my husband has been a type 1 diabetic for 9 years. He doesn't count carb's(sometimes he does)but for the most part he doesn't watch his seerving sizes, he drinks diet pop all the time. He doesn't drink alcohol much but when he does drink w/ friends he'll drink like 5 or more bottles of beer. How is this going to affect his body in the long run. He eats the worst cereals in the world like all those sugary ones like captain crunch. I'm concerned it's going to catch up to him one of these days.But how badly?

None of that is really an issue unless his blood sugar levels and a1c tests run high. Basically, as long as he is keeping his sugars under control, and weight isn't an issue, he can eat what he wishes. Injecting the proper amount of insulin to 'cover' whatever carbs he eats can keep his diabetes in perfect control. Some of us just get really good at estimating carbs eaten and shooting the right amount of insulin to cover it. If he can do thiat, then he's figured out a way of living well with his diabetes while controlling it. Some people do manage to do this!

IF, however, his seemingly random eating plays havoc with his blood sugar levels (he should be testing at least 4 times each day, and the tests should fall between 80-120), or he is overweight, or you suspect his drinking is a form of binging, or he has hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) episodes, then he's got problems, and needs to be more careful and more deliberate in his diabetes control.

Michael
type 1 since 1965

I have to agree with Mike. If he is under control He is ok for a long time. If he is not under control He can develop many problems. What has his A1C readings been? And what are his daily blood sugar levels. If these are high, to answer one of your questions, He could have his eyes bleed internally and or go blind if left untreated. Also his kidneys can give out after long periods of spilling protein. And he could get nerve damage. In that case he could either loose feeling in his extremities and not feel a cut. In which that could get infected. If that is not treated then he could develop gangrene., If that accurse he could loose a limb or leg. In the other direction he could have nerve damage and obtain severe pain which can be difficult to control. This would require him to take medication for the balance of his life. Some of the meds are dangerous as well. That Depends on the med.
So if he is in control he is ok. If he is out of control he has a lot of wonderful things to look forward to.
Don Type 1 since 1964 http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif