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    • 1 hour, 25 minutes ago
      kilupx likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      My brother was type 1 since an early age. I was only diagnosed in my late 40s
    • 3 hours, 27 minutes ago
      Phyllis Biederman likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Absolutely nothing. Diagnosed in late December 1962 at at the age of 8 years and was told I was going for a stay in hospital because I have "sugar diabetes".
    • 4 hours, 9 minutes ago
      Anita Stokar likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Ironically, I was a 10 year old "before" my diagnosis. BUT, one day I was over my friend's house (on what they call a playdate in today's parlance) and we went to the pharmacy to by candy. I remember vividly a video playing on a loop on a little TV on the counter describing what diabetes was and insulin injections every day. I remember thinking to myself that those poor people must feel like pin cushions. Fast forward to two days after my 11th birthday and my doctor telling me that I had diabetes. I remember my mother being fully unaware of what it entailed. I remember telling her that it's ok, all I need to do is take shots every day. She looked at me puzzled, like how do you know this? The doctor was also a little perplexed but added, it's a little more than that, but correct. Then he explained it based on his two-three hours of training in medical school. It's funny how prompts trigger strange memories.
    • 4 hours, 12 minutes ago
      Bill Williams likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Being 4 years of age, I think I can be forgiven for not knowing much of anything at all. That was 3 quarters of a century ago. ⎛⎝( ` ᢍ ´ )⎠⎞
    • 4 hours, 36 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      I was diagnosed in 1976 at the age of 18 while in college. One weekend, I was drinking a lot of water and peeing frequently. I remembered having read a Reader's Digest article on diabetes, and I told my friends I thought I might have it. Two days later, the diagnosis was confirmed.
    • 4 hours, 37 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Absolutely nothing. Diagnosed in late December 1962 at at the age of 8 years and was told I was going for a stay in hospital because I have "sugar diabetes".
    • 4 hours, 37 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      I knew I couldn’t or shouldn’t have my two fav things in the world: Pepsi cola and chocolate. I was 42, and suspected very strongly that I had it, and ate a large piece of chocolate cake before my doctor’s appointment (sounds more like I was 12). Fast forward 25 years later: I never had a real cola again, but do occasionally have chocolate. I’m way healthier than I was back then in terms of diet. I no longer have irritable bowel, and I’m lucky to be able to afford what I need to combat the ill effects of this chronic disease. I’m blessed, and grateful for insulin.
    • 4 hours, 38 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      It was 35 years ago for me. I had no experience with T1d. I was starting to show symptoms and my sister-in-law quickly researched T1d and told me what she found. I went to my GP a week or two later. My BG was over 600. He sent me to the hospital right away. Blood test confirmed it.
    • 4 hours, 38 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      I only knew a little . That is why I give grace to others who do not know anything or have misconceptions.
    • 4 hours, 42 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Ironically, I was a 10 year old "before" my diagnosis. BUT, one day I was over my friend's house (on what they call a playdate in today's parlance) and we went to the pharmacy to by candy. I remember vividly a video playing on a loop on a little TV on the counter describing what diabetes was and insulin injections every day. I remember thinking to myself that those poor people must feel like pin cushions. Fast forward to two days after my 11th birthday and my doctor telling me that I had diabetes. I remember my mother being fully unaware of what it entailed. I remember telling her that it's ok, all I need to do is take shots every day. She looked at me puzzled, like how do you know this? The doctor was also a little perplexed but added, it's a little more than that, but correct. Then he explained it based on his two-three hours of training in medical school. It's funny how prompts trigger strange memories.
    • 4 hours, 43 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Being 4 years of age, I think I can be forgiven for not knowing much of anything at all. That was 3 quarters of a century ago. ⎛⎝( ` ᢍ ´ )⎠⎞
