I am now 23 and I was diagnosed at 15 months old with a blood sugar of 1960. I am now on the pump and I am trying to get better control by checking my blood sugar

Hello, my name is Atina. I was diagnosed on December 17, 2000. My blood was 989!!! I was so close to being in a diabetic coma. Had no idea what was going on at the age of 12, my mon just took me in and we did extensive tests. I still remember it like it was yesterday. Still gives me chills.

Happy 40 birthday your a t1 diabetic. Got the news June 11, 2012

I just got diagnosed on Monday with Type 1. I'm only 17, there's no history of diabetes in my family..it just came as a huge shock. I'm doing humalog and lantus according to a sliding scale for now. I still have so much to learn.

I was diagnosed in 1982 at the age of 8. I am now 38 years old happily married with 2 children :) I can't remember life with out diabetes. I use an insulin pump and see my dr every 3 months and have my blood work done every 3 months as well! I am happy to help anyone with any thing that I can :)

I was diagnosed when I was 14 back in 2007. My blood sugar was in the 800s. I had lost about 20lbs in two weeks. I could barely walk and I looked like a skeleton. My MD told my mom earlier in the week that it was probably just the flu. After five days of feeling worse than I've ever felt I told my mom she had to take me to the MD. My MD took one look at me and knew I either had DM or cancer. ( she told my mom this info the next time she saw her). I went on a pump a year after I was diagnosed and have used one ever since. I now use the CGM w my pump too

I became a diabetic when I was 25 years old I have been a diabetic now for 27 years. I was put on an insulin pump 10 years ago which help save my life. I just recently had my foot amputated because of diabetic issues. I have been out of control for the last few years and that is why I am where I am today. There's no reason for it as long as you take care of yourself and keep your sugars as close to normal as you can. Nobody realizes how Hard it is to live the life of a diabetic. It is just nice to know that there are millions of people that are in the same situation. One day they will come up with a solution. God bless.

After my open heart surgery. Two weeks ago pre diabetes. Now the Drs. think I have COPD now what's next ?

I was diagnosed at age 5 (I'm now one month away from being 23). My sugar was 1600 and my heart had stopped.

I'm 10 and I was diagnosed 5 years ago. It runs in my family but I was really scared. But now I'm a strong and smart little girl. So diabetes was good for me.

I was diagnosed at 8 months old. It will be 32 years in a few days.

I was 8

I was diagnosed on December 31,1984 with type 1. This year will be 29 years! Remember staying in hospital for 2 weeks with a view of a brick wall. Remember it took 2&1/2 minutes to check bg on machine. Seemed like forever. Have been through it all. On pump now and it has its pros and cons.

I had become a type 1 diabetic back in 1974 I started on u-40 insulin beef pork insulin insulin has changed so much since then I've been on nph and regular ultralente and regular then I've been on the pump for the last 15 years love the freedom but because of so long being on it I got scare tissue all over my stomach and have had absorbtion problems now I was put back injections levemir and novalog I feel more free now I can take my shirt off without woreing about hoses hanging out of me and I feel like my sugars are in better control now I have been a diabetic now for almost 40 years without any complication

I was diagnosed on November 14, 2012. Ironic is that day is national diabetes day. My older sister is a T1 Diabetic. So I pretty much knew all the symptoms. It all started during the time of hurricane sandy. I was always so thirsty. I drank gallons of water and orange juice but no matter what nothing quenched my thirst. I was never satisfied. I also had trips to the bathroom about every 5 mins or so. I decided to make an appointment with my doctor. She checked my blood sugar and it was 600. She called an ambulance. I had DKA. It was a very scary experience. I had IVs in both arms. During the night, my blood sugar went down to 43. The nurse gave me a little cup of apple juice. My sugar jumped right back up to 600. I felt so sick and tired.

Type1 diabetes. I was diagnosed when I was 4. It was very scary , but I was getting a lot of support from my fellow classmates from my kindergarten class. My symptoms included , urinating excessively and throwing up all the time .

I was diagnosed with T1 in May 1999 - I was almost 18 at the time, and I'm almost 32 now, so I've had it 14 years.

