I know a person who told me they just found out they have diabetes and said they only have two or three years to live...i really dont believe it because this person is only 23 years old...i didnt want to call this person a liar because i dont know enough about diabetes to know it isnt true, but is this at all possible?

I know a person who told me they just found out they have diabetes and said they only have two or three years to live...i really dont believe it because this person is only 23 years old...i didnt want to call this person a liar because i dont know enough about diabetes to know it isnt true, but is this at all possible?

Unless the person was also diagnosed with some sort of terminal cancer, then the life expectancy is completely wrong. There is no reason you can't live a long, healthy, and productive life with diabetes as long as you put some work in to take care of yourself.

Cora

Cora's absolutely right, but before you go thinking that this person is a "liar", you might want to put yourself in his/her place and imagine how you might feel if you just got diagnosed with a chronic illness which is going to require constant vigilance to keep under control and which could cause very serious complications down the road. Your friend is probably quite scared, plus he/she may have heard a lot of old wives tales about diabetes.

Maybe some sympathetic listening and support might be helpful. You might want to pass on the address of this message board, too.

Ruth