How long can a person live with diabetes?

Franzen40 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 07:35 PM

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.

Lloyd · #2 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franzen40

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.

Richard157, a member here, has had it 63 years

Getting proper care is the the thing.

-Lloyd

EeyoreButterfly · #3 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 07:55 PM

Some people end up with blindness and amputations, you are right. But that doesn't have to be the case. We had a family friend with diabetes who had a leg amputated. What you have to realize is how much times have changed.

Diabetics today have much better options for controlling their blood sugar- from newer and better testing methods to more effective medications to a better understanding of the physiology behind the disease.

If you work at it and maintain tight control you will be fine. People can live very long and happy lives with diabetes. It is natural to feel fear when you are first diagnosed. The best thing you can do is educate yourself. You can read books, stick around here or another forum, find a support group, etc. The more you learn the more comfortable you will become with your disease and the better you will feel.

Franzen40 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 08:10 PM

So if I just get proper treatment, maintain a proper diet, and also exercise as much as I can I should be fine and be able to live as long of a life as anyone else? I know that a lot of people probably refuse to do those things, but I take this very seriously and will do whatever it takes to be able cope with it.

EeyoreButterfly · #5 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 08:13 PM

Yes, you should be fine. The main part is you have to learn to control it.

Can anybody here give you a 100% guarantee that you will never experience a diabetes related complication? No. But, you will greatly reduce the risk with tight control. On the American Diabetes Association webpage you can find back issues of Diabetes Forecast. A month or so ago the cover story was "long lives lived well." This might be of interest to you and help ease your anxiety.

Franzen40 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 08:47 PM

Thanks a lot, I feel so much better about it already... I also read in an article recently that only 7% of all diabetes patients get all the treatment they should be getting... that's scary and I find that hard to believe. What can I do to be sure that I'm receiving everything I should get?

And thanks again.

xMenace · #7 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 09:07 PM

And give up smoking. Smoking really is like throwing gas on a fire. It's been suggested that most amputees are smokers.

Get your A1C below 6, eat well (watch my video). exercise, and lose the weight. Simple. I'm on my 34th year and plan on many more!

BlueSky · #8 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franzen40

Well, I found out I have it, and life just sucks now. ...

How do you know you have it? In your post yesterday, you suspected that you may have diabetes, but you hadn't been tested and expected to see a doctor in a month. How were you diagnosed?

Franzen40 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 09:51 PM

I took one guy's advice in that thread and got tested by a doctor who could see me sooner.

Also, is it normal to have lost five pounds in the last week? I think that might be due to stress/depression but I also read that that's another effect of diabetes.

EeyoreButterfly · #10 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franzen40

I took one guy's advice in that thread and got tested by a doctor who could see me sooner.

Also, is it normal to have lost five pounds in the last week? I think that might be due to stress/depression but I also read that that's another effect of diabetes.

Yes, weight loss can be a side effect. However, five pounds is not drastic. If you are trying to lose weight that can happen easily. Any change in your routine can also cause it. Your weight tends to fluctuate, you can have readings with a difference of several pounds within a few hours of each other due to water weight, clothes, etc.

What exactly did the doctor say? How did he diagnose you? Did he test your sugar? What was it and how long ago had you eaten?

lorilei · #11 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 10:11 PM

I am wondering the same thing? With little to no information about yourself, how can we possibly help?? type 1? Type 2? a1c ? did you get put on any meds? I'm sorry, but i feel you are being a little vague...

jps · #12 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 10:23 PM

You might want to use the diagnosis as the biggest wake up call in your life. Use it to your advantage instead of succumbing. You can fight this and live a long, healthy life. But it's going to take a ton of dedication.

For me, so far, it hasn't been super difficult. I realize that I HAVE to eat a certain way, get exercise, etc, etc, etc. I really don't have another option. Working in a hospital, I've seen what it does to people who decide not to modify their lifestyle. It can lead to an agonizing death. I don't want that, you don't want that. But the only person who has any impact on whether it might happen not is you. Meds can only do so much. Doctors can only do so much. Science can do only so much. This is a condition that requires SELF management. Learn all you can and you essentially become your own "doctor". You've gotta take complete control. There are no guarantees with this thing either. But you can drastically decrease your odds of all the problems associated with diabetes by living right. But you have to make a lifetime commitment.

In my opinion anyway.

Keezheekoni · #13 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 12:07 AM

Okay, I just have to say it...

38 minutes.

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

fgummett · #14 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franzen40

I took one guy's advice in that thread and got tested by a doctor who could see me sooner

What are your test results?

What did the Doctor diagnose?

Type 2 Diabetes is a progressive disease so the sooner it is diagnosed and the more proactive you are in managing your diabetes the more likely are better outcomes.

I'm not so sure about the tone of "So if I just get proper treatment"... that sounds to me like the Doctors etc.. do all the work... not so with Diabetes... it is very much up to you to take charge.

ARW · #15 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 10:24 AM

I think diabetes may prolong life by forcing you to live a lifestyle that you should have been living all along.

Weight loss for us heavies, good diet for us people that have eaten everything and anything in the past, exercise for us with that don't move much at work or play; these things will help with most health issues, even the nondiabetic problems.

Getting a chance to see my kids marry and have grandchildren is good incentive for me!