Son (15) newly diagnosed T1 - feeling devastated :(

[Helz80]

Hello - my son (aged 15) was diagnosed on Tuesday as T1. The only symptom had been weight loss over the last 6-8 months. I feel so devastated and overwhelmed - I have no knowledge of diabetes at all! The hospital have been wonderful, and I'm reassured that he has 24-7 hour support and direct access to the children's ward if need be - but I'm just so scared!! He's not ill - he's never felt ill, so to get such a life-changing diagnosis was a real shock. They did say his lack of feeling ill was a little unusual, as was the apparent length of symptoms (6-8 months losing weight) with no further deterioration... but the diagnosis was almost instant after admission with blood sugars of 26 and keytones of 1.6.

He's being a superstar with injecting 4 x daily - just struggling to get much blood from finger prick testing today... he says I've drained him of it all

 

[Drummer]

I had a problem with an apparently empty fingertip when it was really warm - a pint of fluid and a short wait was required to get blood in the usual amount. Just down to dehydration.

 

[Helz80]

I had a problem with an apparently empty fingertip when it was really warm - a pint of fluid and a short wait was required to get blood in the usual amount. Just down to dehydration.

Ahh, great advice - thank you 🙂

 

[Leadinglights]

Finger pricking technique is one to master and generally only a small drop of blood is needed.
Make sure the hands are warm and choose a fleshy part of the finger, near the end but to one side. Sometimes it helps to massage the finger before pricking, then if necessary squeeze gently but away from the hole.
Just think if you cut your finger you will get 10 times the amount usually needed for your test strip.
I think there is a U-Tube video about technique which might be useful to look at.

 

[Helz80]

Finger pricking technique is one to master and generally only a small drop of blood is needed.
Make sure the hands are warm and choose a fleshy part of the finger, near the end but to one side. Sometimes it helps to massage the finger before pricking, then if necessary squeeze gently but away from the hole.
Just think if you cut your finger you will get 10 times the amount usually needed for your test strip.
I think there is a U-Tube video about technique which might be useful to look at.

Thank you 🙂

 

[Thebearcametoo]

It is so overwhelming to begin with but you will all adapt within a few weeks. We found the diabetic team were very good at repeating information over several sessions so you will slowly pick it all up. My daughter had a similar diagnosis of seeming to be well right up until diagnosis although she was drinking a lot and having to get up in the night to wee which was very unusual for her. It’s good that it was caught before it was too serious.

There is a lot of shock that you need to deal with and there is a period of grieving but you will come out the other side. We’re here to support you as well as answer questions.

 

[helli]

so to get such a life-changing diagnosis was a real shock.

A diagnosis of a chronic condition is a shock but please don‘t think of Type 1 diabetes as life changing.
I was diagnosed later in life (aged 36) and the only change to my busy, active life has been the need to carry a bag with me.
I continue to travel, do sport, eat what I want, drink, have fun, experience stress, change jobs to something more demanding, and do as much (if not more) than my friends without diabetes whilst maintaining good diabetes management with no complications after more than 15 years.

With the technology and treatment available nowadays (and getting even better each year), Type 1 diabetes does not have to be a hindrance to your son. There are cyclists in the Olympics, footballers playing for their country, rugby players scoring tries for England. We had a prime minister with Type 1 and currently have a Speaker of the house with it.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to go into full lecture mode. Initial diagnosis of Type 1 is a shock and there is a lot to get used to but testing and injecting will become second nature to your son. And diabetes shouldn’t hold him back or change his life.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @Helz80 , but I am sorry to hear of your son’s diagnosis. It is good to know that you have access to the specialist team at the hospital.

It is good to read that he is being such a superstar, and whilst it is all a shock this is a manageable condition and it will be once just part of his new normal life. This takes some time to adjust to for him and also for you.

Finger pricking will just be part of every day. It is sometimes more difficult to get blood out, and this can be if he has cold hands. I find sometimes using a different finger helps. I am sure he has been told to use the sides of his fingers rather than the pad (which has many more nerves) and to avoid going too near the nails. On most finger prickers there is a depth gauge, which you can turn up a bit if it is hard to get blood out.

A book that I have found very useful is Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults by Ragnar Hanas. It is clearly indexed, well explained and regularly updated.

As you go through the next few weeks there will be many questions that arise. Don’t be afraid to ask. There is loads of experience to tap into on here, and no questions are considered silly.

I am not sure where you live but DUK organises T1 Family weekends for families with a child who has T1. This includes their parents and siblings. The next one is in October at Bristol and another planned for the north later in the year. I will find the link, but also tag @Odette DUK who organises these, and will no doubt have the info at her finger tips. I attend these as a volunteer and they are alway very enjoyable weekends with a chance for you and your children to talk with others, along with some great activities.

