My athletic, healthy ds 15 was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes....

[Beth in SW WA]

this weekend (after a scary experience at his football game Fri night). Blood sugar over 600, two hospitals & 3 doctors later...we now know why he's been feeling wonky lately.

 

Anywho, The newness of it all is overwhelming. We're trying to balance his need for food and all the insulin needed to cover him.

 

I would love any tips for feeding/managing an active teenage boy with Type 1.

 

He went to school yesterday and today and his school staff is very supportive. He's the only type 1 kid at the school (of 90 students) so this is new for everyone. We're in close contact with him throughout the day. He is handling it very maturely. Checks his blood sugar all day, gives the shots, etc. I'm beyond relieved he is old enough to take care of this when dad & I are not around.

 

He's going back to football practice today. I'm a bit nervous but he'll check his blood sugar throughout practice.

 

This is crazy! Wasn't I overwhelmed enough with homeschooling? :) God is good. I'm not complaining. So many others suffer with tough, tough situations. This is manageable but I need to get my game face on.

I'll have more questions as I figure out more what I don't know.

 

Thank you in advance for any input.

[Crissy]

Oh gosh, Beth.

I have no advice, but lots of hugs and prayers.

 

:grouphug:

[Carol in Cal.]

Beth, my nephew lives up your way and is in high school with type 1 diabetes. He uses a pump for continuous adjustment, and sees a specialist annually. Do you want me to ask my sister the name of the specialist?

 

He has a sister with a pediatric cardiologist annual visit. I don't remember which one is in Portland and which is in Seattle--I know that they have to go to each city once a year.

[chickenpatty]

I'm so sorry! My 11yr old dd has Type 1. It is such a hard roller coaster ride in those first months. This forum has been really helpful for us. :grouphug:

[LNC]

Type 1 diabetes is a REALLY hard adjustment at first, but becomes second nature in time. I was soo upset and stressed when my son was diagnosed at his 4th bday.

 

This message board is great: http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/

 

I will pray for you and your son. Keep encouraging him, he has a big responsibility to get used to...

Edited November 3, 2010 by LNC

[Jenny in Atl]

Explore the Children With Diabetes website, link below along with their forum.

 

http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/

 

http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/

 

There are a ton of online families with lots of experience that can help.

 

:grouphug:

 

Just take one day at a time!

Edited November 2, 2010 by Jenny in Atl

[Amy loves Bud]

I am so sorry y'all are having to deal with this! The fact that he can is stepping up to manage this so quickly is really a testament to what an awesome young man you have raised. You guys are in my prayers.

[Becca211]

I am so sorry! I am a board member of a local Type 1 group. We made this video with kids with Type 1 speaking out. Your son may enjoy seeing normal teenage boys talking about it.

 

 

 

I hope you are able to find someone locally to help support you all through this.

[unsinkable]

Oh, Beth how scary! Your son and all of you have my prayers and best wishes! :grouphug:

 

I hope you find a good support system and get all the information you need.

 

Love & prayers!!!

[Bokons]

Praying for your son and your family. Type 1 diabetes of the things that I worry about for my dc because it can happen to anyone, and there's nothing you can do to prevent it.

[happyhomemaker25]

I'm not a huge fan of the ADA, but they don have some good educational materials. I have been reading back issues of their magazine Diabetes Forcast and it has a lot of useful info. Especially for Type 1.

[Lawana]

Oh Beth, I'm so sorry. My dd, 14, has had Type 1 for 4 1/2 years. What insulins is your son on? I hope that he is on a carb ratio regimen─that makes life so much better for eating the amount of food teens need. I'm sure they told you that he can eat anything he wants, as long as he takes the appropriate amount of insulin. As far as food choices, he does *not* need to be singled out to eat differently from the rest of the family. It only makes sense to feed everyone healthy meals, but you would do that anyway.

 

It is really hard at first, but you need to know that it *will* get better. Personally, I couldn't really focus on much of anything else for about a month, then it was about a year before it became second nature.

 

Also, you and he *will* make mistakes. Everyone does. Forgotten blood sugar checks, forgotten shots, mixed up insulin, miscalculated doses. Don't beat yourself up, don't beat him up. Learn from your mistake and go on.

