mum of 10 year old

[bev]

Hi, my 10 year old son (Alex) was diagnosed 6 weeks ago as type 1 and is on 4 injections a day. I have read a few of the posts and find them quite helpful, but, my question is : As a mum, do you ever 'relax'? Its only been 6 weeks and i find it hard to 'let go' and am finding it hard to sleep at night in case he has a hypo in his sleep! Also his diabetic nurse keeps reassuring us that his levels will settle and he wont have as many hypos etc..but after reading the posts on here it does seem that levels can be as erratic several years down the line as they are when your newly diagnosed?
I am normally a very positive person but i must admit to feeling that diabetes is such a difficult illness to feel relaxed about.
I also dont want Alex to feel that he is a 'sick child' and therefore may not achieve all the things he wanted to do pre diagnosis - but its really difficult trying to get the right balance between being responsible for his long term health etc..and giving him the freedom that he would normally have had!
His older sister went to uni and his middle sister is due to go in a year, and i dont see any reason why Alex should not go as this was always what was planned, but the thought of this makes me worry!
Sorry if i sound negative, but this whole thing seems quite daunting, so if anyone out there has any advice/help on how to get the right balance i would very much appreciate it! Thanks Bev

 

[diagonall]

Hi, my 10 year old son (Alex) was diagnosed 6 weeks ago as type 1 and is on 4 injections a day. I have read a few of the posts and find them quite helpful, but, my question is : As a mum, do you ever 'relax'? Its only been 6 weeks and i find it hard to 'let go' and am finding it hard to sleep at night in case he has a hypo in his sleep! Also his diabetic nurse keeps reassuring us that his levels will settle and he wont have as many hypos etc..but after reading the posts on here it does seem that levels can be as erratic several years down the line as they are when your newly diagnosed?
I am normally a very positive person but i must admit to feeling that diabetes is such a difficult illness to feel relaxed about.
I also dont want Alex to feel that he is a 'sick child' and therefore may not achieve all the things he wanted to do pre diagnosis - but its really difficult trying to get the right balance between being responsible for his long term health etc..and giving him the freedom that he would normally have had!
His older sister went to uni and his middle sister is due to go in a year, and i dont see any reason why Alex should not go as this was always what was planned, but the thought of this makes me worry!
Sorry if i sound negative, but this whole thing seems quite daunting, so if anyone out there has any advice/help on how to get the right balance i would very much appreciate it! Thanks Bev

Hello Bev, welcome to the forum.
Mum's never stop worrying My Mum is 72 now and she still worries about me. I have had type 1 for 44 years with no complications.
Alex is not a sick child he has a condition that has to live with him.
There is nothing to stop him doing what he wants in life.
Most of the bad control that is seen on the forums is due to lack of knowledge on how to manage diabetes. So learn all you can also include Alex in the learning.
Learn to carb count and sort a carb/insulin ratio out and things will be 100% better. Clinics have so many people to see the basics seem to be bypassed. Hence the lack of knowledge from many people. With the internet though things are improving no end and people are now learning to help themselves more.
It sounds as if Alex is having his honeymoon period ie his pancreas is having it's last splutter before it kicks the bucket. All you and Alex can do is monitor and reduce insulin as and when required.
Things do get better honest.
Best wishes
Sue

 

[Northerner]

Hi Bev, and welcome to the group!

I'm not a parent, but I can imagine how difficult it must be to caring for, rather than being, the person with diabetes. I was diagnosed a few months ago. It's still a bit of an obsession, I have to admit, keeping a close eye on the blood glucose readings etc. But, the good news is that it is possible to get good BG control, and quickly - remember that a lot of the postings here are when people have had a blip or a particular problem - people tend not to post about their control when everything's fine!

I'm perfectly healthy, I ran the Great SouthRun 4 months after diagnosis, I eat a healthy diet and intend to live a long and active life - there is no reason at all that your son should not follow in the footsteps of his sisters and achieve virtually anything that a non-diabetic person could The only things are things like not being able to pilot a plane solo, on safety grounds.

As for things like hypos, try not to get overly concerned about them. Daytime hypos should be easy to spot and are easy to treat, and nighttime hypos - well, I've had a few, but they've just left me with a bit of a headache the following day. Keep reading and ask anything you're unsure of - there are lots of other parents here that will be able to give you far better advice than me!