I remember I had a throat infection first... my body must have been attacking my beta cells at that time. Two weeks later, I felt VERY fatigued, but was told it was just from the throat infection and antibiotics... then, I started becoming extremely dehydrated, always drinking a lot. I started carrying a giant water bottle around with me in school because I was fearful of not being able to drink when I felt I really needed to. I was always so thirsty. I thought at first I was just dehydrated, but I couldn't figure out why I was peeing so much as well if it was truly dehydration. Two weeks of this went by and I began losing a lot of weight. I lost about 15lbs within two weeks, and something had to be wrong because I was always so tired, it took me hours to get ready for school in the morning (I constantly felt like I had to lay down), AND I was eating SO much. I began to get extremely worried when I would wake up 5x a night to go to the fridge and drink a gallon of water to the point of vomiting.

I had no idea what was going on with me - my mom actually took me shopping because I had lost so much weight, I needed new clothes (she's totally crazy too - because she's overweight, she was very happy for me to be so thin, and she congratulated me saying "there's no such thing as being too skinny" - thanks, mom, you psycho)

I went to the Dr and my BG didn't even register on their meter so it had to be over 800. I was given an appt at the local hospital the next day where there was a whole diabetes team I could talk to. By the time I showed up there, I was near coma - couldn't even keep my eyes open, it was bad, very very bad.

I ended up staying in the ICU for a few days on an insulin drip in DKA - I was also diagnosed with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism which is also an autoimmune disease. It was funny though because here I am, a frail 5'2", 93lb skeleton and I'm being told I have hypothyroidism (a disease that's often attributed to weight GAIN).

The years that followed were bad. My parents were never much involved in my care because I was so adamant about doing it all myself, and I ended up having a bit of a mental breakdown with panic attacks and severe depression. I was put on NPH twice a day for my basal insulin, and R insulin to correct after meals that consisted of the exchange diet. This was only 14 years ago and it sounds like prehistoric times! Even then, I wondered why I was told to inject R insulin according to a sliding scale two hours AFTER my meals... I didn't understand why I wouldn't inject before my meals in order to prevent my BG from going that high. I wasn't put on Lantus and Humalog and taught how to count carbs until years later.

Eventually, however, I learned to take care of myself, and I began counting carbs, switched to an insulin pump (8 years ago), sticking to a mostly plant based diet and exercising everyday and I've never felt better in my life.

Now I don't see the disease as a death sentence in the least. It's just a pain in the ass - I have to manually do what everyone else's body does automatically - I can deal, it's not like I'm immobile or seriously ill. Diabetes CAN be serious, but it really doesn't have to be at all as long as you're somewhat on top of staying healthy.

respect!!

I was diagnosed on August 15, 2002. I was 4 when I got it. My family and I were about to go to Bear Lake. I can't really remember anything except for that the hospital finger pokers really hurt.

I was officially diagnosed with T1 one month ago. I am 30 years old. My BG was 657. I had been tested 2 years ago and was positive then but the doctor "mis-read" my numbers (315 at the time) and told me I was negative. After 2 years of problems, I went back in and insisted on another test. A different doctor confirmed that I had/have diabetes but wasn't sure if it was T1 or T2. My new doctor confirmed T1. I've lost 20 pounds in less than a year, had excessive thirst, was eating 5000+ calories/day - list goes on. I'm taking Lantus & Novolog - now to get my BG down to "normal" (still in the high 200's or low 300's). My endocrinologist estimates that I've had symptoms for 6+ years.

6+ years?! wow... I didn't think that was possible with T1s, but perhaps you were still putting out SOME insulin before your official diagnosis. usually a T1 will fall into DKA within weeks/months of no insulin - never heard of it lasting for years, but glad you're okay! :)

I was diagnosed April 3rd, 1982. I was 18 yrs old and I was so sick! I remember I was nauseous and having to urinate constantly. I was so weak I could only crawl to the bathrm. I remember my mother standing next to me

Wow, this is so odd to read so many stories that sound so much like my own situation.

I was diagnosed as a T1 Feb 2nd, 2013 (about 3-4 weeks ago, at the time of this posting), at age 25. I had the extreme thirst/urination thing for maybe 6 months. In the back of my head I knew what the problem was, but I was afraid to face it.

I got an ear infection, which set things in motion. I went to an urgent care facility thinking I was having an allergic reaction to some painkillers I had taken. Yea, it took them about 4 minutes to figure out I was in DKA, and they couldn't treat me. They called an ambulance (also known as the most expensive taxi service ever) to take me 3 miles up the hill to the hospital, which is something my wife could have done right then and there.

