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View Full Version : New to forum, not so much to diabetes


geosjt
01-25-2007, 06:28 PM
Oops! I originally posted this to the Young Adults with Diabetes Forum on these boards. Didn't see this forum late last night! Thank you to tanyatype1 and Tattoo azz for your welcoming responses to my original post.

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Hello everyone. While researching information about pumps, my wife found this site and forwarded it to me. Looks like lots of great information here. If you don't mind, I thought I might introduce myself and a few of my experiences.

I was diagnosed Type I in April 1987, right after my 13th birthday. Puberty, perfect time for a life changing diagnosis!

I've spent the last 20 years wanting to be normal, yet managing my diabetes relatively well in spite of that. My HA1C's are typically 6.7 to 7.4, so there is still some room for improvement. I've been on Lantus and Humalog for about 5 years, before that Humulin R & N. I'm currently trying to decide which pump to go with, the Cozmo or Minimed. I spent several years around college not once taking a blood sugar. I'm taking it 4-6 times per day now. Almost 20 years into it, I've never been diagnosed with any diabetes-related complications.

I have a massive sweet tooth. Perfect! Thank goodness for Humalog and taking insulin in reaction to what you eat!

I travel some for business, so managing meals / insulin / BS testing can be a challenge during those times. Going low at work is no good, as the main symptoms these days is reduced mental sharpness, yet my job is very heavy on brain power. Don't want to look dumb at work when I'm supposed to know stuff, ya know?

I have had 3 bouts of severe hypoglycemia, in 1990, 1993, and 1998. Each one is its own fun story that of course I've been told about because I don't remember.

I haven't associated with or spoken with any other diabetics about diabetes since I was 15. I've gone most of the way with blinders on, doing my thing, but not wanting to "revel" in being diabetic. In recent years I have started actually telling other people, after a while, that I am diabetic, which is actually quite a breakthrough for me. I am revolted at the prospect that anyone would feel sorry for me or take pity on me. Because I strongly feel this way, I still rarely offer up that I am diabetic.

Odd thing happened recently -- of the 15 or so people I work with on a daily basis, 2 of them are Type I diabetic. It's a statistical anomaly, for sure.

My home life is supportive. My wife, a former EMT, usually knows when I'm low before I do. My young daughters are supportive and helpful.

Overall, life is good. Things are going well now, and I plan for them too for a long time to come. I'll have some changes with switching to a pump, but feel like it will be a change for the better, my goal is to get consistent A1C's in the low 6's. I'm glad I found this community and look forward to reading more posts!

GrammyByer
01-25-2007, 06:47 PM
Welcome to the forum!

I am also a type 1- been so for the past 36 years. I know what you mean about the mental inability when having a low. And also i know the scariness of not remembering what has happened when the low is way low (28 or so for me). Thank God for knowlegable and caring spouses!

I have been on a pump for 4 years and it is great. I would sugget it to all type 1s. The pump allows for a much more flexible, almost normal seeming, life AND much better control. My A1C's run between 5.8 and 6.4.

Best of luck with a pump. Mine is a minimed paradigm 515 and I am very satisfied with its performance and ease to use.

Linda

geosjt
01-25-2007, 06:59 PM
Thanks for the welcome message!

I think I've decided on the Cozmo, and am hopeful I will like it. From the online research I've done, including this site, it looks like most people are satisfied with their choice of Cozmo or Minimed.

Come on low 6's!

gettingby
01-26-2007, 06:12 AM
Hi and Welcome. Think I met you in the chat room last night. Glad to have you with us. I've been a T1 since 9/84. Stick around. We seem to grow on people. LOL.

kgm0612
01-26-2007, 07:06 AM
HI & Welcome to this great forum, Geosjt. Nice people and lot of information to be found here.

Karen

MJM
01-26-2007, 08:32 AM
Hi Geosjt,
Welcome to the forum. It's a great site with lots of info, lovely people and some fun too.
I think your experiences would have been a familiarity for most type1 diabetics, for the most part. Hypoglaemic attacks are to be expected, especially non pump users. I certainly can confirm most of what you say, and like you, I didn't like divulging my diabetes to anyone. However the more people who know you have diabetes the better for you, particularly if you do have a problem. As, similar to your wife, they would probably be more likely to know if things weren't as they should be, and be able to assist.
I've had diabetes for 48 years and basically have been through the whole gambit at this stage. I'm pretty active and have played sport for most of my life, (gone too old now though) and I'm still very active and walk and cycle a lot. I'm off on a canoe trip for 5 days in May next, down the Missouri, and am looking forward to it. Or to put it another way, diabetes doesn't restrict you in doing anything that's healthy. My advise: Eat the correct food and get plenty of exercise and apart from helping your diabetes, you will also feel better overall anyway.
As regards your pump choice, well I think it's you who will have to make that decision. I have a Minimed and I love it, but it's the only type I've ever had so I can't comment on any of the other ones.
You've been doing pretty well so far and are getting good A1cs. Your pump will help reduce those numbers even more. I wish you well in your choice. Im delighted to hear that life is good for you and hopefully it will continue that way for a long time to come.