Comment

Comment by melindalaw on August 24, 2011 at 3:41pm

Might as well add in my two cents. I have had Type 1 for 51 years, and I just turned 56. Right now I am really learning the how to's of triathlon. I swim 3 days a week, bike 3-4 days a week, and run 3-4 days a week, The biggest challenge is catching up to the increased insulin sensitivity. I have pumped since 1997, and have a CGM. It all helps to make me much more aware of what is going on and when. I don't really have any long term complications, except that sometimes I am less flexible than i want. I just try to stay grateful and not let myself get upset when I miscalculate insulin to food ratios.

Comment by Florian Menninger Jr on August 24, 2011 at 10:58am

I just celebrated birthday No 74 and of those years I have been a practicing type 1 for 44. I am very lucky and very grateful to be living in the Boston area where we have the Joslin Diabetes Center and access to world class state of the art diabetes care.
In addition to that we have a Boston MA insulin pumpers support group that meets on the second Sat of the month in Woburn, MA. Its an active, dynamic, knowledgeable, fun group that can be the best resource for someone new to pumping or someone who has been pumping for a long time.. Several members are Joslin 50 year medalists.Many are using a CGM and have participated in some of the Clinical Trials for these devices. The sharing of information at the meetings by members of the MA Pumpers Support Group is invaluable. I try to go to all the meetings and I always learn something new.
Last but not least we have an active Boston Chapter of DESA (Diabetes Exercise and Sports Assoc). We do bicycle rides on the various bike trails around MA, CT, and RI. The fall is a great time for this activity. The weather is cooler and the colors can be spectacular. We've done kayaking and hiking in the summer and in the winter snow shoeing and x-country skiing. This group emphasizes the part of diabetes management that doesn't get enough attention....be active, be fit, be healthy. We also have lots of fun.
One more thing 6 members of the pump support group recently went to the Joslin Diabetes Camp for a half day to spend some time with the young Leaders in Training at the camp and talk with them about the art and science of living a long time with diabetes. When we totaled the number of years for the 6 members it was 276 years. (Two of the 50 year medalists were with us that day).
The bottom line is get involved with a Diabetes Support Group, and do some physical activity that you like. The diabetes will be easier to manage the blood sugars will be under control, you will be healthy and feel better and Life will be Good.

Comment by Richard157 on August 24, 2011 at 9:08am

Robert, i did the best I could, kept my A1c below 6.0 and did not complain for many years. despite my efforts, I had some mild retinopathy and neuropathy several years ago. then I found online support groups for the first time in 2006. Fellow type 1 diabetics encouraged me to use a pump. I started pumping in 2007, and after a few months of pumping, all my symptoms of retinopathy and neuropathy disappeared. The neuropathy is still there, but I no longer feel the pain. There are things that most of us can do to improve our control, so we can have longer, healthier lives. Joining the D websites has been the number one thing in recent years that has helped me, I have learned so much that doctors never told me. The pump was the number two most important change that has me now going on for almost 66 years, with no serious complications. Life is good!

Comment by Jackie on August 24, 2011 at 12:51am

Lately I have felt like I am healthier than most people around me. With friends and family members taking blood pressure pills, cholesterol pills, inhalers, breathing treatments, anxiety pills, pills to lose weight, pills to go to sleep, pills to keep you awake, and being told they are overweight and/or pre-diabetic, I can't help but wonder how did I of all people manage to be the healthiest of the bunch?? I've had diabetes 40 of my 41 years and luckily have no real complications (very mild retinopathy but my vision is still better than most around me.) The health choices I have made for myself sometimes don't make sense to most people but to me they are normal-i.e. not eating whatever you want, whenever you want. And they have kept me healthy all these years. I'm not perfect, I still have weaknesses for ice cream and chili cheese fries (from Tommy's of course.) And if I do eat something that most of us diabetics would shudder in horror at, I know that it is just ONE meal and will not kill me (though I will be bolusing after those chili cheese fries.) I guess I look at most people around and wonder "WHAT are you doing to yourself?" Diet and exercise are not done when you have time, they are done all the time. In my mind, there is no choice; it just IS. What's the alternative? Living my life like everyone else and getting on even more meds? And dying fairly quickly? I think normal is deciding what works for you and forget everybody else. Non-diabetics will always wonder if you should be eating THAT. And conversely, if they don't know you're a diabetic they will wonder why you aren't eating like them because they are eating THAT. I gave up feeling normal a long time ago. Healthwise, I will never be normal. And I'm more than OK with that. Normal is a moving target (sort of like our blood sugar.) Manage your numbers, live your life and complain when you damn well feel like it. Trust me, we've all earned it.

