what is the oldest living person with type 1

[lmariei]

I was wondering how old is the oldest living person with type 1 diabetes?  More important how long has this person been a type 1? I am 42 years old and was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age 2.  I have many complications now.  I'm surprised I made it this long.

[JDRF-Team-RL]

Hi!  I'm sorry to hear about your complications.  I can't find any specific record of age, but I do have a good friend who is 74 and was diagnosed at age 9.  I've heard stories of people in their 90's.  It's all about how well you manage your disease.

[DM1PT]

45 y/o CM here. I am a physical therapist. I had an autoimmune response and became a DM1 at 26. The year after I earned my degree.  I learned quickly that blood sugar testing needed to be done 5 to 6 times daily in order to manage keeping my A1c below 6 and to allow me to sleep and function properly. For the first 3 years of my condition I was under care from an endocrinologist.  But she moved leaving me with a mean, seemingly uncaring replacement who refused to be my primary care physician. As a result, I just managed my care from urgent care/ walk in facilities who were willing to write prescriptions to allow me to properly manage my condition. Last year, I got a "real" doctor who begrudgingly agreed to allow me enough test strips to manage my condition properly. There is so much ignorance in the healthcare community. I work in a nursing home with nursing managers and physicians who believe that there are baseline blood sugar levels of near 300 mg/Dl for certain patients to maintain a healthy condition. I have been a member of JDRF and the ADA over the past 18 years and have found no signs of making a change in DM1 management care. I am thankful that blood rather than urine testing has allowed for better management. Humalog and Novulin have also improved management. In my opinion, insulin pumps aren't necessary and place a high risk for the adverse effects of hypoglycemia. Nurses and and doctors in hospitals and nursing homes should walk in my shoes for a few weeks in order to understand how dumb they really are.

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

Low blood sugar is defined as blood sugar lower than 70.  You don't want to spend much, if any time below 70, and once you get below 50 - 60 you may possibly lose consciousness.

High blood sugars are dangerous, for sure, but they cuase longer term damage.

Severe Low blood sugars are also thought to be able to cause long term damage, but they may also cause immediate danger though risk of accident.  Also, if blood sugars are really too low a person may become unconscious and even die.

The trick for diabetes is tight control.  Ie. avoid both highs and lows.

[Kennie728]

I'm 23 been type 1 since age 2 n I have complications now with diabetes retinopathy I'm getting laser treatment now for the new blood vessels growing I've never cared for my diabetes but this is a wake up call for me I've been going to the gym for a month now lifting weight not just to better care for my diabetes but every Spanish girl at least want that flat stomach, sexy curves n big *** I'm trying to change my lifestyle now to live a longer life my blood sugars have been lows though below 100 but I'm happy they aren't in the 200s n up is it bad to have lows or it's only the highs that cause health complications?

[Super_sally888]

Dr Richard Berstein is 80 now. He was diagnosed when he was about 6 years old.  He initially had complications, but managed to reverse most of them by excellent (normal) blood sugar control.

He is still working and only looks about 60 years old.  he is a very smart man.

Read his book "Diabetes Solutions", it is really lifechanging if one takes its message on board.  Essentially diabetes has no complications if blood sugars can be kept at normal levels (in the mid 80s for nearly all the time).

[dqbob]

I am type 1 for 65 years . can still out run my son. Genetics , exercise and reasonable caution every moment you are awake. Its a demanding disease but can be beaten. Stay away from sugars as much as possible , and try to eat a well balanced diet . Low salt intake also  helps also. We all frig up with our eating habits on occasion so address these as quickly as possible, vitamin supplements are excellent also if you can afford them. good luck to everyone .
.

[Docdaughter]

My mother is 85 and has been diabetic for 77 years.

[macatack]

Don't give up read my post below (macatack) I am still very active & do not let anything get in my way just takes some planning. My wife & I have fished in the pacific jungles of Costa  Rica & do a lot of back woods fishing in Adirondacks. We live if Florida & are very active. Never thought I would have to worry about retiring & medicare & here I am. We have been married for 52 years. If you ever want to talk E mail me.
Mac MacKenzie
***@****
Website: http://www.mackenziefamily.com/macattackfishing/index.htm

[macatack]

I was looking for some info on people with type one diabetes for a long time & came across this blog. I found some very interesting comments & info from everybody who posted, they all are very interesting considering the time this blog has been going on.
I am 73 this month & going into my 63rd year with type one diabetes. I have no complications (very lucky) Have had a pump for 7 years & has made my life alot easier with controlling my A!C which used to run 5.5-6.0 with a lot of low sugers. Now runs 6.5-6.8. I would like to communicate with other long term type one's as I really have not anyone.

[tamarapage36]

I didn't sign up for diabetes..I was 12 yrs old..most ppl on this page was younger..nobody asked for it.Your rude-

[Billyboywku]

Wow, this thread is almost 7 years old and still on the internet LOL...I'm 23 years old and was diagnosed at age 2. I have been wearing the pump for about 2 years now. I inherited it from my now deceased father. Knock on wood, I have no "major" complications, other than high blood pressure a few years back that is treated with an ACE inhibitor and exercise, so now it runs around 120/75 most of the time.

My father recently passed away from this disease at the age of 58 after having it for 51 years. He smoked like a freight train until he was 51 when he had his first major complication from type 1 diabetes...blocked arteries and had to undergo double bypass, which then put his kidneys under a tight strain, and thus began the  year streak of dialysis, amputation of his big toe, more open-heart surgery, and stints in his legs to get blood flow to his feet to try and save them from amputation. His heart finally gave out from the pressure of dialysis and not being able to fully quit smoking. He never exercised, smoked a pack of Marlboro Reds a day religiously, and would often go days without checking his blood sugar when he was in his bachelor days (even with the invention of the blood glucose meter)....the point? His bad habits caught up to him quick, and hit him like a brick.

