[Belinda]

I have had retinopathy and neuropathy complications but no more....I won't allow it

[KickStart101]

HI Kris, I have had Type 1 for 43 yrs. this month. I had laser on my
left eye about 20 yrs. ago and have been wearing glasses for reading
about 5 yrs. now. The middle toe on my left foot has had a slight
numbness for about 3 yrs. It comes and goes. The numbness has
disappeared again since May. I also have NLD on my left ankle about the
size of a tennis ball. It started out as a little red spot the size of a dime.
That's all I know of at this point.
***Carlie***

[BeadieJay]

Carlie, excuse my ignorance, but what is NLD?

[archimeech]

Of course, I can't spell worth a **** so I apologize if any are incorrect:

1 Hypo-unawareness
2 Gastroparesis
3 Hypo-thyoroidism
4 Gastro-esophogeal-reflux-disease GERD
5 chrondramaliac patella in left knee
6 mild hip displacia due to weakening cartilidge
7 neuropathy in hands and feet
8 high cholesterol
9 high blood pressure
10 arterial scleorosis
11 Graves Disease
12 I too have the un-named dizziness
13 partial ED (the men know what I'm talking about)
14 thin dry cracking skin
15 microanurisms in both eyes, but not bad enough for the doctors to do anything yet
16 beginning signs of retinopathy
17 brittle control, wich makes taking care of my T1 very difficult

I have been T1 for 20 years this Xmas

[carrie_hikomi]

Its good to know I'm not crazy then! My parents kept telling me I was just using the excuise to get out of moving my butt in the morning before school! They'd feel really sore,and I could barely wiggle my toes, then they'd be gone again, but in the morning.. It'd hurt to walk real bad. >< It still does it sometimes, at school.. very annoying. Thank you to all the replies. ^^;

[mark-TN]

The unnamed dizziness is called Orthostatic Hypotension(in early stages), Syncope in advanced stages. It is caused by a form of sympathetic neuropathy that allows blood to pool in the legs and causes diminished circulation to the brain. Upon standing in a person with out this condition blood pressure is automatically increased to prevent pooling of blood in the legs and diminished circulation to the brain. (I believe this is a function of the Vagus Nerve, which when damaged is also responsible for digestive problems and ED in men)

Orthostatic Hypotension: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20031215/2393.html
Syncope: http://www.medicinenet.com/fainting/article.htm

Mark

[Eri's mom]

So far, Eri's vision has really been a concern...as well as her tolerance for lows..although she was shakey yesterday at 71(or was it the day b/f?)

I was dx'd w/ gastroparisis...I do not have diabetes, but I do get hypo's(what would that mean, just that I am hypoglycemic???)...
GP is horrid.

My stepsons mom is also hypoglycemic...and has graves disease, and told him on Turkey day that she has thyroid cancer.

I hope and pray Eri never has to go through much...especially the GP.....

It just amazing how much this disease effects ppl.

[debaroo]

Hey there ive been type 1 for 23 years in jan and my complications is that im leagally blind and yes thats from the diabetes....it all started with hemorages behind the eyes and ive had tons of lazoring which means my side vision is not good or i have nearly none...so again please get your eyes tested if you get in time you can prevent what im going through....a bit of high blood pressure but seems to be ok now and a tad bit of high colestoral...hopfully no more complications

[mike9876]

I have neuropathy in my feet and suspect my legs. My feet are not numb but feeling is down by at least 50% and terrible burning and pain. Some days I can't bare to put my left foot on the floor. I get depressed a lot more now I am diabetic, I have arthritis and read on the web somewhere that the chemical changes caused by diabetes causes cartlidge in the joints to break down more quickly. I always feel sick in the mornings, blurred vision, get dizzy speels for no reason. I don't talk to my doc about any of the problems now it seems to go in one ear and out of the other. I just get him to refer me to a specialist. Seeing a chiropodist about the neuropathy on monday. the biggest joke my doc told me I can walk ok, I found that very funny as struggle with the pain.

I am really sick of diabetes and the lack of understanding we get from the medical profession on how we feel and how it affects us. They don't understand how hard it is work, that we will be feeling ill sometime each week and unable to get out of bed x amount of days in a week.

Mike

[am1977]

As of right now...complication free. But I've only been a type 1 for 2.5 years, don't really know if they set in that early. ISorry to hear you all have to deal with these health issues, but it sounds like everyone is doing well regardless. I think it takes a lot of strength to have to manage and live with some of these things and I give you all a lot of credit. I hope that if I ever have to deal with any future complications, I can be as strong as you all.

[HeatherP]

Wish I knew of something to say to all of you that are having difficulties.

But since I don't, a **BIG HUG** for all.

[MarkMunday]

I have been T1 for 27 years. And I have always thought that, apart from a micro aneurism that was picked up in the last eye exam, I am complication free. But some of the symptoms described above look alarmingly familiar! Like dizzy spells, cramping calf muscles and burning sensations in the feet.

But having said that, the symptoms have been very mild. The prospect of retinopathy that came out of the eye exam a year ago really freaked me out. Since then, I have reduced the HbA1c from 8.3 to 6.2. And I am working on getting it down to 5.5. Complications are, apparently, reversible. And the switch to Lantus and a reduced carb diet are making improved control a lot easier. So, hopefully, the next eye exam will be all clear and the other little problems won't get any worse.

Cheers,

Mark

[KickStart101]

Carlie, excuse my ignorance, but what is NLD?

I'm sorry Sue. I've had NLD so long that I'm used to the short
form. It's easier to say than to spell. Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum.
I think it was mentioned on this forum before. I hope I don't gross anyone
out! Simply: It looks like someone had cleanly cut all the layers of the
skin on my ankle just to where you can see the veins. Then they applied
several layers of clear yellow wax on it. Then painted an even circle of
reddish paint around it. That's my version.
It is an inflammatory disease of the skin which occurs primarily in patients
with diabetes. Not contagious. I believe the Doc's said most Diabetics do not get this. It does not seem to matter what type of control of blood sugars
the patient has and they do not know what causes it. That's what I was told
years ago, haven't asked since. I'm used to it. If I wear a dress, I just put
some light powder on it, my nylons and I'm good to go.(Oops and the dress of course). I do keep it protected( as well as my feet always) since if it gets hurt you can get ulcers on it. I
hope I answered your question .
It also does not hurt or itch............***Carlie***

[BeadieJay]

thanks for the explanation Carlie - I've never heard of anything like that - what a shame that you had to be one of the few diabetics to get it. At least it doesn't hurt, but what a bummer

[Littlebit63_99]

Carlie,

I have one of those on my right calf!!! I always thought it was an ulcer from the diabetes.............no one ever corrected me. Your discription was awsome! Sorry you have one too. But yoo're right it doesn't hurt. Some people think I got burned on a motorcycle!!!!! And nylons do cover it up!!!!!!