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Avatar universal

Type 1 Diabetes and Memory

I have been married to a type 1 diabetic for almost 2 years.  We only dated about 6 mths prior to our marriage part of which time he worked out of town.  I am still having trouble learning the effects of this disease on his memory.  Just as an example someone can tell him a story and 2 days later when he repeats the story to someone else it is totally wrong.  Or another example is that he can tell you something that happened to him in the past or in the present, about  a conversation he had or an event that happened to him, and later it changes.  This upsets me very much and I explained it to him and he says it is because of his diabetes. I assume that because he wants to lead a normal life that he never really thinks about what he is saying might not be right due to memory issues.    
I have learned to see the signs of low and high sugar and I know that he is very aggitated and is angried easy during and I can deal with that.  I have also come to an unsterstanding of how he manages his diabetes and that he as dealt with the disease for 32 years and that he knows his body.  Please help me with this issue about memory.
Thanks
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Avatar universal
What is he smoking. No I'm just kidding but watch very carefully at his behavior. Anytime someone changes there is usually a reason. Stick him with the truth about his behavior do not belittle yourself. No excuses, I know 30 years type 1. Cut no slack no different from anyone else.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
My husband has been a diabetic since a child now in his 50s - he has type 1 diabetes, his memory has declined over the years - and from my experience has got worse over the years and nautically since going on the pump.  He does not manage in my opinion his diabetes well.

There is evidence that managed diabetes is the key.  My husband claims that his bad memory is a family thing - yes we can have this, yes we can have memory loss due to stress, lack of sleep list goes on.  Selective memory can have it's place in there too.

In my opinion knowing your own body with the diabetes is key - good control is key - use guidelines as guidelines - we are all different and as the title suggests they are guides only - so know your body how it responds to food intake types of activity, exercise, driving can affect - my husband laughed at me when I suggested this but has found out via professionals it can - keep a healthy regime of food exercise. sleep. will help - not keeping levels balanced will have a long term affect on memory.

Take care of diabetes, keep a healthy lifestyle, monitored blood levels will keep you in check.

if you have a memory problem check with healthcare professional don't just assume it is the diabetes.
use memory aids - carry a notepad and pen or other device to make notes as memory loss can cause one stress and guess what yes stress can cause memory loss.

