Type one diabetic, now ss are involved

[Jaxk2010]

I have been diabetic 11 years (now 23) and have two babies (g-2yr, b-12weeks) with my youngest towards end of pregnancy my blood sugars kept dropping occasionally to point I was unconscious. Now ss are on my back stating they were self induce and have put in place a cpp . The whole thing has caused me so much stress and upset but I don't know what I can do about it!

Has anyone experienced anything like this as I'm at my wits end! And not sure how to get rid of ss! I can't do anymore than I already was. (Sorry for the ramble)

Are they saying it is self induced because you are not medicating/eating as you should? Easily done when you have such little children but it is obviously not safe if you do end up unconscious. Do you have any other support?

That's hard. Tbh, to give context, there's many a time that a patient with diabetes comes in with, for example, diabetic ketoacidosis and end up in ITU, then they are seen to crimp their insulin line, or their dextrose line, so it's certainly not unheard of as a self-induced illness. However, presumably you are of the opinion that your hypos were all genuine.

I think all you can do is perhaps keep a good diary, a blood sugar diary, etc., and demonstrate cooperation with SS. They only want your children to be safe, so if you show that you want that too, they'll move on.

Why are they saying self-induced? Are you monitoring and medicating properly?

I have and do everything the diabetes team ask, I wear sensors that send info straight to them and use a pump so everything I do insulin wise is logged!
@Lougle I get that and I'm desperate for them to leave me and my children alone but not going to take away fact 10+ people have labelled me a neglectful! All due to grey areas as they don't understand diabetes! One or two lows were due to needing bolus half hour before I eat then being unable to butt I'd then phone family to help and do my best eat what I could (due to sickness) if it got too bad I'd phone 111, diabetes team or go hospital
@MollysMummy2010 family are there and babies dad pops round every other day but everyone's expecting me to just keep smiling and I get it's because ss have more against me but I'm devastated people think that little of me and are happy to label me!

It's hard because I ended up spending last 3 months of pregnancy permanently in hospital away from my daughter (family had her) so I felt like rubbish and I spoke to few people saying really upset I didn't want be here (hospital ) did feel really low but never intentionally caused lows like their suggesting but have no way proving it and sw already admitted she doesn't trust me or what I say, she only believes 'professionals'. I feel like I have no chance!

If ten plus people are saying you are neglectful - why exactly? I have type 1, I went into coma when I was pregnant with my second as hypos can come real quick with little warning when pregnant, in all I had paramedics out twice, once it happened when alone with my son and I wasn’t found (I was unconscious at home with him) for a few hours. But no one labelled me neglectful. I don’t think you’re telling the full story. Why can’t you eat? After 12 years you should be well able to know what you need and when. If you don’t have good control maybe you need someone to stay with you if possible until you get your diabetes under control. You have to do whatever you can to show you are in control for yourself and your kids, even if you feel everyone is against you they really do want you to get better and keep your kids.

@Pipandmum I have been diabetic 11 yrs, I know what and how to eat but on few occasions while pregnant after bolusing ( have to 20/30mins before I eat) I then either could keep food down or thought eating made me feel Ill I did my best!
I'm glad no one labelled you I wouldn't wish it on anyone but I'm for asking advice and reassurance? My control has been fine before and after the short period of time with the lows. Ss are taking the fact I supposedly wasn't coping (due to low mood which I've already said) and the lows to be connected . I know I need to do my best that's what I've always done so please only offer helpful advice not criticism.

I think Pipamdmum is asking the reasons so that people can help you more. It is hard to face the possibility of loosing your children, but the best way to prevent that is for you to understand the reasons SS are concerned. You dont have to talk about them on here, but find out what SS want to see you doing to stop each issue being a concern for them. And then do those things. Honestly they would much rather you keep your children, even if it doesn't feel that way sometimes. And if you have to do things you dont feel you need (like counselling or whatever they are suggesting for low mood), it's a small price to pay to keep your children with you.

