Hello, this is my first post!

[Amanda Hammond]

I am a parent of an eighteen year old who has been Type One since the age of four. For fourteen years we have managed her diabetes the best we could,since she has turned 18 there have been lots of positive changes in her life: new lovely boyfriend, starting a musical theatre course, passing her driving test and getting a car, getting a Saturday job as a dance teacher...all make her happy except the diabetes has now become a massive hindrance. Her blood sugars are erratic due to doing lots more physical excercise and going hypo a lot more, she has had a contraceptive implant and I am trying to find out if this maybe having an impact. She is on the pump and has freestyle libre but trying to make all the tweaks necessary is very difficult. I cook healthy food for her but she is quite a faddy eater. It is quite frankly breaking my heart seeing her look so tired and feel so unwell. I know she is 18 but it seems she needs me more at the moment than she ever has! Have any other parents experienced this when their diabetic child turned 18?? My only wish was that I had diabetes and not her!!!

 

[Northerner]

Hi Amanda, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sorry to hear your daughter is encountering problems, I think it is quite commonplace as a person enters adulthood with all the new responsibilities and experiences it brings. What sort of support is she getting from her team? I know she probably knows a lot about diabetes, but I wonder if it might be helpful for her to go on a DAFNE course if she hasn't already. It's often assumed people who have been diagnosed a long time, especially since childhood, must know everything they need to know, but I know of many people here who have benefited greatly from the programme, particularly the opportunity to meet and interact with other Type 1s 🙂

You might find it helpful to look at the Children with Diabetes UK website- they also have a Facebook group with lots of friendly knowledgeable parents and quite a few teenagers too who have grown up with diabetes 🙂

 

[Wirrallass]

Hello Amanda welcome to the forum x

 

[Amanda Hammond]

Hi Amanda, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sorry to hear your daughter is encountering problems, I think it is quite commonplace as a person enters adulthood with all the new responsibilities and experiences it brings. What sort of support is she getting from her team? I know she probably knows a lot about diabetes, but I wonder if it might be helpful for her to go on a DAFNE course if she hasn't already. It's often assumed people who have been diagnosed a long time, especially since childhood, must know everything they need to know, but I know of many people here who have benefited greatly from the programme, particularly the opportunity to meet and interact with other Type 1s 🙂

You might find it helpful to look at the Children with Diabetes UK website- they also have a Facebook group with lots of friendly knowledgeable parents and quite a few teenagers too who have grown up with diabetes 🙂

Thank you for your prompt reply. She has just gone over to the adult team and has recently seen a consultant and dietician however they are interested in how much activity she is doing but as is always the case she needs to take responsibility but is usually too tired or too busy trying to keep up with her busy life to sit and work it out! She was invited to a DAFNE course but had arranged to go to London with friends the same week! I am reading everything I can and helping her make decisions about her pump if she will let me but I think she just feels I should leave her alone sometimes. It is a difficult time so I will follow the links you have sent me. Thank you.

 

[Northerner]

If she's based in the South East I wonder if she might be interested in Circle D (on Facebook)? It's a group of 18-30 year old Type 1s who arrange lots of social events and offer mutual support. I have met many of them over the years and they are a really nice bunch of people 🙂

 

[HOBIE]

I am a parent of an eighteen year old who has been Type One since the age of four. For fourteen years we have managed her diabetes the best we could,since she has turned 18 there have been lots of positive changes in her life: new lovely boyfriend, starting a musical theatre course, passing her driving test and getting a car, getting a Saturday job as a dance teacher...all make her happy except the diabetes has now become a massive hindrance. Her blood sugars are erratic due to doing lots more physical excercise and going hypo a lot more, she has had a contraceptive implant and I am trying to find out if this maybe having an impact. She is on the pump and has freestyle libre but trying to make all the tweaks necessary is very difficult. I cook healthy food for her but she is quite a faddy eater. It is quite frankly breaking my heart seeing her look so tired and feel so unwell. I know she is 18 but it seems she needs me more at the moment than she ever has! Have any other parents experienced this when their diabetic child turned 18?? My only wish was that I had diabetes and not her!!!

Welcome Amanda. I often wonder how my parents coped with me. Well done for her getting the Pump & a Libre (both good gadgets). I was diagnosed in 1966 at 3yrs old. With determination I have never been unemployed & it sounds like your daughter is that type. Really good luck to you & her. 🙂

 

[Flower]

Hello and welcome Amanda 🙂

It can be a difficult time growing up with diabetes and facing new challenges and independence. There are some good young adult clinics around at various hospitals where they are in tune with the challenges of becoming an adult. It might be worth asking if there is one near you.

These pages are a good guide to what care/advice etc should be available https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/teens/me-and-my-diabetes/transition-to-adult-clinics

I wish you and your daughter well 🙂