Looking for any recommendations/ help. My son is 21and was diagnosed back in 2005 with Type 1 diabetes. Everything was going good until he was transferred from childrens care to adults. He seems to have lost his way. Hates testing because of consistent high readings, even with the new patch system. He has extremely poor control, misses appointments, needs guidance. He decided to see a councillor but after a couple of weeks gave up as he didn't seem to think any of the questions/discussions he had with her were anything to do with his attitude towards his diabetes. Forever clearing his room out of sweet wrappers and fizzy drink/milk shake bottles. He is a sprinkler alarm engineer and has a really good job, no financial worries, just a terrible attitude towards his health. I cannot seem to find any group local with people in his age group who he can talk to. I am sure others have been through this.... any suggestions, recommendations etc, would be greatly received.
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Lost his way
- Thread starter Nicksmum
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Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hello and welcome Nicksmum🙂
From my experience of growing up with diabetes the transition to being an adult was one of the most difficult times. I found the adult clinic so hard to cope with after the relatively gentle way I was spoken to at the paediatric clinic. There are good Young Adult diabetes clinics at some of the hospitals where people of a similar age can feel more relaxed about chatting to others in the same situation and discussing things relevant to them. It may be worth looking if there is something your son could transfer to . This information covers what to expect at adult clinics. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/teens/me-and-my-diabetes/transition-to-adult-clinics
I found it so hard wanting to get on with my life, working, driving doing all the exciting things I could and saw diabetes as a big ball and chain . If he is driving there is a need to keep up appointments and control to get his licence renewed every 3 years. If his levels are consistently high is he injecting or skipping injections? Does he have anyone on the diabetes team who he gets on with who he could talk to about how he feels? They will have seem a lot of people go through the same issues and will want to help him to get back on track.
It is a very challenging period and I really hope he can find a way through to a more balanced future and put diabetes into a box where he does what he needs to to be healthy and gets on with all the other stuff. Best Wishes.
From my experience of growing up with diabetes the transition to being an adult was one of the most difficult times. I found the adult clinic so hard to cope with after the relatively gentle way I was spoken to at the paediatric clinic. There are good Young Adult diabetes clinics at some of the hospitals where people of a similar age can feel more relaxed about chatting to others in the same situation and discussing things relevant to them. It may be worth looking if there is something your son could transfer to . This information covers what to expect at adult clinics. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/teens/me-and-my-diabetes/transition-to-adult-clinics
I found it so hard wanting to get on with my life, working, driving doing all the exciting things I could and saw diabetes as a big ball and chain . If he is driving there is a need to keep up appointments and control to get his licence renewed every 3 years. If his levels are consistently high is he injecting or skipping injections? Does he have anyone on the diabetes team who he gets on with who he could talk to about how he feels? They will have seem a lot of people go through the same issues and will want to help him to get back on track.
It is a very challenging period and I really hope he can find a way through to a more balanced future and put diabetes into a box where he does what he needs to to be healthy and gets on with all the other stuff. Best Wishes.
Cuffie81
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Is that me you are describing as it's a carbon copy.
Went through the exact same thing and now go alot of complications due to doing the same things, being 25 is a hard age people for one saying you can't eat that your diabetic like the sweet wrappers could be for a hypo or had one after meal and took insulin to counter it, maybe check levels at wrong time ie after meal they will be high, maybe scared of hypo so doesnt take correct insulin dose, embarrassed has one at work etc etc.
Has he done DAFNE course for carb counting would advice changes lifes.
Do you do what mum do go on at him? Obviously because you care but it doesn't help.
Freestyle libre is best meter out no finger pricks needed its wireless strongly recommend.
If he is worker diabetic clinics are normally working days and half time won't ask for day of, they run a nurse normally in local gps on a night or half one can call from clinic for over phone advice.
For me just take an interest learn about it and support when you can, most people think hypo give him sugar but in fact it could be the opposite and you require insulin.
They normally have family classes book that or do a course, learn how to count carbs in meals, please put a chart on fridge and make him same portion sizes for same meals etc.
Do a charity event together is great way to get him interested and for family to learn.
Im sure most you already do, I know what my mum is like but if you take something from it good, hope he is well and gets the support, I made the mistake of not caring for myself and now wish listened at the time.
Good luck and all best to use
David
Went through the exact same thing and now go alot of complications due to doing the same things, being 25 is a hard age people for one saying you can't eat that your diabetic like the sweet wrappers could be for a hypo or had one after meal and took insulin to counter it, maybe check levels at wrong time ie after meal they will be high, maybe scared of hypo so doesnt take correct insulin dose, embarrassed has one at work etc etc.
Has he done DAFNE course for carb counting would advice changes lifes.
Do you do what mum do go on at him? Obviously because you care but it doesn't help.
Freestyle libre is best meter out no finger pricks needed its wireless strongly recommend.
If he is worker diabetic clinics are normally working days and half time won't ask for day of, they run a nurse normally in local gps on a night or half one can call from clinic for over phone advice.
For me just take an interest learn about it and support when you can, most people think hypo give him sugar but in fact it could be the opposite and you require insulin.
They normally have family classes book that or do a course, learn how to count carbs in meals, please put a chart on fridge and make him same portion sizes for same meals etc.
Do a charity event together is great way to get him interested and for family to learn.
Im sure most you already do, I know what my mum is like but if you take something from it good, hope he is well and gets the support, I made the mistake of not caring for myself and now wish listened at the time.
Good luck and all best to use
David
Hi @Nicksmum and welcome. The transition from child to adult care can be hard. You have already had some good advice from other members about what may be concerning him or things you may try.
You mentioned local groups? There may not be 'physical' local groups near you, but there can be a lot of support online. We have a YouTube channel called #Type1Uncut which was created by young adults and they talk frankly about the frustrations of growing up with type 1 diabetes. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/how_we_help/community/type-1-uncut-for-young-adults
Hearing from other people his age who have the same frustrations may be helpful - and depending on how involved he is in social media, there is a Twitter hashtag #type1uncut to help connect more directly with other young adults. There may also be other social media networks for young adults where he can connect with people his age who understand how he is feeling at the moment.
You mentioned local groups? There may not be 'physical' local groups near you, but there can be a lot of support online. We have a YouTube channel called #Type1Uncut which was created by young adults and they talk frankly about the frustrations of growing up with type 1 diabetes. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/how_we_help/community/type-1-uncut-for-young-adults
Hearing from other people his age who have the same frustrations may be helpful - and depending on how involved he is in social media, there is a Twitter hashtag #type1uncut to help connect more directly with other young adults. There may also be other social media networks for young adults where he can connect with people his age who understand how he is feeling at the moment.
Welcome Cuffie81. Can YOU imagine what it was like in the 60s. Hard work ? I was once surrounded by a Fire Engine & they where wondering if I needed insulin ! THAT got my attention as I was well low 😱. T1 since 1966
Hi HOBIE
Yes we bought him the sensors and at first it seemed to spark his interest, but only too soon it was apparent that the novelty had worn off as his readings continued to be high and having to just put his iPhone over the patch showed him his readings only too quickly.
Many thanks Hannah. I will try sensitively to suggest this link to him.
Its great to see patterns etc. If on a Mon morning its sky high. Well what has he done or ate on a sunday ?
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