Hi Im 53 well controlled Type 1 and as of yesterday am now self isolating at home. I work in a school and felt anxious being in a community of 400+ children every day! Now I’m home, Im now feeling very anxious living with my 20 year old son who is out working, going to the pub, parties at the weekend and doesn’t seem to be taking the need to be careful seriously. I know by staying at home I’ve drastically reduced the number of people I’m coming into contact with but can’t help feel he’s being selfish and not taking this seriously. I’m really worried that if I get this virus I will be really ill. My husband is sat on the fence and can see both sides! Am I over reacting ? It’s caused a huge row and lots of tears on my part and the last thing i wanted is to fall about it. I’m not usually an anxious person but wondered if anyone else having or feeling the same ? Thanks Michelle
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Coronavirus isolation
- Thread starter Teddy*
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TinaP
Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi Teddy I don't think you're being selfish we need to be safe not sorry in this difficult situation and perhaps sitting your son down explaining how terribly worried you are might help. I guess you may have already done this but ask him if he would like to lose his mum & put you through this horrible virus. We have to stay strong and not to worry about this awful time because are sugar levels go up. I hope your son changes is tune and has some respect for his mum because you deserve it and we won't always be around. I'm self isolating and finding it very difficult already but will think about the consequences everyday. Take care and let me know the out come.
Thanks Martin for your reply . I’m hoping that things will settle in the coming days and we all get used to this new ‘norm’. It’s sad that within a couple of days being self isolating our usually happy household has fallen out about this, but I’ve taken great comfort reading your reply and other posts on this forum and realise I’m not alone in how I feel - so thanks again !
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Ah well, school is closing Friday so you'd be at home anyway next week forwards, and none of us has received guidance from the NHS yet as to whether we should even be self isolating, or simply maintaining social distance. Once the vulnerable folk have been identified by them, we can each make whatever decisions and arrangements we need to make - which may or may not be different to what we're doing ourselves in the interim.
In a sort of getting their own back scenario - though they were never naughty enough in those days for it to happen really - our two daughters had a conflab last week and the eldest was designated spokeslady and telephoned her dad to tell us we were grounded! 🙂
In a sort of getting their own back scenario - though they were never naughty enough in those days for it to happen really - our two daughters had a conflab last week and the eldest was designated spokeslady and telephoned her dad to tell us we were grounded! 🙂
grovesy
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
It was interesting listening to the the American Scientist saying at the White House Briefing, she refereed to them as the millenniums, that the Italian figures are showing a high number of them getting the virus, but have a mild case. She thinks they have not changed there behaviour, so hence the high numbers.
I think the message that younger people don't appear to be affected has been interpreted as I am alright Jack.
I think the message that younger people don't appear to be affected has been interpreted as I am alright Jack.
RobinH
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1.5 LADA
I guess it boils down to consequences - if it's possible to explain that to a youngster! 😉
If he continues to go out on the razz and is increasingly likely to bring home the virus and give it to you, then the consequences are that you could be very sick. On the other hand if he limits his social interactions then the worst that's likely to happen is he gets a little bored for a few months then at the end of it it's back to normal (hopefully). Perhaps put it to him that way and he'll hopefully see the sense in making a little (temporary) sacrife for others. Maybe even add a little bribe like the promise of a treat of some sort at the end.
I know it can be hard for youngsters to think about the bigger picture rather than instant gratification, I've got two nephews and a niece, all under 30 and all intent on enjoying life - "It won't affect me, I might get a cough, now lets have fun". That said, I still love them all to bits, I'm just lucky I don't live with them!
Good luck and stay safe.
If he continues to go out on the razz and is increasingly likely to bring home the virus and give it to you, then the consequences are that you could be very sick. On the other hand if he limits his social interactions then the worst that's likely to happen is he gets a little bored for a few months then at the end of it it's back to normal (hopefully). Perhaps put it to him that way and he'll hopefully see the sense in making a little (temporary) sacrife for others. Maybe even add a little bribe like the promise of a treat of some sort at the end.
I know it can be hard for youngsters to think about the bigger picture rather than instant gratification, I've got two nephews and a niece, all under 30 and all intent on enjoying life - "It won't affect me, I might get a cough, now lets have fun". That said, I still love them all to bits, I'm just lucky I don't live with them!
Good luck and stay safe.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
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- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @Teddy*
I think it’s only natural that you are concerned, and you are clearly taking practical steps to reduce your risk. I think we are more or less in the same category risk-wise (similar age with T1) and the official advice for us is currently ‘social distancing’ rather than full isolation. So in a sense, even with your lad still going out and about, if you are taking good precautions in the home and maintaining good hand washing etc then you are still doing a lot to reduce your risks.
The last time I looked, the latest information which attempted to estimate individual risk suggested that about 90% of the time you and I would only have a mild illness. Of course that 10% risk of getting it badly enough to need extra help is much more than the 1.3% risk of folks our age without diabetes, but 9 times out of 10 we would be absolutely fine - even if we got Coronavirus.
So I would carry on as you are, keeping yourself safe, and try to have open, calm conversations with your son about your worries, and the very real increased risk that diabetes adds into the mix for you.
Thanks Tina for your reply. I’m hoping things will settle and the anxiety level will fall in the coming days! You are right - I just keep thinking the stress isn’t doing me any good so must learn to calm. I’m really pleased I’ve found this forum - thanks again for your reply. Michelle
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Teddy, if all else fails you could explain to him that if large numbers of people continue to ignore advice, there could be stricter compulsory measures curtailing his freedom to socialise.
You’re not over-reacting. He does seem to be being thoughtless. All you can do is try to explain your concerns, and then make sure at the very least he practises strict hygiene.
For yourself, try not to worry. Even with diabetes, people usually recover fine. There was a man with Type 1 who had Covid 19 and is now back to normal. Be positive. X
You’re not over-reacting. He does seem to be being thoughtless. All you can do is try to explain your concerns, and then make sure at the very least he practises strict hygiene.
For yourself, try not to worry. Even with diabetes, people usually recover fine. There was a man with Type 1 who had Covid 19 and is now back to normal. Be positive. X
Thanks All for your advice and support. I’m not feeling quite so anxious about it all today. I received an apology from my son (and a bunch of flowers ) but obviously thought that did the trick and has now gone out (probably) to the pub. The pleasures /or not of living with a 20 yr old! I’m hoping he will see sense in the coming days/weeks!
Hi Teddy, I think your son needs to be aware that the only accurate figure on infection rates are from Korea. And guess which age group had the highest infection rate - the 20 to 29yr olds!
He also needs to be aware that when doctors talk about mild symptoms for the young, that can mean hospitalisation - just not needing the ICU or being operated on to insert a ventilation tube into them!
Sorry, I don't have the Korean data to hand, but here it is for the USA (not as accurate - many more younger people will have been infected than this - just not tested.
https://gyazo.com/4a389c7577dc3cb8de4f1fa4c9f1cfa6
He also needs to be aware that when doctors talk about mild symptoms for the young, that can mean hospitalisation - just not needing the ICU or being operated on to insert a ventilation tube into them!
Sorry, I don't have the Korean data to hand, but here it is for the USA (not as accurate - many more younger people will have been infected than this - just not tested.
https://gyazo.com/4a389c7577dc3cb8de4f1fa4c9f1cfa6
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