 

And for parents, especially of teens, learn to *not* react when he announces his blood sugar. Tell him "thanks for checking." Treat lows, address highs, do what needs to be done, but don't make him reluctant to talk about his numbers because he is doesn't want to face your reaction. Stay emotionally neutral. This is really important. He needs to know that you don't blame him for his blood sugar number.

 

Well, that's probably too much information. Please feel free to PM me at any time.

[vettechmomof2]

Oh Beth, I'm so sorry. My dd, 14, has had Type 1 for 4 1/2 years. What insulins is your son on? I hope that he is on a carb ratio regimen─that makes life so much better for eating the amount of food teens need. I'm sure they told you that he can eat anything he wants, as long as he takes the appropriate amount of insulin. As far as food choices, he does *not* need to be singled out to eat differently from the rest of the family. It only makes sense to feed everyone healthy meals, but you would do that anyway.

 

It is really hard at first, but you need to know that it *will* get better. Personally, I couldn't really focus on much of anything else for about a month, then it was about a year before it became second nature.

 

Also, you and he *will* make mistakes. Everyone does. Forgotten blood sugar checks, forgotten shots, mixed up insulin, miscalculated doses. Don't beat yourself up, don't beat him up. Learn from your mistake and go on.

 

And for parents, especially of teens, learn to *not* react when he announces his blood sugar. Tell him "thanks for checking." Treat lows, address highs, do what needs to be done, but don't make him reluctant to talk about his numbers because he is doesn't want to face your reaction. Stay emotionally neutral. This is really important. He needs to know that you don't blame him for his blood sugar number.

 

Well, that's probably too much information. Please feel free to PM me at any time.

 

:iagree:

Def. check out the children with diabetes forums, lots of helpful tips there.

Items like a Salter Scale or any nutrional scale that aids in carb counting makes life a little easier at the beginning.

We LIVE by our CGMS for activities. It made our life so much easier.

Pumping also was one of the best decisions for my daughter but it is something else to learn.

There will be ups and downs but you will unfortunately learn the ins and outs soon.

So sorry for all of you!

[LaissezFaire]

{{hugs}} You can PM me anytime. I started a group here for parents of kids with t1d but I am not sure if it's used all that much. First and foremost most kids diagnosed with t1d are healthy kids! Sadly, it strikes the healthy out of the blue sometimes. :( It's scary at first but it will become routine rather quickly, I promise.

 

 

I definitely went through a grieving time when my daughter was diagnosed and it took some time but I eventually was able to accept it. Since your son is a teen already I highly recommend he see a nutritionist. Sometimes teens have that " nothing bad will happen to me, i'm going to live forever' mentality so it is good for them for get some good education on their new lifestyle.

 

I also cannot say enough good things about insulin pumps! It is as close to a normal life as a diabetic can get right now and we love pumping.

[WTMCassandra]

I am soooo sorry! We lived this just one year ago when my DD, then 13, was diagnosed. We spent Labor Day weekend in the hospital. Things that have helped: 1) Online Type 1 parents' forums 2) Local support group 3) Figuring up carb counts for commonly eaten dinners and making a chart and 4) Books about Type 1.

 

I can report that one year later that it is not nearly so overwhelming as it was. Not pleasant, but not all-consuming. The biggest challenge? Convincing well-meaning older people that she does not need sugar-free this and diet that.

[Caroline]

I don't have a child with diabetes, but I am a ps high school teacher with a student with diabetes. His parents fixed me a little kit that is locked in my desk with juice boxes, granola bars, etc. He hasn't needed it, but it is there. I was also required by the school system to take a short class and test on diabetes. Just a different perspective.

[Mothersweets]

I'm so sorry this has happened to your son. My dd was diagnosed about a year and a half ago with type 1. She did shots for the first 6 months then switched to using an insulin pump, which we LOVE.

 

Anyway, you've gotten very good advice here already. The CWD site is wonderful. Hang in there, life will be normal again. :)

[ZooRho]

I'm so sorry.

We don't have diabetes, but ds has has 2 bouts of pancrea**** and is on a restricted diet.

 

and I do have a concern about the develpement of diabetes.

