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Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
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Screening for type 1 diabetes: We now have a new forum section which is for parents who, after having their child screened for type 1, have received a positive result that at some stage their child will be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Where possible, please do offer your support and experiences of having a child diagnosed. https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/forums/screening-for-type-1-community-chat.59/
What happens now?? My 13 year old son just diagnosed type 1
- Thread starter MelanieG
- Start date
- Status
Hi Melanie and welcome from me too, another mum. My lad was 15, almost 16 at diagnosis. He had a massive needle phobia, hence how it took us ages to get him to agree he needed to see a doctor/go into hospital as we all knew it was diabetes, had planted the seed in his mind, he did a bit of research and freaked out.
However, once there, and yes sobbing uncontrollably whilst they took an armful of blood from him (with the magic cream on first despite his age) he did overcome his fear pretty quickly. The first injection was done by a professional, but when it came to the second dose the approach of the night shift nurse was so good, she did a bit of the reverse psychology on him and I suppose made him feel he almost had to do it, so he did. I was so proud.
He has said many a time the lancets for the blood tests are FAR more painful than the needles. I have done as others have suggested and put a needle in my tummy. I can 100% confirm it is painless, and I have used the lancet gadget too and again agree that can be quite painful. It's hard to understand his fear given that he does allow others to inject him and I really don't know what to suggest, other than to ask for your team's psychologist to see him as a matter of urgency. They must come across this fairly often I would have thought. Does he resist when you inject him, or does he just look away and let you get on with it now?
Not meaning to sound cruel, but would it be worth playing on the "You really will have to conquer this and start doing it yourself because won't your mates make fun of you if I have to come into school every day to inject you?" Sadly children can be cruel, and if you do start having to go in every single lunchtime there will be some children who start to make fun of him, not necessarily his own friends, but others will. He is going to be taking himself out of his friendship group every single day to be injected as you will almost certainly have to go somewhere private to do it, so he will be losing valuable time with his mates and more and more this might push him out of his own social group. If he can gain confidence to do it he can probably just sit in the classroom at the end of the pre-lunch lesson with a friend or two and within 3 or 4 minutes can have tested, injected and be back out in the playground or dinner hall with his friends.
Has he told any of his close friends yet? Have any of them been round to see him at home and seen any of his kit? My son didn't want to tell anyone at all at first, but in the end did contact his closest friend who came straight round. This friend has seen all his kit and I am sure has witnessed him injecting, and I think it's invaluable to start educating their closest friends as soon as you can too.
How are the rest of the family doing, you included of course? It is one hell of a shock at first. Though we knew what was wrong with our son (his onset was slower than typical, though still scary to witness the dramatic weight loss) it still didn't take away the enormity of it all and the drive home from hospital was my lowest moment in all of this. I really felt I had been hit by a sledgehammer. In hospital we had all the security of the nurses and doctors around us, suddenly we were alone with it all. I know we had the team on 24 hour contact by phone, but it was utterly bewildering and scary to suddenly take charge of this, scared at every blood result in the early days, panicking when things started rising dramatically again only a few hours after discharge. At the start you feel life will never be 'normal' again. Yes it's true, certain things take more planning, but as everyone will tell you, there is nothing you can't do that you couldn't do before. Ok, there may be the odd profession your son can't now consider, but personally I am chuffed my son can't be accepted into the army and sent away to war. Selfish maybe, but I am happy to know that isn't an option for him.
Your son can carry on with any sports or hobbies he had before, it may just take a bit of experimentation at the start to see how it affects his levels, and you must learn to carry supplies of glucose (coke, OJ, dextrose tablets, jelly babies - whatever your preferred choice) round with you AT ALL TIMES and your blood testing kit. This will become second nature very soon. Make sure you have glucose supplies all over the house, upstairs and down.
Also, another good habit to get into is ordering your son's repeat prescriptions in plenty of time. I presume you have been sent home with just minimal supplies? Have you been given your first GP prescription yet? Don't leave it long before you order more. Get in the habit of ALWAYS having twice as much as you need in. As a rule of thumb, I always have a whole spare box of each type of insulin in. As my son opens the last box, I order a new one. Same with needles, lancets and testing strips. Keep spare boxes in. It's no good arriving at a 4 day bank holiday like now and finding you are on your last 3 needles and your GP doesn't open for 3 more days.