    • 4 hours, 45 minutes ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Ironically, I was a 10 year old "before" my diagnosis. BUT, one day I was over my friend's house (on what they call a playdate in today's parlance) and we went to the pharmacy to by candy. I remember vividly a video playing on a loop on a little TV on the counter describing what diabetes was and insulin injections every day. I remember thinking to myself that those poor people must feel like pin cushions. Fast forward to two days after my 11th birthday and my doctor telling me that I had diabetes. I remember my mother being fully unaware of what it entailed. I remember telling her that it's ok, all I need to do is take shots every day. She looked at me puzzled, like how do you know this? The doctor was also a little perplexed but added, it's a little more than that, but correct. Then he explained it based on his two-three hours of training in medical school. It's funny how prompts trigger strange memories.
    • 4 hours, 46 minutes ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      I knew I couldn’t or shouldn’t have my two fav things in the world: Pepsi cola and chocolate. I was 42, and suspected very strongly that I had it, and ate a large piece of chocolate cake before my doctor’s appointment (sounds more like I was 12). Fast forward 25 years later: I never had a real cola again, but do occasionally have chocolate. I’m way healthier than I was back then in terms of diet. I no longer have irritable bowel, and I’m lucky to be able to afford what I need to combat the ill effects of this chronic disease. I’m blessed, and grateful for insulin.
    • 4 hours, 58 minutes ago
      Gary R. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Being 4 years of age, I think I can be forgiven for not knowing much of anything at all. That was 3 quarters of a century ago. ⎛⎝( ` ᢍ ´ )⎠⎞
    • 5 hours, 12 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Being 4 years of age, I think I can be forgiven for not knowing much of anything at all. That was 3 quarters of a century ago. ⎛⎝( ` ᢍ ´ )⎠⎞
    • 5 hours, 27 minutes ago
      eherban1 likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Being 4 years of age, I think I can be forgiven for not knowing much of anything at all. That was 3 quarters of a century ago. ⎛⎝( ` ᢍ ´ )⎠⎞
    • 17 hours, 23 minutes ago
      NANCY NECIA likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      I think it is a common experience for most people with T1D. People do not understand anything about it. I do not take it personally. I try to educate when appropriate.
    • 19 hours, 42 minutes ago
      Anita Stokar likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      I won't use the word "diabetic" as a noun. It's as simple as that, an adjective, yes. I didn't refer to a good friend with MS as a "sclerotic". When I was working with first responders, I tried to remember to say "schizophrenia is involved", or "there's alcoholism at play here".
    • 19 hours, 44 minutes ago
      Anita Stokar likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      I think it is a common experience for most people with T1D. People do not understand anything about it. I do not take it personally. I try to educate when appropriate.
    • 19 hours, 45 minutes ago
      Anita Stokar likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      No one has said (in seriousness) you can't eat that, but I have gotten the question "Can you eat that?"
    • 20 hours, 48 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      I get the 'you can't eat that, can you?' comments when friends see me eat a lot of carbs or have a nice dessert. I remind them that as long as I have insulin, I can eat whatever I want.
    • 20 hours, 49 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      I think it is a common experience for most people with T1D. People do not understand anything about it. I do not take it personally. I try to educate when appropriate.
    • 20 hours, 51 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      I won't use the word "diabetic" as a noun. It's as simple as that, an adjective, yes. I didn't refer to a good friend with MS as a "sclerotic". When I was working with first responders, I tried to remember to say "schizophrenia is involved", or "there's alcoholism at play here".
    • 1 day ago
      Lenora Ventura likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      Like most of the above comments, it's more of a question. The statements have come in situations where I'm not actually eating something...like someone saying, "Oh, it must be hard to not be able to eat desserts!"
    • 1 day ago
      Lenora Ventura likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      I think it is a common experience for most people with T1D. People do not understand anything about it. I do not take it personally. I try to educate when appropriate.
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    How old were you when you were first diagnosed with T1D?

