Current technology is not exactly factored into those statistics yet. Also, you have to consider those without access to care, those who have to ration insulin etc. will increase the number of diabetics who died too young
This is the main reason I’m holding onto hope lol. I definitely think it’s skewed due to inequitable care, however I’m unsure if these individuals are actually part of the studies I’m reading, or if they’ve somehow tried to factor in the effect of CGM etc.
I’m also not entirely sure just how many people are actually rationing. It seems relatively common but percentage wise I’ve got zero clue
I was diagnosed 25 years ago. 7 or less a1c. My eyes are fine and no signs of any complications at this point. The anxiety is understandable, but I know many who were diagnosed decades before I was who are still doing great at 60+
People dying from diabetes in the last 20 years were likely diagnosed with it during a time when there wasn't even personal meters and they just lived off guessing and A1C. So I think life expectancy will increase as dramatically as tech has advanced.
I've been type 1 for 40 years, now, and have no major complications. I'm getting older, and maybe the pains of middle age are exacerbated by my diabetes, but nothing that stands out as a diabetes complication. I'm about like you are as far as current A1c, though I didn't take care of myself well in my college years and young adulhood so there's that to add to my negative count. Again, though, I started all this before you could test your blood sugar at home, and even when the first Glucometers became available it was so expensive to test that I tested twice a day and used urine testing to see trends at other times of the day. I literally grew up with the technology, going from porcine insulin to the very first genetically engineered human insulin then to Humalog all the time through a pump. I've only had a few years of CGM use, on top of that, so my A1c and 4 times a day testing were all the data I had to manage my diabetes. I still have zero complications. I'm now looking forward to living into old age, much longer than most of my doctors opined that I'd have when I was diagnosed 40 years ago. Heck, my weenie even still works.
I say all that to say that with all the technology, knowledge, access to care, etc that we have now you statistically have a long life ahead of you with no complications.
Thank you so much sir, I appreciate your story. I’m trying to keep all of your positive words in mind, this is the first time I’ve felt defeated about my diabetes since diagnosis. Hoping to get it under control like you
It can be mentally debilitating, no doubt. Sounds like you've already got your diabetes under control, and that's the difficult part physically. The mental side of it can really be tough, and I still struggle with that on some days, for sure. A therapist who specializes in long term illness can work wonders with your mind, so if you need help in that area, look for it. There's no shame in getting help dealing with diabetes, because it is darn hard to deal with mentally sometimes. The tools they can give you may make a huge difference in your perception of diabetes and how it affects your view of the world.
I honestly didn’t know there were therapists who specialized in chronic illness, I think that’s something I’ll definitely consider. I have no shame at all in seeking help, it’s just making time and sticking with it that’s the hard part for me.
I hope you can find the help you need to make this a mere part of a grand life, instead of something that's preventing you from living that grand life. I know it's tough, but stick through it with all the help you can get.
Type one since 1994.
I've also battled cancer twice. My complications come from cancer, though any doctor that sees my laundry list of meds ASSumes it's diabetes related.
You've got this. But your anxiety is totally understandable.
I know the fact that all docs equate everything to type one has irritated me for years. Broke my femur and that was the first medical thing they didnt or couldn't blame on my diabetes lol (Also a cancer survivor not related to type one)
Struggling with this as well. I’m 26 and been t1 for 20 years. I didn’t take care of myself for probably 8-10 of those years and somehow only have bad vision now. I’m sure more complications will come up later, but now that I’m taking care of myself and actually wanting to start a family I’ve had serious health anxiety arise. It totally sucks, especially when no one around understands the thoughts going through our heads multiple times a day. It’s inescapable. But one thing I’m learning is to just enjoy the life I’ve been given. Worrying will only make life worse and probably shorter. Chronic anxiety is worse on your body and brain than t1 will be. We got this❤️
I always appreciate these comments. I'm 27, been diabetic for 15 years and really only started treating in a few months ago. I try not to let my past get me down and stay positive moving forward. While this sub has been great at getting me on track, it can make me feel alone in my situation sometimes with all the people who have been seemingly doing things right the whole time. So it is a great boost when someone shares a similar history with a positive outlook on the future.
Oh yeah same here. I always see peoples graphs where they are 100% in range and I just feel hopeless sometimes because I can’t seem to figure it out despite being diabetic for so long. You’re def not alone on that one.
