I just found out Monday that my 14 yr old daughter has type 1 diabetes. We never saw it coming. It all started with my questioning some weight loss and ended in the ER. I know with time things will seem less intense but for now I’m having a hard time with feeling like somehow I didn’t catch this soon enough, or that I caused it somehow. Right now we are trying to get her sugars under control and have to have 4 shots/day. I’ve put my school on hold to work full time in order to afford the massive new cost of her meds and supplies, so would love to hear of resources on the best supplies and places to get them. I’m grateful she is old enough to understand and accept and I am trying to keep smiling and be strong for her. Any tips on dealing with emotions, good filling snack ideas, and well, anything y’all can think of would be appreciated.
I am glad that you were able to catch it in time before anything worse happened to your daughter.
As you said it definitely will get better over time but it is a life transformation that you were experiencing and your daughter is as well.
Four shots a day is normal even if it was for the rest of her life. I was 10 when I got diabetes and I can assure you that it 14 no one wants to take four shots a day so I would expect it will take a while for your daughter to adjust to this life-changing event.
I would recommend that she goes to either counseling or a summer camp if there still one going on around your area.
As far as supplies it really depends on your insurance if you have a mail-in insurance you can get most of your supplies through your pharmacy and DM E for the needles.
A good endocrinologist would probably have your daughter on an insulin pump after about a year of taking shots. I hope she is testing at least 6 to 8 times a day.
I know you must be very stressed about the situation but if you can share more about what you’re looking for and what you have I’m sure many people will respond.
Please feel free to reach out at any time that’s what the group is for. Your daughter may also want to consider joining or trying another group called GLU.org
Best,
Scott
Hi cassiedwill,
I know in Canada that is programs that help with the cost of diabetes not sure in the states. Your insurance should help with some of the cost. Have you talked with your daughter doctor they may know of resources to help with the cost. If she goes on the pump the cost is a lot more I ended up go off the pump didn’t get the result I wanted but everyone is different.
I was diagnosed at 11 it was a real struggle. Even now I struggle with it the testing and the shots you just want to be normal. I’m on 4 to 5 shots a day depending on sugars. Diabetes is a roller coaster of emotions. The one piece of advice I can give is when if your daughter starts the whole thing of not testing and eating things she shouldn’t (which I did by the way trying to be a normal kid) don’t nag at her it makes the situation worse. In time it will get better the more education you can get the better. And it always helps to have a support team on your side. I’m lucky I have my husband he is a big support for me. Take things a day at a time same with your daughter she needs to take it a day at time. Its a crappy thing to get when your a teen. Your daughter is very lucky to have mom that is willing to put things on hold for her.
For snacks I like popcorn, fruit, veggies, rice cracks, digestive cookies, cheese. Just look at the carb fact is on the nutrient facts on things makes things a lot easier. And she won’t be limited to anything.
Did you guess see a diabetic specialist?
Is she doing carb counting?
If you need anymore help just message me.
Meghan
Please don’t think you caused this or could have prevented it. I felt the same way though, so I know it is difficult. But because of your questioning it was caught so be thankful for your questions to have caught it before she ended up really sick. It does get easier to deal with in time.
Definitely look into diabetes camps in your area. My camp took campers up to age 16 (some are only for younger kids). If it’s too late to get her into one this year try next year. It will be a huge help to meet other T1s and know that she is not alone. Your local JDRF or ADA chapter may host events where she can meet others (and you can meet other D Parents) as well. Look into that.
Rebellion against diabetes will almost definitely come at some point, whether it’s now or in college or even after that when she’s on her own. We all go through phases of eating too much junk and sometimes not testing or taking insulin like we should. Just try to guide her through it when it comes. Continuously lecturing about complications will not help the situation.
Finally, try not to be judgmental about the numbers on her meter or her future A1cs. These are data points from which she can make further decisions about her care–not a grade that indicates whether she is a “good” or “bad” diabetic/person.
Good luck–you can do this!
How have things been going? I had the same experience a month ago. My 14 yr old developed ketoacidosis. That’s when we found out. She is going through a difficult adjustment to having her “privacy invaded” right now.
I am 19 and was recently diagnosed with Type 1 also. My blood sugar was over a thousand when I went to the ER two weeks ago. When looking for things I can eat at first I would seriously suggest checking out the Glycemic Load of foods. Definitely look into it. Fruit is not something you want to give your daughter when she first gets out of the hospital. Her body needs time to heal and fruit (especially bananas) has TONS of sugar, I made that mistake when I first got out. When looking at the Glycemic Load make sure to pay attention to serving size but anything under 10 shouldn’t have a huge effect on her blood sugar. You should replace white or wheat bread with good carbs like black beans and quinoa or if you can get coconut flour bread it tastes awesome and has very little carbs. Instead of granola bars she should eat protein bars. Protein and fiber are the best things for her to fill up on. Almonds and goat cheddar are perfect foods that have very very little effect on blood sugar and taste like normal foods. Avoid carbs because it just turns into sugar. Giver her ‘spa’ water which is just water with cucumbers, lemon and mint. Lemon is helpful to heal the body. Peanut M&Ms are my cheat food and okay to eat the serving size for a snack in between meals and I would suggest to her to eat them slowly over an hour or two and this will help keep spikes to a minimum. Stevia is good for you and can be used to sweeten drinks.
Hope that helps!