18 month old with type 1

[Heather Velleyen]

Hi all, my 18 month old son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes last week. Feeling overwhelmed and anxious, any advice or positive stories would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Davein]

When my son was diagnosed T1 aged 3, it was one of the most devasting events of my life.No known history in the family, so I blamed myself. That was nearly thirty years ago when needles where larger and you had to draw up insulin via a syringe and phial. Nowadays the needles are so much finer and preloaded pens used making it now easier in that respect. The trick is to get into the routine of testing and injecting. We always used the bum cheeks to inject and being the most fleshiest gave us the reassurance that we were not causing him pain. As I am now a T2 using insulin therapy I can vouch for the fact that the needles today do not hurt but the insulin sometimes stings for a second or two. You need to take this one day at a time there is a long road ahead of constant blood testing and injecting. Then there will be regular diabetes clinics at local surgeries or hospitals. You will hopefully receive good support from your local healthcare agencies.
I'm sure others on this forum will come along to give you more advice on other aspects but there are members who were diagnosed at an early age so can give you the benefit of their experience. Best regards, Dave

 

[Grannylorraine]

That must be very scary for you. Sending you and your toddler hugs.

 

[Northerner]

Hi all, my 18 month old son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes last week. Feeling overwhelmed and anxious, any advice or positive stories would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Heather, welcome to the forum 🙂 I'm very sorry to hear about your little one's diagnosis There is so much to take in and try to understand that it is a very steep learning curve to begin with, especially in one so young.Things will get easier, although it may not feel like it right now. I hope you have access to a good healthcare team so support you.

I would highly recommend getting a copy of Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas. It is an excellent reference guide to all aspects of living with Type 1 diabetes. I'd also recommend reading Adrienne's essential guide for parents of newly-diagnosed children, which you may find helpful for yourself.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns and we will be very happy to help. Diabetes does not have to hold your son back from achieving all that he wants in life, treatments and technology are improving all the time.

 

[HOBIE]

Hi all, my 18 month old son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes last week. Feeling overwhelmed and anxious, any advice or positive stories would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome Heather. Sorry to here. You are thinking in a good way ! Wanting to know positive stories. Its true its hard work but not the end of the world. I personnel would employ any T1 with a positive outlook. If they can sort T1 out they can do most jobs. Really good luck from a T1 for 52yrs aged 3 in the year England WON the world CUP ! 😉 (every day you will learn something)

 

[Lucy Honeychurch]

Sorry to hear of your little ones diagnoses, it must be a horrible shock for you, but you will get there 🙂

 

[SB2015]

Welcome Heather. There is a great deal to learn very quickly with a diagnosis of T1. However the specialist team will take you through this step by step.

The book that Northerner recommended by Ragnar Hanas is excellent. It is very well written and easy to dip into with any questions you have. A bit expensive but worth it.

Also there are parents in your position on here and it may be worth putting a post into the parenting section, although as you have seen some have popped up already in this one.

You will have loads of questions and there is a wealth of support on here. Just ask, and we will hel all we can.

 

[Flower]

Hello and welcome Heather. 🙂

I'm very sorry to hear about your little one's diagnosis. It is a huge shock for all concerned with no slow introduction. Things do get better although at first it is hard to believe and the technology available with blood glucose meters and pumps is improving constantly.

The JDRF has a Kidsac welcome pack along with a Rufus the Bear which you might want to order for your little one. Here is the link https://jdrf.org.uk/information-sup...eaflets/kidsac-pack-children-type-1-diabetes/

I wish you all well. Any questions please ask as there is a wealth of experience amongst us all. 🙂

 

[trophywench]

Just bless him - I always feel very fortunate not being diagnosed in childhood - and it's not an easy thing to get your head round at any age so my sympathies and I truly hope you have an excellent personal support network around you as well as a good medical team.