[Richard157]

Today (Sept 15) is the 65'th anniversary of my type 1 diagnosis. I was diagnosed in 1945, just 5 days after my 6'th birthday. To have no serious diabetes related complications after 65 years of type 1 seems rather amazing. I don't know why I am so lucky, my doctor's have no explanation. The most popular theory seems to be "good genes". That does make good sense, but I don't think it has been proved by research.

The Joslin Medalist Study has examined more than 600 long term type 1 diabetics. All the participants have been type 1 for at least 50 years, and they do not have any serious complications. The study is scheduled to conclude in April, 2011. Maybe the factor(s) that explain our having long, healthy lives will be revealed in Dr King's final report at that time.

Richard

 

[mrssand30]

Good to hear

I am so glad to hear that you have had this all your life. I really do not know many people that have had this.

 

[wallycorker]

.....................To have no serious diabetes related complications after 65 years of type 1 seems rather amazing. I don't know why I am so lucky, my doctor's have no explanation..................

Hi Richard,

A great success story!

Don't you think that the reason is quite simply that you - and your parents also I assume - have always taken your condition seriously and that you have controlled your blood glucose levels within safe levels?

Best wishes - John

 

[ColaJim]

Congratulations

Today (Sept 15) is the 65'th anniversary of my type 1 diagnosis. I was diagnosed in 1945, just 5 days after my 6'th birthday. To have no serious diabetes related complications after 65 years of type 1 seems rather amazing. I don't know why I am so lucky, my doctor's have no explanation. The most popular theory seems to be "good genes". That does make good sense, but I don't think it has been proved by research.

The Joslin Medalist Study has examined more than 600 long term type 1 diabetics. All the participants have been type 1 for at least 50 years, and they do not have any serious complications. The study is scheduled to conclude in April, 2011. Maybe the factor(s) that explain our having long, healthy lives will be revealed in Dr King's final report at that time.

Richard

 

[Adjitater]

Richard you should go on a book promotion tour and share your success story on late night T.V. like David Letterman. A lot of people look up to you and lets face it we need a spokes person to lead us into the new year.

 

[Richard157]

Thank you so much, my friends!

John, it is true that my parents and I took my diabetes very seriously, from the start. The doctors, however, only told us I should not eat anything containing a lot of sugar. There was no other advice for 40+ years. I ate hundreds of carbs every day and ran very high blood sugar all those years. There was no bolus insulin I could use to correct those highs. I had to use urine testing and it was very unreliable. Despite all those years of high sugar I have no complications. There has to be some explanation for that.

Adjitater, me be a spokesperson? I used to be a math teacher, for many years. If I addressed a crowd and got confused (I am 71 now) then I might start giving a Calculus lecture. What kind of spokes person is that???

 

[wallycorker]

.....................Despite all those years of high sugar I have no complications. There has to be some explanation for that.......................

Yes Richard - I agree - very thought provoking!

Any ideas or theories yourself as to why you have been lucky enough to avoid the dreaded diabetic complications?

John

 

[Richard157]

I have several theories, but one of them is my favorite. I used animal insulin all those years I had so much high blood sugar. That insulin contained C-peptide, which helps protect the bodies of animals and humans from complications. Modern day synthetic insulins do not contain any C-peptide. Eli Lily experimented many years ago with the idea of putting C-peptide in their synthetic insulins, but they did not follow through. There was no explanation for that. I began having mild complications several years after using Humalog. I had to use pumping to get more stable control. My pump, carb counting, reducing my carb intake and daily exercising had to be done to eliminate my complications. Now I am complication-free, but I really had to work harder than ever before to get the good health I have now.

 

[RobertIA]

Congratulations Richard!

There are more of you long-time type 1's than I orginally thought. Have you met Tom Beatson?

Joslin has got quite a list.

Live long - and prosper.

 

[Richard157]

Bob, I have not met any of the other medalists, but there is a medalist meet-up scheduled in May, 2011. I plan to attend that meeting. There will b e many healthy carbs there, I am sure. Lol! many wonderful people too. I am looking forward to it.

 

[wallycorker]

Morning Richard,

Interesting theory about the C-peptide - I've never heard about that before. Enjoy the meet up next may. It should be a great opportunity for all of you to discuss various theories as to why you are all different to the rest?

John

 

[ThoseBackPages]

MAJOR CONGRATS!!!!

now you can update your sig

 

[breezeonby]

What a great anniversary! I am so happy for you Richard! :hug:

 

[Richard157]

Thanks "Back Pages" and Breeze.