Comment by Clinitest on August 23, 2011 at 1:41pm

My opinion is not just "manage it as best I can and not complain" But, strive to continually improve your BS control. Get the A1C's below 6.0 is a good first target. Then, strive for below 5.5. etc. The longer you wait to take action....the more complications you will have.

Comment by Robert Yancey on August 23, 2011 at 1:12pm

In my mind there is a lot you can do, and do as much as you can. I've had some of those same issues at times, my hba1C has generally been running in the 7's. I ran a marathon and 3 half's over the past year. I also just got back from Kayaking around the Apostle Islands this summer. I go camping on "High Adventures" as a Boy Scout leader regularly. Each different activity for me presents its own challenges. My fingers are still a little numb from what I think is a combination of Neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and excessive use on the Kayaking trip. During my long runs I often deal with some nausea. I think that the activity in general keep my excited and motivated and in good shape. I think that in turn helps me to have more energy. I'm sure those that have had tight control have little or no complications, however, statistically, those that keep their health in perfect control are a smaller percentage than the majority. My goal is to make it for 85 years with diabetes, just turned 40 and have had it 35 so far. I feel like I'm in pretty good health, even with some of the complications and am hoping to go for a long time without adding any more! Best of luck!

Comment by Robert Yancey on August 23, 2011 at 1:04pm

A Member wrote in email to members of "Type One for 30+ Years ":
After having diabetes for over 30+ years, What is the normal overall feeling of good or ok health? More specifically, I have various complications from diabetes (retinopathy, neuropathy, stomach issues, trigger fingers, extreme fatigue). Most of this is attributed to the diabetes and my doctor(s) have basically said there is nothing I can do except continue to keep my sugars in better control. Is this how most people feel with having diabetes so long? Is this normal and I just need to manage it as best I can and not complain?

Comment by dickengel on June 3, 2011 at 6:15am

Terri the application is hereJoslin Application

Fill it out and send it in to sara.turek@joslin.harvard.edu


Good Luck

Comment by Terrie on June 2, 2011 at 11:13pm

LOL! I'm not greedy Richard. That would be Great if we could have a medal from each org./assoc./comp. for the 50th and 75th D-year but I think that we are only allowed 1 per Person. As I said, I'm not sure if my Endo is correct since I haven't heard of CDA giving medals nor do I know of a Canadian who has received one from the CDA(it must be Top Secret). It's still a mystery to me. I guess I'll know for sure during the winter, when I hopefully receive it. The other Canadians on TuD received their medals from Joslin, as far as I know. Maybe I will also. My Endo was the one who mentioned to me about getting the medal in the first place, so he is the one who should know where it is coming from since he is putting my name on the list and he said it is the CDA.

That's Terrific that you will have at least 2 couples sharing the meal. I'm sure you all will have Really interesting discussions and ideas about the Joslin studies and many other topics. Have a Wonderful time Richard and Anita. You sooo deserve it. :)

Comment by Richard157 on May 31, 2011 at 7:46am

What's wrong with two medals, Terrie? i understand your wanting the Canadian medal, but you need the Joslin medal in order to attend the Medalist meet-ups in Boston.

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