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    • 11 hours, 42 minutes ago
      Kate Kuhn likes your comment at
      How often do people confuse type 1 and type 2 diabetes in your experience?
      It is not often that I get into discussions with people about Type 1 and type 2 diabetes. But, when I do, most people don't know that there is a difference. Those that are aware that there is a difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, don't know what the differences are. Generally, unless the person has the disease, is a close family member, or works in the medical profession, there is no understanding of the disease.
    • 11 hours, 42 minutes ago
      Kate Kuhn likes your comment at
      How often do people confuse type 1 and type 2 diabetes in your experience?
      In my experience the average person does not know the difference. It does not help that the commercials on TV just say diabetes and do not differentiate.
    • 11 hours, 43 minutes ago
      Kate Kuhn likes your comment at
      How often do people confuse type 1 and type 2 diabetes in your experience?
      What? We’re now advertising in this space? Delete this post!
    • 12 hours, 57 minutes ago
      Neha Shah likes your comment at
      Have you had a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scan? (The American Diabetes Association suggests this imaging tool, depending on age and years with T1D, to assess heart risk by measuring calcium buildup in your arteries.)
      Yes, I had one done and the results were very high in the upper 400s. I have my wonderful cardiologist to thank for recommending it as even after a normal stress test that was still somewhat suspicious. He thought further testing was advisable due to my 65 years of diabetes. The complaints that I had been having for years were not terribly specific, but just overall being way more exhausted than I thought I should be for my age and a bit of shortness of breath, but no chest pain. My doctors had been just saying that I was probably out of shape and that was what was causing the symptoms but this doctor really was proactive. This test shows calcium buildup, of course, in the arteries which is somewhat different than fatty plaque buildup in the arteries that can only be seen at the Cath Lab. My next step was to go to the Cath Lab where they found four major blockages in my heart and thank goodness we found them. I eventually ended up having four stents put in during two additional procedures. The last one was very stubborn because of the amount of calcium and I had to go to the university of Washington where they were able to do a procedure to drill the calcium out of the artery before they could get in there to place the stent. Heart disease is a very real concern for those of us with long-term diabetes, and although I am a retired dietitian and have always eaten an excellent diet with yearly lipid panel results looking excellent this still happened. The procedure took less than an hour and they do put an iodine die in your vein to make everything easier to see. My Medicare Advantage Plan paid for it except for my copayment which I believe was around $300 which is similar to what I have to pay for things like an MRI. The doctor does have to justify this test by certain symptoms and other previous test results.
    • 16 hours, 30 minutes ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      How often do people confuse type 1 and type 2 diabetes in your experience?
      In my experience people have heard of Type 2 Diabetes so if I say Type 1 that makes sense in that if there is a Type 2 there must be a Type 1 also. That is the extent of their understanding. In healthcare there is a bigger failure where "diabetes" or "type 2 diabetes" is used as a shorthand of a set of conditions often seen together. See any research paper by any cardiologist ever. This lack of precision leads to incorrect risk evaluations and incorrect treatment of people with diabetes caused by other factors including autoimmune aka Type 1.
    • 16 hours, 31 minutes ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      How often do people confuse type 1 and type 2 diabetes in your experience?
      In my experience the average person does not know the difference. It does not help that the commercials on TV just say diabetes and do not differentiate.
    • 19 hours, 55 minutes ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      Have you had a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scan? (The American Diabetes Association suggests this imaging tool, depending on age and years with T1D, to assess heart risk by measuring calcium buildup in your arteries.)
      I have, and I do show calcium build up and hardening of the arteries. No action has been taken yet at this time. However, I am taking Repatha for better control of my cholesterol and it has been working great.
    • 19 hours, 55 minutes ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      Have you had a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scan? (The American Diabetes Association suggests this imaging tool, depending on age and years with T1D, to assess heart risk by measuring calcium buildup in your arteries.)
