Hi
I'm 43 and I've had diabetes for just over 33 years (I too can remember boiling up the glass syringes!). I found it tough to begin with; learning carbohydrate 'exchanges' ie: 20 GCHO in an average banana, 10 GCHO in 7 fl oz of milk… was in fact the hardest part (the injecting was relatively straightforward) but this became easier in time and so my diet has become extremely varied. I tried to control the diabetes rather than let Diabetes control me. The treatment of diabetes has changed considerably since the time of my diagnosis (from 2 injections a day to 4 injections a day, Pork/Beef insulin to human strain insulin now onto insulin pumps and blood sensors that transmit blood sugar levels readable on the pump. I learnt from experience that if I didn't want to or need to eat a meal (or not to have a carbohydrates included in a meal) then I didn't need to inject a short acting insulin for that period (as long as the longer lasting insulin covered the entire 24 hours I would be okay). Some foods are digested slower than others; it's helpful to find out which foods might be more advantageous to eat an hour (perhaps) prior to sports (apples/oranges/pears are quite good for this as are some smoothies). Dieting for the larger diabetic isn't too dissimilar to the non-diabetic; stay off the fatty foods, fast foods (white wine is fattier than red wine), excessive chocolate etc. this doesn't mean a boring diet; try some varied home cooking: you can reduce the amount of carbohydrates in your meal and increase the fibre to fill you up… think a little 'outside the box'; as long as you can adjust the insulin dosage if you change the carbohydrate content in a meal then you might find weight can be controlled…
My diabetes, hampered by stress, has become more and more 'brittle' with major loss of hypo symptoms (it's worth mentioning that as much as one's body changes with age; so too do hypo symptoms) so 2 years ago I agreed to try using an insulin pump together with a blood sensor. The pump drip feeds insulin ('basal' rates) into the body (equivalent to long acting insulin); you still have to calculate mealtime carbos in order to tell the pump to deliver these supplementary 'bolus' dosages for each meal. This means that I only need to 'inject' ('insert a tiny cannula') once every 3 days but I need to wear the pump 24/7 (a fact I still find somewhat frustrating). I've been able to regain far better control though I have found that I experience hypos more frequently as a result of the overall lowering of the blood sugar levels. Blood tests of 6 or 7mmol helps to reduce the risk of diabetic complications (and can help to lessen the marginally reduced life expectancy of most diabetics). It's all a balance; quality of life, being sensible, eating great food, understanding the pitfalls, harnessing the potential etc.etc.
Yes; i'd rather not have Diabetes but this isn't a choice; we're fortunate that treatments (forever evolving) are available to us. I've often felt sorry for myself (especially when experiencing a hypo) but I endeavour to pick myself up and tell myself that I won't allow my condition to restrict my life; it's a part of me but it's not who I am. I hope this might be of use…

I am 42 and had diabeties Type 1 for more or less 40 years. When first diagnosed no blood tests available and injection was a glass syringe that had to be boiled and reused. Do I suffer from it? No I have it. My body weight is normal and I live a normal a life as possible. Is my life expentency less than anyone else. I doubt it having lived this far I count myself blessed. Am on four injections a day enjoy mild hypos as get to eat Mars bars like any other non-deabetic. Bad hypos make me feel like me going mad. High blood sugars cant stand them. Nothing good there and avoid them like the plague. At moment though sugars 20. Bummer

Hi,
Recently my dad was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after being incorrectly told when he was in his 20`s that he only had type 2.He is in his mid 40`s now (i don`t think he`d like me to say his age :P) So his condition is very unstable. He is losing a LOT of weight and even with insulin can`t keep his blood sugar level steady. I won`t lie, i`m very worried about him and i just wondered if anyone else with type 1 diabetes lost a drastic amount of weight?

I`d also like to know if the rumour about life expectancy of someone with diabetes is less than someone without it is true..?

