Dub Welcome Brandon to the JDRF TypeOneNation Forum! Hay that you found this group and hope that you continue to read and then offer “wisdoms” that you must have gained during your 32 years; and it is possible that with a little bit of luck and acquired D Management sills and new tools that you will have a long life. My life with diabetes is about double your 32 years.
You’ve offered several thoughts and asked several questions so I’ll try responding to a few, in no particular order.
Yes, seasonal changes, heat vs. cold can affect insulin needs; during colder weather, even in Florida, I require additional basal insulin to hold me in line.
High blood sugar, and high body glucose levels can exist without ketones and ketone poisoning being present; ketones are developed, are a byproduct produced, when the body begins to eat itself for energy. A body will begin breaking itself down for energy if it doesn’t have sufficient insulin for eaten foods; apparently you are infusing / injecting sufficient insulin.
Yes, the older you get, more attention to diabetes may be needed. Like an automobile, when it ages it needs more attention; almost everything slows down. I agree that any change in insulin dose, basal rates or insulin carb ratio of insulin sensitivity factor should be observed for a couple of days before making additional changes. It is a good idea that you do not change basal rates and related I:C ratio in the same day.
I’m not a licensed medical professional, just a guy who has made a “science project” out of his diabetes; keep asking questions. I know that I’ve learned many useful tricks by reading everything posted on this Forum.
@Sqduarte
Hi, I am newly diagnosed T1 and now I eat so much healthier! I am curious, have you ever eaten added sugars over the years? I need 1.5 tsp in my oatmeal! I tend to have it every day, though. That is this only added sugar I have now. I don’t have pasta (not a huge fan), or any white rice, flour. I hope I am not doing any damage with the added sugar.
I love my sweets and carbs in general - I try to cover them with insulin. I say “try” as you may not always know what you’re getting.
I went about 20 years with diabetes, without a CGM or even a home meter (they didn’t come out until about the time I left college) and have no problems. Granted others cannot say that. Learn your carb ratio, how your body responds to different factors (exercise, fatty foods, stress, time of the month etc.), and how to handle “outliers” - things that happen unexpectedly even though you believe you’re doing what you’re supposed to. Kudos to you for your commitment to stay on top of things. Some people enjoy and take great pride in caring for their body - with our without diabetes; Others stress themselves out so much for the sake of health, they can’t enjoy life. Some of that group must do so because their health is very fragile (for lack of a better word) but others choose to do so although it may not be necessary.
Hopefully you will remain in the first group.
BTW, some find out helpful to go to counseling when they are first diagnosed - or even later. And JDRF has support groups in different places. Check out the “resources” link on the forum, then “Community” and you might find some local groups in your area - I imagine they have online arrangements as we navigate COVID.
Cathy @HopeFloats2020 , when counting carbs, “added carbs” are counted just as natural carbs. For instance, if the quantity of oatmeal you choose to eat has 20 carbs naturally, you would add to that another 27 carbs for the sugar, plus whatever carbs are in the milk & cream you slosh on top. Granulated sugar has, I believe, 15 grams of carb per teaspoon. So, this bowl of oatmeal with sugar, before adding milk, requires insulin for 37 grams of carbohydrate.
Do you NEED to add sugar? I used to think I NEEDED two spoonfulls of sugar in my oatmeal because I was imitating what my father would do - he made a BIG pot of oatmeal for us every day before school. Later, after diabetes, I found that oatmeal tastes better without a load of sugar. I do like a couple of slices of banana on top.
Some people enjoy and take great pride in caring for their body - with our without diabetes;