Worried please help

[spiritfree]

I know I may sound stupid but I am getting really upset about reading that type 1's will die sooner than if they were not diabetic. I am struggling with a bad patch of depression and these comments seem to pop up all over the place. Surely if we keep our bg's good we should live as long a life as people not diabetic. I'm getting myself in a right stew over it.

 

[zx10pilot]

Hey there, I know where you're coming from, those thoughts do sometimes get inside and start niggling.
As far as I'm concerned the fact that I know my BG levels are kept within good levels I can't see why there should be any related complications.
The advances in technology (both in knowledge & treatment) mean that any historical data simply isn't going to apply to us.
The "type 1's will die sooner" statement might well have been applicable where there were older & less predictable & reliable treatments which may have resulted in higher BGs that may well have had a cumulative effect and caused complications.

 

[trophywench]

I look at it this way - I won't know if it's true until I get there - yet I go out in the car on the motorway and any other road we need to go along and also cross roads without a second thought cos that's just perfectly ordinary, isn't it? Both of those have surely got to cause more deaths than just having T1 !

The Bible also says that our lifespan is 3 score years and 10 - ie age 70. Yesterday morning I was in a committee meeting with a 70 yo, another over 70 and a third who'll be 80 this year - they all still do things admittedly not as fast as they might have 50 years ago, but none have any intention of popping their clogs - so why should I?

I've had a number of surgical procedures since becoming T1, and hospitals always think the wounds won't heal as quick but then they struggle to get the stitches or staples out cos I heal faster than any number of non-diabetics, it's potty. So - why the heck am I not going to live as long as a non-diabetic person? And why shouldn't you?

 

[AJLang]

When I was diagnosed at 2 years old my Mum was told that I wouldn't get past my teens. Well I'm currently celebrating my 47th diaversary and still having fun. It is so easy to worry about how diabetes will/won't affect your life, how long you will live etc - I know because I've done that worrying and wish I hadn't. Nobody knows how long they've got to live so I try to live for the day - there are lots of things that get in the way of me doing that but I always try to get back to making the most of each day.

 

[Grannylorraine]

I know I may sound stupid but I am getting really upset about reading that type 1's will die sooner than if they were not diabetic. I am struggling with a bad patch of depression and these comments seem to pop up all over the place. Surely if we keep our bg's good we should live as long a life as people not diabetic. I'm getting myself in a right stew over it.

Try not to worry, I know that is easier said than done, but many non-diabetics may well have other issues/problems that could affect their life expectancy, try and enjoy today.

 

[mikeyB]

I’ve now got four conditions that are supposed to shorten your life, but fortunately the sentences run concurrently. So what. When you’re number is up, that’s it. I’ve outlived Ray Wilkins, who was always a sight fitter than I am. Go figure.

 

[Amigo]

My mother has been diabetic 38 yrs that I know of. She’ll be 89 in August! Forget the averages and the projections. Much of it is old and outdated and based on diabetic care from bygone times. Just look after yourself and don’t let the fear of dying destroy the joy of living!

 

[Ditto]

(((hugs)))

 

[Alister]

There are Lies Damn lies & statistics - most reports regarding Diabetes are grossly inaccurate based on out-dated knowledge

as far as I can see in your case there are only 2 facts that are 100% certain
1) you are t1
2) you will live until you die.

Worrying about #2 will only make that period miserable.
try to maintain a good lifestyle & healthy eating to kip the risk to a minimum & you should live as long as the next person.

 

[Northerner]

Well, I would recommend reading 'The Fight to Survive', the story of Elizabeth Evan Hughes, who was one of the first ever people to be treated with insulin - she lived a long, happy and productive life and bore 3 children. Treatments and technology are incredibly more advanced than when she began treatment, but she worked hard to look after herself all her life and died at the age of 73, which was pretty good going for anyone of her generation 🙂

Look after yourself, you can do no more, and try not to waste your time and emotions on worry and fear {{{{HUGS}}}}

 

[Ralph-YK]

Sorry you're struggling with the D Spiritfree. I worry too. Try to use it as motivation (I know, it makes it harder to do this.).
Three years ago I asked myself "What do I want to do in my life?" The answer got me some interesting times.
There's been people on here who've had diabetes a looong time. At least one in their 70s. You've got time to do lots of things.

 

[Lucy Honeychurch]

I try not to think about it too much, though the thought occurred to me when I was first diagnosed, then my mum reminded me that my grandfather was type 1 and lived to 80 and actually died from pneumonia.

 

[Flower]

I'm sorry you're having a tough time at present Spiritfree.

I used to get frightened about the same things but I've filed them with the 'there'll be a cure in 10 years time' stuff and just try to do the best I can to get on with my present situation.

You can only do your best and treat yourself kindly and that is a good outlook to have. 🙂

 

[Mark Parrott]

I'm terrified of dying full stop, whenever it's going to happen. But hey ho! Wouldn't particularly want to live forever either. Lots of complications with that option. So chill, enjoy yourself & have a laugh.🙂

 

[Martin Canty]

When I was diagnosed I was so afraid of complications from diabetes that I made a commitment to get my life under control, excluding elements out of my control (e.g. being run over by a bus) I now feel that I have added to my life expectancy.

 

[Matt Cycle]

When I was diagnosed I was either told or read somewhere that my life expectancy would be reduced by as much as 10 years. Great! I thought if I aimed for 75 it might only be 65. Anyway life took over and I forgot about it but have come to realise what a load of rubbish it was. My intention is to go and pick up my 80 year HG Wells medal by cycling to the hospital clinic (a 30 mile round trip) when I'm 98. I'd probably get the bus for my 90 year one. 😉

 

[Amigo]

When I was diagnosed with cancer of the immune system nearly 6 yrs ago, the stats told me I had 10 yrs at most. I came home and thought I should start crossing days off the calendar. The only way to cope is to practise self belief that it won’t happen or a cure/more successful treatments are on the horizon.

Then I read that diabetes will shorten my life. It actually made me laugh because at this rate I should have gone 2 yrs last February! 😱 And I’m not even 60 yet!

 

[Amigo]

I'm terrified of dying full stop, whenever it's going to happen. But hey ho! Wouldn't particularly want to live forever either. Lots of complications with that option. So chill, enjoy yourself & have a laugh.🙂

I take the same view as Woody Allen on this Mark. ‘I’m not afraid of dying...I just don’t want to be there when it happens!’

 

[SB2015]

One advantage we have is that we get very regular MOTs which other people don’t get.
That means that any problems that start to arise will be picked up a lot more quickly.

As you say the data that they use is inevitably based on data from when the current technology that we can use was not available. We are now able to keep a closer watch on our BG and so keep it on target more easily. It is impossible to keep our levels perfect and all we can do is the best we can, and then enjoy ourselves.

I got myself in a stew last year and became quite depressed as I had set myself unrealistic targets and became overly worried about the long term problems. It stopped me enjoying life. However I got out of it with a lot of help from people on here and also through counselling. I know I delayed asking for this help. I did record on here the strategies that I found useful in a thread with the snappy title of something like Successful Strategies in dealing with depression. (More tech savvy people would be able to put the link in here Please moderator)

I hope that this helps.

 

[Northerner]

I did record on here the strategies that I found useful in a thread with the snappy title of something like Successful Strategies in dealing with depression. (More tech savvy people would be able to put the link in here Please moderator)

Here's the thread in question @SB2015 🙂

https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/board...n-dealing-with-depression-and-diabetes.66695/