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Holidays and Weight

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MSH33

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My 14 year old was diagnosed at end of July, se are going on holiday to Balearics in Oct and NYC in December, I think I need to get a letter from the doctor to travel, do I just show all this at checkin?

Also, anyone recommend anything to put her equipment in? Assume we need a spare set in another bag incase her bag is lost?

I have also noticed she had put on weight, she is a dancer and likes the gym and had probably lost weight prior to diagnosis, should I be getting to focus more on a lean diet? I have read insulin causes weight gain but I’m not sure what to expect as clearly this would cause other issues long term.
 
MSH33 said:
My 14 year old was diagnosed at end of July, se are going on holiday to Balearics in Oct and NYC in December, I think I need to get a letter from the doctor to travel, do I just show all this at checkin?

Also, anyone recommend anything to put her equipment in? Assume we need a spare set in another bag incase her bag is lost?

I have also noticed she had put on weight, she is a dancer and likes the gym and had probably lost weight prior to diagnosis, should I be getting to focus more on a lean diet? I have read insulin causes weight gain but I’m not sure what to expect as clearly this would cause other issues long term.
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Hi there - I'm not a T1, so can't help you with any specifics.

As far as the letter from your daughter's clinis is concerned, I haven't seen anyone say they have been asked for it. It is there on a "just in case" basis, but strongly advised you have it nonetheless. A one-off letter is fine. There's no need for a letter each time she travels.

Vis-a-vis you daughter gaining some weight. This is something often mentioned by those newly diagnosed T1. Many lose weight in the lead up to diagnosis, caused by the developing symptoms of the condition, so regaining that would more than likely be seen as a positive thing.

Bearing in mind your daughter is just a handful of weeks into her new life with t1, it might be advisable to develop a bit of a watching brief. You all have a lot to get your heads around, and of course there will be mis-steps along the way.

Sadly, there is a condition known as diabulimia where folks manipulate their insuling use to maintain or lose weight. The weight loss is usually due to very high blood sugars, so definitely not a healthy habit.

I'd encourage your duaghter to do her best, and keep in close contact with her clinic. They will guide her. If she has concerns about anything, they will also be best placed to help navigate her way through this incredibly steep learning curve.

I applaud you for your concerns for your daughter, but they might just be a bit premature for great concern.

I'm sure others will have view too - probably some different to mine.

Good luck to you both. The learning curve is steep but you'll both get there.
 
A healthy diet for a type 1 is the same as a healthy diet for anyone else. Technically your daughter can eat anything she likes as long as she takes the right amount of insulin for it, eating a balanced diet with not too much of the sweet stuff is sensible for the same reasons that it is sensible for anyone else. Insulin does NOT cause weight gain, eating too much does. But you are right, your daughter probably lost weight before her diagnosis and her body is now just rebuilding itself after that, if she’s eating sensibly then her weight should stabilise. I can only assume that the reason people say that insulin makes you put on weight is because if you don’t take insulin when you need to you will rapidly lose weight because your body is starving, then when you take insulin it allows your body to use the food it is eating and the lost weight goes back on again. But under normal circumstances it is only replacing what your body can’t produce anyway and should make no difference.

For holidays, work out how much of everything you will need and take at least twice as much (in case of breakages, delays on your return etc). Never pack insulin in the hold, take it all in hand luggage. Check with your airline, most will allow an extra bag for medical equipment. Frio packs are quite good for carrying insulin, they won’t keep it fridge cold but they will prevent it from overheating. You soak them in water and they keep it cool as the water evaporates. Taking a letter is a good idea (ask the diabetes nurse for one, GPs usually charge a fee), although most people find they never need to show it. Airport security staff see a lot of diabetics with all their paraphernalia and are used to it. And above all, enjoy your holidays!
 
I always take a letter @MSH33 Its just easier. As said above, take at least twice as much of everything as you think you need. Do NOT put insulin in the hold and keep everything diabetic with you. Many airlines allow you to carry an extra medical bag.

The weight will settle. Your daughter’s body was starving. Now it can nourish itself again by having insulin, it will build itself up a little above normal in case another period of ‘starvation’ comes. It will gradually settle back down. Insulin doesn’t make you fat. I’ve been taking it for almost 30 years and my BMI is 19 or so.
 
Thank you all for your replies! I am reading things online and thinking the worst.

She had noticed herself she has put a little on, she is a dancer and is very lean, we didn’t notice the weight loss as she had always been slim and also growing and doing a lot of dance rehearsals:going to gym, young people are so focused on their bodies now, I just didn’t know what to expect and as she has noticed herself (more on the tummy to what she had).
 
She won’t have been processing food properly for some time pre-diagnosis. Over the next few months her weight should settle to what it should be. Yes, I completely agree weight is a sensitive issue at that age. Focus on health and how strong and graceful she is.

Eating disorders are more common in people with Type 1.
 
I should have been delighted as a young adult when my weight dropped to under 8 stone prior to diagnosis but the only snag was I felt so bloody awful but I didn't suppose it would be anything terrible at my age ......

Oh buggrit - I have diabetes - within 6 months back up not only to 8st 2 but 8 stone 7 - with everyone I knew telling me how much better I now looked for it, what a blooming back handed compliment that was to swallow! But anyway - I stayed that weight for several decades until late 50s when I was otherwise ill and dropped weight again. Since then all the middle aged spread has caught up with me, with a vengeance and a lot of that a combination of things including some of my own fault for not making sure I stayed active.

So - panic not, Mrs Mainwaring! - her body will do exactly what it needs to do, not what you'd like it to.
 
As others have said it sounds like your daughter’s body is just recovering from the starvation during pre diagnosis. Things should settle.

You already have all the advice for the forthcoming holiday, so as well as following that, enjoy yourselves. I always lighten up on my expectations for my levels because the foods will be unpredictable and timings often different to normal.

You are all on a steep learning curve at present and I am glad that you have found the forum. If you get questions whilst away there is the experience on here to tap into. I have used it plenty of times.

I look forward to hearing how the holiday goes.
 
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