      Yes, I had one done and the results were very high in the upper 400s. I have my wonderful cardiologist to thank for recommending it as even after a normal stress test that was still somewhat suspicious. He thought further testing was advisable due to my 65 years of diabetes. The complaints that I had been having for years were not terribly specific, but just overall being way more exhausted than I thought I should be for my age and a bit of shortness of breath, but no chest pain. My doctors had been just saying that I was probably out of shape and that was what was causing the symptoms but this doctor really was proactive. This test shows calcium buildup, of course, in the arteries which is somewhat different than fatty plaque buildup in the arteries that can only be seen at the Cath Lab. My next step was to go to the Cath Lab where they found four major blockages in my heart and thank goodness we found them. I eventually ended up having four stents put in during two additional procedures. The last one was very stubborn because of the amount of calcium and I had to go to the university of Washington where they were able to do a procedure to drill the calcium out of the artery before they could get in there to place the stent. Heart disease is a very real concern for those of us with long-term diabetes, and although I am a retired dietitian and have always eaten an excellent diet with yearly lipid panel results looking excellent this still happened. The procedure took less than an hour and they do put an iodine die in your vein to make everything easier to see. My Medicare Advantage Plan paid for it except for my copayment which I believe was around $300 which is similar to what I have to pay for things like an MRI. The doctor does have to justify this test by certain symptoms and other previous test results.
    • 19 hours, 55 minutes ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      Have you had a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scan? (The American Diabetes Association suggests this imaging tool, depending on age and years with T1D, to assess heart risk by measuring calcium buildup in your arteries.)
      Thank you. Your write up is concise, cogent, and convincing. 🎀
    • 19 hours, 56 minutes ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      Have you had a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scan? (The American Diabetes Association suggests this imaging tool, depending on age and years with T1D, to assess heart risk by measuring calcium buildup in your arteries.)
      After 16 stents and a new aortic valve, I've had every scan imaginable and she just keeps on tickin'.
    • 19 hours, 57 minutes ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      Have you had a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scan? (The American Diabetes Association suggests this imaging tool, depending on age and years with T1D, to assess heart risk by measuring calcium buildup in your arteries.)
      Just googled it and most insurance plans including basic Medicare do not cover it. Said cost ranges $100-400 with out-of-pocket being $100-150 (although I don’t understand that if not covered by insurance).
    • 20 hours, 20 minutes ago
      Patricia Dalrymple likes your comment at
      How often do people confuse type 1 and type 2 diabetes in your experience?
      In my experience the average person does not know the difference. It does not help that the commercials on TV just say diabetes and do not differentiate.
    • 20 hours, 21 minutes ago
      Patricia Dalrymple likes your comment at
      How often do people confuse type 1 and type 2 diabetes in your experience?
      What? We’re now advertising in this space? Delete this post!
    • 21 hours, 10 minutes ago
      Lynn Smith likes your comment at
      How often do people confuse type 1 and type 2 diabetes in your experience?
      In my experience the average person does not know the difference. It does not help that the commercials on TV just say diabetes and do not differentiate.
    • 1 day ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      On average, how often do you adjust insulin based on CGM trend arrows rather than your current glucose number alone?
      This is a good question! but it does lead to so many other questions.
    • 1 day ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      On average, how often do you adjust insulin based on CGM trend arrows rather than your current glucose number alone?
      If the mystery train is your favorite form of conveyance, then you’re gonna love T1D. You may choose to be in a universe that is spiritually arid. Or you may choose to live in the harsh realities of reality. Up & down arrows and double arrows? I Love ‘em. Can and do take action immediately. 🙇‍♀️ 🙇‍♀️
    • 1 day ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How often do people confuse type 1 and type 2 diabetes in your experience?
      T1D & T2D are meaningless acronyms for most, nearly all, nondiabetics. Juvenile diabetes vs diabetes is the closest known pairing and that's still few.
    • 1 day ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How often do people confuse type 1 and type 2 diabetes in your experience?
