Does it feel like the clock is ticking?

[hels]

The longer I have diabetes the more it feels like the clock is ticking towards all the complications of diabetes:(

I was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure and had to take some time to admit that I had to deal with this and that there was probably more to come. I try to be positive about diabetes most of the time, I certainly would not have the career that I do without it, but the ticking is getting louder.

Do others get this feeling of moving ever faster towards complications or am I paranoid as well as the diabetes:)

[Mick]

Hels--

Yeah, well, the clock IS, in fact, ticking for everyone. As the saying goes, "Nobody makes it out of here alive." Very true. I've been type 1 for 38 years, and I just turned 50. Yeah, sure, complications may lurk behind every corner, traps ready to spring shut and snap our limbs off... But in my case, I've beat back several complications, and I'm in better shape than when I began--in better shape than I was when I was half my age and had only been diabetic for a dozen years. I survived a heart attack and triple by-pass surgery 3 years ago, and have battled back from the crippling diabetic hand and joint complication known as "Cheiroarthropathy", which had my almost on disability five years ago. Agressive treatment, determination, mental and physical toughness, a "never say die" attitude, vigilance and committment have brought me back. Today I run five miles in an hour, three days a week, and can cycle 20 miles in an hour when the weather is good. I am a vegetarian, have lost 45 lbs and weigh less than I did when I graduated from high school. I eat 2 small meals a day with no fat, sleep five hours a night, and have boundless energy for my job as a special education teacher, and plenty left over for my wife, 2 children, home, yard, dog, cooking, shopping, laundry, etc--you get the idea. I was going down the toilet at age 45, now at age 50, I feel like I can and will live many many more healthy years with diabetes. Will it finally bite me in the *** and kill me? Yeah, maybe, probably, but no one makes it out of here alive...!

Michael

[Tony]

Sometimes I do feel like the clock is ticking toward some eye problems maybe. My uncle has Diabetes and he has eye problems, due to diabetes. He had laser treatment done a few times. Also I had never had my hba1c under 8.
So with that number how many years till you start having problems? I have had Diabetes for 9 years this February that I know of.

The days just seem to fly by, never mind days the weeks it is monday and before you know it, Friday is here. So I better hurry up and get my a1c down.

Congrats Mick!! Sounds like you made one heck of a come back. Lot of people would have givin up.

[Mick]

Tony--

If you've never had an a1c under 8 for 9 years, then your clock IS ticking, and pretty fast indeed... You had better get it down but fast, and do so by taking complete control of your blood sugars hour by hour. Your fear of eye problems is not paranoia, it will be a certainty, and soon, unless you can keep your a1c in the mid-6's This has been proven statistically--they even recently lowered the recommended a1c level from under 7 to under 6.5, based on a very long-term study of complications. You WILL get them over 7, and over 8, you'll get them soon. Take care of your control now, before it is too late.

Michael

[Tony]

I keep telling myself I have to do something about it. I would work at hard for a week or two then it seem like I would give up. Lowering the bg's is the hardest thing for me to do.

My hole life went thru a compelete change in the past few months. For the better.
Life is so much better now, and I better start working these numbers. Now that I'm in this great new world. And seeing that mick has said not to long till the complications start. When that happens I will not be enjoying it.

It is hard when you are on the go all the type. I'm all ways busy doing something. At work or at home.

[TAutry]

Hi guys,

Man, ticking clocks. . .

I am about to turn 36, still quite young. My home growing up was always full of disease. My father and mother were both disabled by arthritis. My brother was diabetic. He and I both shared the muscle disease Charcot Marie Tooth. My brother died in 1988 from nothing to do with either diabetes or Charcot. My father died in 1996 from complications from rheumatoid arthritis, including diabetes, congestive heart failure and others. My mother has had two heart attacks, is diabetic, has high blood pressure, still has the arthritis and now has carpel tunnel syndrome. (Man do I sound like a sad sack?;))

I look at all that my immediate family has contended with and I can begin to get very depressed. On the days that I can't get my hands to work properly and I trip over my own feet, I begin to get moody and depressed. I know some things for certain. There is nothing that can be done for the Charcot Marie Tooth. There are no meds, there is no therapy. It won't necessarily kill me, but it can and most likely will cripple me over time. Then there is the history of arthritis. . .(:))

Now Diabetes. Oddly enough, diabetes doesn't scare me as much as the others. No, I am not cavalier about diabetes nor my care. The thing with diabetes is, it is mostly controllable. I can take my insulin, watch my glucose levels and exercise. I can fight diabetes and I have hope that I can prevent most or all of the potential complications.

