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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:
Tuliprain · 10/08/2021 19:28

Oh bless you. I’ve been where you are and it’s not nice but be reassured it does get easier. There are many hurdles but you will get over them. Look up ‘parents of children with type 1 diabetes’ Facebook page. It’s really useful.

LordOfTheThings · 10/08/2021 19:36

@SirGawain I'm certain you didn't mean your post to be anything other than supportive bit Type 1 diabetics have a bit more to deal with than just 'getting on with it'. They will always be insulin dependant but there's much more to it than that and it does indeed affect the whole family.

OP, you will feel completely overwhelmed initially, it's a hell of a lot to take in, but you will get there. It would be nice if us T1 mums had a support group here, I found and still find talking to others who are in the same situation so helpful.

SummeHoliday · 10/08/2021 19:36

Well done OP - so few people know what to look out for, including me when DD was diagnosed 3 years ago. So clueless was I that between the GP. & hosp (we were sent straight there) DD was hungry so we popped home for a snack of crumpets with honey & hot choc. That did not help 😐

Carb counting will become 2nd nature - you've got this! Good luck.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Diabetes
namesnamesnamesnames · 10/08/2021 19:40

Well done, you did really well recognising those signs and acting on it so quickly.

FightingtheFoo · 10/08/2021 19:47

@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 is possibly the dumbest shit I've ever read on here and the bar is LOW.

Your post should have had a full stop after "I don't have diabetes."

Literally no one need to hear your opinion on anything else. You don't have a fucking clue.

Signed - a T1.

Ps OP the biggest piece of advice I can give you is to get a therapist for your child. To go into your teenage years as a newly diagnosed T1 is fucking hard. And that's an understatement.

Tupperwarelid · 10/08/2021 20:10

I know you will all be panicking about the future now but I promise everything will become second nature. I’ve been type 1 for 30 years and I still remember my mum trying to carb count some pasta for me during my first week out of hospital! Good luck with it x

Original poster
Brigittebidet · 10/08/2021 22:25

Thank you all so much for all the kindness and reassurance. DH is with him in hospital now and I am going to try and sleep although my head is whirring. It just feels totally life changing and not in a good way! I know it’s controllable and that his life shouldn’t be limited but it’s a lot to get used to.

To the PP who suggested a board for T1 parents on MN - is that a possibility? I feel like that might be quite useful at the moment!

OP posts:
lightswitchmoment · 10/08/2021 22:45

I found the first three months overwhelming but it gradually gets easier. You should have access to a counsellor via your diabetes team which is really useful. Dd was very angry for quite a while. I found a notebook useful for the hospital (and still do) as there is so much to learn and you will be bombarded with information.

Bimblesalong · 10/08/2021 22:57

It is such a huge shock at first but you will all learn to live with it. Not always easy but you’ll get to a point where you are not counting everything and you have a better idea of what to do.
Make sure you have some time for yourself to process things and do look at the tech side. My son was on injections to start with, then an early basic glucose monitor and separate pump. He now has an insulin pump which works with his glucose monitor, helping to steady his levels - particularly at night.
The developments in tech are amazing. Do join the groups mentioned. The community is such a support for one another x

Bimblesalong · 10/08/2021 22:58

The groups are on Facebook. Both of those mentioned are very supportive. I am sure you’ll also get help on mn Flowers

jumpbounce · 10/08/2021 23:46

No advice to offer in terms of the diabetes. I just wanted to say well done for recognising the symptoms and getting him to hospital straight away. I've no doubt it all feels overwhelming now but he will get it through it with a wonderful mum like you by his side.
Good luck to you both Flowers

olidora63 · 10/08/2021 23:55

Am glad that you followed your instincts …your son will be fine. Well done you for noticing that he was unwell….so many parents might have missed all the clues 💐

DeRigueurMortis · 11/08/2021 00:01

@Brigittebidet

Thank you all so much for all the kindness and reassurance. DH is with him in hospital now and I am going to try and sleep although my head is whirring. It just feels totally life changing and not in a good way! I know it’s controllable and that his life shouldn’t be limited but it’s a lot to get used to.

To the PP who suggested a board for T1 parents on MN - is that a possibility? I feel like that might be quite useful at the moment!

Tbh you don't need a separate topic.

Many support threads for various diagnoses are under general health for example.

All it takes is for someone on this thread to create one and then paste the link back here Thanks

LostInTheColonies · 11/08/2021 06:20

@BecauseyoufuckingshotmeDaniel that is inspired! We have carb factors scribbled randomly around the text on a COVID poster stuck to the front of a cupboard... Grin

SingingInTheShithouse · 11/08/2021 07:07

So sorry, but glad you have help for him

Our friends son, after scaring the life out of everyone. is managing his diabetes really well & hasn't been ill since his diabetic crisis put him in hospital when he was 13 & he's now at Uni, he's accessed the best & newest treatment because of his age & it all seems way easier that it did when my DPs were both diagnosed

I hope you manage to get to enjoy a bit of your holiday at least

Original poster
Brigittebidet · 11/08/2021 07:21

Thanks again. Just about to get up and go back to hospital after a completely sleepless night. I need to get my heard round everything as DH and DS also had an awful night - such is the joy of hospitals. Can’t wait to not be there but also terrified of managing it at home!

OP posts:
joystir59 · 11/08/2021 07:32

Travel home and go to your own a&e or he will be admitted wherever you are on holiday. Cannot wait a week.

joystir59 · 11/08/2021 07:34

Technology for T1 diabetics is very advanced now, and when he is stabilised, and old enough he may be able to have what amounts to an artificial pancreas, which my exh has, it enables him to live a normal life. Good luck with everything OP.

LordOfTheThings · 11/08/2021 07:39

@joystir59 please read the thread, or at least the OPs updates.

cricketmum84 · 11/08/2021 07:41

Sending love. It's such a shock when you are diagnosed with diabetes and it's a lot to get your head round.

I'm T2 and managed with tablets so thankfully don't need to inject. I am now a dab hand at carb counting though as I'm trying to go diet controlled and come off the meds. I second using my fitness pal for carb values, it makes it a lot easier as you can just scan barcodes for tracking.

There is a separate diabetes board in the health section so may be worth posting there too.

Good luck!

BecauseyoufuckingshotmeDaniel · 11/08/2021 07:53

I’ve found MyFitnessPal quite inaccurate sometimes. We use Nutrachek or Carbs and Cals.

WreckTangled · 11/08/2021 08:00

I think the problem with MFP is that a lot of it is American and they count their carbs differently to us (they count fibre in their total carb count whereas we don't)

cricketmum84 · 11/08/2021 08:10

Ah that's interesting! I'm going to have a look at the carbs and cals app then and see if it works for me. I'm still quite new to this diabetes malarkey 😳

WreckTangled · 11/08/2021 08:17

I often use the Tesco app for things too, can be quite useful.

NiceTwin · 11/08/2021 08:25

How is your ds taking the diagnosis @Brigittebidet?
I have only come across it in close quarters with a couple of kids at school.
One was very comfortable with it all and would think nothing of getting his kit out and checking his bloods in class whilst another was terribly embarrassed by it all and would take himself off.
I hope with support he takes it in his stride and copes well with it all.