[Richard157]

On April 7, 2009, I joined a chat with Gary Scheiner on diabetestalkfest.com. Gary is the author of the book "Think Like A Pancreas" and other wonderful books on diabetes and self management. During that chat I asked Gary if he knew any people who have had diabetes for more than 60 years without any complications. This was a moderated chat and the questions were sent to Gary in the order they were asked. The time was running out and I thought my question would not be answered. Then, Gary went overtime and answered my question just before he signed off. His exact reply was:

"Richard - In fact, I do. A 68-year diabetic woman. Research is showing
that there is a genetic sequence that protects some people against
microvascular and neural complications."

That quote might not mean as much to some of you as it does me. It still gives me chills sometimes when I read it. It meant so much to me! I hope it means a lot to some of YOU readers too. It strengthens my determination to keep up my program of self management and makes me think I can reach the record set by William Rounds. William has been Type 1 for 85 years and is alive and well.

[foxl]

Wow ... as a measly type 2 who only was dx'd at 51 ... I cannot top that by any estimations, but would love to die trying!

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by Richard157

On April 7, 2009, I joined a chat with Gary Scheiner on diabetestalkfest.com. Gary is the author of the book "Think Like A Pancreas" and other wonderful books on diabetes and self management. During that chat I asked Gary if he knew any people who have had diabetes for more than 60 years without any complications. This was a moderated chat and the questions were sent to Gary in the order they were asked. The time was running out and I thought my question would not be answered. Then, Gary went overtime and answered my question just before he signed off. His exact reply was:

"Richard - In fact, I do. A 68-year diabetic woman. Research is showing
that there is a genetic sequence that protects some people against
microvascular and neural complications."

That quote might not mean as much to some of you as it does me. It still gives me chills sometimes when I read it. It meant so much to me! I hope it means a lot to some of YOU readers too. It strengthens my determination to keep up my program of self management and makes me think I can reach the record set by William Rounds. William has been Type 1 for 85 years and is alive and well.

My personal thoughts would be, insulin offers better control of BG as well, especially with the introduction of fast acting insulins. It allows you to be more flexible too. Of course, insulin is primarily how type 1's control diabetes, and only a small percentage of type 2's.

Of course, it's not like other type 1's don't know this. Just what I think the reason is.

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by foxl

Wow ... as a measly type 2 who only was dx'd at 51 ... I cannot top that by any estimations, but would love to die trying!

Great attitude.

[Gordonm]

I think more and more type 1s will be living longer now due to better insulins and better ways to moniter BS. When I was Dxd we had crumy urine testing. I went 4 times a year for a fasting BS. I took 1 shot a day of pork NPH. Think my BS ran high a lot. I do. Being Dxd now though not a blessing at all you have the best chance for a long healthy life. The insulins and delivery methods and technology will continue to improve.

Those that are in the 50+ years of type 1 are a miracle in my mind. They went for years with little or no monitering. I can say my first 10 years were of little control. Not because I was not trying or bad I just did not have the resources tha tare available today.

[BlueSky]

Some people are lucky in that they have good genes. But that is only part of it. According to the data, T1s who die of old age without major complications accomplish this because they consistently maintained good control. An endo told me many years ago that if you can get to the 20th anniversary of being T1 without complications, you probably won't have any for the rest of your life. After 20 years, the self-discipline required to maintain good control has become sufficiently entrenched to last the rest of ones life. These days, with modern insulins and testing metres, this should be achievable for most of us.

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by BlueSky

These days, with modern insulins and testing metres, this should be achievable for most of us.

I agree.

There are no valid reasons a person cannot enjoy a very healthy and long life with the advances made in treatment, monitoring equipment and insulins.

I am primarily referring to those with no current complications, and more recently diagnosed diabetics of course. Even if you do have some complications, you can even diminish their impact somewhat.

If you discount the inconveniences associated with having diabetes, you can pretty much enjoy life as if you didn't have it at all, if you choose to do so.

[Delphinus]

To add, I am one of the fortunate type 1's.

I have zero complications at this point.

So far, it's just affected mean in ways such as mood(highs and lows), and hunger.

