[nanita88]

Diagnosed when I was 1 year some months, on Halloween

[TashaLorelle14]

I was diagnosed when I was 4 years old right before a piano recital lol

[nocturnalracing005]

I was diagnosed on Nov 6 2007 2 days before my 29th b day when I finally stopped being stubborn I went to the hospital. My bloodsugars were over 900 scary but I am here and averaging around 120-145 now. I do get slot of drops tho and successional highs

[twiglet]

I was diagnosed on Feb. 14, 1975. Every year I have a chunk of chocolate and bolus. Could'nt do that 36 years ago. Gives the meaning Revenge is Sweet a whole new meaning for me...
Kate

[wardmw]

I was diagnosed as diabetic the day before my 11th birthday, so it's easy to remember how long I have been diabetic for, 36 years and still counting.

Like many others here I rebelled during my teenage years. Having started on three jabs a day, then two, then one (all prescribed by the doctor), when the put me back to two I refused, or rather I just didn't do my evening injections.

Eventually though I got fed up with feeling horrible and uncomfortable, sorted myself out and got back in to the program, so much so that I am on 4 jabs a day and loving the control and flexibility I get with it! Mind you, I am impressed by those of you who have pumps. I have friends who say "I could never inject myself" (indeed, my brother-in-law faints at the sight of a needle). Personally I would not be able to put up with having a needle in me permanently, but as I tell people if the choice is "do it or die" then you find you can do amazing things, maybe if it came to it I could use a pump, but for now I'm happy to not have to, and to be impressed at those of you that do!

All diabetics, especially old-timers like me, have words of wisdom for anyone new to diabetes. Mine is "Don't let it stop you doing what you want": I have parachuted, scuba-dived and I ride a motorbike on a daily basis for the love of the adrenalin rush. It's true that I will never get my pilots licence although I did look in to it and you can certainly fly with an instructor beside you, just not on your own (or commercially). Nor will I ever drive a bus or join the armed forces and that's probably the only thing I will miss.

|\/|artin

[txdani]

I was diagnosed last week at the age of 39. I knew all the symptoms as my 20yo daughter was diagnosed at the age of 9mos. My blood sugars have been averaging about 450 all week. I have an endocrinologist appointment first thing in the morning. I am SO ready to start feeling better!

[bearcub1972]

I was diagnosed feb 2011, it came on suddenly, over a weekend i was drinking up to 15 pints of water a day. i lost over a stone in weight. i am 39 years old from the uk, and now on combination of lantus.

[aimee6249]

November 6 2009@ age 15

[knottnest]

I was diagnosed 44years ago in 1967. I have 3 beautiful healthy daughters aged 25,23 and 20 all without diabetes. I've been on insulin pump for 3.5yrs after increased frustration with trying to keep blood levels right. Suffer with joint probs and arthritis-hip replacement and another pending-would like to know if there's research on linking joint probs with diabetes?

[jewls95]

I was diagnosed with type 1 September 2010. I had not been feeling good for a while and thought I had a urinary tract infection! So I went to the dr. They told me my sugar was around 600 and said I had diabetes. And this was a walk in clinic so I thought they were crazy! No one in my family has it, I can't have diabetes. They told me to go to the hospital and I went home instead b/c I was in denial! My husband asked what happened cause I was crying my eyes out! He said well I'm taking you! So he took me to the ER and they put me in ICU for a couple days to get my sugar level down and rehydrated me with all these fluids! It was awful! After 5 days in the hospital, I could finally go home! But now I know that diabetes is serious and is not to be messed around with! I am 25 years old and take shots if insulin everyday but I'm still the same person I was before I had been diagnosed. I love to hike, camp, and just being out doors with my husband! Nothing is going to stop me from doing what I love not even diabetes!