    Home > LC Polls > How old were you when you were first diagnosed with T1D?
    Previous

    If you wear an insulin pump, how often do you carry a backup method of insulin delivery when you leave your home? (I.e. supplies for a pump site change, an insulin pen, syringes, etc.)

    Next

    On a scale of 1-5, how satisfied are you with your current T1D therapy regimen? (5 = the most satisfied, 1 = the least satisfied)

    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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    32 Comments

    1. gordon girdwood

      12 years old

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Kristen Clifford

      I was diagnosed eight days before my 24th birthday.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Amanda Barras

      Looks like so many get it as older kids! I just barely had turned 4.

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Shannon Barnaby

      13

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Rose Lentzke

      4

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Greg Felton

      I was a juvenile, back when T1D was called juvenile diabetes. I’m glad I was diagnosed at age 5 rather than 25, honestly.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Kristine Warmecke

      I was 11, my brother was 7 months old & his oldest daughter was 23 months old when we were diagnosed.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Beckett Nelson

      I was diagnosed on my 10th birthday. Easy to remember the date

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Kaylea Bowers

      I was almost 11, little sister was 11 and little brother was 16 at our diagnoses.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Nevin Bowman

      4

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Christina Trudo

      I was 11. this summer I celebrate 59 years LIVING with it. (I have a brother who was diagnosed at 18, and his son was diagnosed at 4. )

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Ceolmhor

      72. I’m 77 now. Our oldest son was diagnosed with T1D at age 29. I like to say that I inherited it from him. 🙂

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Jana Foley

      I was just turning 61 when I received an accurate diagnosis, but was misdiagnosed as a T2 twenty years earlier. My two youngest children were diagnosed at 11 and 6 however. They were diagnosed at just three months and four days apart.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Janis Senungetuk

      8 yrs old

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Angela Naccari

      I was 6 years old. 60 year ago in November!

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. ConnieT1D62

      I was diagnosed at age 8 in late December 1962.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Ann Taylor

      I was diagnosed at age 62 on July 2, 2015. Not too many of us older ones

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Sally Numrich

      8

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Daniel Bestvater

      I was a bit of an odd T1D. Some symptoms and elevated BG appeared at about 13 and it was somewhat controlled by diet and exercise until I was 15.
      Right on my 15th birthday I ended up in the hospital and started insulin. I’m now 58 so I guess type 1 for 43-45 years.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Tracy Jean

      22

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. Nicole Libby

      1 month before my 54th birthday.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. William Bennett

      I was. in grad school and had just turned 28. I thought the symptoms must have something to do with exam and paper writing pressure as it was near end of term. Came on pretty suddenly–over a few weeks–and I had no idea what it was. Fortunately my wife mentioned it to my m-i-l, an occupational therapist, and she said “Get him to a dr stat!” This was back in 1983 and the “Type” nomenclature wasn’t instituted yet, though my Dr told me about it by way of explaining that the auto-immune kind doesn’t track with age. So it says “Juvenile type” on my record.

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Henry Renn

        Dx in 1955, age 4 yr, 7 mos. Called Juvenile Diabetes no matter what the age of the person. Tyoe 2 was adult onset. Later I remember Insulin Dependent Diabetes. I have tried to stay fairly educated about Diabetes. I think bc the disease has been nearly lifelong I didn’t note points of change in terminology.

        5 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. KarenM6

      I had just turned 5 and was in the hospital from Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. Ernie Richmann

      At 57 I was diagnosed as diabetic. Within 2 more years, I was diagnosed type 1.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. Sasha Wooldridge

      Diagnosed T1 at 21 years old.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    26. Holly Miller

      I was 12yo (1975) and our daughter was 9yo (2006) when dx’d. The differences in our initial experiences with T1D were HUGE. I decided to learn the ‘new’ management techniques with fresh eyes, even though I was well-controlled on a pump for the previous 13 years. Now we’re our own support group!

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    27. James Goldman

      I had just turned 5 in 1957. I was very fortunate to have Drs. Joslin, White and Krall as my early physicians in Boston.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    28. Ahh Life

      4. (👍 ͡❛ ᴗ ͡❛)👍 Thumbs up to all you 4-year-olds. That was 70 years ago for me . . . . . . during the technological ice age. Biggest first advance was test-tape in 1956, ref. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/helen-murray-free-dead/2021/05/04/7757199a-ace8-11eb-b476-c3b287e52a01_story.html

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    29. Bruce Schnitzler

      Diagnosed in 1951 when I was five years old

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    30. Leona Hanson

      I was in my early 30s when diagnosed with t1d.was 7 when diagnosed with pre diabetic

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    31. Megan L

      I was 3. A few days marked 25 years.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply

    How old were you when you were first diagnosed with T1D? Cancel reply

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