I am new to the forum. My daughter was diagnosed at age 14 three years ago. It has been a struggle. She is vaping and drinking. I had to take her to the ER after finding her passed out in vomit with a sky high blood sugars. I have to monitor her bank account and mail so that she will not order vaping products through the mail and I can’t keep alcohol in the house. We have tried therapy but it has not been successful. I am a social worker who works with kids and I am at a lost. I hope prayer and this forum can help with just knowing that everyone is going through something and that things will get better.
I posted in this group about a year and a half ago. I was at my wits end with our daughter and the way she cared for herself. I have been told by other diabetics that one day she will chose to take care of herself and that was so difficult for us to realize. We had been trying to help her since age 5 at diagnosis and she is now 18. I still get concerned about her being away for college but I can say things have started to finally sink in with her. She wants to be healthy and I see her efforts. We are not in a perfect place but she is a different person than at age 15 and 16. Hope! I pray that things change for you all as well very soon!
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Hi @Donnadwlad. I’m not a mom but was diagnosed at 3 years old. What I am about to share may be a bit superficial compared to the other responses but you never knew what might help.
Despite services such as Uber and Lyft, I imagine teens enjoy the independence of driving just as much more as I did when I was that age.
In many localities anyone with a medical condition that could result in loss of consciousness, must have a medical evaluation done. In a nutshell the doctor is saying they believe their patient understands and is responsible about controlling their condition - the implication being that they won’t be a hazard behind the wheel.
Coronavirus has thrown a wrench into things, but if she’s looking forward to driving that could be an incentive. Discussions with her doctor, asking questions, sharing frustrations are ways in addition to her numbers for her doctor to gauge her. Also, if you are sitting in the room during the visit it might be good to let her speak with the doctor by herself. Due to HIPAA you would only know about the visit as much as she is willing to share, but she might feel more independent and willing to talk if it’s just her and the doctor.
Wishing you the best.
@Donnadwlad it’s really good to hear from you and even better that you had the strength and courage and the trust to carry on.
So encouraging. I am coming to the realization that she will do better in her own time. I am will support her, with expectations, until my daughter can do it on her own.
College was a great time for me. We didn’t have BG meters, much yes CGMS and pumps. As far as I knew I was the only diabetic student there. I understand there are now “support groups” (I wish there were another term) for diabetic students at many colleges. Even if she wouldn’t want to be a part of one for medical reasons it could be good to know others you can go to in a pinch of you find out you’re down to your last sensor or other supplies (hint hint, wink wink).
I know this story very well I am diabetic and now 30 years of age. I was diagnosed at the age of 14 and after a year my diabetic care rapidly declined. Freshman year of high school I realized I could not take my insulin and lose weight. Unfortunately this lasted from 15 to approx. 21 years of age… many tears, fights, and my poor parents lord the hell I put them through. My endocrinology team would ask every visit are you sure your taking your insulin? After every visit the doctor would try to have my mom either watch me take it or apply some other measure to try and keep me from killing myself. Looking back and knowing what I know now I am so sorry you and her are experiencing this I know how brutal it is and can be. I went into DKA several times one time ended with a car crash I totaled my car. I had to drop out of college because my health was so terrible and I couldn’t focus in my classes. In the mix of all of that my endo team referred me to a psychologist who happened to specialize in diabetes and eating disorders. I saw her off and on for 7 years but I attribute a lot of my strength to over come from her. Also my relentless mother who hung in there with me through thick and thin. The good news our bodies are very resilient at her age as she gets into her 20’s the body is not as forgiving. However I say all this to say I understand how incredibly difficult this is. I would like to offer you hope by telling you I no longer have an eating disorder, and manage my blood sugar very well. It can be hard for an adolescent to deal with something at a time when being cool, and like everyone else is so important. No one knows the struggles of this disease unless they have it or a parent to a child with type 1. I would look into a psychologist and because she is under 18 you can force her to go. My parents did and at first I would go in not say anything be so stubborn and in denial. Slowly but surely my amazing psychologist was able to get me to start talking… and then slowly the journey got less and less bleak. So many other things have happened to me in the time I have had this disease… I am praying for you both. It is indescribable the specific fight you are both going through. It is one thing to have this disease… but it takes on so many different forms depending on so many variables. If you ever need someone to talk to her I am here. I would be more than happy to talk to her because god I know this story all to well. Thank you for supporting her as not all type 1’s have that whether child or adult. I have had this disease over half my life… and yeah some days it pisses me the hell off still. Have hope that there is a life that exists where type 1 isn’t swallowing all of it up. Sincerely if your daughter is ever needing someone to talk to, or yourself. I’m here and would love to help if at all possible.
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All people with diabetes are different as you know. Some are more brittle and some are not.
I was diagnosed when I was 13 and was kind okay with my treatment but did not really except till I was older. The key I would say is relax and she will come around. Monitor her A1C and use this as guidance . She will come to her way of managing her illness.
Thank you Katie @spiritualokie for posting this testimony, this is very moving,Your teen and then your attempt at college very much what I experienced.
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I hate that you experienced much of the same. I hate that many with this disease feel cheated including myself… On one hand I am grateful to have the perspective that this disease gives you. On the other I’d be lying if it didn’t bother me from time to time that maybe if I hadn’t gotten this disease I would’ve done more… maybe finished college and taken those opportunities further at a younger age. All in all we can always say this disease gives us a lot but we rise to the occasion, and if were lucky… we are better for it.
I definitely think, no, I know, that I am a better person, and a heather person because of this disease. That is, once I got the “wake up call” and began caring for myself.
Actually, I woke up to learning about diabetes after I married and got the announcement that I was going to be a father. I did return to college, nights while raising a family, and graduated with honors. The last 40 or so years, I’ve made “learning diabetes” a science and a hoby.
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