teenager with diabetes

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jmg1303

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Type 1
hi I'm new to this site and wondered if there were any mums out there who had teenage sons/daughters with Type 1 diabetes and attitude ! My son seems to rebelling, there are days he point blank refuses to check his blood sugars or give his insulin. He has openly admitted to me that his diabetes depresses him, & that he finds it embarrassing. He often eats and drinks the wrong things when he knows full well he shouldnt and I'm at my wits end. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thankyou
Jo G
 
sorry no teenagers here but iam kinda old and i have weeks were i simply do not accept being diabetic put my pump meter meds etc in drawer and lock it away you could say i have attitude also ...told my specialist about my attitude hes fine about it i have a fantastic doctor and i think also if iam honest with him hes ok ,,, id say dont panic to much just keep an eye out and say hey well we will start afresh tomorrow as i feel once the pressure is off then i get on with it
hope i helped a little
 
jmg1303 said:
hi I'm new to this site and wondered if there were any mums out there who had teenage sons/daughters with Type 1 diabetes and attitude ! My son seems to rebelling, there are days he point blank refuses to check his blood sugars or give his insulin. He has openly admitted to me that his diabetes depresses him, & that he finds it embarrassing. He often eats and drinks the wrong things when he knows full well he shouldnt and I'm at my wits end. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thankyou
Jo G
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Hiya, Sorry to hear you are going through problems with your son.
Even though it doesn't help your feelings of frustration this is a normal teenager reaction.(Hormones are to blame) High numbers will also make him feel depressed. Don't fight him just support him. If he is on MDI is he carb counting? If so he can eat the same as everyone else just in moderation. Adjusting insulin to counteract the carbs. If you can sit down together and learn to carb count together even better. Have a private word with his diabetes team too they are used to dealing with teenagers and hormones/rebelion. Another option if he is on MDI and skipping his shots is to make sure he has his basal and then the food you put on the table is as low carb as pos. This will minimise the damage. Only other option is for him to go back to mixtard insulin which at least will give him the cover he needs 24/7.
You haven't said how old he is but I suspect he would like to learn to drive at some point. If so then point out in passing he wont be able to hold a driving license unless he takes control of his diabetes.
I was quite firmly told this when the teenager strops set in with me back in 1066 :D
 
Teenagers are teenagers. There is alot of pressure on them these days with so many things it is no wonder they rebel. Perhaps there is a counsellor at school or college who could help? My son always said I nagged when he was a teenager. He still says I nag now he's in his early 20's!

I also have a friend who has a teenage son with Cystic Fibrosis. He will refuse to have his treatment and the physiotherapy necessary to keep his lungs clear, and then when he starts to have problems is forced to ask for help.

As your son grows up, things will get easier. He will get past the teenage angst and want to be healthy and enjoy life more. Sometimes it is hard work being a mum!
 
Hi Jo,

I've had type one since I was five, I turned eighteen in October this year. I know how you son feels. If you want to ask me anything just send me a private message. If he wants to talk to me I'll give you my MSN.

But some general advice:

1) I my self have felt down due to my diabetes. It's best to talk about it. The sooner things come out the sooner you can accept them.

2) You need to get your son to understand that having a decent grip of his diabetes now means less problems in the future. So this means testing blood sugars alot.

3) Get your son to manage his medication himself. This helped me alot. Though it would be best to keep an eye on him.

4) Get him to learn he should not hide it, this is how his life will be now.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask anything else. I'll do my best to help you.

Tom H
 
Hi

i am 19, i have been type 1 since august this year. to be honest i am finding it really hard to take everything in and to realise i am diabetic. Also i am putting a brave face on all the time, to my family, to my boyfriend, in work and to my doctors which is not helping matters. they all think i am doing so well and that i am coping well with it and i dont want to let them down. i hate testing my sugars and try to avoid it at all costs.


any advice on how to cope would be gladly recived.

Holly x
 
Hi Holly,

Have a look at my earlier post. You need to take control of it; you control it rather than it controlling you. Remember you can do what you want. It's a matter of making your diabetes fit around it, you will find ways to do this.
If you want to chat send me a message with an MSN and I'll answer anything.

Hope this helps,

Tom H
 
Hi my name is Rachel and i'm new to this site if any1 wants 2 chat i'm here!
I have had diabetes since i was 13 i'm now 24 and i still find it hard to cope wiv! i have even been admitted to hospital 3 times with DKA (Diabetic Keto Acidocis) i no what ur going thru i've been there and sometimes i'm still go thru the rebelling and denial and depression process!!
 
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