And of course, the wallet.

[Ategeler]

Wow- what an empowering way to leave such an informative chat!

[DanG]

Originally Posted by Gordonm

I think more and more type 1s will be living longer now due to better insulins and better ways to moniter BS.

We must realize - we may not see the 60 years Richard157 has seen, nor the 85 years that William Rounds has seen. We are the guinea pigs for the modern pharmaceutical insulins - designer insulin, rather than the pork and beef insulins we have used for the majority of our lives. Like you, Gordon - I have been using insulin for 35 years, only I was given lente to play with for 30 years, until the pharm-industry dis-allowed beef and pork insulins in US.

I am skeptical of modern practices, as all I can see from any industry today is their unending thirst for greater profits for themselves. That tenor does not speak well for someone like me who needs their product to live with - insulin. They could care less how long I live - they have profit motive pure and simple. For the person who wants to make the choice to purchase beef or pork insulin, that choice is not available - not unless I want to go thru the hoops to become a homeland security sanctioned hazardous product importer. Profit motives are great - but I think with the view that we have today of the idiocy that profit motive has driven the entire wold ekonomy, I think it has run its course and we may really be hurting sometime in the future not to distant. Designer insulins may be causing problems that we cannot see yet - then what? No rain on the parade - merely a point of reference.

[Jan B]

I have had a good life with no intention of dying prematurely. I shudder at how horrible my control was for a few years, but am blessed to have good genes. My complications are minor -- my health isn't much worse than any non-diabetic my age. The best thing of all is that with good control, even a little late in the game, some of the complications can be reversed.

Richard is one of my heros!

I was also told what BlueSky mentioned, that if you don't have serious complications after 20 years, you may never have them. Since I'm at the 30 year mark, that really makes me feel good. I'm believing it, for my own sake! Also, a good attitude, and a lack of self-absorbtion (help others & don't worry about self so much) can do wonders for our health.

[poodlebone]

Originally Posted by BlueSky

Some people are lucky in that they have good genes. But that is only part of it. According to the data, T1s who die of old age without major complications accomplish this because they consistently maintained good control. An endo told me many years ago that if you can get to the 20th anniversary of being T1 without complications, you probably won't have any for the rest of your life. After 20 years, the self-discipline required to maintain good control has become sufficiently entrenched to last the rest of ones life. These days, with modern insulins and testing metres, this should be achievable for most of us.

I just passed my 22nd anniversary with Type 1 and have no complications. For the first 11 years I had horrible control (no insurance+ denial+ignorance) so I don't know if I fall into the "consistently maintained good control" group. I also have no idea if I have good genes because I have nobody to compare it to. I am the only person with diabetes (of either type) in my family, and I have 5 siblings, loads of nieces & nephews, aunts & uncles and cousins.

I do think that the newer insulins & methods of delivery plus the ease of home testing will allow more and more Type 1s to live much longer without complications.

[Richard157]

Blue Sky, I did NOT use good control for my first 40 years and I am sure that William Rounds did not do so for, perhaps, his first 60 years. We were using insulin taken from animals in our early years. one injection per day. We could not test our blood sugar until the mid 1980's and we did not know we were supposed to eat low carb. I ran high urine sugar most of the time during those 40 years. My control was terrible but there were no A1c's so I did not know. Despite all that I have no complications after 63 years of T1D. (I do have some minor nerve damage.) I suppose Gary Scheiner's explanation must apply in my case.

[xMenace]

You are an inspiration Richard, but one cannot rely on genes to be their savior just as one cannot rely on lottery winnings for retirement.

The odds are stacked against us on many levels. It is up to every one of use to achieve the best control we can. I personally feel that diet is a major player with complications. I don't know which components of diet. Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants (not sugar).

[Lloyd]

Originally Posted by BlueSky

After 20 years, the self-discipline required to maintain good control has become sufficiently entrenched to last the rest of ones life. These days, with modern insulins and testing metres, this should be achievable for most of us.

I suspect the same holds true for T2's
I know I don't make enough insulin to shake a stick at, now.

-Lloyd