 

blessings on you as you search for ways to deal with it

[BeautifulLife]

My brother was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 15 yrs old as well. I know it must feel overwhelming right now, but know that over time he will learn to manage it well! Is your son giving himself shots or using a pump?

After giving himself the insulin shots the first few years, my brother switched to the pump. He is looking at switching to a newer pump now out that allows him to keep it on while he swims, plays sports, etc. But his endocrinologist likes how his current pump keeps records and lets him see his insulin levels, etc over time. Apparently the new one isn't as dr-friendly?

 

My brother is only a year younger, so I helped him a lot in high school when he was first diagnosed. I knew everything his dr said and the medicine he was using, etc. But now I'm much more out of the loop. If you have any specific questions for him, I'd be glad to pass them on. I'll be praying that your son adjusts to his new diagnosis quickly. For my brother, he unfortunately looked at his diabetes as a hopeless situation for the first few years; he made health choices that definitely were not the best for him. It has been so wonderful to see God work in his life and bring him to the place he is now with accepting and managing his diabetes.

 

You will be in my prayers as well! :grouphug:

[Beth in SW WA]

Thank you all so much. You have no idea what a blessing it is to read this tonight -- after a very exhausting day. Just navigating dinner & a snack tonight took so much mental energy. I know it will get easier but this is so overwhelming. Thankfully, hubby made a spreadsheet on excel to help track everything.

 

As for me, I'm in a fog. I haven't even caught up on the missed sleep this weekend at the hospital. I'm letting ds sleep in and skip school tomorrow. He is fatigued and stressed about homework, bio test, football, carbs, insulin, etc -- and he hasn't recuperated from the weekend yet.

 

I can't thank you enough for your words of advice and encouragement. I will look into all the resources you mentioned. I knew I could count on the moms here to help me. God is so good to me.

[Tap]

Oh, Beth I am so sorry to hear this! It is so scary. I have a friend who has two Type 1 daughters. They were both home schooled until high school and then went to public after that. They live in this area (you may even know her from the early years at VHC) and if you would like I could set up a phone chat between you two. They have been dealing with it for over 10 years and they do some work with the ADA so they may have some other connections that may help you as well.

 

Just let me know.

 

 

 

We need to have coffee! Call me.

 

~Tap

[ZooRho]

I don't know what you are tracking for us we need to track his fat counts and calories, since he wasn't getting enough.

 

I set us up with Sparkpeople.com it really is somewhat for weight loss, but I'm using it for the fat counts and protien. But you can set it up to track just about anything that is impt to you.

 

they have lots of foods and you can also track your regular stuff.

not sure if that is what you need to track.

 

I recently saw that a diabetic friend reccomended this site.

 

http://www.dlife.com/diabetes/information/type-1/

[Tammyla]

:grouphug:Sending prayers your way.:grouphug:

[Beth in SW WA]

Thanks, gang. Ds is doing great. I'm relieved that football is over so we can stabilize a bit and figure out his normal routine.

 

At what point did you sleep through the night again-- and not wake up to check levels? I feel like a mom of a newborn. Sleepless & restful nights. Lots of time to pray in the wee hours.... :)

[jazzyfizzle]

:grouphug: Another T1 here. Yes, nights can be scary, especially at first. I tend to make sure I'm running on the high side of the safe range before bed. A snack with protein can help. *I* feel it is better to run *only slightly* or at the high side of safe at night rather than risk a dangerous low.

It will all become your new normal in time. Once everyone learns carb counting and his ratios the doc. might suggest a pump.

I originally used store bread to learn my carb ratio- did not eat for a couple hours, tested, then ate the 2 pieces of bread, tested again 15 min. after the bread, and tested an hour after the bread, recorded the difference (since you know exactly how many carbs were eaten). I did this several times to double check.

 

:grouphug:

[Jenny in Atl]

At what point did you sleep through the night again-- and not wake up to check levels? I feel like a mom of a newborn. Sleepless & restful nights. Lots of time to pray in the wee hours.... :)

 

We still get-up to check sugar levels, even after eight years, especially if Fi's been sick, had too many highs or too many lows for the day. It really depends on so many things; is he well, activity level for that day, is he on shots or a pump, etc? Talk to your Endo or diabetes nurse educator. You will start to see patterns, get a feel for when you need to check more often. We still test 8-10 times a day, but Fi is on the pump, and with only short acting insulin, you just can't go an extended period of time w/o checking. Also, technology is really moving fast though. More and more companies are coming out with continuous blood glucose meters. These are worn like a pump, and make overnight blood testing so much easier. I hope one day to be able to afford one for Fi.