Is the clock ticking? Yes. What can we do about it? Nothing but make the most of each day, take care of ourselves, look for reasons to smile and laugh, and be right with God. If and when the alarm is about to sound, if we have done the best we can, we can go into the world of complications or the afterlife with the certainty that we tried our best.

I think I will go shoot my alarm clock now. :D:D:D

Travis

[Harold]

Yea, the clock is ticking away. This is a progressive condition, but you can control how fast it ticks away. Keeping your A1c under 6.5 will slow it a lot, and keeping it around 5 will practicly negate the diabetes. I had a friend in high school with diabetes, he didn't stay in control and was practically blind before he was 21. Take Care!!!!!

[Marnie]

Hi, I have just found this chat room and have just finished reading some posts–it appears to be more active than the last chat forum I registered with. It seems very informative. I am 45 yrs old and have had diabetes (insulin dep) for the past 26 years. I have had a number of complications the past while and wonder if anyone shares the same. -seizures with low blood level--hypoglycemia unawareness--gastroparesis--loss of genital sensation and bowel incontinence. Not a great list but I would like to hear from others who share similar challenges and how they are coping. Thanks

[Harold]

Welcome Marnie,

Wow, all of that at only 45. I know many people no matter how much they try just can not get it in control. Sounds like you maybe one of them. Have not heard anyone express all of your problems, but I'm sure if you stick around someone will show up with at least a percentage of them.

[Marnie]

thanks for taking the time to respond Harold. I hope to connect with others who share some of my experiences as well. How long have you had diabetes?

[Harold]

About a couple of years, dx'd type 2 in June 2001. A1c then 7.0 and three months ago 5.8 and I'm to go through the fasting blood test again in a couple of weeks.

[hels]

It interesting that all the responses are about keeping your glucose levels within 'normal' but my concern is that all the research shows that the longer you have diabetes whatever your HBaic you will get complications :-(. There are very few patients with diabetes that never ever get the complication, that's why I feel the clock is ticking because the bottom line is whatever you do the complications are just waiting to get you, it may take longer in some than others but its still going to happen.

That doesn't mean the I don't try to keep within 'normal' levels just being realistic i guess. I was interested in how other people feel about this continual threat and prehaps what their coping mechanisms are?

[Harold]

Hels,

Sounds like your having a problem with a little depression. So maybe this will help a little. Okay just off the cuff, no references if front of me, but from memory. I believe it was a study done in the UK to answer the question of monitoring and the effect it has on diabetes care. The conclusion of this study infererrred that monitoring greatly helped in controling blood sugars and reducing complications. This was essentially a statistical study done on tens of thousands of diabetics by studying their medical records compared to those that did not monitor. The results of this study was one of the main reasons that the medical community decided that with the advent of monitoring that diabetes care could be best achieved by self care. To my knowledege diabetes is the only desease the medical community promotes and encourages self care. So will you develope all of the complications? With no control, yes. With poor control depending on how long you live with it maybe, but you'll probably see most of them. With good or great control you'll probaly have more concerns with complications from old age rather than diabetes. Their are those, even with todays meds and well our understanding of this desease can not get control and those are the ones referred to as brittle. Any of us may become brittle at any time which shows that we don't yet know everything about it.

[Tony]

It interesting that all the responses are about keeping your glucose levels within 'normal' With good or great control you'll probaly have more concerns with complications from old age rather than diabetes.
and this is why everyones response is about keeping levels noramal. If we have the good control then we prob won't be around for the complications of diabetes. I agree with Harold

I was talking with a dr. and said within ten years there will be a cure for Diabetes.

[TAutry]

Hels,

I think that participating in this community is one coping mechanism. Support is very important. Children who have active, involved, supportive parents generally make better students. Peer support from other diabetics, I believe, can be valuable in helping us deal with the 'ticking clock or clocks' we may face.

Other ways of coping would include exercise and activities that make us feel good. That would include relaxation, hobbies and vacations. Whatever we do that contributes to physical and psychological well being.

For me, the last few months of monitoring and exercising regularly have contributed to helping me achieve a more positive mental attitude. I also believe those things have been good for me physically, as well.

I hope Tony's doctor is correct and there is a cure looming on the horizon. I have heard that from several sources.

Travis

[Tigerlily]

Marnie I have to apologise because when I read your message I was delighted that you mentioned loss of genital sensation. I have the same thing and have never dared mention it to anyone. It is the one symptom that has truly frightened me. I have Irritable Bowel Syndome which used to rule my life, but a change i eating patterns seems to have that one under control. I find that I have to stay absolutely focused on my diabetes to be "good", when my attention wanders, I grab food on the run, forget to exercise and my levels rise. Basically I get lazy and it is visits to forums like this that motivate me. I just have to make the effort to visit more often. How are you dealing with your challenges?

