[UpNorth]

If doing everything you can to keep your levels as close as possible to normal levels, and just generally live a healthy lifestyle with exercise, good diet, no smoking and very limited alcohol consumption, you can live just as long as a non diabetic. Only very few get those real severe complications like amputations and blindeness. And those people often have a history of high bloodsugar levels for a long time, and just generally don't take care of themselves as they should. I'm NOT blaming anyone on here if having complications, sometimes you just want to screw it all and forget about diabetes, and it's just so easy to fall into denial and stay there for too long, and that really increases the risk of complications. But sure, even with perfect control, diabetes related **** can happen, and some with bad control might never get any complications at all.

See the diagnose as a wakeup call and don't feel sad about it. We do however need more information from you on here to be as supportive as possible.

[Overcomer]

I got diagnosed with type 2 in 2006 and i didn't take it seriously. But I learned to do better after a rude awakening on November 13, 2008. So I now consider today the first day of the rest of my life. I am now learning how to get diabetes under control.

[jakin]

Try to keep your A1C at 6.5 or below and you should not suffer the potential diabetes problems. I see my Dr every 4 months, avoid as many carbs as possible, exercise regularly, and take my meds. So far it has worked!!
PS:My Dad was type 2 and lived to 78 without any exercise and the better drugs that we have today.

[lorilei]

Originally Posted by Overcomer

I got diagnosed with type 2 in 2006 and i didn't take it seriously. But I learned to do better after a rude awakening on November 13, 2008. So I now consider today the first day of the rest of my life. I am now learning how to get diabetes under control.

Hi overcomer...as this is your first post, was wondering more about you...especially what happened nov 13? hope all is now well.

[Caravaggio]

Originally Posted by Franzen40

Well, I found out I have it, and life just sucks now. I'm lost and so depressed and I have no idea what I should do about it. Can a person with diabetes live as long as someone without it? Will everyone with diabetes eventually get the complications such as blindness and amputations? I read that a lot of people with diabetes have their lives shortened by eighteen years... why is this? If we get proper care and treatment why can't we live just as long? I'll do whatever it takes, but right now I have little to no hope and really don't feel like living anymore when I know I'm going to die soon anyway.

How long can a person live anyway? Everyone starts to age as soon as they are born and will eventually die. As far as I know, no one has escaped that reality.

It doesn't matter how long you live, what matters is how you live your life and what you made of it - diabetes or no diabetes.

If it's not diabetes, there will be other challenges. That's life.

Life has always been short. Enjoy it. Live it. Don't waste it thinking about an eventuality no one can avoid. If that means taking care of yourself and getting treatment, then that's what you do. There are people who do not have the resources to get the treatment they need or who are in far worse condition (medically or otherwise) than you, and yet they do what they can to live a fruitful, productive and, may I dare say, happy life.

[jillrapp]

ohmygosh was that just too funny!

Originally Posted by Keezheekoni

Okay, I just have to say it...

38 minutes.

That's it, that's all you've got.

[Keezheekoni]

Originally Posted by jillrapp

ohmygosh was that just too funny!

My goodness... I was really hoping someone would get it.

[Richard157]

Hello there. I am the fellow Lloyd mentioned. I have had diabetes for 63 years and I am very healthy. In the Oct, 2008 issue of the "Diabetes Forecast" magazine there are 6 or 7 diabetics who have lived with diabetes for more than 60 years. I am one of the individuals in that article. One man there has lived for 83 years with diabetes. It makes no sense to think you are going to die soon after being diagnosed with diabetes. With good control you can live a long, healthy life with your diabetes. Take charge and get that control. Good luck!

Richard

[uhoh]

I'm newly diagnosed with t2 also, (in September)- I don't know all the stats, but I do work with a Social Security Disability attorney. So I see what non compliance can do. I refuse to be like that. So, I am an experiment. I don't believe in handing my future over to any one individual or organization, I will eat, drink, walk, and do anything that is in my power to get a handle on this. It's not easy, it doesn't seem very logical yet (numbers sometimes don't make much sense)- but, I will doggedly continue.
I love this forum, though, it has given me more knowledge than the 6 books I have already read!!

Thank you everyone for being a part of this!

[yong86]

i wish i could live longer and no complication

[yscn]

My elder brother have diagnosed 40 years ago,still no problem.
He is healthyer than me !

[KCP]

You can live as long as destiny and your own hard work willl allow. You never know waht life will throw at you but as long as you look after yourself and take the best care you can with your body then you can live as long as you are destined to

[IrishJoe]

Get your A1C below 6, eat well (watch my video). exercise, and lose the weight. Simple

easier said than done, despite exercising, eating better and I thought my jeans fitted better I put on 3Kg. So its kinda demoralising.

[Drucifer]

Originally Posted by Franzen40

Well, I found out I have it, and life just sucks now. I'm lost and so depressed and I have no idea what I should do about it. Can a person with diabetes live as long as someone without it? Will everyone with diabetes eventually get the complications such as blindness and amputations? I read that a lot of people with diabetes have their lives shortened by eighteen years... why is this? If we get proper care and treatment why can't we live just as long? I'll do whatever it takes, but right now I have little to no hope and really don't feel like living anymore when I know I'm going to die soon anyway.

Well that all depends on you and the amount of effort you take in caring for your health from here on out.

[barko]

And for all of us diabetics, here is a bit of advice...

Look both ways when you cross the street ;-)

There's no guarantee of another day. Let's live until we die