I’m a single Mum to 3 Boys, 19 & twins of 17. One of my twins was diagnosed August 2007 and things have, on the whole, ticked along very well up to now. However, he’s a late teenage Boy and wants to be like his mates and his Brothers, so that’s new challenges! My brother was diagnosed 40 years ago, so I had some T1 experience, although definitely out of date, when my Son was diagnosed.
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Hi!
- Thread starter WeeMama
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SB2015
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
As the youngsters grow up there are extra challenges with the desire to be ‘normal’ but the Diabetes cannot be ignored. Any ‘adventures’ need to be planned. It is important that your son has someone with him who is aware of his T1, and knows where his hypo treatment is, or even carries some as well. Your son needs to be aware of the impact of alcohol on glucose levels and may need additional carbs during the evening and/or night as his liver will prioritise processing the alcohol over dribbling out glucose which is its role the rest of the time.
Perhaps the most important thing is a conversation about this with him. You could ask him to explain it to you as you feel you are rusty about these issues.
Perhaps the most important thing is a conversation about this with him. You could ask him to explain it to you as you feel you are rusty about these issues.
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi @WeeMama 🙂
I think @stephknits has a teen with Type 1. It must be difficult balancing their need for freedom and the diabetes.
I think @stephknits has a teen with Type 1. It must be difficult balancing their need for freedom and the diabetes.
stephknits
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hey, welcome to the forum. I have a newly diagnosed 16 year old , a 13 yr old (not type 1) and I myself am type 1. It is certainly a very tricky time. My daughter is off to 6th form college and wants to manage everything herself, not bother the college etc. I get that, and I want her to have a great time and not to feel diabetes is holding her back. She wants to do marine biology and learn to dive! Taking things one step at a time. I guess I am looking for her to make her mistakes whilst still living here, before she is off to see the world.
Firstly, though I am going to ring that college and set up a plan.
Firstly, though I am going to ring that college and set up a plan.
D
Deleted member 27171
Guest
Hi @WeeMama
I too have a 17 year old boy with T1 diagnosed 2005, and yes the later teenage years certainly have new challenges. Although we still find motivation to do anything diabetes related a challenge at times (and not as often as in the past), the biggest thing for us at the moment is trying to get the pump settings adequately altered to accommodate a largely nocturnal lifestyle, although we’ll be battling to get all back to normal again when school restarts in a couple of weeks.
My son found sessions with the psychology team at the hospital diabetes clinic really helpful for managing his frustrations and put an end to rebellious acts like removing his pump and leaving it outside his bedroom door when angry about anything or sitting in his room guzzzling coke meant for hypos like it was water.
Is that something your son’s clinic can offer? Or even something he would want? Its not for everyone, but can be really helpful
Is there anything he is finding particularly tricky at the moment?
I too have a 17 year old boy with T1 diagnosed 2005, and yes the later teenage years certainly have new challenges. Although we still find motivation to do anything diabetes related a challenge at times (and not as often as in the past), the biggest thing for us at the moment is trying to get the pump settings adequately altered to accommodate a largely nocturnal lifestyle, although we’ll be battling to get all back to normal again when school restarts in a couple of weeks.
My son found sessions with the psychology team at the hospital diabetes clinic really helpful for managing his frustrations and put an end to rebellious acts like removing his pump and leaving it outside his bedroom door when angry about anything or sitting in his room guzzzling coke meant for hypos like it was water.
Is that something your son’s clinic can offer? Or even something he would want? Its not for everyone, but can be really helpful
Is there anything he is finding particularly tricky at the moment?
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