Hi. I am new here. I am hoping to meet some other people with type 1 diabetes. It seems all the support groups I find are for type 2 or parent of children with diabetes. I am 32, Mom of 3, and have had diabetes for 21 years and on a pump. I would love to meet some people who can relate.

Hi there. I was diagnosed in 1966. I've had some complications, but overall am doing really well. I've been pumping for almost 5 years and could never go back. I'm so happy for you that you have your kids. For many years I didn't want any (also didn't have a decent guy to have them with) and once I was settled, I just wasn't healthy enough. So enjoy them.

I know what you mean about being in the minority. Most boards have at least a smattering of T1s, though. You can find a few places devoted to us on the internet. But this is a great site too. Often boards become to cumbersome when they divide us up.

Cora

Hi, I haven't been here for a long time as it became quite boring and no one really answered any posts... I am alos type 1 diagnosed last year in June, so I have no complications as yet. I have just started the Dr Bernstein "diabetic diet" as my sugars seemed uncontrable.. I am now doing great and have even managed to lost 3 kilos over the last two weeks. I hope to eventually go on the pump and I am hoping to start a family very soon, before any complications, not that I want to get any.. Its great meeting other type 1's... Rachel

Jedski here, Type one for 40 years, pumping for 6. 2 daughters, and full of life. Yes, it can sometimes be difficult finding other type 1, "Juvenile Onset" and always fun to share experiences. This may be a start of a good thread, so lets continue the chat. Not really sue to start, so how about, do you participate in any support groups in your area? I truley enjoy talking with youngsters about living with diabetes. I am living proof of survival. Am I perfect, hardly, but I know how to enjoy life, while still taking reasonablly good care of myself. The hardest thing right now, is still getting low some times, and having to deal with all that fun stuff. I happen to work in the food industry, and was an Executive Chef for 20 years, love working with pastry, funny thing for a diabetic. Hope top read more from here. Jedski

Hi. I am so happy to be getting some response. I hope we can keep this going! I know there are many other people with Type 1 diabetes out there, but it is really nice to have some contact with others...makes me really feel like I am not alone!

Hi Lee. Thanks for the reply. I was hoping to meet some other Type 1 Moms. I would love to hear about your experiences. My kids are pretty understanding when I say I can't do something because my sugar is low. I remember teaching my son at a young age how to call 911 and say Mommy is diabetic if he couldn't wake me up. Fortunately, he has never needed to and I have not had many problems with lows. (I still feel them pretty easily, although it is getting tougher) There are a lot of things you think and plan differently as a parent with diabetes.

Mali

I've been type 1 for 40 years, got my 1st pump when I was pregnant with our 1st daughter, she'll be 21 in Sept. before she heads to Great Britain for a year of college. Our younger DD will be a senior next year. Can relate about worrying about passing this on to them. Is she drinking too much water, or going to the bathroom too much, is she losing weight? I finally gave up testing them, I used to do it after they had eaten pizza. And the low blood sugar episodes, oh geez. The older girl can tell before I can that it's going low. Husband and younger daughter are pretty clueless until it's really low. I don't have any reliable way to tell anymore, except to test, and by then I'm too stubborn to do it. How old are your children? Deidre

Greetings ladies.Some interesting comments and thoughts above. I too, as a dad, have had some worries about my two daughters, 11 & 19 being diagnosed. Especially my younger, since she is a little big for her age. I have never done a blood test, as I see no point in checking, until there are those normal symptoms. I have no problem feeling lows coming on, and both my kids have wittnessed me with the shakes, and convulsions. I tell my kids, friends and co workers, unless I am unconcious, do not dial 911. I have spent yers paying off trips to the ER, to have the docs hook me up with an IV and then pump me with glucose, later to send me a $1000 bill, that a candy bar could have fixed. Give me juice and crackers, and I will be OK. There was a time when I wpuld ask my kids for help, juice please, my sugar is 40.And I would get, "In a minuite dad, I need to finish this game" My kids regularly ask me how I am doing, and how my newest pump is working. They like to show interest. And this makes me feel good. Mali, one day I hope we see a post from John Ben. He used to frequent this site years ago, and if I remember correctly, he has survived with Type 1 for over 60 years. Boiling needles, testing urine, all the good old stuff. The fathers perpective is different than a moms with some things, but we all love our children, and if one day one of mine became a type 1, then I would deal with that then. I cannot become my worst enemy, and worry about things I have no control over. Keep things going, and lets see where this may lead to. Jedski