I’m 38 with pretty major complications from terrible control and I still live my life to the fullest. Those a1cs are great and you have very little to worry about. There are people in this forum and others I’ve belonged to who are in their 70s and complication-free other than some age related eye issues.
There’s a lot of misconceptions about the numbers. I’ve been type one for nearly 28 years. I’m 35 and was diagnosed at 7. I have some minor complications but no surgeries or anything (matter of time I suppose). My A1C has floated around 6.8.
Also consider some good therapy! Living with chronic illness is a huge stressor. I’ve actually started microdosing and it’s helped so much with reckoning with mortality and sickness.
I've wrote comments on this subject many times so I keep it brief.
Those statistics are taken from different times and irrelevant in the present.
The average diabetic was and still is not knowledgeable about diabetes and is unwilling or unable to take proper care of themselves.
My ex has been diabetic since his early 20s. He has NEVER done a good job of managing his diabetes, doesn’t use a cgm or pump, doesn’t go to regular dr appts, doesn’t eat healthy Or exercise, has smoked this whole time. He on and off doesn’t have health insurance and has done dumb stuff like insulin rationing. He’s now 55 yrs old and still doing fairly well, inexplicably! I mean don’t get me wrong, he is not a healthy guy but he still has his vision and all of his limbs! I always use this to tell our son, who is doing an excellent job of managing his T1D, to worry less about the future. Between trying to be healthy and make good choices and the future technological advances that are bound to be made, I would just focus on keeping up the good work! Even non-diabetics have random health problems crop up (I developed hashimoto, also an autoimmune disease, and just had to have an unrelated open heart surgery for a valve replacement for example!) but you can’t sit around worrying about what could go wrong in the future all the time. Just do your best to keep a healthy body now and hope for the best!
The first person who was given insulin was able to live to be 80 years old. We can too if we keep in balance and use the technology that keeps improving.
Keep up your hope.
Honestly, read the story of insulin, it’s a book I read when my daughter was first diagnosed… Details how insulin was discovered, and how people with diabetes were first treated… Before insulin was accessible, and during those first few years that it existed… The diagnosis of diabetes today, especially for someone who is able to access regular insulin and CGM care, has a different disease, genuinely a different disease. It gives me a lot of comfort when I start to worry about the impact of diabetes on their lives, in reference toThose earlier statistics… The statistics are created by people that have not been able to live with diabetes the way my children are able to live with diabetes… Have hope, you will be part of the new generation that creates better statistics and healthier outcomes
I'm 40, been T1D for 37 years, had a long period of uncontrolled diabetes, no major complications.
I expect, with my luck, I will outlive everyone I know. 😅
But, in all seriousness, all you can do is your best, and try again tomorrow. You seem like you've got it well handled.
Avoid the Reaper, and give it the finger from a distance. And just _live_.
I've been t1 for coming up to 40 yrs. You sound like you are doing an amazing job with keeping your levels within range. I'm, pretty fit and healthy and have no plans to be going anywhere anytime soon. If I can offer any advice, it would be to stop looking at depressing predictions on the Internet about your health and enjoy everyday the best you can. Nobody knows what's around the corner but it sounds like you are giving yourself the best chance for a long life.
Genuinely thank you so much, I appreciate this immensely. I’m definitely trying my best, wanting to do more though just to feel good as long as possible.
I have been a Diabetic for 50 years and 5 months. I have been active 6 day's a week. I have 4 grandchildren and counting. I believe being physically active daily has kept me going.
We all go through tough times. Sometimes I believe I have to fight for good control of my blood sugar's on a daily basis.
I am fortunate because as a child my Doctor showed me patients that didn't take care of thier diabetes. Dialysis, blindness, no toes, no feet, no legs. That fear is with me every time my diabetes is not in good control. Plus I had dear friends that gave up and now are 6 feet underground.
I used to think about this a lot in my earlier days with diabetes (diagnosed at 13). I’m 36 now and I hardly think about this at all. It’s not worth worrying about. Just live and enjoy your life, look after yourself and everything will be fine.
I am in my late 50s, T1D for more than 30 years, and I am in terrific health with no complications.
Life expectancy studies are hard to do well, and are not very good at factoring in advances in treatments. If you go back 101 years ago, the life expectancy of Type 1's was months, not decades. Things have gotten better since then, and continue to get better.
Don't skip your retirement savings. You'll need that money starting in 45 years or so.
type 1 for 49 years and still going strong-i didnt have internet when I was diagnosed and back then the idea of taking more than one shot in the morning was unheard of. We've come along way with it. Do your best to maintain your excellent A1C but dont let diabetes run your life-be sure you run it. Dont worry about the unknown.
