I’m scared I’m developing diabetes complications. Type 1 for 14 years?
Nov 23, 2009 | Complications of Diabetes
I’m sixteen years old, I haven’t been taking care of my diabetes. I’m scared that it’s all caught up with me and I’m developing complications. I’ve had a lot of stress in my life and I know that’s no excuse for harming my own health, but I have. Now I’m scared I can’t turn it around and that it’s too late! (Oh and for the assholes that come on diabetes questions and don’t realize that type 1 and type 2 are different from each other, don’t answer this. I’m not overweight and I didn’t get diabetes from being issues such as that. I’m type 1, it’s genetic.) Anyways, my first toe on my right foot feels not completely numb, but a little. Like there’s not enough circulation in my feet. When I press on my legs there’s an indent in it from water retention, but it’s not from retaining water like periods or pregnancy! It’s been there for a few months. My heels are hard, like the skin is really tough and it wasn’t always like that. You can’t tell looking at it but feels it is really awful. Sometimes my back right where my kidneys are have this sharp pain, and I can see but I see so many little spots in like the light if I’m looking up at the sky when it’s bright out and stuff. (not the spots you see from looking at a light too long, like floating stuff. but I can still see.) I’m going to my doctor, but I’m scared. Of knowing that I have complications and stuff. And of laser surgery and all of that! 
I wish now I had taken better care of myself. Can I turn this around though? Or at least stop it from getting worse?
Sorry about all the typos in there, I didn’t realize I had so many. I was typing kind of fast.
You’re welcome Zack, but I’d see a doctor. I’m sure you’d be in a much worse condition (dead) if you were a diabetic for 2 long years without insulin.
Sonj, I appreciate your concern my having diabetes hasn’t made my life as difficult as you’re making it sound. I wasn’t referring to my life sucking (which it really hasn’t in a lot of ways.) because of diabetes. But what HAS happened in my life made me attempt suicide twice, things I have no business mentioniong. I’ve been to theropy for it though. I went to the gym last night, and have been eating healthier. I’m going to keep it up and hopefully restore my health.
wmponygirl and dingding, your answers were the best. There were so many great answers though. I’m glad to know that I’m not alone in all of this. You both made me realize that the most and have more hope in most of this being reversable. So thank you so so much for your answers!
It’s no use telling you to stop worrying. Once we realize what a royal mess we have made of our health and make the decision to do something about it, we start to worry over everything. You are always going to worry about your diabetes and every little cold/illness. I am and will always be the same way. I as diagnosed at 13 and in the middle of the rebellious teenage years. I sometimes wish I had been diagnosed at a very young age so that I could have grown up with the lifestyle.
I am now running into complications as well. I started getting laser treatments for retinopathy late last year. Not fun. I have the water retention also. My doc called it "pitting" and sent me to a nephrologist. I was very lucky in that aspect because he said that after looking at my blood work my kidneys were still functioning pretty well. He put me on a bp medicine that also has a diuretic in it.
I can give you some advice about what works for me but nothing beats going to a doctor. The lower back pain may be from kidney infections/UTI’s. That is some thing that we diabetics are prone to. As for your feet, this might sound like a pretty standard answer but regular exercise helps. It keeps the blood flowing. Also be sure to check your feet FREQUENTLY for blisters/injuries. I have problems with dry skin on my feet and I am always rubbing lotion into them.
It’s never too late to start living a healthier lifestyle. Some of these conditions can’t be reversed, but they can be treated and the progression delayed. Don’t focus on the past. That’s not going to change anything. You have to focus on what’s ahead of you so that you can get back on track.
I am also available for email so don’t hesitate to fire off a message if you need anything.
Good luck!
November 24th, 2009 at 4:09 am
you are indeed experiencing complications from not controlling your diabetes, some of the things you describe are reversible, some aren’t. But you can definitely get better than you are now. Go to your doctor and have a long talk with him, tell him everything and ask him to teach you how to get back on track and get better.
References :
RN
November 24th, 2009 at 4:22 am
Ok first stop stressing, Your best bet is to have your Mom make an Appointment to see your Doctor, Let them know all that you are feeling. I have Type 2 and I am 49yrs old. It sounds like you know your condition so do yourself a favor and make an appointment. I am sure you feel much better, and the fact that our body is maturing may have something to do with what’s going on to. GOOD LUCK from a fellow Diabetic.
References :
November 24th, 2009 at 5:05 am
I am a type 1 diabetic since 14 years old and i know what your going through. if you want to talk to someone whos been through this, send me an email.