When I was dx'd my life expectancy was 30 years, I was 12 and over the next few years convinced myself I would never have kids, could never take the chance they might get this or have their mother die when they still needed me. I met my DH when I was 24. When I was 29 and we had been married for awhile he said he wanted children, nope out of the question, never going to happen. He asked me to see a specialist and see what the dr. said. Well, they convinced me to do the one thing I swore I would never do, but that has turned out to be the best thing I have ever done for my health or for myself. I could die tomorrow driving to work. I also have had Rheumatoid Arthritis for 20 years, it has impacted my health and my families life more than the diabetes. Not that I haven't had some pretty scary low blood sugar episodes. It would be reassuring to hear about people survivng diabetes for 60 or 70+ years, but I think that will be us. Deidre

I am so pleased with the responses. Great to hear from a Dad too. I have had a positive attitude for the most part...of course I have the "why me," and "it's not fair" attitude every now and then but over all I have never felt that I couldn't do anything I wanted. I plan to be around for a long long time!! I am so thankful that I have this and my kids don't. (and if they get it, we'll deal with that too) I do check my youngest child's sugar about once a month as she is always hungry or thirsty and some days seems like she is going potty all the time, I know that's just the way she is, but I just need the peace of mind. I am fortunate to live minutes away from Rochester, MN, so all my care has always been at Mayo(I work there too...so I see people every day deal with illnesses far worse than mine), and I was never told that I could not have kids, just that we would have to be careful. I have never been hospitalized or needed emergency care, except when I was diagnosed 21 years ago. It is so great to hear from everyone. I hope we can keep this going...help each other out and just be there when any one feels like they are all alone and needs to know there are a lot of us out here!

Hi, I am new here as well. I am 36 and a mom/stepmom of 4 boys. I was diagnosed when I was 23 (strangely, it was still considered juvenile diabetes). I had just become pregnant with my first child. I started on the pump 8 years ago when I was pregnant with my 2nd child and my blood sugars were out of control. I love the pump and couldn't imagine going back to injections and wacky blood sugars. I think we are fortunate to have this technology available to us. My mother was a diabetic for 30 years, and watching her struggle with many problems her whole life makes me thankful that my kids don't have to go through that with me. There are the occasional lows when I get pretty cranky, but they are very understanding. I, too, often wonder what my lifespan will be. Hopefully technology will keep advancing like it has been and we won't be any different from non-diabetics in that regard. Looking forward to talking to all of you! Paula

Hi Paula. Nice to hear from you. It is so nice to hear from others in the same boat as I am. You're household must be crazy with 4 boys...how old are they? Mali

Our boys are 14, 12, 7 and 6. And yes, things can get crazy once in a while, but I wouldn't have it any other way! HOw old are your kids?
[This Message was Edited on 08/30/2007]

Hey Everyone!

I'm usually am over on the Fibro message board... I have Type 1 Diabetes though and couldn't resist introducing myself. I was diagnosed when I was 20. (I just turned 28 this month.) The doctors said I had it since I was around 14. (I passed on playing soft ball all the time... They would give me coke and I'd get back out there... Everyone thought they were heat strokes!) I have been on the pump for 5 years now.

It's great to hear everyone is dealing with the disease pretty well. Thank God for technology. My sugars were crazy before the pump. I had a full hysterectomy this year due to endometriosis and adinamyosis (sp?). I always knew I wouldn't have children though and I've had no emotional backlash at all. I feel much, MUCH better now.

Having Fibro makes things a bit more tricky but I manage it. I have to do a little excercise for both so that helps motivate me.

You all take care.

Wendysj

Hi. I am also new (sorry, just noticed this is from '07). I have had type 1 diabetes for about 7 yrs now (I am 39 yrs old). I am on the pump but am not entirely happy with it. Recently, I found out that I am pregnant (2 months) with my first child and this scares me to death. Before I found out that I was pregnant, I thought something was wrong b/c my blood sugars were so high (A1C = 8.2). Now I am under a bit more control, but still experience highs and lows. Can I ask how your pregnancies were? Was everything OK? Where were your blood sugars at? Sorry about all of the questions, but this is a first time in a chat room and I hope you can help. Thanks

I was wasting time waiting for a phone call and rereading old posts and saw yours, sorry for the misspelling.