The early weeks are a real rollercoaster. There is so much to learn, it's far more complex than anyone can possibly imagine before beginning on this journey. This place has been invaluable to me though. I have learnt far more from here than anywhere else. Though the hospital and my son's team were excellent in the early days, you still only get your alloted appointment time and things crop up all the time you want answers to. This is the place to come to to run things by. You get wonderful advice from people living with it day in, day out.
Keep your chin up, but crying is allowed too. Do let your feelings out when you need to, all of you. It is one hell of a blow. You will come to terms with it all in your own time though. Oh, and one other thing I would add is don't forget your other two children in all of this. They too will feel the enormity of it all, but over time some resentment may build up if they see all this attention being lavished on their elder brother. Maybe make some special one-to-one time with each of them before too much longer and also encourage them to voice any fears they may have. Even if you can't answer any questions they have immediately, you can always tell them you will find out (from here probably!) and let them know as soon as you can.
Good luck with it all.
Tina x
However, once there, and yes sobbing uncontrollably whilst they took an armful of blood from him (with the magic cream on first despite his age) he did overcome his fear pretty quickly. The first injection was done by a professional, but when it came to the second dose the approach of the night shift nurse was so good, she did a bit of the reverse psychology on him and I suppose made him feel he almost had to do it, so he did. I was so proud.
He has said many a time the lancets for the blood tests are FAR more painful than the needles. I have done as others have suggested and put a needle in my tummy. I can 100% confirm it is painless, and I have used the lancet gadget too and again agree that can be quite painful. It's hard to understand his fear given that he does allow others to inject him and I really don't know what to suggest, other than to ask for your team's psychologist to see him as a matter of urgency. They must come across this fairly often I would have thought. Does he resist when you inject him, or does he just look away and let you get on with it now?
Not meaning to sound cruel, but would it be worth playing on the "You really will have to conquer this and start doing it yourself because won't your mates make fun of you if I have to come into school every day to inject you?" Sadly children can be cruel, and if you do start having to go in every single lunchtime there will be some children who start to make fun of him, not necessarily his own friends, but others will. He is going to be taking himself out of his friendship group every single day to be injected as you will almost certainly have to go somewhere private to do it, so he will be losing valuable time with his mates and more and more this might push him out of his own social group. If he can gain confidence to do it he can probably just sit in the classroom at the end of the pre-lunch lesson with a friend or two and within 3 or 4 minutes can have tested, injected and be back out in the playground or dinner hall with his friends.
Has he told any of his close friends yet? Have any of them been round to see him at home and seen any of his kit? My son didn't want to tell anyone at all at first, but in the end did contact his closest friend who came straight round. This friend has seen all his kit and I am sure has witnessed him injecting, and I think it's invaluable to start educating their closest friends as soon as you can too.
How are the rest of the family doing, you included of course? It is one hell of a shock at first. Though we knew what was wrong with our son (his onset was slower than typical, though still scary to witness the dramatic weight loss) it still didn't take away the enormity of it all and the drive home from hospital was my lowest moment in all of this. I really felt I had been hit by a sledgehammer. In hospital we had all the security of the nurses and doctors around us, suddenly we were alone with it all. I know we had the team on 24 hour contact by phone, but it was utterly bewildering and scary to suddenly take charge of this, scared at every blood result in the early days, panicking when things started rising dramatically again only a few hours after discharge. At the start you feel life will never be 'normal' again. Yes it's true, certain things take more planning, but as everyone will tell you, there is nothing you can't do that you couldn't do before. Ok, there may be the odd profession your son can't now consider, but personally I am chuffed my son can't be accepted into the army and sent away to war. Selfish maybe, but I am happy to know that isn't an option for him.
Your son can carry on with any sports or hobbies he had before, it may just take a bit of experimentation at the start to see how it affects his levels, and you must learn to carry supplies of glucose (coke, OJ, dextrose tablets, jelly babies - whatever your preferred choice) round with you AT ALL TIMES and your blood testing kit. This will become second nature very soon. Make sure you have glucose supplies all over the house, upstairs and down.