Anyway, upon being admitted my BS was about 480, and they kept me there for 3 days. I had 3 drips, all pumping in various concoctions of potassium and magnesium and such. This very well may have been the toughest month of my life. I haven't had any denial or anything… I crave the sweet things, and the pasta, but I know I need to get my BS down to a healthy level. They have me on 2x daily Novolin 70/30, which is about as potent to me as saline solution, but it's about the cheapest thing I can buy (since I am uninsured for now). Finding the right dose has been tough since this entire month I've had bilateral ear infections (you read that right!), followed by a cold. Glucose levels are all over the place.

The last several days, I've had this uncanny sense of optimism about everything. Everything will be okay. Maybe the syringes will stop bothering me so much (one can hope, right?). Maybe I'll get on the insurance plan I've applied for. I just have to hold on to this optimism for as long as I can. :)

wow - what a story! when you do eventually become insured, please make sure they do not deny coverage for preexisting conditions as many of them do (legally they can until 2014). if you think test strips and insulin is expensive, try another DKA episode in the ICU or worse yet, needing medical treatment for complications. Hopefully you can get insured ASAP - have you considered Medicaid or a local low cost option? Usually they base them on sliding scales according to what you can afford.

good luck and take care!

ps - the injections do hurt less over time, as do the fingersticks - you will build scar tissue. Also, once you do get insurance, try to get on an insulin pump - it's been the best thing that's ever happened to my diabetes self.

The coverage I applied for is the Pre-Existing Condition Coverage Plan for Washington State, also known as PCIP-WA. It does end in 2014 when the Affordable Care Act goes into effect, but by then I can either get onto group coverage or get an individual plan since the rules for that will change.

I definitely don't want another DKA episode… especially w/o coverage! Total bills (so far) are getting up to about $30k or so… and that's AFTER the "cash discount!" Hah! If only I had that kind of change!

Thanks for your encouragement. I will consider the pump in the future. I'm only just now getting over my life-long needle phobia, so the idea of having something like that in me all the time will take some getting used to. I may be mentally ready for that in a year or two.

I was 15. Very athletic but drank liters of soda before practice, always thirsty & frothing at the mouth. 'Was' skinny. My Aunt, a nurse, suggested I had juvenile diabetes. Went to Dr & in hospital I went! I'm 44 now & while I keep constant 'vigil', I had eye surgery last year & all better now! One eye needed it, other eye is fine. Believe it was due to dr correcting ptosis in me eyes. Told him symptoms of my eye & he said I was fine. About 3 weeks later, I had splotches thru my one eye of vision. Be on top of doctors. You know when something is wrong! I think diabetics are more in tune. I know when high or low even before I test..

I was diagnosed type 1 on June 21, 1966 one month three days before before my 10th birthday. I have seen all the advancements in diabetes care and have embraced each and every one of them. I think the greatest of the advancements in controlling diabetes has to be the glucose meter followed closely by the insulin pump. I have been pumping since January 1980. I am very fortunate to not have any of the many complications that come with being diabetic for almost 47 years. At this time I am looking forward to my 50th anniversary and beyond that I am looking forward to what ever advancements are made to ease the daily grind of dealing with diabetes.

I was diagnosed on Friday, November 13, 1998 (Friday the 13th, dun dun dun). It was 4 days after my 18th birthday when I was a freshman in college. I actually was at the doctor to have a physical as I wanted to get on birth control. I pee'd in a cup, there were ketones, so they tested my sugar. It was 352.

In retrospect, I definitely had symptoms - lost a lot of weight and was urinating a TON. My father is also type 1, however being at college, neither parent really knew what was going on and I was so excited by the new adventures that I didn't really notice or pay attention.

I actually did not go to the hospital. I went home to my parents' and stayed there for a week with my dad keeping an eye on me. I started off on shots, went on the pump about 18 months later and stayed on the pump up until about 9 months ago. I am currently exploring my pump/CGM options as I anticipate going back on in the next 3 months.

Some days I find it hard to believe that I've been living with this disease for 14 1/2 years. Some days I forget what life was like before having diabetes. It's amazing how you just adjust and it becomes your new reality.

