"Experienced" T1Ds

I have used medjool dates lately in place of the 1.5 tsp of cane sugar (6 g of carbs). It is very good. No cream, a bit of butter.

Hi All, So glad to find this group/conversation ! I was diagnosed at age 8 and am 57 now so will have to investigate the medalist program. Am generally well controlled with A1cs below 7 for as long as I can remember and mostly (not always) steady/in range numbers on my Freestyle Libre - which I started using 3 years ago and absolutely love. I tried Dexcom G6 last year for a few months and had numerous problems with defective applicators plus sensor errors, so switched back to Libre which works far better for me. Am on insulin shots, Tresiba + Humalog before breakfast and lunch, Humalog + Humilin before dinner. The Tresiba avoids the dawn phenomenon I used to have with Levemir. It’s an oddball mix I know. My only “treat” each day is a 4 ounce serving of ice cream in the evening. My endo advised that the high fat content in ice cream results in a delayed increase in blood sugar (after Humalog has worn off) and the Humilin “kicks in” when needed to take care of the ice cream. PLEASE do NOT use this to change your regimen or as medical advice, find a good endo and discuss with him/her if you’re having a similar issue.
Have a great day everybody !

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@Jophilly I’ve always thought R was better for ice cream and pizza. I can emulate R with my pump so I do t have to keep inventory. Nice to see a fellow ice cream application engineer among us!

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When our daughter was first diagnosed, she was on NPH, which peaks about 6 hours in. Perfect for lunchtime on a school day, but not so great at midnight, which is why the endo recommended ice cream as a good bedtime snack. She said it has the right mix of fat and carbs to keep blood sugar from dropping too low overnight. Yogurt is good, too, but of course not as much fun. :ice_cream:

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Hello there! Not anywhere near as experienced as the OP, but I was diagnosed in April 1995, so that’s almost 26 years. I get my eyes evaluated every year, and my eye doctors always say my eyes look great for someone who’s had the condition almost three decades. I keep my A1C under 7 the vast majority of the time; last result was 6.3. I still am able to tell most of the time when my sugar drops too low or high. My endo says I’m definitely in good enough health to bear a child, which is the plan with the husband this year.

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Hi All, Checking in to say hi and see how everyone is doing. I just received the records from the hospital where I was treated at diagnosis (age 8) in early 1973. I requested them for the Joslin medal application and was amazed they had records after so long !
Record summary says admission glucose was 255, with the typical symptoms (extreme thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, fatigue). Hospitalized for 13 days and after the first day only urine tests for sugar were done (4+ for the first several days, then slowly improving). Discharged with a once daily NPH dose prescribed. I don’t recall the year home glucose tests became available, but I’d guess it was about 10 years later give or take. Sometime in my teens dosage changed to two injections a day, my control was abysmal for many years. In my early 20s I matured sufficiently to realize the damage I was doing and I started being more careful about diet. I’ve been pretty well controlled for 30+ years, even more so since starting a CGM a few years ago. No kidney issues at all or any signs of retinopathy, but I do have cataracts which I’ll need to take care of. So happy this group of long-timers exists !!

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Hello all, I hadn’t seen this topic until today so this is my history. I was diagnosed at 14 months old in 1963. I’ve survived with my little monster for going on 58 years. I’ll be 60 next month. I rebelled for many years. It was when I had multiple heart attacks and had to endure having 6 stents in 1 month put in, and then they became obstructed because I was told they were defective and went through a quadruple bypass 5 years later. That’s when my blood work revealed after the heart issues the contrast or dye used to detect blockages had caused irreversible damage to my kidney’s, so I’ve been told. Everything else is holding it’s own. As my renal system counts down I prepare for my destiny and I am thankful for being given the opportunity to live as long as I have. Since finally getting my CGM recently I enjoy seeing what my body does throughout the day, I find it interesting. So long live the dinosaurs that have made it through it all. There is one other thing that I’d like to say. This forum is the first time I have openly discussed any of my health issues with anyone except my wife and doctor. It has given me a way to ask questions and give opinions to others that know what I’m talking about and don’t look at me like I have 20 heads on my shoulders when I mention a hypoglycemic incident or basal or bolus changes. I am grateful for finding this source of info and to feel comfortable to know I’m not alone. Thank you all for your support and acceptance.

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hi @rs3880 thank you for sharing your story. Just out of curiosity, and I know I am asking a personal question, are you a candidate for a kidney transplant? My cousin is getting a transplant for kidney failure/t1 related. Wishing you continued strength and resilience! -Joe

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There are many reasons why I’ve decided not to pursue a transplant. Unless it comes from someone as a direct donor, my age, overall health, and costs not covered by insurance with the anti rejection med’s, etc. makes it difficult to be a viable candidate. Plus, I feel that there are others that are much younger than I am more deserving of that gift than I am.

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@ rs3880 (Bill) - I’m glad you found this discussion board and were able to share your stories. I’ve enjoyed our conversations for the short time I have been on here. So sorry to hear about your failing health. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers.

Pam K

Thank you for your kind thoughts Pam K.

Hello @jdjim, I was diagnosed in 1945 when I was 6. After 75 years with type 1 diabetes, I am doing very well. I have neuropathy in my feet and legs but I can walk without a cane. I do not have any serious diabetes related complications.

Congratulations and keep up the good work! And living with diabetes is work. I had my 70th birthday a few months ago and I’ve been T1D since 1965. I can sympathize with your neuropathy issues as I have them too, although confined to my feet for the time being. I still try to ride my road bike when I can find the time. Otherwise, I don’t have any other complications as well.

You are doing very well. I hope neuropathy will be the only diabetes complication that you will have. The bike rides are very good exercise. The neuropathy in your feet will be helped by using your bike. I cannot ride a bike now, but I have a treadmill.

You know, I think walking is one of the best things we can do. I’m fortunate to have a dog that takes me for walks several times a day.

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Question to everybody using a CGM- what do you use to carry it/keep it near enough to keep signal in range ? I’m looking at small fanny packs on Amazon, but they’re too large. As I move around the house, outside, etc, I don’t want to keep carrying it around by hand. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I use the Dexcom G6 and the Tandem t-slim pump which communicate without the need for a cgm receiver. When I had the G5, I put the receiver in my pocket and hated how bulky it felt. I love the closed loop!

I just use my phone the darn thing is with me pretty much always. When you go out of range it re-syncs and it’s been fine.

I use a Vera Bradley coin purse. There’s a side pocket on the inside that holds the receiver even with the rubber case, in addition to fitting in the main section. The lanyard comes separately.



Thanks but I prefer the reader, as I don’t always keep my phone with me. Also as a woman, our clothes rarely have pockets !