Also, another good habit to get into is ordering your son's repeat prescriptions in plenty of time. I presume you have been sent home with just minimal supplies? Have you been given your first GP prescription yet? Don't leave it long before you order more. Get in the habit of ALWAYS having twice as much as you need in. As a rule of thumb, I always have a whole spare box of each type of insulin in. As my son opens the last box, I order a new one. Same with needles, lancets and testing strips. Keep spare boxes in. It's no good arriving at a 4 day bank holiday like now and finding you are on your last 3 needles and your GP doesn't open for 3 more days.
The early weeks are a real rollercoaster. There is so much to learn, it's far more complex than anyone can possibly imagine before beginning on this journey. This place has been invaluable to me though. I have learnt far more from here than anywhere else. Though the hospital and my son's team were excellent in the early days, you still only get your alloted appointment time and things crop up all the time you want answers to. This is the place to come to to run things by. You get wonderful advice from people living with it day in, day out.
Keep your chin up, but crying is allowed too. Do let your feelings out when you need to, all of you. It is one hell of a blow. You will come to terms with it all in your own time though. Oh, and one other thing I would add is don't forget your other two children in all of this. They too will feel the enormity of it all, but over time some resentment may build up if they see all this attention being lavished on their elder brother. Maybe make some special one-to-one time with each of them before too much longer and also encourage them to voice any fears they may have. Even if you can't answer any questions they have immediately, you can always tell them you will find out (from here probably!) and let them know as soon as you can.
Good luck with it all.
Tina x
Tina thank you so much for taking the time to post all of that great advice, you have got Tom down to a t. He too had to have the magic cream, and yes I think at some point I will have to be tough and say he has to do it himself. I have done the finger prick on myself, and his dad had the injection in his tummy to show Tom, but he refused to look. He doesn't now try to push us away with the injection, he accepts it, but insists he mustn't see the needle.
I picked up his first repeat prescription on Thursday, but your right, it doesn't seem like much. There is so much needed!
Laura, what are pct requirements?
I don't think Tom has come to terms with what has happened yet, the poor thing broke his arm only 4 weeks ago, and still has his arm in a brace so he was dealing with that when we finally got him tested for diabetes.
I feel bad, as I was telling him off for going to the toilet so much, and telling him not to be silly drinking pints and pints of water. I just didnt know.
I think my main thing is I look at him and think how did this happen. He was fine, and then he wasn't. I'm just so glad we have the medicine to give him, or we would be coming to terms with something worse.
He doesn't want any friends at school knowing either, he says it's uncool and they wouldn't understand and would pick on him.
I have Easter hols to work on all of this, but it's not going to be easy. I need him to realise he's not the only one with this condition. All he says is "will I be ok mum?"
I picked up his first repeat prescription on Thursday, but your right, it doesn't seem like much. There is so much needed!
Laura, what are pct requirements?
I don't think Tom has come to terms with what has happened yet, the poor thing broke his arm only 4 weeks ago, and still has his arm in a brace so he was dealing with that when we finally got him tested for diabetes.
I feel bad, as I was telling him off for going to the toilet so much, and telling him not to be silly drinking pints and pints of water. I just didnt know.
I think my main thing is I look at him and think how did this happen. He was fine, and then he wasn't. I'm just so glad we have the medicine to give him, or we would be coming to terms with something worse.
He doesn't want any friends at school knowing either, he says it's uncool and they wouldn't understand and would pick on him.
I have Easter hols to work on all of this, but it's not going to be easy. I need him to realise he's not the only one with this condition. All he says is "will I be ok mum?"
Lauras87
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I don't know what each pct (primary care trust) requirements are.
When I first went for a pump I didn't get it coz my blood sugars were too tightly controlled.
This time round, my sugars are still the same but I have a lot of hypos & live on my own.
The pct funds it & it's not cheap, think its ?3.5k for the first year & ?1.5k every year after, a pump has a 4 year life span.
When your son gets to grips with diabetes & injects himself, maybe you could ask then.
Most hospitals are putting kids on the pump (according to my care team)
When I first went for a pump I didn't get it coz my blood sugars were too tightly controlled.
