[General] Introduce Yourself!

tbh

Hi guys,

I thought this might be useful for anyone who wants to use the forum to introduce themselves (not that you have to of course).

I'm tbh (hi!) and I'm 32 1/2. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 21, with the classic symptoms - I was drinking water all day, only stopping to pee. The funny thing was, I didn't really think anything of it - I had no idea what diabetes was or what the symptoms were. I was at my GP for something unrelated, and mentioned the thirst thing to him, and he sent me for a blood test - the rest is history. Touch wood I've had no major problems with it, but I have not been to see my specialist in a long time - about 5 years. I am going in January tho - the 11th to be exact. The [stupid] reason why it's been so long? I missed one appointment, and thought the doc would be annoyed - the longer I left it, the harder it was to go back. And I'm 32!

anyway, I hope this forum becomes a useful place to discuss all the stuff that goes with having a LTI, and I hope to learn a lot here.

cheers,
tbh

robinph

I'm also a type 1 diabetic and was diagnosed 10 years ago at 23.

I had been feeling crap for a while and been to the GP several times but he never even tried the simple blood test as part of trying to figure out what was wrong. I got so weak that I could barely move, and figured that the GP was crap and never going to figure out what was wrong, that my parents eventually came and collected me and drove me across the other side of the country and took me to see their GP the following day. Within 1 minute of arriving at their GP he said exactly what was wrong and said to get me straight off to hospital. About 30 minutes after they had put an insulin drip in my arm I was already feeling much better but they had to keep me in for about 5 days as I was so weak. Work was very good though and had no problem with me being off for a month and then going back doing half days for the next month until I got my strength back.

Since then I've been trying to be a good diabetic, but mostly failing in that. Although the specialists have not had anything to be concerned with as yet regarding complications as I have somehow managed to keep kind of good control even though I never test as much as I should. I do go and see them every year now though although I did miss a couple of years after moving countries and getting lazy in finding a new specialist to visit.

mike65

Another typo 1!

Since 13 I think (its so long ago), I spent Xmas in hospital when diagnosed, have managed to navigate the subsequent *cough* 28 years *cough* without trauma. I have regular check ups and eye tests at the WRH.

Mike.

tbh

mike your post is the whole reason I wanted to start this forum - 28 years with no bothers - really good to hear. Robin, I could have written your post, great to see there are more like me

DrIndy

I'm a medical doctor and seem to be one of the few on Boards. I'm interested in Medicine (as opposed to surgery).

I would be more than happy to field general medical information to anyone with a burning question.

Best of luck with the forum.

FranknFurter

Im 29 (today in fact lol). I have Spina-bifida, Epilepsy (photosensitive), Asthma, M.S. and other body and brain stuff thats currently being investigated. Be very interested in how this forum goes, has great potential imho. B

r3nu4l

DrIndy wrote:

I'm a medical doctor and seem to be one of the few on Boards. I'm interested in Medicine (as opposed to surgery).

I would be more than happy to field general medical information to anyone with a burning question.

Best of luck with the forum.

Thought I'd add my tuppenceworth, I'm a PhD in molecular medical biology and work in the medical communications industry, mostly writing about on Oncology and Endocrinology (Type 2 diabetes) projects.

While Dr. Indy can decipher medical jargon and provide some information, I'll try to answer questions on biological and genetic backgrounds leading to diseases and why certain therapies don't work for certain people etc. if anyone wants me to. PM's welcome

I will not be promoting any of the drugs I write about

Jimoslimos

Slightly similar to r3nu4l (but not qualified to the same level - BSc in Biology & Chemistry), my major interests would be in diagnostics (particularly immunoassays & tumour markers)

BC

Hi everyone,

I'm 29 and another type 1 diabetic. I was diagnosed 4 and a a half years ago. I had all the classic symptoms but hadn't joined the dots and like tbh I went to my GP about something different and he spotted it and sent for a GTT.

I've been pretty good about seeing my specialist (had an a1c today!) although in a few years time i'm sure that will wear off!

Killaqueen!!!

Just to say that I think this is a great idea for a forum! I don't suffer from any long term illness' myself, apart from asthma but I don't think of it as an illness anymore It's getting better every year and I have no trouble with it. I did when I was younger though, but I don't remember it - in hospital with it and such...must've been tough on my parents.

