Mine was triggered they think by having scarlet fever as a child doing the damage inside and 2 years later I was diagnosed with type 1 as I passed out several times.  We did not have it in our family and I don't think anyone thought it was diabetes thinking it was a temporary condition from simply being a kid.  My family always gave me some type of soft drink afterwards thinking it would refresh me so I guess I was lucky in that sense.  I was slender and very active as a child.  I remember them taking me to a hospital in Chicago because I was so slender and rather pale but very active.  They put me into the hospital taking a lot of tests and gave me injections.  I still had no idea at that time why but the nurse showed me pictures to explain it all as gently as she could.   My mom said they knew right away what was wrong with me.  Our hometown doctor did not have a clue.  

 

It was a  pain as a child to be fussed over so much.  That doctor in Chicago saved my life.  It though became a lot worse when I was a teen.  In my twenties and thrities I kept really good control.   At age 47 after a complete hysterectomy because of uterine cancer it began to be harder and harder to predict and to control.

 

Most days I am fine having it but when my body refuses to respond to my good care I give it everyday I get really frustrated and angry.