This time round, my sugars are still the same but I have a lot of hypos & live on my own.
The pct funds it & it's not cheap, think its ?3.5k for the first year & ?1.5k every year after, a pump has a 4 year life span.
When your son gets to grips with diabetes & injects himself, maybe you could ask then.
Most hospitals are putting kids on the pump (according to my care team)
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Type 1 is usually totally unexpected. I was due to run a marathon the week I was diagnosed, so fit as a fiddle until it hit me! However, I got back into my running, running the Great South Run four months after diagnosis. I was fortunate to be diagnosed as an adult, and things will probably be trickier for him as he is a growing lad, but I know of hundreds of people diagnosed at his age and younger who are living full and happy lives despite the challenges. I hope that, before too long, he is able to accept his diabetes and not let it stand in his way 🙂 He WILL be OK!
If you want to read up about insulin pumps, I would recommed having a look at the INPUT website:
http://www.input.me.uk/
A pump might be a big help since he would be able to give his insulin at the press of a button rather than having to inject. However, he will need to learn how to control his diabetes on injections before being considered.
Hi Melanie and welcome to the forum.
I cant offer much advice re the needle phobia, but I think the other members here have done that already! I was diagnosed when I was 19 (in 1995) and in my second year at uni. It was alot to take on esp. as uni life can be a bit crazy at times. All I can say is that alot of changes are probably happening right now for your son and your family, but everything WILL settle down in time 🙂. I think its normal for this initial period to be full of questions, uncertainty etc but I am sure that will pass as you get more used to the new routines. The bottom line is that diabetes shouldnt get in the way of anything - yes it requires a bit more planning but in theory there's nothing that he shouldnt be able to do, as long as he looks after himself.
Good luck with everything and do keep us posted!! 🙂
C xx
I cant offer much advice re the needle phobia, but I think the other members here have done that already! I was diagnosed when I was 19 (in 1995) and in my second year at uni. It was alot to take on esp. as uni life can be a bit crazy at times. All I can say is that alot of changes are probably happening right now for your son and your family, but everything WILL settle down in time 🙂. I think its normal for this initial period to be full of questions, uncertainty etc but I am sure that will pass as you get more used to the new routines. The bottom line is that diabetes shouldnt get in the way of anything - yes it requires a bit more planning but in theory there's nothing that he shouldnt be able to do, as long as he looks after himself.
Good luck with everything and do keep us posted!! 🙂
C xx
Hi Melanie, sorry you had to find us but pleased that you have found us so soon, if you know what I mean!
I got diabetes when I was 26 and I'm not a parent so I can't add to any of the excellent advice you have been given by parents of other teenagers or people who were diagnosed as a teenager.
Just wanted to say that I found out I was diabetic on Easter monday 6 years ago, timing was terrible as I had a house full of chocolate! I hid it all in the back of a cupboard while sobbing, thinking I would never eat chocolate again!
But 6 years on I will receive as many easter eggs as the rest of the family, I learnt how to carbohydrate count early on and you can correct for chocolate and other treats by taking more insulin - or use them as fuel to stop you having a hypo when out walking!
I'm sorry to hear about your son's needle phobia, I hope he overcomes it soon and within time you'll find that diabetes is perfectly do-able. It just takes time and patience!
I got diabetes when I was 26 and I'm not a parent so I can't add to any of the excellent advice you have been given by parents of other teenagers or people who were diagnosed as a teenager.
Just wanted to say that I found out I was diabetic on Easter monday 6 years ago, timing was terrible as I had a house full of chocolate! I hid it all in the back of a cupboard while sobbing, thinking I would never eat chocolate again!
But 6 years on I will receive as many easter eggs as the rest of the family, I learnt how to carbohydrate count early on and you can correct for chocolate and other treats by taking more insulin - or use them as fuel to stop you having a hypo when out walking!
I'm sorry to hear about your son's needle phobia, I hope he overcomes it soon and within time you'll find that diabetes is perfectly do-able. It just takes time and patience!