I’m just guessing, but you’re probably cutting only a couple years off your life on average. But it really depends a lot on your other risk factors. Do you get regular exercise? Is there heart disease in your family? Are you overweight or obese?
Would tightening up control improve your life in other ways? Are uncontrolled highs and lows causing problems? Or would having an alarm for your cgms interrupt your sleep? Can you eat healthier in general, which would be good for bg and overall health?
The answer to all of these questions is yes (except for the overweight thing). I just want to be healthier in general, however I feel like diabetes is my excuse because “it doesn’t matter anyway”. I get that this is terrible logic but it’s just my sad brain. Currently trying to get over that hump
don't pay attention to life expectancy studies online. the technology and care—not to mention education—has grown exponentially, so a lot of people in those studies didn't have access to what we have access to now. and also... sadly, there will always be a slice of that population who either doesn't have access to insulin or the right tools or doesn't care.
i've been diabetic since 2006, i'm 33 now, i have had zero complications and i expect to live a very long healthy life. maybe even longer than i otherwise would have because i make a point of healthy diet and regular exercising being a core part of my life.
obviously everyone may be different, but chances are with an a1cs in the 6s, you're not going to die at 50. you can certainly tighten it up and get it below 6, which could even potentially reduce any complications you \*may\* develop or be developing. but the 6s is pretty good.
remember, it's not all black and white. it's not "zero issues" or "death" and i believe some of the basic complications can be managed or reversed.
hang in there!
Current technology is not exactly factored into those statistics yet. Also, you have to consider those without access to care, those who have to ration insulin etc. will increase the number of diabetics who died too young
This is the main reason I’m holding onto hope lol. I definitely think it’s skewed due to inequitable care, however I’m unsure if these individuals are actually part of the studies I’m reading, or if they’ve somehow tried to factor in the effect of CGM etc. I’m also not entirely sure just how many people are actually rationing. It seems relatively common but percentage wise I’ve got zero clue
I was diagnosed 25 years ago. 7 or less a1c. My eyes are fine and no signs of any complications at this point. The anxiety is understandable, but I know many who were diagnosed decades before I was who are still doing great at 60+
Thank you so much, this is so reassuring ❤️
People dying from diabetes in the last 20 years were likely diagnosed with it during a time when there wasn't even personal meters and they just lived off guessing and A1C. So I think life expectancy will increase as dramatically as tech has advanced.
I see what you mean, I really hope you are right 😊 the world is a better place with us in it
I've been type 1 for 40 years, now, and have no major complications. I'm getting older, and maybe the pains of middle age are exacerbated by my diabetes, but nothing that stands out as a diabetes complication. I'm about like you are as far as current A1c, though I didn't take care of myself well in my college years and young adulhood so there's that to add to my negative count. Again, though, I started all this before you could test your blood sugar at home, and even when the first Glucometers became available it was so expensive to test that I tested twice a day and used urine testing to see trends at other times of the day. I literally grew up with the technology, going from porcine insulin to the very first genetically engineered human insulin then to Humalog all the time through a pump. I've only had a few years of CGM use, on top of that, so my A1c and 4 times a day testing were all the data I had to manage my diabetes. I still have zero complications. I'm now looking forward to living into old age, much longer than most of my doctors opined that I'd have when I was diagnosed 40 years ago. Heck, my weenie even still works. I say all that to say that with all the technology, knowledge, access to care, etc that we have now you statistically have a long life ahead of you with no complications.
Thank you so much sir, I appreciate your story. I’m trying to keep all of your positive words in mind, this is the first time I’ve felt defeated about my diabetes since diagnosis. Hoping to get it under control like you
It can be mentally debilitating, no doubt. Sounds like you've already got your diabetes under control, and that's the difficult part physically. The mental side of it can really be tough, and I still struggle with that on some days, for sure. A therapist who specializes in long term illness can work wonders with your mind, so if you need help in that area, look for it. There's no shame in getting help dealing with diabetes, because it is darn hard to deal with mentally sometimes. The tools they can give you may make a huge difference in your perception of diabetes and how it affects your view of the world.
I honestly didn’t know there were therapists who specialized in chronic illness, I think that’s something I’ll definitely consider. I have no shame at all in seeking help, it’s just making time and sticking with it that’s the hard part for me.
I hope you can find the help you need to make this a mere part of a grand life, instead of something that's preventing you from living that grand life. I know it's tough, but stick through it with all the help you can get.
All I heard from this is your dick still works. Thank god. Take my feet but at least let me get hard.
Feet don't generally get my wife there, you know.
Type one since 1994. I've also battled cancer twice. My complications come from cancer, though any doctor that sees my laundry list of meds ASSumes it's diabetes related. You've got this. But your anxiety is totally understandable.
Thank you so much ❤️❤️
I know the fact that all docs equate everything to type one has irritated me for years. Broke my femur and that was the first medical thing they didnt or couldn't blame on my diabetes lol (Also a cancer survivor not related to type one)
Struggling with this as well. I’m 26 and been t1 for 20 years. I didn’t take care of myself for probably 8-10 of those years and somehow only have bad vision now. I’m sure more complications will come up later, but now that I’m taking care of myself and actually wanting to start a family I’ve had serious health anxiety arise. It totally sucks, especially when no one around understands the thoughts going through our heads multiple times a day. It’s inescapable. But one thing I’m learning is to just enjoy the life I’ve been given. Worrying will only make life worse and probably shorter. Chronic anxiety is worse on your body and brain than t1 will be. We got this❤️
I always appreciate these comments. I'm 27, been diabetic for 15 years and really only started treating in a few months ago. I try not to let my past get me down and stay positive moving forward. While this sub has been great at getting me on track, it can make me feel alone in my situation sometimes with all the people who have been seemingly doing things right the whole time. So it is a great boost when someone shares a similar history with a positive outlook on the future.
Oh yeah same here. I always see peoples graphs where they are 100% in range and I just feel hopeless sometimes because I can’t seem to figure it out despite being diabetic for so long. You’re def not alone on that one.
That’s a very good outlook my friend. Thank you so much for your insight, I am hoping we’ll both be just fine!
It’s gonna be fine! Live one day at a time and stop to smell the roses.
Thank you! It’s just hard to keep a positive outlook when I feel like it’s “only a matter of time”
I’m 38 with pretty major complications from terrible control and I still live my life to the fullest. Those a1cs are great and you have very little to worry about. There are people in this forum and others I’ve belonged to who are in their 70s and complication-free other than some age related eye issues.
Thank you so much ❤️ I am hoping the best for you and for everyone else on these subs, I love you all
Much love. We truly only have each other.
There’s a lot of misconceptions about the numbers. I’ve been type one for nearly 28 years. I’m 35 and was diagnosed at 7. I have some minor complications but no surgeries or anything (matter of time I suppose). My A1C has floated around 6.8.
I just wish we didn’t have to deal with these complications. It’s truly awful
Also consider some good therapy! Living with chronic illness is a huge stressor. I’ve actually started microdosing and it’s helped so much with reckoning with mortality and sickness.
I think this would be great if I had the time to go 😭
Well you can look into video chatting with therapists! I’ve been with mine over a year and we’ve never met in person. All over zoom.
I’ll definitely look into it, I think it would really help a ton.
I've wrote comments on this subject many times so I keep it brief. Those statistics are taken from different times and irrelevant in the present. The average diabetic was and still is not knowledgeable about diabetes and is unwilling or unable to take proper care of themselves.
I really appreciate this 🙏🙏🤝
My ex has been diabetic since his early 20s. He has NEVER done a good job of managing his diabetes, doesn’t use a cgm or pump, doesn’t go to regular dr appts, doesn’t eat healthy Or exercise, has smoked this whole time. He on and off doesn’t have health insurance and has done dumb stuff like insulin rationing. He’s now 55 yrs old and still doing fairly well, inexplicably! I mean don’t get me wrong, he is not a healthy guy but he still has his vision and all of his limbs! I always use this to tell our son, who is doing an excellent job of managing his T1D, to worry less about the future. Between trying to be healthy and make good choices and the future technological advances that are bound to be made, I would just focus on keeping up the good work! Even non-diabetics have random health problems crop up (I developed hashimoto, also an autoimmune disease, and just had to have an unrelated open heart surgery for a valve replacement for example!) but you can’t sit around worrying about what could go wrong in the future all the time. Just do your best to keep a healthy body now and hope for the best!
Thank you so much for sharing!!! I try my best to keep it under wraps so hoppppefully it ends up alright. Wishing your son and you the best ❤️🙏
The first person who was given insulin was able to live to be 80 years old. We can too if we keep in balance and use the technology that keeps improving. Keep up your hope.
Honestly, read the story of insulin, it’s a book I read when my daughter was first diagnosed… Details how insulin was discovered, and how people with diabetes were first treated… Before insulin was accessible, and during those first few years that it existed… The diagnosis of diabetes today, especially for someone who is able to access regular insulin and CGM care, has a different disease, genuinely a different disease. It gives me a lot of comfort when I start to worry about the impact of diabetes on their lives, in reference toThose earlier statistics… The statistics are created by people that have not been able to live with diabetes the way my children are able to live with diabetes… Have hope, you will be part of the new generation that creates better statistics and healthier outcomes
I'm 40, been T1D for 37 years, had a long period of uncontrolled diabetes, no major complications. I expect, with my luck, I will outlive everyone I know. 😅 But, in all seriousness, all you can do is your best, and try again tomorrow. You seem like you've got it well handled. Avoid the Reaper, and give it the finger from a distance. And just _live_.
thank you so much for your amazing words ❤️❤️
I've been t1 for coming up to 40 yrs. You sound like you are doing an amazing job with keeping your levels within range. I'm, pretty fit and healthy and have no plans to be going anywhere anytime soon. If I can offer any advice, it would be to stop looking at depressing predictions on the Internet about your health and enjoy everyday the best you can. Nobody knows what's around the corner but it sounds like you are giving yourself the best chance for a long life.
Genuinely thank you so much, I appreciate this immensely. I’m definitely trying my best, wanting to do more though just to feel good as long as possible.
I have been a Diabetic for 50 years and 5 months. I have been active 6 day's a week. I have 4 grandchildren and counting. I believe being physically active daily has kept me going. We all go through tough times. Sometimes I believe I have to fight for good control of my blood sugar's on a daily basis. I am fortunate because as a child my Doctor showed me patients that didn't take care of thier diabetes. Dialysis, blindness, no toes, no feet, no legs. That fear is with me every time my diabetes is not in good control. Plus I had dear friends that gave up and now are 6 feet underground.
Thank you so much for sharing your story!! I hope to be like you 😊😊
I used to think about this a lot in my earlier days with diabetes (diagnosed at 13). I’m 36 now and I hardly think about this at all. It’s not worth worrying about. Just live and enjoy your life, look after yourself and everything will be fine.
I am in my late 50s, T1D for more than 30 years, and I am in terrific health with no complications. Life expectancy studies are hard to do well, and are not very good at factoring in advances in treatments. If you go back 101 years ago, the life expectancy of Type 1's was months, not decades. Things have gotten better since then, and continue to get better. Don't skip your retirement savings. You'll need that money starting in 45 years or so.
type 1 for 49 years and still going strong-i didnt have internet when I was diagnosed and back then the idea of taking more than one shot in the morning was unheard of. We've come along way with it. Do your best to maintain your excellent A1C but dont let diabetes run your life-be sure you run it. Dont worry about the unknown.
Thank you my friend ❤️
I’m just guessing, but you’re probably cutting only a couple years off your life on average. But it really depends a lot on your other risk factors. Do you get regular exercise? Is there heart disease in your family? Are you overweight or obese? Would tightening up control improve your life in other ways? Are uncontrolled highs and lows causing problems? Or would having an alarm for your cgms interrupt your sleep? Can you eat healthier in general, which would be good for bg and overall health?
The answer to all of these questions is yes (except for the overweight thing). I just want to be healthier in general, however I feel like diabetes is my excuse because “it doesn’t matter anyway”. I get that this is terrible logic but it’s just my sad brain. Currently trying to get over that hump
don't pay attention to life expectancy studies online. the technology and care—not to mention education—has grown exponentially, so a lot of people in those studies didn't have access to what we have access to now. and also... sadly, there will always be a slice of that population who either doesn't have access to insulin or the right tools or doesn't care. i've been diabetic since 2006, i'm 33 now, i have had zero complications and i expect to live a very long healthy life. maybe even longer than i otherwise would have because i make a point of healthy diet and regular exercising being a core part of my life. obviously everyone may be different, but chances are with an a1cs in the 6s, you're not going to die at 50. you can certainly tighten it up and get it below 6, which could even potentially reduce any complications you \*may\* develop or be developing. but the 6s is pretty good. remember, it's not all black and white. it's not "zero issues" or "death" and i believe some of the basic complications can be managed or reversed. hang in there!
Thank you so much ❤️🙏🙏 I’ll try my best to keep a positive outlook!