If your social worker has said that she only believes professionals then I think it's important to try and engage with those professionals as positively as possible.

Talk to your diabetes team, tell them about the impact this is having and ask them for as much support as possible in getting your management back on track. Attend all of your appointments etc.

Talk to a counsellor or your GP about your low mood and demonstrate commitment to your mental wellbeing.

I'm sorry you're going through a tough time

This all sounds really odd and I wonder if there is anything else they could be watching out for. I'm type 1 and my control is honestly...terrible. Although I'm more on the high side (average over a month is around 15mmol according to my sensor)

Maybe they are worried that your very small children are at risk especially if you are passing out regularly and are alone with them (one of my biggest fears as my dd is only 2).

Are you getting any support for your low mood? Are you suffering from pnd? How are you cooing in general? I'm not criticising or insinuating anything but if your moods are particularly low you might be unwell and not fully aware of it. There have been cases where diabetics use their insulin as a form of self harm. Again..not saying you are doing that at all.

Try and work with them if you can. They'll be more likely to back off if you are open with them. I'm sorry you are going through this. It must be incredibly stressful for you.

I understand now. I think it will be hard for them to accept that you thought you were well enough to eat and bolused 30 minutes before, then didn't eat even though you knew that you had to eat after taking insulin.

Even if you can't 'eat', you know the quick ways to counteract a hypo, such as jelly babies, a sugary drink, or even pure sugar rubbed on your gums. You don't have to 'eat' to get sugar into you. You also know that you must eat if you've taken insulin. If it makes you feel ill, you still crack on and swallow because you've taken a drug that will push your bg levels down.

I hope that with consistent logs showing that you are in control, SS will be reassured.

10+ people wouldn't be saying you are neglectful if they hadn't had some input from medical professionals.

You need to work with SS and do everything they ask.

You haven't said why they think you are neglectful?

Remember SS are there to help you and keep your children safe, stop panicking and comply with them.

Can you get your DSN and Consultant to write a supporting letter to your SW? I agree, many people don't understand T1, as if we don't have enough to deal with already. Pregnancy can be so tricky when you have T1. I hope this gets resolved soon. Perhaps contact Diabetes UK helpline for some advice.

Can someone explain why you need to bolus insulin before eating please?

My mil makes her brother do this and as he’s elderly he doesn’t eat much generally, so more often than not ends up with a hypo.

I know nothing about diabetes so interested to know why keep doing something that keeps leading to a hypo? Is it possible to not bolus before a meal? Or reduce the amount in people such as the elderly or pregnant who may not eat adequately?

I was always lead to believe that you have to balance the amount of insulin with the amount you eat, and not vice versa?

You can bolus after a meal, although most people bolus before meals so that the insulin is working as the food is digested.

Christ almighty OP.
PM if you want. I've been a T1 diabetic for over 40 years, on a pump for 15, and I've had SS question me and my parenting and one report I got hold of questioned whether I should have been allowed to have to have children as a diabetic and whether they were at risk? Yes. Seriously!

Is your GP helpful? Mind fought SS tooth and nail and said their comments were disgraceful.

I also got my diabetic consultant and my pump specialist nurse involved to try and get the SS case closed ASAP.

You need help and support here! Ask away, if I can help in any other way?

People on this thread are very very naive. Not all SS are good. Some are ignorant, have vendettas.

Sometimes information is mistakes, wrongly recorded, and sometimes misquotes. Or not what you meant. Sometimes it's blatant lies!

Both my parents are retired SW'ers and when I did a data request and saw my SS file, my parents were horrified at the lies written. Sometimes at meetings they themselves had been present at!!

Op, don't go to any meeting alone. Always take a witness.

Ask for a copy of the report. Clear guidelines on their concerns? And clear instructions on how you are supposed to address them.

Get a helper. Someone to help you. And get the GP to help you fight SS.

Your mil needs to learn about dose adjustment, so he has the amount of insulin for the carbs he has eaten.

Oblo I agree with you...😒