Worried

[steveman45]

hey well, ive been a diabetic for, well, a year, inm about 2 weeks:S. So far, its been easy sailing, no worries about anything. Still on a good honeymoon. Seems easy enough to manage. But today, i was just reading up on diabeties, and everytime i do that, it bugs me, or i see something that gets me worried.  I found out today that diabeties takes off 17-28 years of your life?  :(

I also read on some people struggling to get there diabeties under control. For me, before i go out, i usually eat something, even if its not on my meal plan, just so i know i'll stay above and wont go under when im with my friends. And when im out of my honeymoon, i cant do that, cause my sugars will skyrocket,and then crash.

I also read that its quite common for diabetics to become unconcious, and im just afriad that will happen to me when im with my girlfriend, or with friends, or even worse, at school.

so i dono, i guess im just rambling on. But i guess my question is, should i be worried? how much does diabeties change when out of honeymoon? and is it that much harder to control? i also read that alot of times, you dont even get a low blood sugar warning sings, u just go straight into unconciousness. Which worries me considering im going for my drivers license in 2 months.

Thanks

[TonyAlmeida]

Well - I have found out one thing after being dx'd with Diabetes Type 1 that you have too be careful of ..... reading TOO much about Diabetes.

Yes - I said that correctly .... reading too much.

If you do what you already are doing and stick to monitoring yourself and keeping your blood glucose in the 90-100 range and your A1C's in the 6s - don't fret about the other things.  Complications only really come to people who either don't take care of themselves, don't take their Diabetic Condition seriously, or already have a pre-disposition for the complications to begin with (that no amount of preventative medicine will correct).

Keep doing what you're doing and you will live just fine.  And try not to read too much .... be informed, just don't be over-informed.

[jcarneyjr]

Steveman45,

Your post hit a cord with me.  My son Michael is fifteen and has had diabetes for almost 11 years.  We have not ever seen him unconscious and for the most part he does a good job controlling his diabetes.  He sometimes gets discouraged and it breaks my heart when he makes comments like you did about the possibilities of future problems with his health and how it may affect him socially and physically.

If I had a magic wand I would wave it and you and my son and all the others with diabetes would be free of this lousy disease that for some reason God has given you to deal with.  Since I can't do that I am doing the next best thing - working hard for a cure that I know will come in the not too distant future.  There has been so much progress made and there are so many exciting studies taking place that I just know it will be here soon. Take good care of yourself and know that someday things will be much easier for you.

Are you involved with JDRF at all?  I tell everyone that although I hate the reason I am here I have really benefited from all the wonderful people I have met who have supported me and my son. He has also made some good friends. If you can find some others your age who are doing what you do on a daily basis, it may make it easier for you and you can make some great new friends and support each other.  I also think it is important for you to let your current friends know what is happening so they can help you if you ever need it. Please don't worry about them judging you or thinking less of you - they will respect you more for what you do and how well you accept it.

Please keep a positive outlook on your life and do your best with the diabetes.  You will manage fine if you accept it and don't let it get you discouraged.  As someone who knows all too well what you have to do let me commend you for your honesty and for reaching out for help and advice.  There is a lot of support and friendship out there for you if you ask.

Good luck to you and check back here from time to time to let us know how you are doing. Good luck with the drivers license.

Jack Carney
Father of Michael - Diagnosed 8/12/93

[chinalily]

Steveman45:

I actually just joined this site, and am just a frequent visitor, so I am just offering some comfort!  I have had diabetes for two years now -- I am only 22.  It was hard when I was first diagnosed, because I didn't know what to ever expect, and I had not yet learned to read my body with this new disease.  Especially since you are in your honeymoon period, you've gotten used to living with it.  As you come out of it, you will just have to "learn your body" once again.  First of all, diabetes has potential to take your life earlier -- IF you don't pay attention to it.  My doctors have said if you keep your A1C at a 7 or below, you will see very little or no complications from Diabetes in your later years.  So it's important to always be checking your blood sugars and adjusting insulin/food intake and keep your A1C in check.  As for low blood sugars, I have NEVER gone unconcious!  You will learn to know when your blood sugar gets low, and usually you will have signs indicating so like the "shakes," a cold sweat, fast heart beat, hard time connecting thoughts, etc.  In that case, you should always carry glucose tablets with you (or Skittles..they work too!)  Anyway, I don't think that you really need to worry about going unconcious.  Again, this idea of going unconcious --from what I have read -- usually happens to older people.  Don't be worried!  You can live a LONG and happy life with Diabetes!  One piece of advice:  If you are worried around your girlfriend or friends, just educate them a little bit on things, and let them know of the "signs."  They will be able to help you out if you might be suffering from low blood sugar.  Hope this helps!

[JDRF-Team-maw]

Dear Steveman45,

Thanks for taking the time to come to the forum for help.  I am only able to give you advice as we are not medical doctors here.  However, I can understand some of your concerns.  My husband has been a diabetic for almost 19 years.  As both of the other comments made in response to your question stated, unconsciousness from low blood sugar is not quite as common as you think it is.  It is possible, however, but it is important to keep good control. There is some truth to no warning signs before the lows come on, but generally you will have some sign or someone around you will notice something is wrong.  As you get through your honeymoon stage, you will have to learn your body again and you will learn to read when you are low.  The key is to educate those around you so that they can become aware and know how to handle it.  Glucose tablets are a good thing to keep with you.  My husband has always kept a small can of orange juice and some peanut butter crackers or granola bars with him.  It is hard to say how your body will react exactly after your honeymoon stage ends, but it is important to take good control now.  As you are aware, you will not be able to just eat something to raise your sugar just to avoid a low blood sugar reaction.  Your question was just about lows, but the constant high blood sugar readings are the ones that cause the damage later on.  It is extremely important to try and maintain good sugar levels as much as possible to ensure a longer, healthier life.  It is true that reports say having diabetes can shorten your life, but as jcarneyjr said, they are making great strides toward finding a cure for diabetes.  I am a supporter of JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) and they are doing a lot of wonderful research to find a cure. I feel hopeful that they will in my husband's lifetime.  You will always read negative things about diabetes, but it is a much more manageable disease then it used to be.  Most people who take care of themselves and keep good control typically lead normal healthy lives.  Just think positive and remember to educate those around you so that should you need their help, they will be able.  Keep us posted and good luck on your driver's test.

Thanks!