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Original poster

Concerned about diabetes in 12 year old and on holiday

136 replies

Brigittebidet · 09/08/2021 18:24

We are away on holiday (UK) and I have suddenly put two and two together with my son and become concerned. He has been tired for about a week and started drinking and peeing a lot more than usual and his breath smells terribly acidic all the time and he’s getting intermittent stomach pains. Can this wait until we get home (next Monday) or what can I do whilst away? He’s not feeling unwell in himself and is feeling OK.

I may of course be over thinking this and it’s just a bug.

OP posts:
Flatdisco · 10/08/2021 15:42

So glad you took him. I'm sure you understand the dangers of high blood sugar but just for others reading people were so candid as very high untreated blood sugar can cause a coma and severe dehydration which can be life threatening. Not trying to patronise, just wanting to spread knowledge to others.

Best of luck with treatment

NorthernNic · 10/08/2021 15:42

Flowers Well done for spotting the signs and acting on it. From one T1 mum to another here's a big hug and lots of support. You can do it, he absolutely can do it xx

Flatdisco · 10/08/2021 15:44

@Brigittebidet

Thank you all. Such a weird holiday but anyway! Also slightly freaked out at the thought of having to calculate carbs for the rest of his life.
It will become second nature for you all and with the insulin pumps etc available now its way better than it was. Also there's various support groups. Have a look at diabetes UK.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Diabetes
gogohm · 10/08/2021 15:48

Go to a&e, ideally a full hospital (not minor injuries) go now not later

gogohm · 10/08/2021 15:50

Ok just read you were right. Sorry just it's annoying but there's options now like pumps, apps for calculating carbs and if he needs a bit of reassurance, several gold medalist Olympians are type 1!

gogohm · 10/08/2021 15:55

Recommend the juvenile diabetes charity as a good resource and as an aside, following a diabetes friendly diet is good for everyone in the household, we all eat too many carbs. My friends live a very normal life, you wouldn't know because they have sensors and automatic pumps connected via Bluetooth to their phones (was a trial, not sure if it is routinely available) I did learn to measure blood sugar and give emergency insulin/glucose when I was doing childcare though

BecauseyoufuckingshotmeDaniel · 10/08/2021 16:15

@Brigittebidet

Thank you all. Such a weird holiday but anyway! Also slightly freaked out at the thought of having to calculate carbs for the rest of his life.
You’ll become a dab hand at it - or you could make something like this 😋. Welcome to a club no-one wants to join.
Concerned about diabetes in 12 year old and on holiday
LordOfTheThings · 10/08/2021 17:20

@Brigittebidet you'll get so used to it so quickly. I use Lose It app (to keep track of my own calorie intake) and I actually find it really useful for carbs too. There's also a Carbs & Cals app which can be helpful too.

Again, a hug from one T1 mum to another. Flowers

Original poster
Brigittebidet · 10/08/2021 17:24

Feeling horribly overwhelmed and just wanting to go home now! DH is coming to take over
For the night.

OP posts:
Original poster
Brigittebidet · 10/08/2021 17:25

Thanks for all the hugs and support. It helps.
It will just take some getting used to I guess.

OP posts:
lightswitchmoment · 10/08/2021 17:29

Sorry you are going through this. My dad was diagnosed last year at 12 and it's the worst feeling in the world. It was like real grief for the life she's now got and the life she's lost. However, it does get easier, just a part of life and there are lots of things to help like libres, Dexcom, pumps etc...

There is also a Facebook group called parents of T1 diabetes which is very useful.

54321nought · 10/08/2021 17:37

@Brigittebidet

Thanks for all the hugs and support. It helps. It will just take some getting used to I guess.
Yes, it will take time, but you will all be OK

This has happened to several children in my classes this year. each child has been shocked and upset at first, and has taken months to adjust, stabilise and feel normal. However, they have all settled down, with time, and got used to their new regimes, and are back in school full time and doing great.

Just be prepared for it to take a few months to feel normal

xx

Remmy123 · 10/08/2021 17:39

Well done OP.. there is no denying a mother's instinct!!

You must be in shock but knowledge is power and i hope you are getting all of the support you need.

Big hugs x

Novina · 10/08/2021 17:42

It is overwhelming, but there are people who help and it gets better. You will be under the care of your local children's diabetes team. They will be experienced in helping children who are newly diagnosed, and their parents. They know how big a change it is and what a shock diagnosis can be.
We are 12 years in. My dd starts on her 5th insulin pump this week! You will get there, and you've already given him a great start by acting before he became seriously ill. Take a break. Look after yourself. Then onwards and upwards.