      In my experience the average person does not know the difference. It does not help that the commercials on TV just say diabetes and do not differentiate.
    • 1 day ago
      Mike S likes your comment at
      How often do people confuse type 1 and type 2 diabetes in your experience?
      In my experience the average person does not know the difference. It does not help that the commercials on TV just say diabetes and do not differentiate.
    • 1 day ago
      Lauren T likes your comment at
      How often do people confuse type 1 and type 2 diabetes in your experience?
      In my experience the average person does not know the difference. It does not help that the commercials on TV just say diabetes and do not differentiate.
    • 1 day ago
      Meerkat likes your comment at
      How often do people confuse type 1 and type 2 diabetes in your experience?
      In my experience the average person does not know the difference. It does not help that the commercials on TV just say diabetes and do not differentiate.
    • 1 day, 19 hours ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      Have you had a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scan? (The American Diabetes Association suggests this imaging tool, depending on age and years with T1D, to assess heart risk by measuring calcium buildup in your arteries.)
      Yes, I had one done and the results were very high in the upper 400s. I have my wonderful cardiologist to thank for recommending it as even after a normal stress test that was still somewhat suspicious. He thought further testing was advisable due to my 65 years of diabetes. The complaints that I had been having for years were not terribly specific, but just overall being way more exhausted than I thought I should be for my age and a bit of shortness of breath, but no chest pain. My doctors had been just saying that I was probably out of shape and that was what was causing the symptoms but this doctor really was proactive. This test shows calcium buildup, of course, in the arteries which is somewhat different than fatty plaque buildup in the arteries that can only be seen at the Cath Lab. My next step was to go to the Cath Lab where they found four major blockages in my heart and thank goodness we found them. I eventually ended up having four stents put in during two additional procedures. The last one was very stubborn because of the amount of calcium and I had to go to the university of Washington where they were able to do a procedure to drill the calcium out of the artery before they could get in there to place the stent. Heart disease is a very real concern for those of us with long-term diabetes, and although I am a retired dietitian and have always eaten an excellent diet with yearly lipid panel results looking excellent this still happened. The procedure took less than an hour and they do put an iodine die in your vein to make everything easier to see. My Medicare Advantage Plan paid for it except for my copayment which I believe was around $300 which is similar to what I have to pay for things like an MRI. The doctor does have to justify this test by certain symptoms and other previous test results.
    • 1 day, 19 hours ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      Have you had a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scan? (The American Diabetes Association suggests this imaging tool, depending on age and years with T1D, to assess heart risk by measuring calcium buildup in your arteries.)
      Yes, and even with low cholesterol levels all my life, CT Scan show extensive calcified coronary artery disease.
    • 1 day, 21 hours ago
      Carrolyn likes your comment at
      On average, how often do you adjust insulin based on CGM trend arrows rather than your current glucose number alone?
      If the mystery train is your favorite form of conveyance, then you’re gonna love T1D. You may choose to be in a universe that is spiritually arid. Or you may choose to live in the harsh realities of reality. Up & down arrows and double arrows? I Love ‘em. Can and do take action immediately. 🙇‍♀️ 🙇‍♀️
    • 1 day, 21 hours ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      If you could reimagine your diabetes technology, what’s the one thing you would change?
      The technology is remarkable — and I’m thankful for it. Having managed T1D for a very long time, it's improved my A1C. But as we age with T1D, usability becomes critical. Larger fonts, easier interfaces, simpler navigation, and design for arthritic hands will matter more and more. We also urgently need better training in hospitals and care facilities. Too often staff are unfamiliar with pumps and CGMs, and patients are forced to disconnect from the very tools that keep them safe. With the nationwide shortage of endocrinologists, we cannot rely on specialists to fix these gaps — frontline medical staff need better training and support. Tech innovation must include accessibility and real-world medical training.
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    Have you (or your loved one with T1D) had LASIK eye surgery to see better without glasses or contact lenses?