I also have a granny with diabetes but it's type 2, and she seems to be handling it well!

So, nothing to serious for me but thought I'd introduce myself! Ihope this forum helps people to realise they're not alone in their illness! Good luck everyone,

Linda

CathyMoran

Hi,

I am a type 1 diabtetic of nealy 22 years, I also got thryotixicosis when I was 4, an underactive when I was 10, have a degree in Genetics, a Masters in Food Sciece and was diagnosed with Oeophageal cancer on the 2nd Octotober. I am currently undergoing chemotheraphy and hope to have my oesophagus removed early next year. I aslo have family experienece of brain hameorrages, expilespy, skin cancer, eczemza and crohns.

I am interested in all of the above areas. I was a faily well behaved diabetic for the most part but I have my moments - I find that the easiest way to control my insulin is by tight monitoring of my food and insulin updake, but I do have a life as well. The chemo has made things a bit more difficult at the moment but I am determined to beat it.

All the best.

Ps. I am only out of hospital in the past few minutes after a batch of chemo, still a bit tired but will be back in form in now time!

Pps. Please excuse my spelling while I am still getting over chemo.

pacino

Hi,
I am a type 1 Diabetic since I was 5, I was diagnosed in Dec 1985. I dont have any complications apart from a few extra pounds that i blame insulin for ;-). i have been attending CUH since 1985.
Rgds
Pacino

Traumadoc

I am a hospital doctor

wexhun

Hi guys,
Nice 2 chat 2 U! Well my LTI is manic depression, its lots of fun....not! I manage it the best I can with a little help from my family & Doctors oh & meds, have to admit find it hard to maintain good friends due to the condition, don't get me wrong I'm not a loner I have my fairweather friends but I think its only family who REALLY understand and love me enough to tolerate me! Its a tricky one, I've come to realise it is a part of who I am but sometimes when you tell someone you have a mental illness you can actually see them recoiling, and then you get the others that tiptoe around you treat you as if you were fragile about to hurl yourself off the nearest building if they look at you sideways, but if you met me for the first time you wouldn't know!I I am married to a T-riffic man(most of the time) and have three beautiful children(always) and when I am good I am very, very good! So there thats me! L8r!;)

The Hill Billy

I'm a kick in the butt of 38.
Had an MI (heart attack) at 26 - thanks to a high clotting factor.
Thankfully no lasting side-effects, but always at the back of my mind.
Still battling to keep my cholesterol down.

angeldelight

I'm a 3rd year Pharmacy student.... no LTIs myself, but am interested in the pharmacy side of things (strangely enough!). Just wandered across the forum and it looks interesting

The_Conductor

Hiya, Shane here. I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease 12 years ago (having been misdiagnosed for over 10 years). Since then I have undergone surgery 5 times- and had my large intestine totally removed along with a bewildering patchwork of other innards. I'm permanently on a low dose of localised steroids, immune supressants (and whatever other trial treatments that are doing the rounds from time to time). Long term steroid use has had the side effect of massively reducing my bone density- just what you need at age 32.....

My fiance is a type 1 diabetic, undergoing chemotherapy for a nasty cancer at the moment.

C'est moi!

selene

hi everyone, i have no lti's but my mum was diagnosed with psp, Progressive supranuclear palsy is an under-recognized brain disease.Those affected usually survive six to ten years after the initial symptoms occur. In people with PSP, gradual loss of certain brain cells causes slowing of movement and reduced control of walking, balance, swallowing, speaking and eye movement. People with PSP eventually become wheelchair bound or bedridden.Dudley moore suffered and died from this rare disease.
At the moment we are caring for mun 24/7, she was offically diagonosed last feb but has shown symtoms for over 7yrs. there is no cure and no medication or treatment that can help.
During times like this its hard to stay positive but you have to stay focused and not look at what might, could and will happen. Focus on now and today.
talking to people who are sharing the same experence's really helps

stay strong
and keep smiling xx

Sugarbear

Hey all! I thought I'd stop by this forum and say hello. I've been suffering from Steven Johnsons Syndrome for near 7 years now, I'm 20 btw. It's an extremely rare allergic reaction that happens to some people and leaves them with a lot of complications. I've had it 3 major bouts of it so far and serveral minor ones. Doctors don't know what's causing it...but if there's anyone out there who might have had it or anything, It'd be nice to talk to them! Or even if anyone needs more info about it I have a lot of experience with it

hmmmm

Hi, this forum is a great idea. Thankfully I do not suffer from any long term illness.

