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When you (or your child) were diagnosed with T1D, for how long were you in the hospital?
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I was not hospitalized
I had a pediatrician and general practitioner fighting over who would be in charge of me. 1965. I was 15. They then couldnāt decide if I was T1D or T2D! I spent an entire week on metformin. Thank God I spent most of that time asleep. Maybe I was in a coma. Who knows. It is quite clear to me neither of them was treating me. They only fought over control of me. I left without any training other than sticking an orange one time. I was at a loss. Mom knew not to serve me sugar. We knew no diabetics. I was alone. I had to
Pay for my own insulin and care needs. Mom and dad only fought over what side of the family caused this diagnosis. Neither were any help or support. Public library had a couple of books on diabetes that I read cover to cover. It wasnāt until the ADA magazine came out that I really realized I was not the only one with T1D.
Thank you for sharing your story. I am only recently diagnosed, last year on my 62 birthday. The strength you must have had since 1965 is inspirational.
51 years ago, a week in the hospital was the only option!
3 blood draws per day was the basis for long lasting insulin dosageāalong with diet.
Seems prehistoric now!
Like many have written, I wasn’t hospitalized at all. That really should be a choice in the poll.
Have never been in hospital for my LADA. Was diagnosed as type 2 but I was sure that was misdiagnosed. My fasting BS was 139. Two years later finally diagnosed as adult type 1. Never let it get out of control. A1c was always below 6.5 and for past 15 years has been around 5.6
In the 80ās they kept you for a 2 week education period. Had to read a book and take a test, give my mom shots of water. Then give my self shots of water till they trusted me with insulin. It was a very crazy time as a teenager.
Diagnosed in 1974 at 14. I don’t really remember how long I was in, 2-3 days only.
I was not in the hospital. I was 16 years old and my Dad’s company had a Health mobile truck set up for employees and their family to have free exams. This included blood work. Mine came back showing glucose. My father took me to a doctor and they did further testing. That’s when I was diagnosed as a type 1. I did not have any symptoms and I don’t recall how high it was. I felt ok. My parents couldn’t believe it. They were in denial because they went back in the family history and nobody in the family had diabetes. It was difficult for them to accept and that made it hard on me to try to learn my new life.
I was never hospitalized.
Never hospitalized. Diagnosed at age 40.
Same! And diagnosed at age 38!!!
Same…and also at 38 (6 yrs and counting). They ran me around my Primary Care Physician’s office, getting me all my supplies before setting me down in a Diabetes Educator’s office. No Hospital needed.
Zero days
I was diagnosed outpatient after having elevated fasting glucose then abnormal A1c and positive antibodies
4 days, mostly spent getting my electrolytes in balance.
I was diagnosed at 5 and was in the hospital for a month between American Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.
My diagnosis was a traumatic experience: being called a liar and a hypochondriac at 5 tends to have emotional repercussions.
Then, because, back then, parents couldn’t stay, my 5-year-old brain considered that I was left there alone to manage my own safety etc.
I’m very glad that things have improved over the years!
As an aside… I’ve seen a few comments in the last month’s worth of questions of the Joslin 50 year medalists. I _would_ be a medalist if they didn’t insist on paperwork or statements that are difficult to impossible to get. When I went to the website to see about a medal, the fact that they wouldn’t take my word for when I was diagnosed was a bit triggering… like being called a liar all over again. I decided the medal wasn’t worth the emotional hassle and the hassle of trying to track down people who were alive back then and could give me a statement. I decided to give myself a medal! ;p š ;p
I was never in hospital.
Never made it to the point of hospitalization.
Iwas in my early 50’s when diagnosed with T1D. Never was hospitalized for it. That is why my private ins at that time had a fit about approving a pump, sensor, or any supplies. I had to wait years and jump through many hoops to finally get a pump, then a couple more years for a sensor!
I was only 2 years old, so I really do not know how long I was in the hospital.
Wow! After reading through the comments I thought I should clarify, I was hospitalized when i was diagnosed. I think in the early ’60’s that was standard. I just don’t know for how long.
Diagnosed by family practitioner. Never admitted to hospital.
Lost 10 kilos in two weeks, spent 2-3 days at UCLA medical center. The endocrinologist insisted I learn about food values, in addition to the training. (1970)
Eight days in October 1970. I was several months shy of 4 years old, and these are my earliest memories. I remember having a board strapped to my right arm, ostensibly to hold the IV in place. (My mother told me that I asked how I broke my arm.) I also remember having a roommate who needed an oxygen tent, and wished I could be in there with her because it looked like fun. Finally, I remember an unpleasant nurse roughly turning me onto my tummy to take my temperature rectally. I clenched and refused and she yelled at me and told me the doctor would have to come in. I still refused and the doctor never came. It took me YEARS to recognize that the shame I felt about that should have been directed toward her BS behavior.
Iām not sure why zero was not an option. I knew when I went to the doctor I had it. Ignored the symptoms until I dropped 10 lbs without trying and couldnāt bury my head in the sand anymore. Are a big piece of chocolate cake before I went because I figured thatās the last time I would be able to. Luckily, I am in control and can still have desserts every once in a while.
Ate
I became a T1D after having Whipple surgery. I was in the hospital for 11 days.
Diagnosed at a Dr visit. No hospitalizations