Samantha, 14.

hey, im 15 and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 10. My diabetes does not majorly affect the way in which i live my life as we all just have to get on with life .Although my life would be somewhat improved without it, i remain grateful for all of the other things i do have in my life as there are so many people suffering a lot more than me. I give injections 4 times a day which is just as normal to me now as brushig my teeth.My control of blood sugars is average; sometimes good, other times not so good however, the only aspect of my diabetes that worries me is the fact that my life now constantly revolves around food and eating. I was always an average sized child for my age until i lost some weight before i was diagnosed, however, over the past few years i have become more and more aware of me gaining weight and now at the age of 15 i weigh more than i should. I do try and eat healthily but it is difficult when i have to have carbs with every meal i also do quite a lot of exercise but i have to snack before it to keep my bloodsugars steady this then leads to more and more eating and it soon gets completely out of control as it is constantly on my mind throughout my daily routine. I really want to lose weight but it just seems impossible and the more i try the more i seem to fail myself. All i want is to be happy with the food that i eat and also happy with the way i look which at the moment is certainly not the case for me. Please help! I need some advice.

if you have ketones alot its because your blood level is high… it means that sugar is going to your wee… this can make you really ill i would know as iv been in hospital loads of time with it its called ketoacidosis look it up and it will help you out alot…do you ever fell really sick when your blood sugar is really high if so this is why….. hope it helps XxX

Hi i'm 18 and have had diabetes for 13 years it was horrible at first all the kid at school used to bully me because of it, but now im older it does not bother me at tall i still do all the same things as my friends do, go out and drink at the weekends just not every weekend, my blood levels were really bad when i was younger but are loads better now, the only thing i dont like is that i have to do inject 4 times aday which i really hate.. how does this pump work?

hey im 14 i was diagnosed with diabetes when i was 3 i must say that i hate having it but hey thats life as i got older i didnt really control my diabetes whatso ever thats how i lost all my weight from being over the limit or to high i hate having diabetes and wish i was normall but i cant because i have it for the rest of my life i have type 1 diabetes and got bullied because i used to have to eat if my blood sugar was low thats why i hate having it and i also hate having to do needles 4 times a day or even more every time i eat that my story soo yeah .

Im 20 years old and had diabetes since i was 4.people think it ruins their lives. but you have to remember there are lots of people so much worse than yourself.

im on 2 injections a day of mixtard. its controlled okay. but sometimes forget to inject because of my busy work schedule which causes me to be unwell.

its not the end of the world. although sometimes it might of felt that it is.

Hi,
I'm 17 and have just come back from a months stay in Nepal with world challenge. During this time I had two 'sugar crashes' (I think? Thats what the world challenge leader said they were) one was on the trek, I felt very dizzy and weak and then couldn't stop shaking, we thought it could be because I have injured my shoulder so my body was using up all of its energy fixing that so didnt have enough left for walking. But I had another one when we were back in Kathmandu, this one was alot worse, I felt dizzy and weak in the morning and very nauseous, when we were back at the hotel I was sick but as I hadn't eaten anything it wasn't very much, I then had another sugar crash this time my whole body shaking alot more than the last one and for a longer period of time. I was given sweets and diroalyte but then was sick again. I do feel weak and tired alot and sometimes shaky but I have never had a 'sugar crash' before. I'm thirsty all the time and I either have no appetite ar all or seen to eat all the time, although I am very skinny and probably under weight. I get very bad headaches also and always seem to be tired, I was just worried, do I have diabetes? should I go see a doctor? or am I just being silly, i don't want to make a fuss out of nothing. My parents say if I have another 'sugar crash' then I should go to my GP, I don't know, I guess I'm just confused.
Thank you for your time.
:)

as a diabetic i can say that it doesn't control your life. you can still have fun, (you only need to watch what you eat and drink.). you also have to regularly check your blood sugar levels and have a small injection/tablet. so if you find out you have it or already have it, don't worry you get used to it. i've got used to it after nearly 5 years!!! i have type one which you just get. TYLER :)