My point to my rambling if I still have your attention is this: no matter how old you are or how long you've had it, or whatever your family history might be...never take a day off from this battle. My dad taught me a lesson I'll never forget. I hope to one day be to retire comfortably and say that I have zero complications. If you have complications, I'm sorry to hear. Sometimes they are unavoidable no matter how much you control it as mentioned in other posts. I'm a 23 year old type 1 diabetic that is not going give up.

If this came off as a sympathy case or a scare tactic, that was not the intention, just trying to make my point of how not treating your condition can lead you down a rocky path. Good luck to you all.

[madonna2011]

my mother had diabetes and lost her life recently. I want everyone to know that she could have lived longer if she would have took better care if herself. It is possible to live a long life with this disease you just have to be willing to start changing your eating habits. my mother was only 56 years old:/

[RonTom89]

I've had type 1 since I was 10, I'm now 23. I found it hard to control my sugars throughout my student life, (drink being the contributing factor). I now have a career working offshore on the North sea oil rigs. Being offshore, I've changed my ideas on controlling my sugar levels! I feel human again, it's great. The medics offshore keep me on my toes aswell! But I do believe that with good control comes a good life... Why not eh? It makes sense!

[DiaT1]

Ive been reading all the comments and again are amazed. Ive been diagnosed at 10 and im 46 now...H1A is 5.8 and ive got no complications whatsoever. Diabetes is about eating right (for me that is 0 sugar and 0 starch) and managing my bloodsugar.. Thats it

[Debie7287]

MY NAME IS DEBIE , I HAVE BEEN A TYPE 1 DIABETIC SINCE I WAS 8 YRS OLD, I HAVE HAD DIABETES FOR 47 YEARS NOW, I TOO HAVE FACE MANY DIFFUCLT OPERATIONS THROUH OUT THE YRS. OF HAVING THIS DISEASE, MANY DOCTORS CAN'T BELIVE FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE HAD THIS DISEASE I STILL HAVE ALL MY LIBS, MY KIDNEYS, MY EYE SIGHT, I JUST THANK GOD EVERY DAY,,,, IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME AND E-MAIL ME MY ADD IS ***@****

[Surviving4life]

My Father was born with T1 diabetes. I have read the majority of the comments in here and some are way off base. T1 diabetes here in Canada is called insulin dependant. T2 is diet and/or pill controlled. My father is now 63 years old and by record so far is the oldest "surviving" diabetic in Canada. He is having major complications at this time though and is currently in Hospital with Respiratory Acidosis. It is true that Doctors love playing with peoples insulin I fight with them everytime my dad is admitted to hospital for care as they try to change his insulin. My father is used in doctors conferences for care and capability of long term care diabetics and I am proud of him to last this long as people who are diagnosed later on in life havent the control over his sugars as he does.

[thenunn]

My mother is 79 and has been a type 1 diabectic since she was 4..75 years..she is still going strong although now she has developed kidney failiure and her heart is not pumping properly and is currently in hospital but I've just been to see her and she is still smiling,still laughing, still enjoying life..she has had many ups and downs over the years  mainly when insulin changed it took while to adjust to it..but she has always managed her own insulin and blood tests and food., I am so very proud of her beven more so at this time as she is quite poorly and yet still thinks of others worse off.

[jonkoping1]

I developed Type 1 diabetes when I was 18.  I am now 63 and still going strong.  I check my blood sugar 8 - 10 times a day. I take 3 injections of novolog daily and an injection of lantus at night.   I've had few complications.  I did have a heart attack at 49; however, there is a history of serious heart disease on both sides of my family.  I'm feeling good and diabetes has not stopped me from extensive travel or any form of employment.

[dgb47]

I found this site by accident.  I am the mother of a 26 son who was diagnosed at the age of 7.  It pains me to see his lack of concern for his health and his well being.  It appears that he is on a road of self-distruction.  He will not listen and he refuses to take test his blood sugar levels.  

[Zoelula]

Great attitude, Sarange!! Your son is lucky to have you!

[sarange]

thank you all for your positive comments..........i have learnt a lot...and as a parent i am the one who is diabetic and will strive to set a good example and educate Karl...on his diabetes...

[sarange]

life is not about the abcense of challenges but the conquest of those challenges...am writing this for my 3 year old son Karl diagnosed with this strange disease..unheard of in Africa, or so i thought then!  ....many people though he had been given a death sentence that fateful day saturday 23rd May 2009........its now a year .......and his last HBAIC was 6.9.....I am proud of you son for your braveness and if God allowed you to have type one its only because he thought you strong enough to conquer this challenge!....May you live to be the longest person with type one without complication..
Diabetes is not about perfection but striving to do your best.....remember even when the floor gets dirty in form of hypers and hypos .....just get a broom ( insulin /food) and clean it up....NO MATTER HOW DIRTY THE FLOOR GETS YOU CAN ALWAYS SWEEP IT CLEAN.........ENJOY EACH MOMENT BECAUSE ITS YOUR LIFE.

[Hache]

I have been a type 1 diabetic since I was 13 months old, Im 23 years old now and Im sick of it all.

[Hache]

I have been a type 1 diabetic since i was 13 months old and im 23 years old now, and im sick of it all.