    Home > LC Polls > Have you (or your loved one with T1D) had LASIK eye surgery to see better without glasses or contact lenses?
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    At your most recent (or current) job, did you tell your coworkers that you have T1D?

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has worked in the diabetes research field ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

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    18 Comments

    1. Bob Durstenfeld

      I was warned NOT to have LASIX surgery as it might complicate future cataract surgery.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Amy Nance

      Every single optometrist or ophthalmologist I have ever seen wears glasses. Why ? Because laser surgery is not 100%. Why would you purposely risk your eyesight, when we already have so many risks ? My non- diabetic ex husband had it done and to this day has halos at night. (Even after a corrective laser surgery years later).

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Beth Franz

      Had lasik in 2004 for terrible nearsightedness and astigmatism and perfect vision for almost 15 years. Zero regrets. Now I’m on the verge of needing glasses again in my early 40s and contemplating a lasik touch up. That won’t fix my slight need for reading glasses but will probably be worth it.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Amanda Barras

      I can’t justify the expense of LASIK myself.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Jim Rogers

      I am 60 years old and having worn contacts for nearsightedness my whole life, 2 years ago I had multifocal lenses implanted to replace cataracts in both eyes. While halos and rings around lights (fresnel lens effect, look at a lighthouse light lens), I find seeing everything up close and far away as a better alternative.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. AIMEE MCGUIRE

      I had LASIK surgery 13 years ago when my twins were 8 months old. My husband did it shortly after. Absolutely no regrets. I still love being able to wake up and not worrying about seeing. I am now almost 50 so I do need reading glasses occasionally but that would have occurred whether I had not done it. I wore glasses/contacts from the age or 12 and my vision went fast. I could not function without one or the other. Somebody said something previously about eye doctors wearing glass. My and my children’s eye doctor wear reading glasses but I have never had one that wore them for nearsided vision. It is not a true statement that they wear glasses because LASIK isn’t safe. Best thing I ever did for myself. Improved my life.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Nevin Bowman

      I had approval from my retinal specialist to pursue LASIK, but I couldn’t find a doctor that would perform the procedure for a diabetic.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Austin Tremblay

      The idea that I could afford a procedure like LASIK after the cost of insulin, syringes, CGM supplies, doctor’s appointment copays, and other miscellaneous costs associated with diabetes is hilarious.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Kristine Warmecke

      I was referred for LASIK before it became poplar but wasn’t a candidate. My genetic vision problems are too great.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Kristen Clifford

      Haven’t done it yet, but I’m seriously considering it!

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. George Lovelace

      At age 68 started Laser and Injections for Floaters from DME. Had Cataract Surgery which gave me 20/25 in my bad eye but then had Vitrectomy for a Hemorrhage. I now only wear glasses for reading.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Becky Hertz

      LASIK wouldn’t have fixed my vision issues. Besides, I had enough laser surgery for the PRP.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Carol Meares

      No for me but my sister, who also has T1D LADA has had laser surgery for her eyes. She had it many years before she acquired T1D.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Ceolmhor

      Probably not relevant, but I’ve had cataract surgery which allow me under many circumstances to see well without glasses or contacts. No lasix or similar surgery, though.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Sally Wallace

      I had lasik back in . . . 1997?? Around then. Overseas. $3000 for both eyes. Before that, I was -10/-11 diopters. Insane myopia. I’m not 20/20 but close enough to only need reading glasses under poor light and distance lenses when I drive at night (older lasik caused glare, but no worse than contacts.). One of the best decisions I ever made.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Alison Neumann

      I had LASIK eye surgery for my very near-sighted eyes 3 years ago (age 35) and it was the BEST decision I have ever made with my money. I believe it was around $2400 and I no longer need glasses/contacts. Seriously – if you can take the initiative to improve your life like that – DO IT. So glad I did!!!

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Germaine Sarda

      I’ve worn glasses for 35 years (can’t see without them) and I don’t even consider Lasik since three of my friends had major issues after their procedures and now wear glasses to correct the problems that developed. And as another said, the idea of having the funds to pay for it after buying diabetes supplies is hilarious!

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. briana McIntyre

      I’m looking to get it done next month, any advice.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply

    Have you (or your loved one with T1D) had LASIK eye surgery to see better without glasses or contact lenses? Cancel reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.




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