55 years and still going

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Jan55

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Type 1
Hello everyone. I have been a Type 1 diabetic since 1968 and was very lucky to have been empowered as a young child to understand diabetes so that I could manage it myself. I have always been very independent and never seen my diabetes as a problem, it's a lifestyle. It actually keeps me living a relatively fit life (diet wise more than exercise!) and so far I haven't done so badly. But, after 55 years, signs of the long term condition are showing more and I'm finding the need to connect with others in a similar situation is a strong pull.
 
That's long time to have condition, few on here have had type 1 for similar time as you, I'm just 42 years down the road but it's good to reach out for support.
 
Welcome @Jan55 🙂 I’ve only had Type 1 for around 30 years so way shorter a time! Things must have changed so much since you were diagnosed. Are you on injections or a pump? Do you have a Libre or CGM?
 
Hi Jan and welcome.
I too was diagnosed in the 1960s when treatment and management were very different, weren’t they!!!
What are the longer term impacts you are seeing now? I know I have background retinopathy, but have had that for about 20 years now, so I fully expect other effects are lurking around, just waiting for me to take my eye off the ball momentarily!
Still, 56 years is not bad when I think back to when I was told it was unlikely I would live beyond 50!
 
Welcome to the forum @Jan55

Goodness! What a lot of changes you must have seen over the years!

We have a few forum members with lots of diabetes years under their belts, and others who have only a few weeks!

I’m a relative newcomer with only 30 years on the clock.

Sounds like you have a great attitude to keeping your diabetes in its place!
 
Hello everyone. I have been a Type 1 diabetic since 1968 and was very lucky to have been empowered as a young child to understand diabetes so that I could manage it myself. I have always been very independent and never seen my diabetes as a problem, it's a lifestyle. It actually keeps me living a relatively fit life (diet wise more than exercise!) and so far I haven't done so badly. But, after 55 years, signs of the long term condition are showing more and I'm finding the need to connect with others in a similar situation is a strong pull.
Hello Jan and welcome to the forum.
There's an amazing number of people on the forum with 50+ years under their belts so welcome to the club 🙂
 
Hi and welcome from me too although I am very much a newbie at just 4.5 years down the line with it. Look forwards to getting to now you better and learning more about how you manage your diabetes and perhaps learning from your extensive experience because it sounds like you have done a great job so far.
This forum is a goldmine of practical experience across the full spectrum of diabetes factors and flavours, so I am sure you will find it helpful to dip into for whatever issues you are now facing, but sometimes just sharing your concerns and knowing that others are in a similar situation can be reassuring as well as finding practical solutions to any limitations you are faced with.
 
Welcome @Jan55 🙂 I’ve only had Type 1 for around 30 years so way shorter a time! Things must have changed so much since you were diagnosed. Are you on injections or a pump? Do you have a Libre or CGM?
Hi Inka, Definitely seen a few changes! Come a long way from boiling and sharpening metal inch long reusable needles, that some people had to buy. Sounds like a different planet now. I’m still using injections, haven’t yet found a pump that offers better value. I’m using the Libre 2 system as that’s what they prescribe in my area. Been using it for a year now and it has definitely made a huge difference.
 
Hi Jan and welcome.
I too was diagnosed in the 1960s when treatment and management were very different, weren’t they!!!
What are the longer term impacts you are seeing now? I know I have background retinopathy, but have had that for about 20 years now, so I fully expect other effects are lurking around, just waiting for me to take my eye off the ball momentarily!
Still, 56 years is not bad when I think back to when I was told it was unlikely I would live beyond 50!
Hello Barbie1, good to be in touch.when I was first diagnosed my mother’s Dr Spock book still had in it that it was 50:50 chance of reaching adulthood. I think it was an old version, but scared the life out of Mum. It sounds like you are doing well.
I too have had background retinopathy for around 20 years. A couple of years ago I wanted to know if the background level was staying constant or slowly building up, so I asked to be sent the photos from the last 5 years and now ask for them each year. It has been good to see that it seems relatively stable.
It makes me laugh that whatever I’ve had over the years the doctors have said it’s because I’m diabetic. I think that if a pink fairy appeared on my skin somewhere the diabetes would be be blamed!
I have tendon problems in my hands and feet and am prone to frozen shoulders. My worry is that the numbness just starting in my hands and feet are signs of neuropathy rather than the tendon condition. Getting medical appointments to get clarification is proving difficult, which doesn’t help my concerns.
 
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