How is this possible? Being Diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes at 20

Stephanie in FL · Mar 28, 2005, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by TriageRN_34

I work with geriatric patients who are constantly dx with diabetes type one at their late age...guess it was always missed before?

I am a CDE and RN. These geriatric patients may have Type 2 diabetes (not Type 1). Some people think that everyone on insulin has Type 1. That is not true. People with Type 2 diabetes may be on insulin from date of diagnosis if their BG readings are very high. Also, Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease. This means that most people with Type 2 diabetes will need insulin eventually to control their BG readings.

Yes, you can be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at any age. That is one reason why it is called Type 1 diabetes now and not juvenile diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the correct term (not Type II or adult onset diabetes) because:

a) it can be diagnosed in teenagers now
b) Some people thought it was Type "eleven" instead of Type "two"

Stephanie RN CDE

NurseCard · Mar 28, 2005, 03:24 PM

My father was diagnosed at age 32 with Type 1 diabetes. Rather unusual indeed. But no, I don't believe it is all that unusual to be diagnosed with it in the early 20's. My college roommate was also diagnosed with it at 20; though she also had Friedrich's Ataxia (a form of Muscular Dystrophy), and Type 1 diabetes is somehow believed to be linked to this disease, meaning persons with FA also end up with Type 1 DM.

NurseCard · Mar 28, 2005, 03:26 PM

Stephanie,
Young children are even being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes nowadays.

Tizwit · Mar 28, 2005, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by Stephanie in FL

a) it can be diagnosed in teenagers now
b) Some people thought it was Type "eleven" instead of Type "two"

Stephanie RN CDE

And even a few Pre-Teens

as I have seen in our Endo office..

Tizwit · Mar 28, 2005, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by RealNurseWitch

My father was diagnosed at age 32 with Type 1 diabetes. Rather unusual indeed. But no, I don't believe it is all that unusual to be diagnosed with it in the early 20's. My college roommate was also diagnosed with it at 20; though she also had Friedrich's Ataxia (a form of Muscular Dystrophy), and Type 1 diabetes is somehow believed to be linked to this disease, meaning persons with FA also end up with Type 1 DM.

I know several hundred (no not fibbing on the number) of people that have been diagnosed well after the age of 30 with type 1 diabetes. Main reason I know so many is that I am on a support group for those that use the insulin-pump. The largest support on the net for those that use the insulin pump I should say.

Brian
Pancreatically Callenged since 1992
Pumping for the last 11 years

Still Riding · Mar 28, 2005, 07:05 PM

Hey my post resurfaced. It has alomost been a year since my diagnosis of type I. I've been managing ery well, and am starting to look into the beifits of a pump.

I still think life would be easier without diabetes but hey what can you do?

I'm still in nursing school and doing great. I tell my instuctor at the begining of every semester (new instructors) about my diabetes just in case I get into trouble.

One thing i do miss though is candy. I love candy jube jubes and really everything gummy. but i've been discovering the almost as good sugar free candy. but i think there could be advances inthis area. lol

thanx for your concern SR

Tizwit · Mar 28, 2005, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Still Riding

Hey my post resurfaced. It has alomost been a year since my diagnosis of type I. I've been managing ery well, and am starting to look into the beifits of a pump.

I still think life would be easier without diabetes but hey what can you do?

I'm still in nursing school and doing great. I tell my instuctor at the begining of every semester (new instructors) about my diabetes just in case I get into trouble.

One thing i do miss though is candy. I love candy jube jubes and really everything gummy. but i've been discovering the almost as good sugar free candy. but i think there could be advances inthis area. lol

thanx for your concern SR

Why have you cut out Candy? That is not needed. Everything within moderation...

Do you Carb Count? Fixed Doses? Fixed Diet?

Brian
Pumping for 11 years. Pancreatically Challenged since 92

marilynmom · Mar 28, 2005, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by Tizwit

Why have you cut out Candy? That is not needed. Everything within moderation...

Do you Carb Count? Fixed Doses? Fixed Diet?

Brian
Pumping for 11 years. Pancreatically Challenged since 92

I agree, diabetes (type 1) runs in my family and you don't have to cut out sugar or candy...you just have to watch the carb count in them and maybe have some fat/protein along with the candy so the sugar is released more slowly.

My dad was diagnosed with Type 1 at the ripe old age of 50! He has excellent control of his glucose levels and eats some kind of candy or sweet everyday...just in moderation.

Marilyn

Still Riding · Mar 28, 2005, 08:16 PM

Why have you cut out Candy? That is not needed. Everything within moderation...

Do you Carb Count? Fixed Doses? Fixed Diet?

Brian
Pumping for 11 years. Pancreatically Challenged since 92

LOL, becasue I am unable to only have some candy. I love it... it is kinda my addiction, I can't only have some I want lots it i have any. so i find it easier to have none.

I know I can have some, but i jsut find it easier to have none. the sugar free stuff gets me by when I am desperate.

Jamesdotter · Mar 28, 2005, 10:11 PM

I've been reading this with some interest because I'm a type 2. My cousin, who I think may have been type 1 (because she was on a low dose of insulin) was diagnosed as diabetic when she was in her 20's. She died last month--at age 90! Take care of yourself and you can live a very long time!! I'm trying to do that, and so far have been able to control my disease with diet and exercise.

I have a friend who is a type l, diagnosed in her 50s, I think (she's now in her 70s). She would love to use a pump but tells me she can't because she is allergic to every kind of tape.

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How is this possible? Being Diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes at 20

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