13.5yo ds just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes

[Dooohhh]

today my 13.5yo ds was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and we have to go and stay in the hospital for 5 days! I am really worried about how we as a family will take it - obviously his diabetes will come first, but my dd is being treated for anorexia and I am a single mum working 2 jobs!
Anyone had a teen being diagnosed with this? What do I do, useful tips ect. (they are teaching us essentials in the hospital)
X

Bumpy bumpy bump bump

Not had a teen but I was diagnosed with type 1 as a kid! I was a bit younger than your DS as I was in year 3 at the time. It was tough for my mum at the time and for me, but honestly it's just part of life now!

Just wanted to say that I've never missed out on anything despite having diabetes, survived school, uni, childbirth!

Anything I can help with ask away!

One thing I will say is get him on a basal bolus insulin regime as quickly as you can as that will give him much more flexibility!

Thanks for the reassurance!
I will try to get him onto that insulin. They also mentioned a pump which I have done some research on, but they won't give it to him for 10 months at least !
need to get him through the stay at the hospital - he goes in this morning -, think he is really nervous. Did you do the same? What calmed you down??
He is also refusing worried about telling his friends, though they're a lovely bunch and I know will be supportive!
Any advice??

Try and stay calm, you will transfer this to DS and it will help you be more clear-headed with the professionals and you will remember more. Take notes if you feel you can. Get contact details for groups that can help and support like Diabetes UK etc. He is going to be getting the help and treatment he needs, maybe this will help to reassure you both? I hope it goes well. Sure more knowledgeable people will be along soon, but meanwhile I wish you all well and hope you continue to find the strength needed to face the challenges of family life.

You need the Children with Diabetes mailing list.

Make sure they teach you how to count carbohydrates and adjust his insulin dose - its not rocket science but whatever you do, don't let them send you home from hospital on 2 injections a day. He needs 4 (trust me, 4 is easier than 2).

There is a very good book by Ragnar Hanas - its a bit of a doorstop, and expensive, but worth it.

Dooohhh it sounds as like he's been diagnosed pretty early on ... when I got diagnosed I was really poorly and was in a coma so got admitted through A&E.

I remember being really scared at first but I just remember the doctors and nurses being really lovely with me. I think my mum took it quite badly though.

His friends will be fine BUT when I was younger I went to great length to hide my diabetes from people, and even now I kinda like it when people don't know and i'm just me.

To second what Bertha says don't leave the hospital with the mixed insulin, it's rubbish. I'm on novorapid and lantus. I take lantus every night and then novorapid every time I eat. I can eat what I want, when I want with that regime. Also I drink alcohol - I know your DS is only 13 but you may well get the diabetes police saying he can't drink - not true at all :)

The pump is something I've thought a lot about but it's pretty tricky to get funding as an adult.

How is he after a day at the hospital?

My son was diagnosed 2 years ago when he was 9. HE's coped really well and coped with hundreds of injections and finger prices with hardly a complaint. He didn't stay in on diagnosis though, but did start on 4 injections and now on a pump (which is great). He hasn't' changed his diet much as we carb count.I'm sure his friends will be fine.

Jdrf uk is a great charity for young type 1s'and has a website. I like Facebook sites What mums and dads need to know to help children with type 1 diabetes & parents of type 1 teens might be useful. There are also some groups linked to these for the teens which your ds might like which are closed groups.

It is a huge change for a family, & a real pain in the area cos you never get a day off from it but you just have to learn to let it live with you!

how are you all doing now?

Sorry to hear about another Type 1 diagnosis. My now 10 yo DS was diagnosed nearly 3 years ago & uses an insulin pump after starting on MDI, multiple daily injections.
Second what Bertha said about CWD email discussion list & Ragnar Hanas book. There is a lot to take in at the start & having a good book to dip into is great. The CWD list is fab & always someone around to give advice & experiences & just gets how you will be feeling.
Hope things have gone ok at hospital & you are home now or soon.

Hello, Dooohhh.
I am a type 1 diabetic on insulin and I was diagnosed 30 years ago when I was 9 years old. Starting off with 4 injections a day is the best way to start but a pump (basel/bolus insulin) is something to consider for the future as there is a definate learning curve with the pump as there are more variables to consider on top of all the other issues you and your family will have to get used to with type 1 diabetes.

The most important thing to consider at the moment is master carbohydrate counting, find out the onset peak and duration of every insulin your son/daughter is on, bear in mind how much active insulin still in your son's/daughter's blood stream for correction doses. Time from last quick acting insulin injection to the end of the duration of insulin (most insulins are different) test blood sugars regularly I can not stress how important blood sugar testing is! Then learn to change the insulin doses depending on blood sugar results. Make sure you take lucozade and Glucose tablets every where you go!

Hi! Another Type 1 here, am 38 now but was diagnosed at 4 (when living in the Middle East to make it extra complicated!) It's a lot to take in at first but it soon becomes second nature, especially with the types of insulin you can use today, or insulin pumps.
All the very best! As the others have said, if you need to ask anything or just want to vent I'm all ears x

Just to echo all the good advice above. We get a lot of support from the children with diabetes mailing list.
My Ds was dx'd aged 7 and things started to look up once we learned about carbohydrate counting. Things got way better when we got the pump.

He is now 13 and self manages pretty well. Push for the pump sooner. It will help with the teenage growth spurts as this can make levels shoot up overnight.

Do open a gmail account and join the Cwd mailing list, their support is fantastic. (Lots of other mums and dads who really get it).