I am a badly-controlled Type 2 diabetic. Have been for 25 years. My A1C tests run about 8 — that means my average blood suagr is about 180 — all the time.

HOWEVER, I have recently been diagnosed as Stage 4 Kidney failure because of the diabetes. I am in the bad position of feeling too bad to not get dialysis, but my readings are just a bit too good that insurance will not pay for it (until I reach Stage 5 — complete kidney failure)

The doctor tells me that when on dialysis, I can expect to live another 5-7 years until even dialysis won’t do any good, and I die of congestive heart failure.

So what’s that put me — about 30 years??? But in that time I;ve suffered just about ALL of the common complications — neuropathy, sexual dysfunction, eye problems, congestive heart disease, and now kidney failure. 30 years, but what a b–ch of a life!

I wonder what you mother could do if she was better than me, and controlled her dieat and exercise, and took her meds (even insulin)?

Here is a link that partially answers your question. It says, “For those 50 and older, diabetic men lived an average of 7.5 years less than men without diabetes, and diabetic women lived an average of 8.2 years less.”

Naturally these statistics are averages that include both well-controlled and poorly controlled cases. Your mother figures to be worse off than the averages, since she is making very little effort to control her diabetes. Just be thankful that she is at least willing to take her pills.

Longer than non-DB, strangely enough. A DB person learns good diet, exercise habits, and healthy pursuits. Dr. Joslin, the DB expert, gave this guideline.

I’m sorry, I don’t have a quantitative answer for you. The reason is that it’s like a ticking time bomb. Some people can manage higher sugars for an extended time, but some people could develop complications in weeks. If she’s lucky, it’s not a serious complication. If she’s unlucky, it could be one of the devastating ones like kidney failure.

My mom used to be the same way and I think a lot of diabetics go through times when they just want to ignore the disease. You don’t really feel sick and it’s easy to slip into depression and old habits, especially if high sugary/fatty foods helped boost your mood in the past. What helped my mom was what happened to a friend of hers. From diagnosis of type 2 diabetes she ended up completely blind in a matter of weeks. Seeing that happen to someone she knew and how quickly it happened really hammered it home to her.

It’s playing with fire. You’re a caring daughter. I know from experience that you can push but what will really change her is when she realizes it on her own. You might try getting her a copy of “The Diabetic Woman” by Lois Jovanovich and urge her to read it. The book has lots of practical every day advice about fitting diabetes into your life.

Here’s what she’s facing if she doesn’t get that blood sugar under control–and MY mother was another just like yours:

Blindness and retinopathy–ask her how she would like to wake up some morning unable to see. ASk her if that sort of panic is something she’d like to experience.

Loss of feeling in her extremities, or severe pain–or BOTH. An inability to even leave her home.

Kidney failure and dialysis twice a week. Tied to a machine for LIFE. For GOOD. FOREVER.

Ask her which lifestyle does she think is going to be easier in the long run? Control now? Or constant nursing care in a couple more years?

My mother was Type II and did not control hers either. She died at age 63 from a massive stroke and heart attack brought on by her lack of control. She was blinded three times with retinopathy. She was on dialysis. She was depressed and angry and stubborn. Even if she had lived 20 more years, what kind of quality of life could she have had blinded and on dialysis?

It’s just plain STUPID not to control your sugar. But there isn’t anything you can make her do that she doesn’t want to do. Personally, I’d drag her **** to a psychiatrist or counselor to find out WHY she just doesn’t want to take charge–I know that a lot of diabetics get depressed and give up because it takes such diligence to take care of yourself. But counseling may help that.

And listen to this:

///// In addition, for every percentage point reduction in A1C (a blood test that measures the three-month average of blood glucose levels), study participants achieved a 35% reduction in the risk of complications. The UKPDS also found that aggressive control of high blood pressure significantly reduced cardiovascular complications and diabetic retinopathy in people with type 2 diabetes. //////

This is a quote from one of the hundreds of web sites out there which will provide support to people with diabetes. In my mind, (and I am also diabetic) it’s enough reason right there to control your sugar. But I’m easy to motivate–I lost a mother to this disease.

I’m sure the American Diabetes Association will be glad to provide you with all the statistics you need for your arguments–I’d write to them and ask.

And good luck, dear–you’re a good daughter to do this for her, even if she’s stubborn. Keep trying. It will probalby sink in eventually–you can only hope she’s still okay when it does.

This is not a prescription for a long life. Uncontrolled diabetes is unpredictable. But, on average, she can expect to lose about 25 to 30% of her normal lifespan.