[type1rachelle]

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!

[challyb]

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

[austinglass]

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.

[type1rachelle]

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.

[austinglass]

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.

[tls]

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..

[wmayesiii]

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.

[udlaurak]

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.

[jodinjohn]

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

[jodinjohn]

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