 

[bev]

THANK YOU SO MUCH 'SUE' AND 'NORTHERNER'! You will never know how much your replies have managed to put my mind at rest! Sue, i know your right about mums worrying , and if it wasnt diabetes, it would be something else i would worry about i suppose. I am very impresssed that youve had 44 years without any major complications - and hope that Alex can follow in your footsteps.
I will tell Alex about your amazing sporting achievements 'Northerner'!
On the subject of carb counting - we are doing this but i find (particularly when we eat out) that sometimes the book doesnt cover what we need ( a pocket sized ref book) - so can anyone recommend a more comprehensive book?
Also when we do foods like pasta - do we weigh it cooked or uncooked, as it seems to vary a lot in the books? Thanks and stay healthy. Bev

 

[diagonall]

THANK YOU SO MUCH 'SUE' AND 'NORTHERNER'! You will never know how much your replies have managed to put my mind at rest! Sue, i know your right about mums worrying , and if it wasnt diabetes, it would be something else i would worry about i suppose. I am very impresssed that youve had 44 years without any major complications - and hope that Alex can follow in your footsteps.
I don't even have minor complications 🙂
I will tell Alex about your amazing sporting achievements 'Northerner'!
I used to practice karate in my distant youth and run cross country for my county and play hockey too. Look at Steve Redgrave the olympic rower didn't he do well? He has type 1 diabetes
On the subject of carb counting - we are doing this but i find (particularly when we eat out) that sometimes the book doesnt cover what we need ( a pocket sized ref book) - so can anyone recommend a more comprehensive book?
Collins gem carb counter is good. But if you are eating at some fast food place look on the net for the nutritional value of their foods before you go.Worth printing of the food list too and keep in a pocket. Avoid things with sauces when eating out as these do have hidden carbs.Also when we do foods like pasta - do we weigh it cooked or uncooked, as it seems to vary a lot in the books? Thanks and stay healthy. Bev

Pasta it's easier to count if cooked just weigh it. Have you a set of nutriscales? well worth buying some as you can just put the food on a plate and put the code in scales for food product

 

[bev]

Pasta it's easier to count if cooked just weigh it. Have you a set of nutriscales? well worth buying some as you can just put the food on a plate and put the code in scales for food product

Hi Sue. we just have some digital scales. I have seen some nutriscales but the shop wouldnt let me open them, and i wanted to check how many 'foods' were on the provided list! If you find them useful then i will go and buy some - anything to make life simpler!Great advice again thanks. Bev

 

[diagonall]

Hi Sue. we just have some digital scales. I have seen some nutriscales but the shop wouldnt let me open them, and i wanted to check how many 'foods' were on the provided list! If you find them useful then i will go and buy some - anything to make life simpler!Great advice again thanks. Bev

Bev, your son can eat any food he likes as long as you/he knows the carb value and inject to cover the carbs. It doesn't have to come from the provided list!
Nearly all foods have the carb value on them now days. I find the nutriscales great, but if you are happy with the digi scales then thats fine. I'm awful at maths so nutriscales are a lazey get out for me lol. Avoid the Lloyds chemist scales though they have faults in the data base.
Have some fun with Alex one evening on the computer find his fav foods and make a carb list to hang on the inside of the cupboard. This way he learns too in a fun way. Do carb counting with him at meal times so he knows the values and has some control over his condition. The same with his blood tests have a guessing game as to what the number will be. There's a 10 year old on another site who earns extra pocket money if he guess's correctly

Sue

 

[bev]

Hi Sue I didnt explain myself very well sorry! I do know that he can eat anything - i just wondered how comprehensive the 'list' of foods were on the scales 'codes' if you know what i mean!?
They are in a Lloyds chemist , so i will give them a miss, what make/model are yours? Alex does already get involved in his carb counting etc.. But sometimes he gets a bit fed up with it and just wants to be told how much insulin to inject. I think he just gets a bit angry if his levels are low etc..I do know this is a sign of low sugar levels.I have the gems carb guide - but i find the print a little small sometimes - probably need new glasses!
I allready am finding this site so friendly and helpful - and no question seems too silly - which is great for me!
I wont try the 'guess your levels' in case he leaves me penniless!
I am wondering about sending Alex on one of the diabetes holidays for children? It sounds so full of fun and i think it would be a great way of learning what levels of activity he is capable of and how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels whilst excercising. If anyone has experience of these holidays i would appreciate your views! Thanks . Bev

 

[diagonall]

Hi Sue I didnt explain myself very well sorry! I do know that he can eat anything - i just wondered how comprehensive the 'list' of foods were on the scales 'codes' if you know what i mean!?
They are in a Lloyds chemist , so i will give them a miss, what make/model are yours? Alex does already get involved in his carb counting etc.. But sometimes he gets a bit fed up with it and just wants to be told how much insulin to inject. I think he just gets a bit angry if his levels are low etc..I do know this is a sign of low sugar levels.I have the gems carb guide - but i find the print a little small sometimes - probably need new glasses!
I allready am finding this site so friendly and helpful - and no question seems too silly - which is great for me!
I wont try the 'guess your levels' in case he leaves me penniless!
I am wondering about sending Alex on one of the diabetes holidays for children? It sounds so full of fun and i think it would be a great way of learning what levels of activity he is capable of and how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels whilst excercising. If anyone has experience of these holidays i would appreciate your views! Thanks . Bev

Bev, the scales I have are called myweigh 🙂 I bought them on line. Make sure which ever ones you buy are English food based as many seem to be American.
Someone told me the other day that Diabetes UK had brought out a new carb counting book. I haven't seen it but if it's anything like their previous books then it would be very good.
I have only heard good things about the childrens holidays so I would say go for it.
There's only one question that's silly and that's the one thats never asked
Sue