Hi Melanie
Just a thought - has Tom actually SEEN the needle for his insulin pen? Is he possibly imagining something much bigger than it is? Only a thought. If he has never looked he might be amazed at how small it is. My son on diagnosis only just over 2 years ago was given a right assortment of needles, 8mm, 6mm and 5mm, but they started day one on 5mm (teatime) and by morning the proper Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN) came in with a bag full of 'goodies' and in there were some 4mm needles and we have never looked back. I one day took an 8mm needle out of its pack to just compare, and it looks ENORMOUS (though it's still really not) compared to the 4mm, but compared to a needle like for instance to give you a tetanus shot, it's far smaller and finer.
I also imagine in hospital they took a 'proper' blood test from a vein, and is he possibly imagining that size needle, which lets face it, is really big compared to the 4mm ones? Just wondering.
My lad came out of hospital on the eve of his 16th birthday, New Year's Eve, and we had already been out and bought a load of party food. I was gutted. Feeling like it was the end of the world. That evening his blood levels soared even higher than they were on admission to hospital 4 days earlier despite being on the insulin, but he survived! I panicked of course and rang the emergency out of hours number they gave us! In the early days his levels were very up and down - he was put on fixed doses at meal times for the first few days, but then we met his dietician and we learnt to carb count and that made things much easier. That may sound daunting at first, but really it's not. Once you start it's so easy. It becomes second nature.
As others have said, essentially he really can eat what he wants as the insulin will cover it, but there are certain rules it's wise to adhere to. Namely as others have said things like sweets and chocolate should form part of a meal and be eaten as dessert rather than eating just because he fancies them. Let him have any easter eggs he is given this weekend but get the whole family disciplined to eat them as pudding each day. In the early days I thought my son would never be allowed an ice cream on holiday, or as others have said, easter eggs. Our dietician suggested a lunchbox for school as pretty much what I would send anyway, sandwiches, crisps, fruit, yoghurt and a biscuit/cake (chocolate covered if you like!) The big thing to remember is to supply sugar free drinks at all times. Most squashes come in a 'no added sugar' version, or a cup of tea without sugar, or with sweetners if needed. We were told a small glass of fruit juice at breakfast was ok if taken with food, but as many will tell you, it's far from ideal so probably best to avoid most of the time.
Another thing I have thought of, have you got something for him to carry all his kit around in? I found a pencil case was ideal. I found a Simpsons' one in WHSmiths which had 2 compartments, so one side was ideal for his meter and testing strips and lancets, and the other side for his pens and needles. And a pack of Dextrose tablets fitted in there fine too. He will get used to carrying all his kit around with him, so finding a small bag he likes would be a good idea early on too. For girls it's so much easier as people think nothing of a girl carrying a bag around all the time, but not so easy for a lad. Even a drawstring gym bag will do, but something he can put his pencil case and maybe a small can of coke/bottle of lucozade in.
My lad's diagnosis was in the Christmas holidays and in some ways it's good as you have some proper time at home to get used to things quietly, but the apprehension of sending them back to school just builds and builds. Though you probably won't be aware of any others, chances are there are a few other T1s at your son's school. We discovered there were about 6 or 7 others at my son's school. You may or may not have a school nurse - do you know? Your DSN should be in touch with them on the first day back but chances are school have dealt with it before.
Do talk openly to all your family. Your other boys may be fearing things too. Do let them share their feelings. And do encourage your son Tom to talk. Keeping lines of communication open is vital. I'm sure Tom is still stunned by it all at the moment, but things will get easier in time.
Good luck, and keep talking!
Tina x
Just a thought - has Tom actually SEEN the needle for his insulin pen? Is he possibly imagining something much bigger than it is? Only a thought. If he has never looked he might be amazed at how small it is. My son on diagnosis only just over 2 years ago was given a right assortment of needles, 8mm, 6mm and 5mm, but they started day one on 5mm (teatime) and by morning the proper Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN) came in with a bag full of 'goodies' and in there were some 4mm needles and we have never looked back. I one day took an 8mm needle out of its pack to just compare, and it looks ENORMOUS (though it's still really not) compared to the 4mm, but compared to a needle like for instance to give you a tetanus shot, it's far smaller and finer.