[Marnie]

Hi there Tigerlily
Thank you so much for responding!! It was a bit of a risk making that post for me but I needed to know how others cope with this as my diabetic specialist said it does happen to females as well as males. It took me a few months to speak to the specialist about it --I was too embarrassed to talk with my own GP first. The decrease in genital sensation started about 6 months before I spoke to the diabetic specialist and the fact that I began having decreased bowl sensation and one event of full bowl incontinence did I then speak to the diabetic specialist. He took it very seriously and since Dec. have seen a Neurologist and have an MRI booked for later this month. Bottom line is that if it all comes back neg then it is indeed a diabetes complication and most likely not reversible!! That is the medical update however, I am finding that this loss is the hardest thing I have had to deal with in a sense, in regards to my diabetes and its many complications. I have been put on medical leave a week and a half ago to take extra stress off me and to allow more intense monitoring, tests etc. I have a very loving partner who has been extraordinarily supportive however I am struggling with the loss. I am trying to think positive until I hear back the results as there isn't much I can do in the interim. That is some of the ways I am trying to cope for now. Please tell me about yourself as I think you were pretty brave in responding. I hope I haven't rambled on too much but I was excited to read your post. I hope you also are able to go and talk with your Dr. Keep in touch :)

[Tigerlily]

Hi Marnie,

I think you are the brave one, at least you have had the courage to take action. I am at a loss, my diabetes specialist is male and is not an easy person to approach. If I approach my GP they will tell me to discuss it with my diabetes specialist. Still, I am just making excuses aren't I, and I will do something about it. Perhaps I can speak to my diabetes nurse. I am awaiting an appointment to see a rheumatologist about the pains in my legs and hips. I think this is neuropathy but my diabetes specialist says he has never heard of such pains...I also have an appointment with the eye hospital, so I guess I am reluctant to admit to yet another problem. Crazy, because like you, this is the one that I find the hardest to accept. I enjoy making love, I enjoy orgasm and this is too cruel on top of everything else. I try to stay positive and most of the time I succeed, but this one is too hurtful and unexpected. It was not something I was aware of. I know men can experience impotence, but had not known it effected women. It is good to share this and I appreciate your willingness to talk about it. If you would like to know more about me, come visit my web page, you are always welcome: click here for my page (http://www.dawntrenner.co.uk)

[Marnie]

Hi Tigerlily
My diabetic specialist is male and he was great to talk to. I hope you find some answers.That is one of the biggest problems with Diabetes --going to your dr with yet another problem--diabetes does not leave a stone unturned-thank God we have had so many advancements in this generation my father and grandmother were not so lucky. I went to the web site--is that your web site? and are those pictures near where you live? the picture looking down the raod made me feel like I would love to step on to that street! I haven't heard from anyone else yet who was experiencing some of my problems--maybe I said too much too soon?

[Tigerlily]

Hi Marnie,
I have been surfing around re our specific loss. There is a fair amount of info re the problems men face with impotence caused by diabetes and ways of treating it. For us females this problem is barely acknowledged and few suggestions for remedies! Would you believe a small hoover to draw blood to the appropriate spot! Umm...Yes that is my web site and please do visit often. The road is not near me, it is a place I escape to. It is very steep and leads down to a small fising village and then on to the sea. Bliss. I hope others will respond, I feel sure we cannot be the only ones experiencing this. Hopefully others we feel encouraged to join in. If you would like to mail me direct, please do. May I ask how are you and your partner dealing with this?

[millien]

I am 60. Not sure how long I have been diabetic. It is a mystery that I have it at all. No one in my immediate family had or has it. I miss being able to enjoy things like "Italian Cream Cake", gooey chocolate deserts and celebrating things with champagne. I do sucomb to the deserts at times but stay away from the champagne. I have not had any other health problems due to diabetes thus far.

I have balance problems, concentration problems, very painful TMJ, etc. related to head injury from car accident in 1972 and other ear problems (meniere's disease likely). Oddly enough I was on my way home from a flying lesson. My balance, concentration and ear problems were the cause of me having to quit work and apply for dissability which I finally started getting in July of 2002. Also have thyroid problem (underactive since late 1967). Taking medication for high cholesterol. Lipitor works great. The years of pain from the TMJ caused an embalance in my brain resulting in depression. I take Celexa for that. Currently taking 3 oral medications for diabetes. I don't think of the clock ticking that much from just the diabetes. Try not to think of it at all.