[AlwaysLate]

My 60th b-day is fast approaching. Diagnosed 2 yrs ago with an a1c of 12, and the last three tests were 5.8, 5.7 and 6.0, I'm sure I was undiagnosed for a year or two before. Some family history...when I was very young I remember my aunt having to take 'sugar' pills. I never knew what that meant and actually never gave it any thought. I'm embarrassed to say that it was only after I was diagnosed and talking to my other aunt that I found out her sister was taking pills for her high sugar. I never knew she had D. On the bright side, my aunt that takes 'sugar' pills (aka metformin) will be celebrating her 90th b-day this Oct. She lives in her own apartment (assisted living) and just gave up driving 2 yrs ago. My plan is to hang around just as long.

[jacobsam622]

Originally Posted by rachel1967

Are there any averages or anything for the life expectancy of a type 2 diabetic?

I know that is a broad question and may be difficult to answer. If you are type 2 and would not mind posting your age and how long you have been type 2 diabetic I would greatly appreciate it.

I have been type 2 for 9 years and on insulin for one year. I am 40 years old and have very good control of my sugars right now. My last A1c was 6.2 it has slowly come down from a 8.4, I am very proud of that. I am in general good health but overweight and working on that as well. It is a very slow process for me with that. I am 180 lbs and 5' 1" so I have a long way to go.

Thanks in advance for sharing!

I have type and I am 45 years old my grandfather just turned 94 and he has type-2 if that helps.

[GeorgeGuinn]

I actually asked my Dr. this question, how long should I expect to be able to live based upon my current health. He told me he expected to keep me alive into my 80's (I am currently 49). I was surprised. But of course the bigger question is with what quality of life.

[slipperyelm]

I'm 49 and was diagnosed 15 years ago, though I have reason to believe I was diabetic for three years prior to diagnosis.

I think we will know more about life span and long term health prospects of type 2s in a few more years once the huge numbers of diabetics diagnosed in the last 15 years have been through some time. (I think I was diagnosed at the time that the big push to identify type 2s began. Anyway, I was seeing the info and encouragement to get tested everywhere, it seemed. Or, maybe that was just because I knew for sometime that I needed to be tested for it.)

[Axel Slinger]

Originally Posted by rachel1967

Are there any averages or anything for the life expectancy of a type 2 diabetic?

Personally, I don't think there are since most diabetics will either live or die because of what they choose to do once they know they have it. If they "get with the program" as I always say then they can live long and happy lives. If they don't, well... It was nice knowing them.

It may also depend on how long they were diabetic before they knew they were. As an example, I have neuropathy in my feet, which is a result of being diabetic. Now that I know what it feels like and what it is, I know now that I was diabetic for several years before I was diagnosed as such because my feet have felt like they do now for over 20 years.

But I was pretty active at the time and it did not occur to me to see a Doctor and find out if I was diabetic, even though both my Mother and Sister had died from diabetic complications when they were 52. I was diagnosed when I was 48. Now I am 52 as well and I have no plans to join them in the graveyard...

So I got my act together and do my best to keep it in check. My daily averages (according to my OneTouch UltraSmart meter) are about 125 over the past month. Which for me is a drastic improvement over last year at this time. The prospect of your own death is one **** of a wake up call...

That's my two cents worth on this anyway. (With interest...)

[princesslinda]

I have a strong family history of diabetes in my family. My mom was diagnosed in her late 20's, very non-compliant, died at age 54 from renal failure. My maternal grandmother, also T2diabetic, died at 57 from renal failure. My maternal grandfather had T2 diabetes, died at age 62. My maternal uncle had T2, died at 41 from complications of diabetes.

If I looked at my family history, i'd assume I have maybe 10 more years left.

However, I am VERY COMPLIANT, in part due to this family history and all i've seen. Also, there are many more medications available to treat T2 now than when my mom and grandparents were alive, and with the great # of people having T2, I hope that there will continue to be new meds out there, giving us more choices as time progressess.

Bottom line, none of us, diabetic or not, are promised tomorrow. My 40 year old brother in law died from lymphoma....in a family where most everyone lives to be in their 90's...so that longevity factor didn't help him at all.

I think however long I live, it will be longer because I've been forced to take better care of myself since being diagnosed with diabetes. Otherwise, I was headed for a heart attack for sure had I continued my irresponsible lifestyle.

[georgepds]

I don't know the answer, but I do know that the risk of MI for diabetics is similar to those ( non-diabetics) who already hadd heart attack. So, as an upper limit to life expectancy, youu can try to find out the LE of those who have had a heart attack

[pdxdennisj]

Try this calculator.

How Long Will I Live? - Life Expectancy Calculator

[Hikeandbike]

"It ain't the years, it's the mileage". Indiana Jones
R

[Tucker]

Originally Posted by Evermont

"Diabetes is a perfect model for accelerated aging."

I have seen it stated that 1 year with diabetes equals 1.5 years without. So a person Dx at 40 would then at age 60 be statistically in the same shape as a non diabetic at age 70.

Hog Wash, This is the kind of negativety that makes life difficult.
Facts are facts, take care of your self and live as long and if not longer then the next person.

[rachel1967]

Thanks to all who posted. I am quite convinced that I can live to an ripe old age. I know that I have to do my part and that by doing my part it will not be in vain.

Thanks again for sharing!