References :
November 24th, 2009 at 5:51 am
Diabetic Neuropathy might be a concern, but it may not be very far progressed yet. Some nerve compression might be going on which can be treated by taking good care of your feet. If the skin looks normal, it might not be a concern. If you notice swelling, it may be linked to the medication you take. It can be fixed as simple as changing your medication. Kidney problems usually have other symptoms other than generalized pain. You may be experiencing frequent urination, blood in the urine, and burning during urination. You should have your albumin tested regularly! Looking into the sky and seeing spots or floaters can occur when anyone looks into a bright light. It is not necessarily a symptom of your disease. Actually there are very few symptoms with diabetic retinopathy until it is advanced. But blurry vision is the most common when a patient notices a symptom. Have your eyes checked at least once a year though and you should be dilated during the exam. I am not saying you dont have any problems, but you may be worried about more than what is actually happening. At this stage your symptoms and condition may be highly treatable and the prognosis may still be very good indeed! Good luck!
References :
November 24th, 2009 at 6:38 am
Write down all your concerns so you don’t forget to ask when you go to the doctor. Happily, if you start to catch complications early, some can be reversed. I don’t think water retention, occasional back pain and calluses on your heels have anything to do with diabetes. But write these down and ask the doctor about it.
Many diabetes related complications can be treated if caught early.
I have a 16 year old son who has type 1. He also gets worried about any health related thing that doesn’t seem quite right. For peace of mind, we’re probably at doctor’s offices more than the typical diabetes patient, but that’s how we roll.
References :
November 24th, 2009 at 6:55 am
It’s no use telling you to stop worrying. Once we realize what a royal mess we have made of our health and make the decision to do something about it, we start to worry over everything. You are always going to worry about your diabetes and every little cold/illness. I am and will always be the same way. I as diagnosed at 13 and in the middle of the rebellious teenage years. I sometimes wish I had been diagnosed at a very young age so that I could have grown up with the lifestyle.
I am now running into complications as well. I started getting laser treatments for retinopathy late last year. Not fun. I have the water retention also. My doc called it "pitting" and sent me to a nephrologist. I was very lucky in that aspect because he said that after looking at my blood work my kidneys were still functioning pretty well. He put me on a bp medicine that also has a diuretic in it.
I can give you some advice about what works for me but nothing beats going to a doctor. The lower back pain may be from kidney infections/UTI’s. That is some thing that we diabetics are prone to. As for your feet, this might sound like a pretty standard answer but regular exercise helps. It keeps the blood flowing. Also be sure to check your feet FREQUENTLY for blisters/injuries. I have problems with dry skin on my feet and I am always rubbing lotion into them.
It’s never too late to start living a healthier lifestyle. Some of these conditions can’t be reversed, but they can be treated and the progression delayed. Don’t focus on the past. That’s not going to change anything. You have to focus on what’s ahead of you so that you can get back on track.
I am also available for email so don’t hesitate to fire off a message if you need anything.
Good luck!
References :
21+ years as a Type 1 diabetic with a Parent who is Type 2
November 24th, 2009 at 7:19 am
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have had these same problems for about 2 years now, so I think now i have diabetes! you answered my long awaited question!
References :
November 24th, 2009 at 7:29 am
I am 36 and became diab type 1 at aged 2.
I have always looked after myself fairly closely.
3 years ago I had weird spots in one eye and a few weeks later had a huge hemorrhage near my retina. My retina detached and I am lucky to have had my sight restored by a fantastic surgeon. I have since had laser to both eyes.
.
You need to get your eyes checked NOW.
It is reversible before a bleed occurs.
Circulation and nerve problems in your feet can improve if you pull your finger out and start looking after yourself.
You are only 16. You have your whole life ahead of you.
Sure. Life is a bit harder for you than your mates, but get over it or you will be on dialysis with no legs and blind pretty soon at best.
Dead at worst.
It isn’t all that bad
I have two beautiful children and no other complications
I have two university degrees (nursing is one of them)
I have travelled the world before I got married
Being a diabetic has not stopped me from doing anything
Email me if you want
References :
Tyoe 1 diab 34 years
mum
November 24th, 2009 at 8:06 am
We’ve all been through this at one time or another, that "wake-up call" that makes you realize that you really do have a disease, and the regrets that come with not having taken it as seriously as you would have liked.
But that’s the past, and this is now. You have some choices to make. You can panic, which is natural but it doesn’t do much good. Or you can re-commit to getting your BG’s in control by working regularly with a diabetes educator one-on-one, testing at least 4x/day and learning more about carb counting, and perhaps getting an insulin pump, which would be great for you. This will not be easy…it will frustrate and consume you for the next few months, but it’s well worth that commitment.
You can turn some complications around, or at least keep them from getting any worse. Personally, I had mild microalbuminuria (leaking protein from the kidneys) that I was able to reverse after just a few months on a pump. I also have mild neuropathy like you, but it comes and goes, and taking large dosages of alpha lipoic acid usually relieves it.
Keep in mind that almost 100% of Type 1’s have some kind of eye damage after 20 years with the disease, but that’s no excuse to just take a "whatever, it’s going to happen anyway" kind of attitude. By managing our BG’s as best we can, we can make a better and longer life for ourselves. But it’s all up to you…nobody’s going to do this work for you, they can only support you in your effort. Time to get moving on this!
References :
Type 1 for 25 years…been there