Type 1 since 1971
Pumper since 2001
No complications amazingly
Married with one healthy and beautiful 17yr old daughter who took part in Trial Net Study and shows no antibodies of possibly getting diabetes so hopefully this insidious disease started and ended with me .

Jodi - A Mom, wife, daughter,sister and pumper

My diagnosis was on October 30, 1971. I was a 12 yr old looking forward to trick-or-treating the following night only to be finally taken to the dr after my older sister pointed out that my typical teen-like symptoms were much more serious. Yep, I spent Halloween in the hospital with trident gum, and an endless supply of TAB and Fresca. Fast forward 41 years I am now 53 and wearing a pump for last 12 years and living pretty close to a regular normal life . Married with a perfectly healthy 17 yr old daughter, yes a daily struggle but alive and well complication free . Jodi

It was 13 years ago when I was 6. I was constantly asking my teacher to use the washroom and get water and she told my parents that it would be a good idea to get me checked out. I just remember that I didn't quite understand why my parents where so upset and I was extremely upset to be missing my Girl Scout Christmas parade because I had to be hospitalized. Now living with it for so long I'm actually glad that I was diagnosed young because I barely remember life before whereas I have a friend who was diagnosed in high school and it was a lot harder for him to adjust

I was diagnosed last Monday actually! My blood sugar level was 711

Been T1 for 18 years and a week now (will be 32 in a few weeks). Went to the doctors in the morning and was admitted to hospital that evening after a fortnight of drinking all the coke my parents could buy and urinating excessively. Initially the nurses BG machines was giving me a glucose level of under 4, they took a vial of blood from my arm, sent it to the labs and it came back 20.

Initially I was on Novolin 30/70 and was on it for years, my pancreas didnt give up working completely for quite a few years but since then my control has fluctuated from good one year to poor the next. Now I'm using Novorapid and Lantus Solostar and in the past month started carb counting. I'm determind to get my a1c level where it should be to help avoid possible complications later on. A friend of mine has lost the sight of one of their eyes recently due to complications and that has been the shot in the arm to get myself sorted.

I was diagnosed after my 1st semester of my Freshman year of High School back in 2010. I had just turned 15 and I didn't think it would happen to me, because I've always been a pretty healthy person. I had just finished Indoor Track, so I think the running may have delayed my symptoms, but of course, the moment I stopped, I became extremely thirsty..all of the classic symptoms..it's a lot for an already stressed out Freshman to deal with. My blood glucose was in the 600s so we caught it before it got much worse.. I started off with pens and since September that year have been on a medtronics minimed pump since then.. I had great control at first, but I did get a little lucky with a honey moon phase that lasted a year and a half..I've been having a little trouble controlling my BGs lately, but with my Doctor's help, soon I think I'll be able to fix that 😊

I got type 1 the day befor my birthday how I found out was football I was always getting dizzy till I went to the doctors at first my blood was 459 but I was trying to tell them I had candy befor I went so i fasted and it was still 278 so they told me to go home then they called and told us to go to the ER and I spent 3 days there I'm on the pen and in good control now

I was diagnosed about a year ago and I've been in the honeymoon phase ever since but I'm coming out really fast and the Doctor/Endochrinologist is starting me out on an Insulin Pen! {:D

I was diagnosed at the age of 2. And I am now 15, 16 at the beginning of August. I've been on an Insulin Pump since I was 4, and using an insulin pen in cause of emergencies. I've had Type 1 for around 13-14 years now.

I was 8 and had a blood sugar of 976, hey 900 numbers less and I would almost be low!!!

I was diagnosed when I was 11 & I am now 33, Ive been on the Pump but stoped because I didnt like to wear it attached to me...So now back on good old shots...Ive have 3 (children all healthy) well haveing type 1 & being on insulin. I am so tired these day & have no enegry diabetes sucks & worsens as you age...Ill never forget what my Peds Endo said to me 20 yrs ago. Diabetes is like a house with Termites in it, it looks all nice & srong from the outside but from the inside it being eaten up:confused:

I am a surgical type 1 since June 27, 2013. On that day, my very unhappy pancreas was removed. My islets were transplanted to my liver, but it will be a while before we know if they like their new home and work. In the mean time I am getting a crash course in managing type 1 diabetes.