My son was diagnosed at 16 mos old and he’s now a 16 year old with his own opinions 
We really want him to consider a CGM system, but he simply does not want another thing on his body… he’s Been a Medtronic pump user since 24 mos old and I really can’t complain- he’s done a fantastic job for years- but I’m looking ahead when he will head to college in 1.5 years from now and I want him to be prepared and equipped to be on his own, yet give me visibility to sugars and peace of mind. How have you as parents handled this situation and any Advice from T1D’s to help me get him to this next phase? Thanks!
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Hi @AMYMAC welcome to TypeOneNation. I think you’ve done a great job and this is one time where your vision of your sons care May be different than his. I think this may be a time where he can just make the call. I have a relationship with my endo that has worked the past couple decades: if my A1c is above 7 I will take outside advice, if my A1c is below 7 then I don’t need any.
You know he needs to be completely in charge of his own care soon. Allowing him control is a good and necessary thing. That’s my 2 cents, I hope I didn’t disappoint you.
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Once he’s 18 and off in college his choices will be his own. Some spouses share with the other for safety sake but an 18 year old very well may not want his parents following him. No offense. It’s hard for parents to let go - I’m not a parent but am thinking of my mom. You said he is doing well and hopefully that will continue. Some people do fine without a CGM at least as long as they can sense oncoming lows. He may decide that a CGM would be a good option on his own once he settles into the college experience. And he may even met other students with diabetes who use one.
Wishing you the best. Congratulations on doing such a great job.
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My 14 years son is resistant to any advice I give to him, Sometimes I have to put a lot of effort to convince him to think about it and try… he love the outcome eventrually. I know at this age they want to be independent, if they know how to make decision based on pros and cons then they are mature enough.
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Thank you for sharing that- I think you make some good points! He really does a good job and honestly the only time I worry about him is when he’s sleeping because otherwise he’s independent. I just need to trust him and let the decision be his. We’ve always included him in decisions pertaining to his care, and I’m going to take your advice? Thank you!
Teens are challenging to begin with right?! Lol. We’re really trying to educate him on the pros and understand the cons. Honestly I just want him to have longevity and have to “manage” it less and of course I worry about sleeping through the night without going low. He’s a good kid- I think he’ll Come to the decision on his own time!! Thanks for sharing I know I’m not the only mom in this situation 
I think you’re right!!!I’m just going to support him and be available and hopefully he will come to the decision on his own. He’s always been independent with his care I just worry for when he will move out- I joke I’ll sleep in his dorm parking lot lol it’s my worry, not his. Thanks for sharing
Hey there @AMYMAC! Just wanted to reach out and offer my two cents. I totally understand where your son is coming from–I’m 18 and I take injections rather than using a pump because I don’t like having too many things attached to me. Ultimately, it’s up to him and whatever he feels comfortable with; I know it’s hard because you have your own ideas about what’s best for him, but it’s his choice to make when he’s ready. Getting used to the idea of a CGM takes time, so don’t pressure him too much. He’ll be ready when he’s ready, and no sooner!
Thank you so much for your recommendations!! Ok I’m going to take a deep breath (or two) and try to release my own thoughts about it and rely on his
I’ve been diabetic for 44 years and have used a pump for the last six years. Using MedTronic 670 right now but it doesn’t communicate with the Dexcom G6 so have not been happy with this. Insurance won’t cover a different pump until next May. This summer I decided to take a break from the pump because I was running out of insertion spots. It’s been fantastic. I’ve lost 5 pounds and my A1 C is better than ever. With a Dexcom G6 I know where my blood sugar is every second and just inject insulin when necessary to adjust. I take 18 units of Lantus in the morning and just a little bit of Humalog with each meal or as needed. I may never go back to the pump but would never give up on the CGM. It wakes me up if my blood sugar goes too low or too high and allows me plenty of time to correct it. To be honest, the pump is much more burdensome than the CGM. I wear my sensor in my upper thigh and it works great.
Hi Amy.
Always interested in how teens deal with T1D.
I am T1D x 61 years. I am 65 now. I can remember going off to college at the age of 17. In those days, the only glucose monitor was made by Ames and was the size of a shoe box. It took about 5 minutes to generate a result. Needless to say, I did not monitor blood glucose levels. We had very few insulin types. It does feel like much of what I did was on a whim and a prayer.
My Dad was a pediatrician. He recognized that ultimately it was going to be my responsibility to manage myself. This was at a time when there was no blood glucose monitors, no insulin pumps, no variety in insulin types, no CGMs. In truth…it was a simpler life but not better.
Those of us who have lived with T1D and done well, have found our own ways to make it work. I use long acting Tresiba and multiple injections of Novalog as needed. I have never used a pump and my diabetologist feels it would not benefit me. I do use a Dexcom CGM which is a real game changer and teaches the person attached to it about patterns, effects of food, sickness,etc.
When I was a teenager, I did not want anyone to know that I was a diabetic. Again…different time.
I can certainly understand him not wanting to attach yet another thing to his body. A CGM is much less obtrusive than an insulin pump. He has options, but these decisions are his. The technology will continue to improve and his options will improve.
I would respect his wishes. He is so far ahead as to managing T1 than I was. My younger son’s (age 26) best friend is a T1. He tells me how periodically he needs to take a break from the technology (CGM and pump). He ultimately returns to one or both.
It sounds that you have taught him well. He will figure it out and will be fine.
So thankful for your post and insight!!! I can tell you that my son relates to many of the things you mentioned, and i hear you loud and clear-I need to trust him, respect his choices and know he’ll find his way to stay healthy😊 he manages everything on his own, with the exception of testing through the night, so that’s the only piece that worries me. He’ll work through it, you’re right!
I had no idea you could use the CGM without the pump, I guess I assumed they had to go hand in hand! That’s something he may consider, we’ll have to look in to it more. It certainly will help with my biggest fear; what happens when he leaves home and needs to test through the night!? Thank you for letting me know your experience and offering recommendations!!!
With the Dexcom G6, I don’t even use the receiver. It’s all on my phone!
My daughter is 16 years old and got T1D when she was 9. She has a pump and just got the CGM 6 she did have the 4. I like the 6 better. Yeah your son should get it helps out alot. Also when hes away at college you can check his sugars from home right from his phone to yours.
I am a 24 year old who graduated college a couple of years ago. Similarly, I rejected using the CGM because I did not want another machine to wear (I have had the Omnipod for 10+ years). I started wearing it 18 months ago and it is the best decision I have ever made in regards to my diabetes care. Knowing exactly what’s going on with my sugars at all times is something I could now never live without. It’s almost turned it into a game where I continually compete to best myself while constantly learning how different foods, exercise, etc. will affect my sugars. (For clarification my most recent A1C was 6.0).
With that being said, “giving you visibility to sugars and peace of mind” should not be any factor in if he gets a CGM or not. You do not need to know what his sugars are. It would make me very uncomfortable if my mom had access to my sugars while I was in college and honestly that may be one of the reasons he doesn’t want to get a CGM in the first place.
P.S. One of his main concerns about wearing another machine is what girls/boys (depending on his preference) will feel about them. It is different and sometimes isolating to be the only one with devices on. After he has it for a little bit he’ll realize that no one cares, but it takes a while to get to that conclusion.