Adults with Type 1

The type 1 diabetes to be known as "juvenile diabetes", which occur more often in children and adolescents used. When adults to learn that they have diabetes, it is generally regarded as type 2, but there are some adults who have actually type 1 instead.

Most of the teaching on type 1 diabetes is designed for children and their parents. Adults with the disease often find that it does very many resources of information or support for them. Sometimes they feel like they are "adjustment" disease.

A recent motion of the diabetes About.com readers reveals the emotions, frustrations and finally force to be dealing with a disease "minor". Emails from readers like you tell a fascinating story that is a being diagnosed of type 1 adult.

Experiences of adults with Type 1 diabetes

Colette: "I was diagnosed with diabetes type 1 to 50 years and have been on insulin for 19 months." I had no dramatic episode of sugar in the blood, without family history of diabetes, was in good health and has taken no medication. I went to my physical examination in August 2005 and my blood sugar was 163. It goes without saying that I was in total shock when he told me not only have I diabetes but it was type 1.

Sue: "I was diagnosed at the age of 48 without a history on each side." I had all the classic symptoms, especially of thirst. I taught some classes at the time, and I literally couldn't speak for more than 2 minutes without having to take a drink.

CH: "I was diagnosed at age 38." "No prior symptoms, no family history, was only about 10 pounds overweight and fairly active".

Lynn: "I was 49 when I was diagnosed with"minors"type 1 diabetes." I went for a complete physical because my doctors think that I had cancer. I went to 143 pounds up to 92 pounds for a year and a half. There is no diabetes on each side of my family, I am the first. I was diagnosed initially as of type 2 strictly because of my age, but after a test has been done, they me slapped on insulin and the diagnosis was changed to type 1. »

Greg: "I was diagnosed when I was 33" [Y] no record of this on both sides of the family. I had dropped from 185 pounds to 135 pounds over a period of approximately 6 months. I have always been an athlete and have continued to train in Kickboxing, karate, golf and weightlifting since the graduation of the College. Only, I went to see a doctor because I could not sleep [and] constantly urinating.

What did readers think have been diagnosed?

Type 1 diabetes does not appear to have associated risk factors of type 2 diabetes is. People often type 1 feel that they have been affected "out of the blue" with a life serious, altering disease. This can be extremely insulation for people, especially when they turn to resources for assistance in dealing with the disease and found that most of the information deals with children and the questions that parents and children might face. Adult issues with newly diagnosed type 1 are rarely addressed.

Sue: "I felt very alone, confused and ill-informed during the first months several."

Lynn: "I've totally panicked when I put me to the insulin that I was terrified of needles."

Greg: "this disease has been a blessing and a curse." It complicates lot of my working life, was extremely expensive and prevent me to do several things that I wanted to do. »

Stephen: "I was very upset for the first 6 months." If it were not for my wife and my children, I would have disappeared from the surface of the Earth because I couldn't bear to think of life with this disease. I said to many people of health, I have nothing. »

Nicole: "I am terrified [sometimes] [that] I wake after a hypo of the middle of the night."

What are some of their frustration in dealing with Type 1?

Because the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is atypical for a person over 21, it is often overlooked, as a first step, as a possibility. There may be a period of time when people don't know really what type of diabetes they will actually have. This can add to the frustration, because the treatments, tests and education may seem contradictory and ineffective until the actual diagnosis is discovered.

CH: "my greatest frustrations were: get properly diagnosed (my first endocrinologist said I had type 2, even if I was positive GAD);" find a good endocrinologist and obtain an appointment to finally hear the diagnosis by a physician (took 6 months). hear the official diagnosis after I had already done my own research that led me to the same conclusion. »

Nicole: "Yes, again, it is difficult for me and gets me, but it is something that I have learned to deal with most of the time."

Shawn: "I am frustrated by the doctors who tell me that type 1 s should have no difficulty in losing weight (um, someone remembers that dealing with novofine requires that you to EAT?)." I wish that I could sit down to a meal without having to calculate carbohydrates how I am eating, figure how much fat will affect absorption, and therefore what should be my bolus.

Lynn: "change the habits of 50 years is difficult." There is zero my age to talk about type 1, and people tend to assume that I know more than me because I am type 1 - they assume that I have never. "No one seems interested in research on possible triggers of old type 1 s."

What kind of adaptation methods works for them?

As with any chronic illness, those who are looking for ways to cope and to return to live their lives. There are lot of new information, techniques, equipment and treatments that come with being a diagnosis of diabetes type 1. Sometimes, it takes time to incorporate everything. It may feel that life happens ever to normal once more. As noted by our readers, this is a process. It takes time.

Ryan: "after three years, I am always learning and get used to living with all the disadvantages that this disease is shipped with, but it could always be worse." At least can be controlled. »

Sue: "Fortunately, I found great certified diabetes educators at the local hospital, who were consultants, coaches, and the wonderful resources." And I found the diabetes About.com Forum, so I finally found a community of people who understand. »