I also imagine in hospital they took a 'proper' blood test from a vein, and is he possibly imagining that size needle, which lets face it, is really big compared to the 4mm ones? Just wondering.
My lad came out of hospital on the eve of his 16th birthday, New Year's Eve, and we had already been out and bought a load of party food. I was gutted. Feeling like it was the end of the world. That evening his blood levels soared even higher than they were on admission to hospital 4 days earlier despite being on the insulin, but he survived! I panicked of course and rang the emergency out of hours number they gave us! In the early days his levels were very up and down - he was put on fixed doses at meal times for the first few days, but then we met his dietician and we learnt to carb count and that made things much easier. That may sound daunting at first, but really it's not. Once you start it's so easy. It becomes second nature.
As others have said, essentially he really can eat what he wants as the insulin will cover it, but there are certain rules it's wise to adhere to. Namely as others have said things like sweets and chocolate should form part of a meal and be eaten as dessert rather than eating just because he fancies them. Let him have any easter eggs he is given this weekend but get the whole family disciplined to eat them as pudding each day. In the early days I thought my son would never be allowed an ice cream on holiday, or as others have said, easter eggs. Our dietician suggested a lunchbox for school as pretty much what I would send anyway, sandwiches, crisps, fruit, yoghurt and a biscuit/cake (chocolate covered if you like!) The big thing to remember is to supply sugar free drinks at all times. Most squashes come in a 'no added sugar' version, or a cup of tea without sugar, or with sweetners if needed. We were told a small glass of fruit juice at breakfast was ok if taken with food, but as many will tell you, it's far from ideal so probably best to avoid most of the time.
Another thing I have thought of, have you got something for him to carry all his kit around in? I found a pencil case was ideal. I found a Simpsons' one in WHSmiths which had 2 compartments, so one side was ideal for his meter and testing strips and lancets, and the other side for his pens and needles. And a pack of Dextrose tablets fitted in there fine too. He will get used to carrying all his kit around with him, so finding a small bag he likes would be a good idea early on too. For girls it's so much easier as people think nothing of a girl carrying a bag around all the time, but not so easy for a lad. Even a drawstring gym bag will do, but something he can put his pencil case and maybe a small can of coke/bottle of lucozade in.
My lad's diagnosis was in the Christmas holidays and in some ways it's good as you have some proper time at home to get used to things quietly, but the apprehension of sending them back to school just builds and builds. Though you probably won't be aware of any others, chances are there are a few other T1s at your son's school. We discovered there were about 6 or 7 others at my son's school. You may or may not have a school nurse - do you know? Your DSN should be in touch with them on the first day back but chances are school have dealt with it before.
Do talk openly to all your family. Your other boys may be fearing things too. Do let them share their feelings. And do encourage your son Tom to talk. Keeping lines of communication open is vital. I'm sure Tom is still stunned by it all at the moment, but things will get easier in time.
Good luck, and keep talking!
Tina x
delb t
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
Hi I had a thought too- it might be a thought speaking to the head of year to ensure all the teachers are aware of the care plan -I remember H went offsite for a games lesson and that teacher didnt know at the time .The teachers all need to know that he may need to test in class should he feel low and treat if needed.- so his mates will end up knowing I guess
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trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
It may be worth a bit of name dropping - eg sportsmen and women who have diabetes?
Not much use to him but eg Gary Mabbut had a successful Division One (Premier league!) football career with Type 1. Look at Steve Redgrave - he is Type 2, but he uses insulin! In fact he has an insulin pump, which is most unusual for T2 but hey - he ain't really a very usual sort of a bloke, is he?
The other thing you may like to consider and uncool though he may think it will be, it won't LOL - is Diabetes UK days out/holidays/family weekends.
Dunno where you are in the country but their 'Big Event' days are excellent and you can take ALL your kids - the kids (D & non D) are whisked away to do stuff like abseiling for the older ones and not quite so dangerous stuff but equally exciting things for the smaller ones. While you listen to various experts and diabetics telling it like it is - different sessions for different things, I would have liked to have gone to ALL of them but it would have taken 3 days and it's only one! - so you choose which ones you want when you get there.