Do not self diagnose - do not assume it's the diabetes - see the healthcare professional and take it from there.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi i'm 36 years old male and been diagnosed with type 1 since 23 years old. I'm happily married and have three children. A1C off pump 5.9 over the years and very physically active. No medical memory related genetics in my family history, I have a technical job and very mechanically inclined. However i too have memory related issues. What im reading here in responses actually comfort me in a sense that im not the only one with this problem. ***** nevertheless but my wife and i have conversations and i will tell a story say something from a few years ago to a few weeks ago and im off... details slip and or i can only remember a certain precent not the full entirety of the events.However if my wife adds to my story i do recall in greater detail and it comes back. Mostly i have an issue with time. Like what happen a few days ago short term i take it.  I have noticed that low or hypo reactions to me act like a switch and during lows have terrible memory...once stabilized OK. Please be reasonable and understand that this memory problem is not fake and or intentional. ( you would or will know if in personality traits like embellish or exaggeration type ) So most likely diabeties related memory issues. My wife and I argued once over the details of my memory and a story from the past ( long story) but had to pretty much tell my wife sorry and its not intentional. It really puts stress and depression on me if my wife gets mad at me over my memory. I write things down and i keep a detailed journal. Good luck!
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Avatar universal
Here's a link of some info I found
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Avatar universal
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/28/3/726
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Avatar universal
I have no clue why that popped up like that but I hope you can understand what I was trying to get across
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Avatar universal
Hi!I am a female & I've had diabetes since I was 6yrs old & I am not 31. I am curious if your wondering if maybe he's just making up the story in a sense or changing it around a bit for attention??? Either way, I can tell you that I will often be talking to people & just completely lose my train of thought. & I also struggle with my memory. Sometimes I may start a story & just give up for the simple fact that I cannot remember. That's actually how I came upon your story, because I was researching memory loss in type 1 diabetics. I have came to understand that high sugars particularly can affect your memory & maybe even cause a type of Alzheimer's or dementia which is absolutely terrifying. But I've also learned that if you can manage your sugars and keep them under control a lot of that memory loss and lack of brain function comes back. I recommend just searching around on the internet and reading different things. Obviously not all things that you come across are going to be true but it may be helpful. I hope that I've helped you in some way or another.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am not sure I understand what you are saying. I am a type I diabetic, A1C between 6 and 7 always since my teenage years. I have had type 1 diabetes for 32 years, no complications. I do however seem to have trouble with memory. I forget a lot and I am not sure why. I do not smoke or do drugs, and I am relatively healthy. I believe more studies need to be done. I can drastically tell a difference in my memory and cognitive processing skills. I am 34 and I am not as sharp as I was in my 20's by a great deal!  I have had some severe hypoglycemic lows in the past where I have started noticing changes, but again have no direct proof. How do you measure that? You can't.
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Avatar universal
I've read all the posts.  It's reassuring to me that I'm not the only type I with memory issues. I'm 55 and have had type 1 for 25 years.  I agree with the memory issues I've read, but there is one I haven't read about yet, and that is not recognizing acquiantances (this used to be an easy word for me to spell).  I'll meet someone at a meeting or other venue, have a nice conversation with them, and then won't recognize them when I see them again - especially bad after a few months.  Talk about being embarrassing.  There are also people I've met repeatedly over a year and then struggle to remember who they are when I see them again.  Does anyone else have this problem?
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Avatar universal
I'm going to be a contrarian.  I am 61 years old and have had diabetes for more than 50 years (1961), having gotten it when I was 10.  I have always watched my blood sugars closely to keep them acceptably low and have suffered many, many eipisodes of low blood sugars.  It is so much easier now with the new meters.  My A1c is almost always in the low 6's and I have no complications but do have controlled hypertension. Exercise (and partying) have always been important to me.  Before I got married, I would travel extensively by myself and spent two summers backpacking in Europe during college.  My memory never was the best (just like my non-diabetic brother) but doesn't seem much different than when I was in college or graduate school.  I am currently taking classes (and exams) with newly minted college graduates in pursuit of an advanced professional designation and am holding more than my own.  I believe I am as articulate as I ever was, smarter and more knowledgeable than I was when I was 25, and do not have problems with complicated math.  I believe strongly in this lifestyle design for diabetics: good blood sugars, exercise, exercise, exercise, and have a good time.
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Avatar universal
I am 49 years old, diabetic for almost 30 years.  I've not had great control for a lot of my life, but ok.  I have had retinopathy and hypertension but my organs seem to be alright.  My memory however is horrible.  It is embarressing to me.  I can't remember names or numbers.  When I talk, a word, a simple word that I want to say won't come to me (it's almost always a noun).  My reasoning skills are still good, I just can't seem to communicate any more.  I have recently given up diet sodas because I thought the chemicals in them probably wasn't helping either.  It's scary to think of it getting worse.  I feel that I am a shell of my former self.
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Avatar universal
THANKS for your response.  I had just decided to stop reading when I saw yours.  My 9 yr old is very very bright, not to brag, but she even skipped a grade, lol ;0 and she even skipped a grade. She was diagnosed two years ago, and I get soooo frustrated with her when she forgets something.  Her long term is fine thank God because her grades never suffered and shes on the honor roll every year.  But her short term is another story.  It drives me crazy that I tell her to do something or get something and she comes back 5 or 10 min later saying she forgot!  A member of my gym told me that it could be her diabetes.  I really hope thats what it is because I NEED a reason, and with me being an educator, I know there are things we can do to help. I was beginning to think that she was ADD. I needed a reason to allow me to be more patient with her, and know that its not her having "selective memory" as my mom says.  I never believed that because she forgets to do the fun stuff too!  It kinda reminds me of having a "bad" kid in the class that drives u crazy.  But when you find out that the kid is really ADHD or has lead poisoning, it gives you sooooooooo much more patience as you know they really cant help themselves.  I just pray it gets better.  The dr suggested activities that we do . But most of all, I'm gonna continue to pray.  Not just for her memory, but for the day they cure this horrible disease!  IT WILL HAPPEN ONE DAY!!!
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Avatar universal
Hi all I am 32 years old, and I have been diabetic for 17 years. My memory is shot. my blood sugars are not too horrible. i have been in instances where i have forgotten entire events, people, simple things. I have forgotten complete sequences, many happy, from my life. I can walk into a room and just stand there and think, what in the world am i doing now. I thought i was the only one with this issue. i am glad and yet sad and terrified all at the same time that this happens to other people as well. I stumbled upon this blog the same way as many did that found their way here. linking type 1 diabetes and memory loss. and as i can see it looks as though even though there aren't a lot of posts here, they are all common with the same issue.  hopefully a cure will be found for this condition. May you all be blessed, and try not to let diabetes get the best of you.
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Avatar universal
well i'm here for the same reason...im 43 and type 1 for 16 years (a late starter)
quite simply my short term memory is deteriorating. I was renound for my recall both short and long term but even my daughters have noticed a difference its frustrating....I find myself standing in the kitchen or bedroom having forgot what I went there for in the first place I remain ther for a while hoping it will come to me but it doesnt so I leave only to think of what I wanted  to do or get much later. There is a link i am sure of that. I have had a few severe hypos over the years and i dont think its good for ones brain to be starved of fuel lack of oxygen causes brain cell death lack of glucose  must do the same surely???
I also agree that hyperglcaemia must cause damage anurisms haemorrages and exudate to form in the fine vessels within the brain too. I'm no medic but it makes sense that an organ that is dependent on the oxidisation of glucose to function will not be chronically affected by both hyper and hypo glycaemic states.

