HELP ds just been diagnosed with DIABETES TYPE 1

[summerfreckles]

My 4 year old was diagnosed w type 1 diabetes this week- is there anyone who is in the same boat that would be happy to talk to me and share experiences?
We're in Hitchin.
xx

[sonsmum]

sorry to hear this. My son is now 5 and was diagnosed at age 4. You will be linked to a hospital with a diabetic nurse, ask her/him if they run support groups in your area.
There is a facebook page " what mums and dads need to know to help children with type 1 diabetes" which i have found very useful, as people from all over the world (but mostly the uk) share experiences/advice and offer emotional support. It may be worth you being a lurker and try to absorb information:there is a lot!

From a personal point of view, I cannot lie and tell you this disorder is good in any way, but i can tell you that it is manageable. We inject 5 times a day and count the carbohydrate value of the food consumed and calculate the amount of insulin required. Growth spurts, illness, the weather, excitement/fear, GI of food, level of physical activity all has an impact on how much insulin is needed. You gradually get to learn how things affect your child, but no 2 days are the same.

You'll get to recognise hypo symptoms. You'll be given advice on how to manage the nighttime. He'll very likely be in honeymoon currently, which will help.

My son was very fearful of the injections to start with and we had to hold an ice pack to the injection site before injecting but now we can just inject with no issues. He doesn't like it of course but has accepted it.

If you have any specific questions, just ask and i'll try to answer. Hope you do find someone in your area who is going through the same thing. It is tough in the beginning when you realise life has changed forever. You'll probably have some very bad days, but you will (hopefully) also have good days where things go to plan and the numbers behave!

wish you all the luck, so sad to hear of the diagnosis, brings it all back for me.

[Tidypidy]

Hi Summer, my ds was diagnosed with type 1 3 years ago at the age of 13 months. He was given an insulin pump almost immediately as he was so young and it's brilliant. Perhaps it's something you could ask about? In terms of carbs counting, have a look at Carbs and Cals, it comes in book form or as an app, we've found it invaluable for use at home and when he's at preschool.
Do ask questions here, there are lots of Mums of type 1 children who are MNers and many Mums who are type 1 themselves.

[paddyclampo]

Hi Summer, hopefully I can give a different perspective here. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a kid and am now 30 years in! Sometimes it's a pain in the backside but I can honestly say I've survived largely unscathed .... I hardly have any of the complications they'll warn you about (I have some minor eye damage which I had lazered and that is now fine).

Even though I sometimes have bad days I've survived school, uni, getting drunk, childbirth, all with diabetes. I don't feel that I've missed out in any way, honestly.

I always say this to parents on here but I truly believe that my diagnosis was worse and more traumatic for my mum than it was for me! I struggle to remember what life was like before but it's all second nature to me now :)

[BerthaTheBogCleaner]

Hello, my ds2 was diagnosed last year, aged 4. Its a shock, isn't it!

Is he on MDI? How is he doing? How are you doing?

Have you found the Children With Diabetes email list? Here
They are a very helpful bunch and I think there are quite a lot of people in your area.