My girlfriend was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis about 6/7 years ago after about 3 years of misdiagnoses of everything from just being lazy (accused by doctors of lying about the extreme pain to avoid sport etc) to having lupus.

About 3 years ago her Rheumatologist diagnosed her with Behcet's Syndrome (It is hard to diagnose for sure as there is no test for it). She has recently changed to a new Rhematologist who hopefully will re-evaluate the diagnosis. She currently takes 2 injections of Etanercept (enbrel) every week and 10mg of cortisone daily.

condra

Hi!

27 year old man from Dublin here.
M.E. for 5 years.

If anyones interested, Ive gone into more detail about M.E./C.F.S, and my experience with it here:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=52534934

Its very encouraging to see medical students/professionals using this board. I hope that not only will we be able to learn from them but that they might also learn from us.
If anyone would like to discuss M.E./CFS with me, feel free to PM me.

I would encourage any GPs to take a serious look at some of the new research into M.E which is being carried out worldwide, and carefully consider the consequences of writing M.E. off as a psychiatric condition when so many experts have proven an organic nature to M.E.
more info here:
http://www.ahummingbirdsguide.com/whatisme.htm

Muineach

hya
I was diagnosed at 26 with a Grade II Astrocytoma (brain tumor) that was about 18 months ago. At that time there was very little symptoms, which were a slight tingling in my right arm and an ability to "taste" words on my arm, I know very odd, I just though I was going a bit mad and passed it all off. I collapsed in work one way, headed off to hospital and they ran an CT scan as a precaution and so it all began.

The doctors ran a biospy and then decided to run a "wait and see" policy, 18 months later and 3 MRI scans showed that it had grown each time. The main problem is that the tumor is in a bad location, its right next to the speech area and control to the right side of the body.

So they decided to do an "awake" surgery, in which you are woken during the surgery and have to answer questions, well when they opened me up my brain swelled and had to abandon the awake bit, but they went ahead and removed as much as they could. That was about 4 weeks ago and I feel fine, just get a bit tired from time to time.

I'm due to go on radiotherapy for 5-6 weeks followed by 2-3 months of chemotherophy in the next month. So thats what I've got planned for the next few months
They use gamma rays just like the hulk, so you may not like me if i'm angry :P

mike65

Yikes! "awake surgery" I had'nt heard of that technique. Sound nasty to be honest!

Good luck with the follow up treatment.

Mike.

Archeron

Hi, I'm Archeron. Not a sufferer of an LTI myself, but I care for my mum who suffers from Depression, Lymphedema, Diabetes and Chronic Rhumatoid Arthritis. Glad to see this forum up and running, best of luck with it!

tallaght01

I'm a doctor in a neonatal intensive care unit, and I do some general/acute paediatrics too. I am therefore unlikely to be of any use to anyone on this forum

Having said that, I do take the piss on a lot on the other forums when im bored, so am pretty likely to be banned reasonably soon. However, in the meantime I'm always happy to help.

Main research interests: Public health epidemiology/relationship between socio-economic status and il health, developing world health, and the health of fostered/adopted kids. Like i said, totally useless :P

SeaSide

Greetings and Salutations

I'm 39 diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about three and a half years ago - initially put on tablets but lost weight and I am now diet controlled. My control is pretty good 1Ac of 6.4 and 6.3 the last two times but I find my morning BS to be the one thing that I can't influence.

No history of diabetes in the family (the disease of choice being cancer) and while i was overweight (17st on a 6'4" frame) I was not obese which puts in mind that there was something else going on.

My biggest gripe is that the "system" is more set up to cope with managing complications and there is little or no emphasis given to aggressively supporting me in keeping my numbers right. It's a kind of "call us when your toes fall off" attitude. I really fear for patients who may not have had the same kind of opportunities that I have in terms of education and access to the Interweb.

When I was first diagnosed and once since then I went for a series of acupuncture sessions which I did find useful.

I was delighted to stumble on this forum which I hadn't realised was there.

mike65

SeaSide wrote:

My biggest gripe is that the "system" is more set up to cope with managing complications and there is little or no emphasis given to aggressively supporting me in keeping my numbers right. It's a kind of "call us when your toes fall off" attitude. I really fear for patients who may not have had the same kind of opportunities that I have in terms of education and access to the Interweb.

