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Son newly diagnosed
- Thread starter AnnetteG
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Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome @AnnetteG 🙂 Sorry to hear about your son’s Type 1 diagnosis. First of all, please tell him that he’s not alone. There are lots of Type 1s here, including myself, and we all understand what a shock a diagnosis is and how difficult the lifestyle changes are at first. It does gradually get easier. Would you son join this forum? We can offer practical support, of course, but more importantly possibly, emotional support too.
Paulbreen
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi @AnnetteG I hope your well as you can be and welcome to the forum.
Your lad will be going through a lot with his diagnosis being so recent, best thing that you can do for him is offer as much support as you can manage.
There is a lot to learn for him but it’s not impossible and there is a lot of people here you can ask questions to and encourage him to join up too if he can.
I think best approach is baby steps, with the learning process and don’t cut your selves up if it takes some time, I’ve been T1 many years and I’m still learning today, the technology available now makes living as a T1 pretty easy compared to 15 or 20 years ago. There will be more people along here soon to help you and welcome you to the group.
Ask ask and ask, there is a mine of information and experience here and no one will think any question is silly, I wish you both the best of luck with this new journey
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Hi and welcome
Just being able to exchange thoughts and ideas and worries with people who face the same challenges, takes an amazing amount of weight off your mind. It is like having a safety net, so you know you are not on your own with it, so do encourage him to join us, but you are also very welcome and we are happy to relay info through you.
I think one of the things that helped me was to test more frequently than I was being advised to do and not being frightened to experiment to see how my body reacted and probably most importantly, to learn that perfection is not possible and to accept that we cannot get it right all the time with insulin doses and exercise and keeping our levels balanced. It is about trial and improvement where possible.
Which insulins have they given him and does he have Freestyle Libre sensor on his arm to scan for his levels or is he finger pricking? As Paul says, the technology these days is amazing and makes life so much easier for us than previous generations, but many of them have come through 50 years or more with it relatively unscathed, so our prospects have to be even better. Hard to believe it was a death sentence 100yrs ago and now people live to 80+ with a good quality of life.
Yes it is a pain in the backside but it didn't stop Teresa May becoming Prime Minister and there are professional rugby players who have it so it shouldn't stop your son doing whatever he sets his heart on, once he gets used to managing it.
Just being able to exchange thoughts and ideas and worries with people who face the same challenges, takes an amazing amount of weight off your mind. It is like having a safety net, so you know you are not on your own with it, so do encourage him to join us, but you are also very welcome and we are happy to relay info through you.
I think one of the things that helped me was to test more frequently than I was being advised to do and not being frightened to experiment to see how my body reacted and probably most importantly, to learn that perfection is not possible and to accept that we cannot get it right all the time with insulin doses and exercise and keeping our levels balanced. It is about trial and improvement where possible.
Which insulins have they given him and does he have Freestyle Libre sensor on his arm to scan for his levels or is he finger pricking? As Paul says, the technology these days is amazing and makes life so much easier for us than previous generations, but many of them have come through 50 years or more with it relatively unscathed, so our prospects have to be even better. Hard to believe it was a death sentence 100yrs ago and now people live to 80+ with a good quality of life.
Yes it is a pain in the backside but it didn't stop Teresa May becoming Prime Minister and there are professional rugby players who have it so it shouldn't stop your son doing whatever he sets his heart on, once he gets used to managing it.
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hiya! Has your son been recommended this book?
Very useful for anyone newly diagnosed, whatever their age happens to be!
Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults Seventh Edition: Amazon.co.uk: Ragnar Hanas: 9781859597989: Books
Buy Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults Seventh Edition Seventh by Ragnar Hanas (ISBN: 9781859597989) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
www.amazon.co.uk
Very useful for anyone newly diagnosed, whatever their age happens to be!
SB2015
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome to the forum @AnnetteG
I am sorry to hear about your son’s diagnosis. It is a big shock at any age and takes a bit of getting used to. The book by Ragnar Hanas that @trophywench has linked to is very useful. It is regularly updated with the latest tech, so worth looking for the most recent edition.
There is plenty of useful advice above, so I will just encourage you and/or your son to ask any questions that arise, as there is plenty of experience to tap into.
I am sorry to hear about your son’s diagnosis. It is a big shock at any age and takes a bit of getting used to. The book by Ragnar Hanas that @trophywench has linked to is very useful. It is regularly updated with the latest tech, so worth looking for the most recent edition.
There is plenty of useful advice above, so I will just encourage you and/or your son to ask any questions that arise, as there is plenty of experience to tap into.
Hi @AnnetteG - welcome to the forum and like everyone else has said, very sorry to hear about your son’s diagnosis. I’m also 24 years old and was diagnosed with type 1 when I was 8. I can’t reiterate enough the comment that we can never be perfect with it! I wish I hadn’t been so hard on myself growing up but hindsight is truly a wonderful thing.
It can be extremely challenging when you’re already an adult and you get a diagnosis, because you’ve already learnt lifestyle patterns and behaviours that you need to change. So I can imagine how nervous and worries you both are feeling. I would highly recommend the freestyle libre sensor which has been mentioned on this thread. I started using it in October 2020 and it’s really helped with keeping on top of my blood sugar levels. For as long as I could remember, my overall blood sugar levels were averaging between 9-12. But with the sensors I’m now averaging between 7-9. It gives you the freedom to be able to test as many times as you want, without having to constantly damage your finger tips and being able to see where my blood sugars have been for the last few hours, really helps me decide what to do next. Rather than only being able to go off of one reading.
