Diabetes Type 2 and MS

[don2858]

I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2007, and have just been diagnosed with MS. How does having both conditions affect life expectancy?

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome to our little MS community,

"Multiple Sclerosis FAQs:
MS is neither contagious nor fatal. People with MS have a life expectancy that is not really any different from the general population. The leading causes of death in the MS community are heart disease, cancer, and stroke. MS tends to affect quality of life, not quantity of life....http://www.msfocus.org/multiple-sclerosis-faqs.aspx

I'm not sure there's any 'nice' way to put this but your type 2 diabetes will more likely impact your life expectancy, loss estimates of approx 10-15 years depending on which co-morbid condition(s) you develop.

It seriously is in your best interest to focus on doing what ever it takes, to alter your type 2 diabetes, because it will not only improve your life quality but prolong your life.......now that you've been diagnosed with MS, find what ever it is you need to face the issues you can actually do something about, make the choice to fight for the best tomorrows you can have....

Cheers..........JJ

[HVAC]

It depends on how healthy you stay. If you do all you can to keep weight down and take care of the diabetes. The diabetes is what you have to worry about. MS may not affect your life expectancy at all. When I was diagnosed with MS I decided I needed to reduce the chances of other disease so I cleaned up my diet, lost weight and started exercising. It was hard at first but I am glad I did it. Taking care of ourselves makes the difference with any illness. It is empowering because it is something I can control.

Alex