You could be my consulant! At our first meeting he lamented how the system here was geared (insofar as its geared at all) towards fixing not preventing (he is from the UK system). He talked about how the vast majority of time spent with diabetics here was to sort out long-term failings.

Mike.

AnBealBocht

I am s/p ( status post--' after ') prostate carcinoma diagnosed in 4/02, had pellets implanted into prostate, then 4 weeks of EBRT/external beam radiotherapy. I am pretty good after 4+ years with the blood test PSA, 0.1ng four times across 2 years.
Also with PAD/peripheral arterial disease and intermittent claudication ( pain in calves when walking beyond a certain distance ~ 50 yards.)
This forum has great potential.
Good life to all.:)

Pipp

Hello all,
Im still shocked about Franknfurter. RIP Barry, your insightful and humorous contributions to this board will be missed.
To be perfectly honest his death has terrified me, as Im a sufferer of Multiple Sclerosis and I know that that was one of the conditions that he suffered from along with epilepsy.
So heres my story:
It started when I was in school when one side of my body went completely numb. I went to the GP who scared me whitless talking about a heart problem, but eventually the numbness went and all was forgotten.
Fast forward to college and the same thing happened. i went back to the GP and they put me on a heart monitor for a week and decided that I had a virus which would eventually go away, which it did and I believed them.
Fast forward again another five years and suddenly I woke up one morning and couldnt feel my right foot. Now, I mean it was just dead. I could have taken a sledge hammer to it and I wouldnt have felt it. So, that stayed like that for a week, and then it started to tingle, and the tingling spread. So, I went to a different GP. She panicked straight away and sent me to A&E thinking I had a condition called Guillian Barre (sp?).
Anyway, I sat in A&E feeling like an electric toothbrush, in pain and tingling all over - 9 hours later I was seen by a doctor. They referred me to Orthapaedics as they thought I had a broken bone in my foot??
Anyway, it went on like this for a while passed from billy to jack, they thought the cause was my spina bifida occulta (misformed vertebrae in my lower back) was the cause, so they MRI scanned that.
It wasnt the cause.
Then somehow I ended up in Neurology. They sent me for an MRI Brain scan, and the next day ( believe it or not, it was THAT quick) my phone rang, "Can you please come in to the Neurology Clinic to see the Consultant urgently".
I went in and was told in no uncertain terms that I had inflammation of the brain and lesions caused by Multiple Sclerosis. They booked me in for a week of IV Steroids and threw all kinds of information about drugs at me.
Now, at that stage I could hardly walk with the pain in my feet and my eyes were buggered too, dreadful pain on movement. Anyone that has M.S. knows what I mean about the eyes. Sometimes they are just so bloomin painful I want to take them out of my head and be done with them!
Anyway, it transpired that all of those strange things over the years were relapses. I had this thing in school for gods sake. - it certainly went a long way to explain why I was just so uncoordinated and useless at anything physical in P.E. class in school.:rolleyes:
So, to summarise.. I have Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis officially diagnosed in Dec'03. I take injections of Interferon beta 1a three times a week and I also take Modafinil (An anti-narcolepsy drug) for chronic fatigue and sleepiness.
I still work full time, but the legs are disimproving and I think I might have to bite the bullet and get an automatic car.
Ill fight on though, and Ill work untill I fall apart. I wont let this thing rule me.
Stay positive to anyone with M.S. out there.

tbh

FranknFurter wrote:

Im 29 (today in fact lol). I have Spina-bifida, Epilepsy (photosensitive), Asthma, M.S. and other body and brain stuff thats currently being investigated. Be very interested in how this forum goes, has great potential imho. B

For those of you who didn't know, FranknFurter passed away on the 8th of February. I really liked his posting style, he seemed like a really nice guy.

Condolences here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055052867

Pipp, welcome, and feel free to rant on this forum any time you like (but read the charter )

mike65

Pipp wrote:

I still work full time, but the legs are disimproving and I think I might have to bite the bullet and get an automatic car.

Do it anyway, if you commute its a whole new experience, I picked up an Audi A6 auto for a couple of grand. Its great for 'lazy motorist syndrome' or anyone with a dodgy leg/hip.

Mike.