Newly diagnosed son 9

[Lewisbtype1]

Evening all, well what a rollercoaster it’s been for the past 3 weeks, son 9 type 1 diabetes, so unexpected. He’s took to it amazingly, the first 2 weeks was like our worst nightmare, he was a totally out of control child, his whole world torn upside down and he wasn’t quite sure, well 3 weeks on and it’s likehaving my son back, he’s dping his own Insulin and he’s enjoying carb counting, I’m so anal about everything so we are finding it pretty straight forward, pre sports or activities is where I’m struggling with him, had quite a few hypos, the worrying thing is he has no signs he’s low, well the only obvious sign he’s very aggressive, he’s got to 2.3 and not felt any different, I’m so worried that it will go unnoticed at school and he’s gping to end up pretty poorly, has anyone got any snack ideas for pre sports, he’s a really energetic boy and never sits still, I understand he’s in the honeymoon period at the minute so up and down levels are normal but I want to try and find something that will keep his levels where they need to be and not keep crashing! Sorry for long post

 

[Bronco Billy]

Hi Lewisbtype1, welcome to the forum and the club that no-one wants to join.

I remember the rollercoaster well! The change in routine and lifestyle, the carb counting, the planning needed for even the shortest trip out. It will get easier, Scouts honour. There may be a local support group in your area. If there is, you will be able to find it by checking https://www.diabetes.org.uk/in_your_area

Another good group to join if you are on Facebook is the regional network group. Search for your regional group by typing your region followed by ‘paediatric diabetes network’

Congratulations to your son for how he is coping so far. It sounds like he is doing brilliantly. You might find a small snack before sports stops the hypos. My two (yes, I have two with type 1 🙄) have a fun-size milky way before moderate exercise, PE, for example. It’s 10 carbs and helps them stay at a reasonable level. Does he do any sport outside school?

Have your hospital team been to the school to train the staff yet? Staff are usually very supportive, so I’m sure he will be fine. If you have any questions about care in school, there is a board on the forum dedicated to schools called ‘Diabetes in School’.

Good luck and feel free to make your posts as long as you want. if you want to say it, we want to read it. 🙂

 

[Thebearcametoo]

Hi. My daughter is 9 and was diagnosed at the beginning of March so we’re getting to grips with it all too.

Does he have glucose tablets/dextrose with him all the time? Those and lucazade sport seem to work best for us and the tablets are easier to carry around. Not having recognisable signs of hypo makes it more difficult but his friends will notice his change of behaviour even if he doesn’t so you may find that his management at school is better because of that.

Are you adjusting insulin before sport? Your DSN should be able to help you with that if not. It means the proportion of insulin is less in the meal before sport (depending on when he’ll be doing it in relation to the meal). We sometimes give my daughter half a glucose tablet before sport if she’s under 5 but you may find that he needs to be nearer 7 or some other number. It’s a bit of trial and error. A banana (or part of) can be good before sport or a packet of wotsits or a few sweets or small bit of chocolate. It depends a bit on him.

Hypos are a part of diabetes and it’s not a failure if he’s having them. The DSN will work with you to tweak the insulin ratios to work with his usual routine in the week.

 

[Lewisbtype1]

Thanks for the reply’s, I’m working very closely with the school they are amazing we have been through the care plan together and 5 members of staff have had the training, which is such a relief, 2 teachers also have type 1 diabetes so having them there takes away a lot of worry for me.
He does after school activities which myself or his dad stay and watch, we give a 10 carb snack before sports which one day can help but others not, it’s so trial and error at the minute with everything, the diabetic team he sees are great and are really helpful, he’s tried different ratios to per carbs, think we have found the balance, but could change from one day to the next.
It’s his first full day back at school tomorrow and I’m pretty nervous for him, I’m sure he will be fine but as parents it’s the worry of it all, I dread the school number ringing my phone.
They have adjusted the insulin before sport but doesn’t make to much of a difference, I’m worried mostly about him being so low and him not noticing, his friends havnt spotted any obvious signs, and he don’t feel much different, I think I’m going to ask to borrow a cgm monitor because he’s pricking his finger 8-10 times a day at least and he’s so fed up of it.

 

[Bronco Billy]

The honeymoon period will make it difficult to establish trends. Once this is over, it will be (a bit) easier to see patterns and make the required adjustments. I’m so pleased that the school has responded so positively. This can make such a difference to the child and the parent. It’s great that your team have been so helpful, too.

 

[Thebearcametoo]

The only predictable thing about diabetes for us so far is that it’s unpredictable. It does get easier to go with the flow though and you get more security in your own decisions about changing ratios or adding in snacks or whatever.