 

:grouphug:

[smilesonly]

Thank you all so much. You have no idea what a blessing it is to read this tonight -- after a very exhausting day. Just navigating dinner & a snack tonight took so much mental energy. I know it will get easier but this is so overwhelming. Thankfully, hubby made a spreadsheet on excel to help track everything.

 

As for me, I'm in a fog. I haven't even caught up on the missed sleep this weekend at the hospital. I'm letting ds sleep in and skip school tomorrow. He is fatigued and stressed about homework, bio test, football, carbs, insulin, etc -- and he hasn't recuperated from the weekend yet.

 

I can't thank you enough for your words of advice and encouragement. I will look into all the resources you mentioned. I knew I could count on the moms here to help me. God is so good to me.

 

I'm sorry.:grouphug:

I realize that you are likely in info. overload right now, but I wanted to mention an author(and I will not spell this correctly:tongue_smilie:) named Diane Schwarztbien that is an Endo. is brilliant and thinks outside the box. Her books are AMAZING and have helped people either get off their insulin or just overall improve their health.

 

Will pray for your ds and you.

[Jenny in Atl]

I'm sorry.:grouphug:

I realize that you are likely in info. overload right now, but I wanted to mention an author(and I will not spell this correctly:tongue_smilie:) named Diane Schwarztbien that is an Endo. is brilliant and thinks outside the box. Her books are AMAZING and have helped people either get off their insulin or just overall improve their health.

 

Will pray for your ds and you.

 

This gal's focus is with Type-2 patients not Type-1 (a whole different animal). Please don't talk about ((getting off insulin)) to a newly diagnosed parent. Many kids with Type-1 have died because their parents believed in snake oil cures for their kids.

[prairiegirl]

Beth, I missed this the first time around. I am so sorry that you have to deal with this. And yes, this is a tough situation, too. I don't know much about Type 1 but in just reading the posts on this thread, it is obvious that you have reason to be feeling a bit discomboblated right now.

 

I will be praying for your son, your family and you while you figure this all out. :grouphug:

[TravelingChris]

Beth, as you get used to this disease, you will hear much nonsense. Many people confuse type 1 and type 2 and give information on the more common overall type 2. They are very different. Type 1 is thought to be an auto-immune disease and like most auto-immune diseases, it hits previously healthy individuals. Type 2 is a lifestyle modulated disease.

 

The other thing you will get used to hearing is how ingredient X or therapy Y can cure your son. It gets annoying very quickly so what I would recommend you do is get educated with normal, mainstream materials, get on a diabetes type 1 email list where people post new research abstracts and you can ask specific questions, and see if there is a diabetes (type 1) educational class or seminar you and your son could take. I know that these are often offered. A similar class for adult onset asthmatics was very helpful to me.

 

Prayers for comfort and knowledge at this time for you and steady blood sugar levels for your son.:grouphug:

[vettechmomof2]

Thanks, gang. Ds is doing great. I'm relieved that football is over so we can stabilize a bit and figure out his normal routine.

 

At what point did you sleep through the night again-- and not wake up to check levels? I feel like a mom of a newborn. Sleepless & restful nights. Lots of time to pray in the wee hours.... :)

 

Unfortunately I still do not sleep much. We use a cgms which gives me a HUGE piece of mind BUT if I fall alseep then I will possibly miss the alarms so i stay up till hubby is home from work. It is easier for me that way then trying to wake myself back up to check blood.

If her cgms is showing a nice steady night then sometimes I will relax and not poke her through the night but being that we are at the dojo 4-6 nights a week and exercise causes delayed lows/drops I just tend to not sleep much.

You and the rest of your family will settle in to a routine though.

Again: a salter scale or some sort of carb counting scale makes life easier.

a calorie king book also helps.

an insulin pump makes life a "bit" easier once you get used to that.

a cgms can also make your life easier once you learn how to use that.

Take care!

[Beth in SW WA]

Thank you for the recent responses.