So you're 5 months pregnant? Hope things have gone well. I had our first DD almost 23 years ago, I got my first pump when the Challenger crashed, I was 2 months pregnant. Previous to the pregnancy I was careless with the diabetes, took my shots, but didn't test. You're probably hyper paranoid with testing all the time, but it's a good idea. I was amazed how over the pregnancy the insulin requirements went up and up. Hope your drs. told you that was good. I thought something was wrong, by the end I was taking 10 times the insulin for the same thing I had eaten 9 months earlier. I tested 20 times a day and was constantly fighting the after meal numbers. My high risk OBGYN asked if he could have my sheets and sheets of blood tests to prove it could be done. My fingers were so sore. Our first daughter weighed 6lbs14oz, born full term, natural childbirth. My endo was thrilled, she was in the delivery room for her first Type 1 normal delivery. I hope they warned you about the after delivery drop in insulin needs. I went home from the hospital after 3 days and 7 days after delivery passed out from low bs and ended up in the hospital. DH didn't notice until DD started crying and he had to call an ambulance. Our second DD was born a month early at 5lbs4oz, but was healthy except for jaundice, we stayed in the hospital for 5 days and this time I knew to expect the hormone drop/insulin drop. I hope things are going well for you. Having kids was the best and most frustrating thing I have done for myself.

Hi everyone. my name is Esra. I'm 19 years old and i was diagnosed last August with type 1. I feel very much alone and like no one understand how difficult this is on me. I've never talked to anyone like me or even met one.

I've been thin all my life and have never had to think about what i should or should not eat. Honestly, i cant stop eating, even though i know what im doing is going to affect me really bad in the future. can you help me?

Also i think talking to people with the same problems would really help so i hope i can find some friends here. By the way can someone explain "the pump" for me coz i dont know what it is? I take insulin injections.

hi everyone... I've been reading ur posts and it really heartening to see the kinda support u guys giving each other. I'm 36 was diagnosed 4 yrs ago and at d time my Dr didnt know whether i was type 1 or 2... i was on orals meds which worked for a couple of mths then insulin.. thing is.... nobody in my family had diabetes.. even the ones far more overweight than me.. I was athletic and still am. My I'm really interested in finding out whether i'm type 1 or 2 or maybe the new type i read of lately...type 1.5... could anyone tell me what tests i need to do?? Another angle I was pursuing is the effects of taking a whole bunch of vaccines just 2 mths b4 i was diagnosed... I read how that may have caused autoimmune response that trigger type 1.. who knows... i know i have to live with it but i just really want to know wats going on with me. i have two kids and really dont want then 2 go tru the same... help!

Type 1 40 years. Been through everything, still fighting. Not easy. Now Chronic depression - cymbalta, problem: am transplant also K/P (2000) Cymbalta made me swear like a French Wh*** in Notre Dame Cathedral; stopped it myself. Dramatic loss (hypovolumea) ?lab results reveal increase in Creatinine (kidney failing) and A1c went from 5.9 to 8.1 inn a qiarter of a year. Trying to find articles on Cmybalta and the sweating and Naproxen for failure of transplant. I am told that both of these drugs are contra-indicated in my situation.
HHHEEELLLPPP, Please!

5 months later...
Maybe your endocrinologist can suggest a support group for you? I know the local hospital here has lots of groups for different diseases.
Did you google insulin pump after no one answered your post? If not, you should, there are lots of different brands out there and can probably explain the machine in depth. I have a minimed pump, it holds about 5 days worth of insulin and is connected to me with tubing and a needle that I put in like an injection, but then tape it in until the pump runs out of insulin and I change it. I really like using the pump, it has a small rate of insulin that is pumped all day, so if I don't eat, I don't have to worry about having ALOT of insulin in my system and no food. I tell the pump to give me more when I eat and my A1C's have been good for 23 years.

Trev4u,
My brother was a 1.5 when he was first dx'd, he took pills until they just weren't strong enough to keep the diabetes under control. I was already dx'd so my mom was really watchful of my 5 brothers, but he and I are the only ones who have it in our generation. We had 2 great uncles on my dad's side who had diabetes. I had strep throat just before I started loosing weight at age 12. I think there is a theory out there that the diabetes auto immune response may be triggered by something else. When my DH wanted kids, the endo said that even with both parents having Type 1 or having it in their family there was still only a 7% chance our children would get it. The odds were too good for him.

Welcome to the board to both of you,
Deidre