I’m also using pump therapy which again, really helps with your level of control. It’s very much a trial and error type therapy but it works really well for me. Because you get small doses every hour and you can adjust each hour to fit your body’s needs, it’s literally the closest thing to having a working pancreas! If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask on here, as there are plenty of people who can help and offer some emotional support too. Being diabetic isn’t easy and it comes with a lot of responsibility, but it doesn’t mean we can’t live normal lives and still achieve everything we want. I hope the answers on this thread have been useful for you and I wish your son all the best with getting to grips with his condition!
It can be extremely challenging when you’re already an adult and you get a diagnosis, because you’ve already learnt lifestyle patterns and behaviours that you need to change. So I can imagine how nervous and worries you both are feeling. I would highly recommend the freestyle libre sensor which has been mentioned on this thread. I started using it in October 2020 and it’s really helped with keeping on top of my blood sugar levels. For as long as I could remember, my overall blood sugar levels were averaging between 9-12. But with the sensors I’m now averaging between 7-9. It gives you the freedom to be able to test as many times as you want, without having to constantly damage your finger tips and being able to see where my blood sugars have been for the last few hours, really helps me decide what to do next. Rather than only being able to go off of one reading.
I’m also using pump therapy which again, really helps with your level of control. It’s very much a trial and error type therapy but it works really well for me. Because you get small doses every hour and you can adjust each hour to fit your body’s needs, it’s literally the closest thing to having a working pancreas! If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask on here, as there are plenty of people who can help and offer some emotional support too. Being diabetic isn’t easy and it comes with a lot of responsibility, but it doesn’t mean we can’t live normal lives and still achieve everything we want. I hope the answers on this thread have been useful for you and I wish your son all the best with getting to grips with his condition!
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @AnnetteG
Sorry to hear about your son’s diagnosis.
It can feel scary and overwhelming to begin with, but be reassured that things will get easier. Suddenly there are all sorts of extra things to think about - but very soon much of this will become automatic, feel more routine, and almost fade into the background (well… most of the time!)
There was a thread a while ago where people with some years of diabetes under their belts offered their ‘top tips’ - things they wish they had been told at the beginning.
Maybe there will be some nuggets of information in there for you both?
forum.diabetes.org.uk
There’s also this helpful ‘etiquette card’ for family and friends of people with diabetes, to suggest ways of having positive conversations about diabetes, and how to help
Let us know how he gets on 🙂
Sorry to hear about your son’s diagnosis.
It can feel scary and overwhelming to begin with, but be reassured that things will get easier. Suddenly there are all sorts of extra things to think about - but very soon much of this will become automatic, feel more routine, and almost fade into the background (well… most of the time!)
There was a thread a while ago where people with some years of diabetes under their belts offered their ‘top tips’ - things they wish they had been told at the beginning.
Maybe there will be some nuggets of information in there for you both?
5 Top Tips for Better Diabetesing
Just found myself absently wondering what I would say to myself if I could go back in time ‘Bill and Ted’ style and offer newly-diagnosed-me some hints and tips for better diabetes management, and a better relationship with my diabetes from future-me. What 5 hints and tips I might offer myself...
forum.diabetes.org.uk
There’s also this helpful ‘etiquette card’ for family and friends of people with diabetes, to suggest ways of having positive conversations about diabetes, and how to help
Let us know how he gets on 🙂
Bless him. I had a complete breakdown in Jan of this year. Diagnosed as type 1 at 43! Although no doctors quite knows what to make of me yet. It’s been rough especially during Covid. My experience was firstly okay it’s not that bad… then wholly c**p it’s is that bad, followed by overwhelmed with the complexity. Anger at why me, resentment towards people that could just do what they wanted and feeling like nobody understood how I felt and sometimes they they didn’t care ( I know that wasn’t true ). When you are diagnosed at an older age I think it can be harder as you grieve for the life you had before. Expect mood swings as the highs and lows effect your emotions and sometimes we don’t like being told what to do… eg husband “hey em check your sugars… think your running abit low” I snap back with “ what so you think you know more than me now? You think i wouldnt know if I was low?” Checks sugars 3.2 okay pass the nutellla. Ihave kids your sons age who ended up looking after me. He’s young, there are tonnes of really inspirational young adults on Instagram that can help normalise his situation a little, but it will take time to adjust. The absolute best thing about this is you. You care enough to come on here and ask for help for him and that kind of support will help him so much going forward. Love to you both xx
M
Mysteriousmooncat
Guest
Hi, as someone who has had t1d since the age of three who is in her 20s. I am sure he would appreciate a hug now and again as well as the knowledge that you are here to support him. Which I’m sure you do already. He will have ups and downs. If he gets angry and fustrated just remember he’s not with you, it’s a symptom of low and high blood glucose levels. As for the mental health has he talked to his gp or gone to see a counsellor as I go to both for my mental health as I suffer from depression and other mental health problems. Wish you all the best ⭐️
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