It is no surprise that thing s are a bit overwhelming to start with but it will get easier.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I have no knowledge of diabetes at all! The hospital have been wonderful, and I'm reassured that he has 24-7 hour support and direct access to the children's ward if need be - but I'm just so scared!! He's not ill - he's never felt ill, so to get such a life-changing diagnosis was a real shock.

Hello Helz,
very few people have any knowledge of diabetes until it comes along and bites your or a relatives b.u.m so have no worries in that dept. Diabetes is a life long learning curve with plenty of ups and downs on the way.
Everyone is overwhelmed to start with so just hang in there and things do get better.

As long as your son manages his diabetes it wont be life changing, just remember to carry meter test strips and some jelly babes for hypo treatment and the worlds his oyster.

 

[stephknits]

Hey, my eldest was diagnosed last year at age 16, but a bit easier for me as I am also type 1. It is a huge shock and loads to get your head around.

 

[SteveG4]

Hello - my son (aged 15) was diagnosed on Tuesday as T1. The only symptom had been weight loss over the last 6-8 months. I feel so devastated and overwhelmed - I have no knowledge of diabetes at all! The hospital have been wonderful, and I'm reassured that he has 24-7 hour support and direct access to the children's ward if need be - but I'm just so scared!! He's not ill - he's never felt ill, so to get such a life-changing diagnosis was a real shock. They did say his lack of feeling ill was a little unusual, as was the apparent length of symptoms (6-8 months losing weight) with no further deterioration... but the diagnosis was almost instant after admission with blood sugars of 26 and keytones of 1.6.

He's being a superstar with injecting 4 x daily - just struggling to get much blood from finger prick testing today... he says I've drained him of it all

Hi I feel for you and I think often of what was going through my parents mind when I was diagnosed at the age of 15 in 1977. A life changer it is but I can tell you that it has never stopped me doing anything that wanted to do, and that includes a six year stint in higher education. The technological developments are great these days and so I don't see your son going through the journey that I have! All the very best to you as a parent and your son. I imagine that it will be easier for him!

 

[Helz80]

Thank you everyone - it's reassuring to hear how others manage and, fingers crossed, things will get easier!

 

[Jenny105]

Hello - my son (aged 15) was diagnosed on Tuesday as T1. The only symptom had been weight loss over the last 6-8 months. I feel so devastated and overwhelmed - I have no knowledge of diabetes at all! The hospital have been wonderful, and I'm reassured that he has 24-7 hour support and direct access to the children's ward if need be - but I'm just so scared!! He's not ill - he's never felt ill, so to get such a life-changing diagnosis was a real shock. They did say his lack of feeling ill was a little unusual, as was the apparent length of symptoms (6-8 months losing weight) with no further deterioration... but the diagnosis was almost instant after admission with blood sugars of 26 and keytones of 1.6.

He's being a superstar with injecting 4 x daily - just struggling to get much blood from finger prick testing today... he says I've drained him of it all

 

[Jenny105]

Hi Im a newbie , so cant say very much as yet. It sounds as if you have great support from your hospital and you've found Diabetes UK. This site seems to have loads of support and information. Its hard being a Mum,
It seems to me- ex teacher, that youngsters with health issues develop a special maturity around their issues. Im sure others will reply to give you support.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thank you everyone - it's reassuring to hear how others manage and, fingers crossed, things will get easier!

Sorry to hear about your lad’s diagnosis @Helz80

It is perfectly normal and natural to feel overwhelmed to begin with. There’s a lot to take on board, and it can feel like life will never be the same again - but T1 diabetes, while annoying and frustrating at times, IS a condition that he can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop him from doing anything he wants to.

To help you get your heads around type 1, and how it can be managed you might find Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas helpful - it’s considered to be the 'bible' for children and young people on insulin regimes.

And yes… be assured that things definitely WILL get easier. You are currently on a very steep learning curve, but soon enough you will begin to get a handle on how his diabetes behaves and responds (well… until it changes its mind and moved the goalposts!)

Keep asking questions, and let us know how things are going 🙂

 

[Helz80]

Sorry to hear about your lad’s diagnosis @Helz80

It is perfectly normal and natural to feel overwhelmed to begin with. There’s a lot to take on board, and it can feel like life will never be the same again - but T1 diabetes, while annoying and frustrating at times, IS a condition that he can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop him from doing anything he wants to.

To help you get your heads around type 1, and how it can be managed you might find Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas helpful - it’s considered to be the 'bible' for children and young people on insulin regimes.

And yes… be assured that things definitely WILL get easier. You are currently on a very steep learning curve, but soon enough you will begin to get a handle on how his diabetes behaves and responds (well… until it changes its mind and moved the goalposts!)

Keep asking questions, and let us know how things are going 🙂

Thank you 🙂 Shall order that book this morning!