The geezer factor in Type 1

[chuckle]

Hi, folks!
I am new to the forum and a little hesitant to post.
First, the basic stuff.
Diabetes for 40 years (before some of you were born no doubt).
A pumper
Eyes stable at 20-30 after lots of laser surgery and a vitrectomy.
1 MI and 3xBypass
Kidneys okay so far.

Main Stuff:
I am a 57 yo male who over the last 46 years have really noticed a slowdown in energy, concentration, etc. I have always been very active and involved, trying never to let the diabetes interfere. Sometimes that has been good, sometimes not.

I am curious about what other people who have had diabetes most of their life experience. Would like some comparisons.

Thanks
Chuckle

[Belinda]

Originally posted by chuckle
Hi, folks!
I am new to the forum and a little hesitant to post.
First, the basic stuff.
Diabetes for 40 years (before some of you were born no doubt).
A pumper
Eyes stable at 20-30 after lots of laser surgery and a vitrectomy.


Chuckle

Welcome to the forums. I too had the vitrectomy in both eyes and it was NO picnic. I use a pump too and seem to feel about the same energy level all the time except when I do stupid things like got to bed at 2am and up at 6...just the basic stuff. We all react to our diabetes in different ways so maybe there is something else that is the underlying cause (anemia). Glad you found us and this is a great place for support.

[HeatherP]

Welcome Chuckle! I'm T1 m'self for 13 years on MDI. Don't be shy - wade on in the water's fine! :D I hope you'll join us often to share your experiences and that you'll make some new friends along the way.

Nice to meet you,
HeatherP

[am1977]

HI and welcome, Chuck

I am, I guess, relatively a newbie to Diabetes, I've had it for 2.5 years. I was Diagnosed with Type 1 at 24 years old...it's something that has changed my life. It has made me appreciate how important health is and life, in general. I think health is something that people easily take for granted, that is, until it is compromised.

I'm trying to stay as healthy as possible so that I can stay clear of complications or at least reduce the chances of getting any. It's not been easy, but I'm doing the best I can. I think what' s hardest for me is keeping my nutrition on track, but it's something I'm working on.

Anyway, welcome again to our group, and I hope you will come visit us anytime.

Andrea

[chuckle]

Thanks to everyone for the kind and encouraging replies. I am reminded just how far treatment for diabetes has come in my lifetime. I started out sterilizing my needle and syringe for every shot. Talk about dull needles - ouch! OUCH! The only way to test was to test urine. And that was far from accurate and time delayed. There was no eye surgery to speak of for the first 20 years. Now I am waiting for my glucometer that talks to my pump. Should be here most any day, now. It is amazing.

We have come so far and the good people doing phenomenol research are bringing new developments almost daily. It is trully amazing.

Thanks again for your support and I hope to be here periodically. If anyone runs across old guys, or ladies for that matter, who want to chat, send them my way.

Joy and Blessings for each of you.

Chuckle

[lgvincent]

I've had diabetes over 36 years now. I've got some numbness in some fingers and toes, as well as the lower left leg. I'm also spilling protein in the urine. What a joy!

[kctowers]

Hi chuckle,

I'm only a baby with type 2 - diagnosed end of September. But hey, man, I'm 61 and I can tell you the slow-down aint just the diabetes. It's that other curse of the human condition - yes you've got it - dare I say the words - old-age creeping in? I just can't sit up all night shooting the breeze and drinking trebble JD's with my buddies like I used to, **** it! And that was a good few years before my diagnosis.

Best of luck and welcome.

Keith

[archimeech]

I am 33 years old, have been T1 for 20 years, and on the pump for 6 years. I have noticed a lot of slow down in energy level. I don't know wether it's diabetes or age. I've got the beginnings of numbness/burning in my feet, my arms go to sleep all the time. Eyes are ok, just had them checked last week and although I have signs of retinopathy, Dr said I was maintaining for now.
Chuckle, it's good to hear from someone who's had T1 for so long. gives the rest of us hope. What have your A1Cs been? Just curious, as I have had poor control for most of my life, and am trying to get a grasp on what's happening and how I can continue to get better control of my life.

[sparkle9]

Hello, Chuckle, from another old geezer! Actually I've never really introduced myself either, so here goes...

I am 55 and female and have been Type 1 for 34 years. Up until about a year ago I had no major complications. I have had background retinopathy for years but have never had to have treatment for it. I've also had carpal tunnel, trigger thumb, and frozen shoulder, all of which are more common in diabetics, or so I've read. My orthopedic dr. said he thinks it's only because diabetics go to the doctor more often than other people!

Last December during a routine physical I had an abnormal EKG which led to an exercise stress test, a cardiac catheterization, and a diagnosis of an 80% blockage in a coronary artery. I was "stented" and put on Crestor and aspirin. I stayed in a state of shock about this for quite a while! I had always exercised and maintained a normal weight. This wasn't supposed to happen to me!

Ten months later I am "over it" and doing very well. My doctor says my lipids are "unbelievably great". I guess I feel fortunate that treatment for our disease has come such a long way and that we can control it, although that is difficult at times.

I definitely feel lacking in energy and concentration sometimes, but my non-diabetic friends my age say they feel the same way! I know I always feel better if I exercise regularly.

Hope you continue to do well.

Sparkle