Posted by Sandy D. on January 08, 1998 at 11:34:25:
In Reply to: long term prognosis posted by randy blumenschein on January 08, 1998 at 11:05:00:
My circumstances are similar to yours. I'm 40 and have had IDDM for 29 years. No real problems (minimal neuropathy in lower extremities, lousy eyesight). My endocrinologist says that people who get past the first 15 to 20 years of having IDDM without significant problems have probably "dodged the bullet." He says some folks get complications no matter how tightly they control their blood sugar, but that tight control definitely helps. He feels that if I maintain decent control, I'll probably avoid the severe complications (kidney failure, blindness, etc.), but he would not hazard a guess as to how long I will live.
I, too, would like to know what my lifespan prognosis is.