I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes in 1999 while pregnant with my daughter (I was 37). At that time, I took insulin for it, and got it under control. I was never told by my doctor to get checked for diabetes after the delivery...
In 2004 I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroidism and Type II diabetes. My fasting glucose at the time of diagnosis was in the 500-550 range ~ WOWSER

I was losing weight like crazy but feeling like my head would blow off ~ very irritable, emotional, downright mean at times as my body was going haywire.
I took just about every diabetic med (sometimes more than one) during the next several years, but never did get my A1C below 8.8. Started insulin and that helped some, but still had a lot of highs and lows. I was surprised to find that the medications I was taking while a Type II diabetic specifically stated they could cause harm to the pancreas ~ um, don't I need that to make insulin ~ so I stopped taking that particular medication.
I was diagnosed as Type I in 2007, and I'm still not in control. I've switched doctors (endo) and also going to a doctor of chinese medicine that prescribes herbal treatments and accupuncture to help treat my diabetes and other health problems. Hoping to have a lot lower A1c on my next visit, which is in April. Last A1C was 9.1... Since 2007, we've changed to an organic diet and I've increased my exercise to 5 days a week. I don't take any pharmaceutical medications, only holistic or homeopathic, other than insulin and synthroid and T3.
I started the pump in 2009 and CGM about 6 months ago, but I'm hating all the 'equipment' I have to strap on and carry everywhere. I've stopped using the CGM as my previous doc didn't even bother to review the results after my initial 3 months of use ~ he was more concerned with my cholesterol, which is 256. Ticked me off so I stopped with the bothersome CGM (Dexcom 7) and fired that doctor.
Overall, I hate this disease ~ can't go anywhere, or do anything without checking my BS and insulin levels and carrying emergency glucose and my kit, and, and, and... obviously, I'm not a happy diabetic. I would love to get my A1c down to normal levels ~ I won't take pharmeceuticals as I have liver issues and that is non-negotiable. I want a doctor that will work WITH me to treat this disease, not one who thinks he can DICTATE what my treatment plan is. I am intelligent enough to do research, and have done quite a bit of it. I have found that a glucose-intolerance aggravates my BS, so no more gluten for me. Exercise helps alot, so I do it, and I enjoy it. I mostly miss my sweets, though I do have them in very small servings now and then.
Argh