Tim
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Avatar universal
reading this blog makes me feel reassured but upset at the same time. I've had type 1 since the age of ten. I'm now 21 and my flatmate and I are noticing that I will tell her stories that I've already told her about and when she tells me her stories I won't remember she did the next time it comes up! I'm healthy like most of the people here, go to the gym, eat right. But I've been finding it very tedious working on my final year dissertations in college, I keep having to re-read things before I write about it, and I know I've read the paper two or three times already! I've never let my condition get to me but now I'm starting to lose motivation, I don't want to be someone that needs extra help! I'm still fighting and I think we all should too, even if the goal is limited
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1386065 tn?1279579126
I am Type 1 since the age of 2 yrs---I'm 39 now---my memory is terrible!!  Both short term, and long term.  I have to write things down if I need to remember them.  Other than that---my health is wonderful.
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Avatar universal
I am 24 years old and have had type 1 diabetes since 1 1/2 years old. I have been on the insulin pump for 4 years now and have experienced much better control....still not where it could be, but way better prior to the pump. Recently I have found myself wondering what is wrong with my memory. I have trouble remembering most of my childhood or even events that happened months ago. I can only truly remember portions of conversations I have. My boyfriend tells me all the time....I just don't understand why you cant remember things or our conversations. Even in my line of work I tend to forget simple things if I don't do them on a daily basis. Its very frustrating, but I am too young to be having memory issues.  I also have headaches a few times a week and feel tired ALL the time. I feel like I am 80 years old trapped in a 24 year old body. I work out but it tends to make me more tired. I have very little energy.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Wow. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only person suffering from this frustrating condition. I am 40 and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 3. For the past 5 or so years, my memory is getting more and more erratic. I am also experiencing word loss, which is very frustrating because I'm a college English instructor.

The idea that this can be attributed to blood vessel damage makes sense. I've also wondered if episodes of severe hypoglymecia--throughout my life, I've had a few of these--might attribute to this condition. I don't know. Are there studies out there looking into this? The Joslin Clinic maybe?
Helpful - 0
925063 tn?1243948411
I am 60 yo now.  Been type 1 since I was 16.  I have been having these memory probs for a long time.  I was a computer programmer/analyst for years, but had to take disability 10 years ago because I just couldn't do the job anymore.  Sorry I don't have any solutions for you, wish I did.  I am getting a reputation for forgetting, whether my sugar is low, high, or just fine.  The 44 years of lows and highs do take their toll even tho I have no prob with my eyes, heart, circulation or any of the classic long term diabetic problems.  Hate to be a pessimist, but maybe it is best to try to learn to deal with it.  More recently, I have had TIA probs.  I really lost memory after this last one.  But then the emergency room didn't treat me for a TIA because they were convinced from the start that I was having a prob due to illegal drugs which I am vehemently against.  Even tho my lady friend told them many times that I don't do drugs and that it was a TIA but I distinctly remember hearing them say "if you don't tell us what drug he took, we can't help you"....  I was unable to speak coherently to tell them myself(I did 'dress them out' once I began to recover.  They still put me out the back door, in the cold of 5 A.M. , no car in sight (came by ambulance), cell phone dead, and no shoes.   Since I can't prove severe and permanent damage, I can't sue them.  What a crock .  Lesson to be learned.....don't go to St. Pete General Hospital in Florida and carry proper documentation of your condition(I don't call it a disease). .........good luck......Tony
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Avatar universal
I too am a type 1 diabetic and found this website looking for a solution to my memory problems. I am 26 diagnosed at 24, my memory and learning abilities seem to be on a quick decline. My sugars are kept at healthy levels, yet I still have these problems- hoping for a solution : )
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Avatar universal
i can't guarantee this but i recall reading somewhere that diabetes does prevent higher learning to a certain degree.  I'm not sure if it is due to sugar levels or just happens in  some cases.
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Avatar universal
I am also an engineer and a diabetic.  I found this forum because I was searching for a connection between my Type 1 diabetes and memory loss.  It was just a hunch, a constant wondering if there was a connection because I'm certain that something isn't right.  My memory is not what it should be.  I can think and I can analyze but recall and learning/applying new skills is very difficult.  The worst part is probably my confidence.  I don't trust myself.  I can work my way through any problem, but if I encounter the problem again, I have to repeat much of the work.

My A1C is excellent, typically in the low 6's but a tighter margin means more low blood sugars.  Only once in 20 years have I been hospitalized for hypoglycemia, so they are almost never extreme.  I have none of the long-term effects typically associated with diabetes. My eyes are good, my kidney and liver function is normal and my circulation in my feet is good. Still, I am wondering if my brain is being damaged slowly over time.

I'm glad to hear I am not alone, but diabetes care is egregious.  The professionals, even those in reputable children's hospitals aren't telling people what they need to LIVE with diabetes. . . but they do a good job of keeping us from dying.  I was diabetic for 7 years before I discovered that hypoglycemia affects my brain.  It was before I had a pump and I was in college, failing my linear algebra class right before lunch.  I had to discover for myself that even before any other physical symptoms were expressed, my mind was being affected by low blood sugar.

Granted, I hold myself to a high standard as far as the expectations I put on my mind, but I used to be able to hold my own, and though I'm only 33 years old, I'm scared that I've lost my edge and I don't know where the bottom is.  

My wife complains of these memory problems too.  I forget conversations,  I'm unable to remember names, I am unwilling to do research for things like home mortgages, car insurance, etc, because I don't trust that I'll remember what I read and so I make excuses to do other things.  It affects us.  She doesn't understand because she still sees me as "the engineer" but inside me something isn't right.  
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Avatar universal
I have been experiencing memory loss of and on since July 2009. Every diabetic
will experience some sort of blood vessel damage at some point; especially
in eyes and feet. So why couldn't memory loss issues happen because of blood vessel
damage that affects the blood flow to the brain?  I think it's something that we all
need to be aware of.
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Avatar universal
i apologize fro the grammar. I wrote it really fast. sorry
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