Child now has type 1 diabetties

[Johnboy4899]

So not the start to half term we planned but our 8 year old was diagnosed with type1 diabeties on Monday, we have her home this evening and getting to grips with everything. We did promise before all this they could go to Lego land and still want to make the trip on Friday

My question is how do parents with children or themselves with this deal with eating out

We will have to see what comes but if it’s different courses how do we sort out from The portlion what she’s going to eat to then do the dose

Also do people just do the injection at the table I don’t want to be made to have to do this in a toilet

Sorry if these are simple questions but we are just coming to terms with this change

I injected at the table. You wouldn't want a nurse to take you to a filthy toilet for an injection, so why should your child have to, even if they inject thenselves?

You need to get help/ instruction counting carbs and calculating insulin. Sometimes you get it wrong, don't make a big deal out if it. Everything can change the way someone reacts to insulin, growing, a virus, hotter or colder weather, more or less exercise on that day etc.

Always make sure that your child has access to dextro energy or something else sweet if they feel a low.

It seems daunting at the beginning, but because it's an all day thing you'll all get the hang of it quite quickly. Don't be too rigid on your child, never allowing them everything has made many type 1 diabetics rebel against the disease, with disastrous results. They can eat a cookie, just calculate the carbs. Try to let them lead a normal life as much as possible.

My DH has type 1 and it is NOT life limiting. Anything another person can do, he can do (well, he's a rubbish dancer, and he always takes snacks with him!)
I think you may want this moved to Children's Health.

I think diabetes can be regarded as indirectly life-limiting, because research has found that life expectancy for both men and women with diabetes is about 10 years less on average than for non-diabetics, but generally speaking that will be because of diabetes related co-morbidities, such as heart disease, complications of peripheral vascular disease, etc.

So with greater awareness, better compliance with blood sugar control and diet, etc., that may get better for type 1 diabetics. However, the crisis with type 2 diabetes will probably mean that the overall average will remain high.

Sorry to derail, there, but it's interesting.

Johnny enjoy Legoland. I think the key will be to be well prepared with more snacks than you expect to need as well as your insulin, so that it doesn't matter if you miscalculate, and you can safely deal with any hypo. Don't expect to be able to buy food quickly there.

Thanks all will try and move the post, and yes as you’ve all said we will have her carry on as normal and just build this into her routine

Thanks for the tips will make sure we alwsys a have snack and she has plenty of destirox in her pouch

Oh I am so sorry :(

We are a few weeks in with my 8 year old. We haven’t dared eat out yet so can’t help you with carbs but we will do the injection at the table if needed. Have you downloaded the carbs and Cals app. It’s useful for at home. It’s all a bit of a stress at the beginning but it’s all starting to make sense for us now. Just worry about the complications that could arise and also worry about my other children getting it too. 😢

Hi @Johnboy4899 I have type 1 and was diagnosed four years ago.
Initially it can seem like such a mind field, and some days it still likes to through a curve ball, but I promise you it will become second nature before long.
There have been big changes technology wise in the four years since I've been diagnosed which make managing the condition easier.
For the moment I guess you're getting the basal (background insulin that the body needs 24/7) sorted and trying to establish what her bolus ratio is (the one taken with carbs)
First step, download 'Carbs and Cals' app. It has pictures of foods and you can adjust the portion size to give your best guestimate when eating out.
If eating a main and a dessert, I'd give insulin for the main and then give it again for dessert as you don't know the portion size until it arrives.
I'd err on the side of caution initially (she might not finish her meal) when calculating and then give a little more 2 hours later if she's not back in range.
Hope that's helpful, enjoy Lego land
I'll try and check back in tomorrow in case you have any other questions.

If eating a main and a dessert, I'd give insulin for the main and then give it again for dessert as you don't know the portion size until it arrives.
Definitely this, and if she doesn't always finish her portions you could give half before and half after (or less if she doesn't finish it).

So sorry to hear about your daughter's diagnosis. Bit late to the thread, but if visiting legoland again, you should be able to get a fast pass for the queues and possibly a carers ticket. You may need to reduce the insulin dose to cover all the walking around, so be a little cautious with doses. Food there tends to be quite fatty so you may well be able to get away with injecting after food (as the fat means it takes longer to digest). Remember to take lots of hypo treatments. Agree with using carbs and cals app to help you estimate. I don't think legoland outlets tend to have nutritional information available, but lots of places do.