The Big Event is in Altrincham this year, and there are family events here there and everywhere - see http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Events_in_full/Care-events/Family-Events/Family-Event-2012---Altrincham/
and then click on the link on the right in the box, re the family events.
Not much use to him but eg Gary Mabbut had a successful Division One (Premier league!) football career with Type 1. Look at Steve Redgrave - he is Type 2, but he uses insulin! In fact he has an insulin pump, which is most unusual for T2 but hey - he ain't really a very usual sort of a bloke, is he?
The other thing you may like to consider and uncool though he may think it will be, it won't LOL - is Diabetes UK days out/holidays/family weekends.
Dunno where you are in the country but their 'Big Event' days are excellent and you can take ALL your kids - the kids (D & non D) are whisked away to do stuff like abseiling for the older ones and not quite so dangerous stuff but equally exciting things for the smaller ones. While you listen to various experts and diabetics telling it like it is - different sessions for different things, I would have liked to have gone to ALL of them but it would have taken 3 days and it's only one! - so you choose which ones you want when you get there.
The Big Event is in Altrincham this year, and there are family events here there and everywhere - see http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Events_in_full/Care-events/Family-Events/Family-Event-2012---Altrincham/
and then click on the link on the right in the box, re the family events.
fencesitter
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
Hello and welcome from me too (mum to William, now 15). William was diagnosed at 13, exactly 2 years ago. He is just fine now, although if you'd told me that at the time I would have struggled to believe you!
The thing I most wanted to say is 'knowledge is power'. The amount of info you have to get your head round is a bit overwhelming at first, but you'll soon get the hang of everything and feel more confident. The Ragnar Hanas book that Northerner mentioned is our Bible, really good. It's probably a bit too much of a tome for your son right now, so maybe get him one of those slim volumes from the chemist - there's one on diabetes. There is a website for teenagers here that he might like to visit too:
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/My-life/Teens/
Diabetes doesn't have to hold your son back. There'll be a bit of learning to do at first, but soon he'll be able to do his favourite sports, trips out or whatever just like his friends. It's great that you have the Easter holidays to get used to the basics. You'll be amazed how much everyone in the family has learned by the time he goes back to school 🙂
The thing I most wanted to say is 'knowledge is power'. The amount of info you have to get your head round is a bit overwhelming at first, but you'll soon get the hang of everything and feel more confident. The Ragnar Hanas book that Northerner mentioned is our Bible, really good. It's probably a bit too much of a tome for your son right now, so maybe get him one of those slim volumes from the chemist - there's one on diabetes. There is a website for teenagers here that he might like to visit too:
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/My-life/Teens/
Diabetes doesn't have to hold your son back. There'll be a bit of learning to do at first, but soon he'll be able to do his favourite sports, trips out or whatever just like his friends. It's great that you have the Easter holidays to get used to the basics. You'll be amazed how much everyone in the family has learned by the time he goes back to school 🙂
Tina that's a great idea about fitting what he needs into a cool pencil case for school, I will take him out and he can choose one 🙂
As for the needles, he's not looked at it, but he did see the one in hospital when they did the blood test and that didnt help. I don't think he cares about size though, it's the fact that its a needle and he wants it no where near him. It's been a week though, and he's better at letting us do it now, it's just working on him doing it himself.
I hope we get to see the dietitian soon as counting the carbs you all say to do, is a bit confusing at the moment, but I'm glad he can eat his chocolate if he eats it as his pudding. His readings are varying fom 6 in the mornings to around 15 in the day. I've bought things like fanta zero, and as he likes his crisps, I read that skips/quavers were better. puddings we are struggling with, I've got jelly but he'll soon get fed up with that.
I'm feeling so much more positive having read everyone's story's and advice, it's been more beneficial than anything any professional has told is so far. 🙂)
As for the needles, he's not looked at it, but he did see the one in hospital when they did the blood test and that didnt help. I don't think he cares about size though, it's the fact that its a needle and he wants it no where near him. It's been a week though, and he's better at letting us do it now, it's just working on him doing it himself.
