Diabetics; share your story.

[blondeatlast]

I was diagnosed with what was then called Juvenile Diabetes 38 years ago after falling into a severe coma. I had all the classic symptoms, but back then, the symptoms were not "advertised" like they are now and my parrents simply thought I had a bad flu. The doctors said it wasn't them who helped me survive, but that's for another DU group! I did have an inexplicable experience, and let's leave it there. My glucose was over ONE THOUSAND when I was admitted to the ER.

I've had numerous hospitalizations, some horrible insulin reactions, but I still consider myself to be pretty damn healthy. I have some secondary complications--proliferative retinopathy that should have been correctable--my biggest bad doc experience and a big reason I've become somewhat activist. I no longer have any sight in my left eye. I've also had numerous arterial stents--I believe I'm up to six now--but NO HEART ATTACKS, thank my chosen divine spirit! They are coming far fewer and farther between though--a good exercise regimen can do all they say it does.

I have had an insulin pump for about 5 years now and I really love it. I was your typical "non-compliant" db when I had the first heart incident--I changed my ways but fast, and that's when I got the pump.

I was told at a very young age to forget about having kids--but I have a beautiful, healthy, happy 8 year old son. It would not have been possible were it not for self-glucose montioring--see below.

Having had iddb as long as I have, I can absolutely point to the most effective development as being this: self-bg monitoring. Many of you may take it for granted, but it has done wonders for treatment. It's hard to believe that I had to do what constituted a rather complicated chemical experiment to check my URINE glucose--at the age of 7. It sounds like the dark ages, I know, but that's how far we've come in my lifetime!

I have a good friend (our Dem precinct chair, actually) who has had a successful pancreas/kidney transplant. The "cure" is within our grasp, but I doubt that I will see it widely available in my lifetime.

[redirish28]

1. Like I said on the other board...

I am a type 1 diabetic since I was 17 months old. I will be 29 this summer. I have no signs of diabetes yet, hope it stays that way. And by the way, they cured a man of diabetes over in England, so it can happen within the next few yrs hopefully.

[REP]

2. My Bathroom Still Looks Like a Lab

Not because of the diabetes; that's why the rest of the apartment has little blood spots all over it. If I ever need to be identified by DNA, there's plenty lying around to test!

No, I still have to do urine tests because of the non-diabetic kidney failure. I get lots of renal infections, and I pass lots of kidney stones, and they symptoms are similar, so I've got collectors, strainers and test strips. I also have to monitor when I have an infection to make sure the antibiotic is actually working.

I'm a 'lucky' diabetic; when I'm sick, my BG plummets, even if I'm eating regularly, so that's at least one thing I don't have to worry about. Since I was dx'd about five years ago (after a *massive* course of steroids; all previous tests for diabetes had been negative) I've maintained an HbA1c of 6%, or that of a non-diabetic. Still have peripheral neuropathy (hands and feet) and very early diabetic nephropathy, but at least no limbs have fallen off (despite three bouts of cellulitis that turned into necrotizing fasciitis!).

[divineorder]

3. A Diabetes Thread!

I've never posted anywhere regarding mine. High Blood Pressure under control-A1C 7.7, I went up to 9.0 after a long stressful period. I credit medication, chromium, and a much less stressful lifestyle (and testing! for improved results). Type 2, was diagnosed ten years ago after I started having yeast infections that nothing could really control. My BG was (fasting)316!

Symptoms were, looking back, a blessing in disguise. If I hadn't had them, no telling what would have happened. At the time I used to eat a box (you heard me, a box!) of doughnuts with a bottle of regular pop. I wasn't heavy, but I was certainly gaining weight too. Well, no more doughnuts (maybe one), no regular pop ever (my sister wouldn't stock diet, so I drank some of her regular, and it tasted way too sweet), and in fits and starts a more watchful approach to health in general. I certainly see my doctor way more often than I ever would otherwise.

A BG of a THOUSAND! I didn't think anybody lived who went higher than 6-700 or so. My brother had one of 600 and was still conscious when he went to the doctor. But a thousand-it was a miracle you survived.

[REP]

7. Mine Was Over 600 At Dx

660, as I recall. Very, very high. I do remember not being able to see very well and how suddenly it had come on, and how much water I was drinking - I drank a gallon waiting for the doctor in the examining room. My HbA1c was 'only' 9.2% at dx, but then again, I'd only been taking the (enormous) dose of steroids for a week.

[LynzM]

4. Type 1 for 15 years now...

I was diagnosed at the age of 9, after having strep throat four times in one month. I told my doctor before all of that that I thought I was diabetic, but what would a 9 year old know about that? How hard would one finger prick have been, or at least asking me why I thought so? :eyes:

I've been up and down in terms of compliance, and on and off a pump (due to hypertrophy at my pump sites, and pain, and ketones from non-absorbtion). My last A1C was a 9.1, a kick in the pants to get my act together. I have a daughter, and had the best control ever while on the pump and pregnant (A1C of 5.9!, testing 10-12 times daily!). She was totally fine and healthy, and does not carry the high-risk gene to develop Type 1, which makes me really happy!

So no bad effects yet, so far. My hands, feet and eyes are ok, but I'm also only 24... :scared:

[SpeedwayDemocrat]

5. Another insulin pumper...

diagnosed accidentally 5 years ago by my insurance company (State Farm), who found it when I went to get more life insurance. Two years prior, a really bad family doc had put me on Prozac for my symptoms, thinking it was depression -- he NEVER ran a blood sugar check on me, so it was a surprise to him as well. (He's an idiot)
Estimated I had been diabetic at least four years prior, during which time my little pancreas was fading. Have gone DKA twice now and nearly died. Guess I needed my "wake up" call. Pumping less than two years now. Still considered "out of control" and dealing with the anger issues inherent in knowing you'll never get rid of this.
Thanks for letting me vent - I'm becoming quite the little "soap box activist" for diabetes stem cell research lately...

[blondeatlast]

6. Make sure to read the post by mr. blur regarding islet cells from a LIVING

donor.

Islet cells are very promising, but tends to get lost in all the hubbub surrounding stem cells.

I'm on the list for an islet cell implant, but not very hopeful.

I've taken insulin for THIRTT-NINE years--since I was 7, and am still chugging along. I was diagnosed when one had to pee in a cup and do a chemistry experiment to track your control! I have a healthy, happy 8 year old boy--you can beat thi, my friend.

For some great online discussion, check out http://www.insulinfree.org/

Feel free to vent--that's why we are here! I've had more than my share of crappy docs and effwit nurses--one nurse tried to give me an insulin injection; I had to literally fight her off.

Fortunately, I've also encountered mostly wonderful docs and nurses who have credited me with teaching them about DB while they cared for me. My pregnancy was literally a "textbook" case--my son was actually just a touch UNDERweight!

[SpeedwayDemocrat]

8. Thanks for the info..

on the post from Mr. Blur. I'm excited that scientists are continuing research, in spite of the obstacles they face under the current administration. A cure can't come too soon...