SirGawain · 10/08/2021 18:00

I don’t have diabetes myself but we have a family history of it. In my experience most people get used to managing the condition and it becomes second nature. If insulin injections are needed, (hopefully not), youngsters seem to take it in their stride. Recently I had to give myself daily injections for another condition. Whilst it wasn’t my favourite activity I found that if I just got on with it, it was ok.

Original poster
Brigittebidet · 10/08/2021 18:04

Insulin before every meal and bedtime apparently. All needing to be calculated. Argh. Still it will be good for our maths I guess…

OP posts:
54321nought · 10/08/2021 18:07

Thank goodness you caught it early. My family has a history of healthy young teens dropping dead for no known reason - this went on for generations before anyone knew diabetes existed. In the past, it was genuinely believed that the family was cursed .My grandfather was the first in the family to be diagnosed, then his daughter, then her children. Now of course, looking back through the family tree, it is obvious it was present for several generations at least, before them

GoodVibesHere · 10/08/2021 18:37

Massive well done for doing such an excellent job spotting the symptoms and acting in good time, you have been amazing.

It will take time to get your head around it all, but together you will get there. He'll soon be a dab hand himself at knowing what to eat when.

Well done OP. Wishing you all the very best on your Type 1 journey.

AbsentmindedWoman · 10/08/2021 19:00

@SirGawain

I don’t have diabetes myself but we have a family history of it. In my experience most people get used to managing the condition and it becomes second nature. If insulin injections are needed, (hopefully not), youngsters seem to take it in their stride. Recently I had to give myself daily injections for another condition. Whilst it wasn’t my favourite activity I found that if I just got on with it, it was ok.
This reads as dismissive and ignorant, attitudes which are spectacularly unhelpful in supporting individuals and families with T1D.

People with type 1 diabetes ALWAYS need insulin, injected or pumped. There is no 'hopefully not'.

Yes, everyone learns to 'just get on with it' but it is an exhausting disease because it is RELENTLESS. The injections are only a very small piece of diabetes.

OP, you will be ok and your son will be ok too. You do get used to it. Your son can still have a brilliant, beautiful life.

HOWEVER, please remember that it is totally normal to be overwhelmed, frustrated, angry and scared. Find support in groups for parents of kids with type 1, and encourage friendships between your kid and other type 1 kids. Nobody really understands it unless they have it, or they love someone that has it.

Diabetes clinics in the UK are finally beginning to recognise the importance of psychological support for kids and teens with type 1, so see if your clinic has someone your child can see.

A solid foundation of coping skills and a support network will be invaluable. We all get burned out now and again with this disease - having people to turn to to chat stuff through or troubleshoot make it all much easier.

The future is bright for kids being diagnosed now. Embrace the tech with both hands. A pump and continuous glucose monitor will make your son's life easier and allow him to lead more of a 'normal' life while still giving him the best shot of glowing with health and vitality for many years to come.

User5827372728 · 10/08/2021 19:07

Well done for noticing OP and following the grey advice on here.

Wishing you and your son well.

User5827372728 · 10/08/2021 19:07

I meant great advice not grey!

SwanShaped · 10/08/2021 19:11

That’s great you went early. What a shock for you all though.

WreckTangled · 10/08/2021 19:14

I was diagnosed at 12 too OP. (I went to the gp with a level of 27 but they didn't want to admit me as it was New Year's Eve HmmGrin). I've had many ups and downs but technology has come on immensely and had I had more supportive parents I would have done better much sooner. Now I'm mid 30's with an hba1c of 5.6% (38) which is a normal range. It's a lot to take in but you'll get there, agree with joining all the fb groups for support.

Rainallnight · 10/08/2021 19:15

Wow, OP, you were so incredibly on the ball. I don’t know that I’d have put it all together the way you did. Your son is lucky to have you. Huge best wishes in managing his condition.

And wow to all the people who gave such great advice. Best of Mumsnet.

BookFiend4Life · 10/08/2021 19:19

My fitness pal works great for counting carbs! I had gestational diabetes and got used to it really quick. You can put recipes in even when you make something from scratch. I also recommend a continuous glucose monitor, my friend has one and it works great for overall management