I hope we get to see the dietitian soon as counting the carbs you all say to do, is a bit confusing at the moment, but I'm glad he can eat his chocolate if he eats it as his pudding. His readings are varying fom 6 in the mornings to around 15 in the day. I've bought things like fanta zero, and as he likes his crisps, I read that skips/quavers were better. puddings we are struggling with, I've got jelly but he'll soon get fed up with that.
I'm feeling so much more positive having read everyone's story's and advice, it's been more beneficial than anything any professional has told is so far. 🙂)
Pumper_Sue
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Melanie,
sorry to hear about your son's problems with injecting himself. It must be very hard at that to start a new way of life.
The way I learn't to do my own injection as a child was, my Mum telling me I could not go on a school trip because I would not do my injections myself. She even called me a baby 😡 That made me learn quicker than anything else
I went on the school trip. Back in those days the needles were the size of harpoons. You need to talk to the hospital team about his fear of needles so they can address the problem with him. He needs to get over it or tolerate needles to stay alive. Can he do his injection with his eyes closed to start with? Cap on needle so it can't be seen, dial the units, close eyes and take the cap off and inject. Not ideal but it's a start. Not even sure if it's practical as I have never used a pen.
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
The device I was thinking about so he doesn't need to see the needle is the Novofine Autocover, there's a video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpfJTM8JvZE
Of course, it would be much better if he didn't need to use these, but you might like to talk to your team about them - they should be available on prescription 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpfJTM8JvZE
Of course, it would be much better if he didn't need to use these, but you might like to talk to your team about them - they should be available on prescription 🙂
Wow I've just watched the video, this would be great! I'm going to ask the nurse about this ASAP! Thank you!!!
The only thing I notice with that video is that the needle in the device is 8mm long. Do they come in varying lengths? If not, though it solves one problem, it may be less comfy than the 4mm needles he is used to at the moment. Only my observation.
Made me smile that the advert at the start of the clip was for Stannah Stairlifts! Kind of inappropriate when I would have thought these devices were mainly aimed at children! Just tickled me!
Made me smile that the advert at the start of the clip was for Stannah Stairlifts! Kind of inappropriate when I would have thought these devices were mainly aimed at children! Just tickled me!
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
LOL at the Stannah Stairlifts Tina !
My mate love her mum's stairlift - she used to say it was really useful taking piles of ironing upstairs or sending her suitcase down when she was going on holiday! She was gutted after mum died and the council came and reclaimed it!
Melanie the bit I want to pick up on is this
and as he likes his crisps, I read that skips/quavers were better.
You need to start reading labels Mum! The back of almost very packet/tin of anything has the nutritional info on the back in little writing. The one thing you are really interested in is the Carbohydrate content. Ignore the 'of which sugars' - cos sugar is just a carbohydrate same as flour or spud etc.
So what's in my kitchen? Per pack - Walkers C & O are 17.1g carb, Mini Cheddars are 12.9g and Tesco's Cheesy Curls are 9.1. (these are like Quavers but in slightly snaller bags and cheaper LOL) Hula Hoops are actually 15.1 which surprised me cos I thought they were less. Quavers/ Curls are just my absolute faves so I have NP whatsoever eating them (or Cheddars) in favour of actual crisps, although I can eat more or less whatever I want cos I dose adjust.
My mate love her mum's stairlift - she used to say it was really useful taking piles of ironing upstairs or sending her suitcase down when she was going on holiday! She was gutted after mum died and the council came and reclaimed it!
Melanie the bit I want to pick up on is this
and as he likes his crisps, I read that skips/quavers were better.
You need to start reading labels Mum! The back of almost very packet/tin of anything has the nutritional info on the back in little writing. The one thing you are really interested in is the Carbohydrate content. Ignore the 'of which sugars' - cos sugar is just a carbohydrate same as flour or spud etc.
So what's in my kitchen? Per pack - Walkers C & O are 17.1g carb, Mini Cheddars are 12.9g and Tesco's Cheesy Curls are 9.1. (these are like Quavers but in slightly snaller bags and cheaper LOL) Hula Hoops are actually 15.1 which surprised me cos I thought they were less. Quavers/ Curls are just my absolute faves so I have NP whatsoever eating them (or Cheddars) in favour of actual crisps, although I can eat more or less whatever I want cos I dose adjust.
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