Type one complications

[grantsmum]

Hi,

Reading the internet some sites seem doom and gloom others more optomistic regarding complications that can arise.  Some sites state vision issues WILL start in 20 years after diagnosis not matter how well you control your blood sugars.

Please tell me the reality.

Thanks

[kakcie]

Well I believe it all depends on your genes.  I was uncontrolled for about 10 years of my life and I now have retinopathy, chronic kidney disease-which lead to high blood pressure.  But I have many old diabetes camp friends who behaved the same way I did and they are amputees and/or dead.  I think I'v ebeen lucky so far and my meds are keeping me feeling good.  I have had laser surgery on both eyes (not lasik) and I can see.  I have a little trouble seeing far away,deciphering color and with night vision but for the most part I see just fine.  I have also had type I for 25 years.  I have taken good care of myself for the last 10 years and the use of a pump has helped, and, all the physicians-nephrologist, endocronologist are very proactive with my treatment.  Speaking from experience, I think the statement that we all will have SOME complications after 20 years is exactly correct.  The better you take care of yourself the less serious the complication.  Ride the wave baby.

[grantsmum]

Thank you for responding.  When you say uncontrolled, do you mean you didn't follow the insulin and diet you were suppose to?

I am so you can understnad this...I  am so scared for my son.

He is sick right now.  He started throwing up and is really pale.  We called the endroconolgist and they said to test him every half hour and have him drink sugar water.

How old were you when you were dx'd?

[MitchsMom]

I recently attended a diabetes forum.  There were several hundred people there.  In between speakers, they held sort of a "recognition awards" for long-term type 1 diabetics.  It was sort of a contest to see who had been using insulin the longest.  The "winner" had been using insulin for over 60 years and several others had been for over 50 years.  The greatest part of this presentation was that all looked like typical older people -- but they all looked healthy.  None had missing limbs or were walking with a white cane.  I think this says a lot for good blood sugar control.

[grantsmum]

Do any of you wear a monitor at night to monitor hypoglycemic (I think??) state?  I am very worried about this with my son who is 12.