flojo has hit that wall- help

[flojos mum]

Hello this is Flojos mum. She has found this forum really helpful over the last few months and I know alot of you are really impressed with her positive attitude towards diabetes but we have hit a low point over the last few weeks she has got very upset with doing the injections and reached the point on Saturday when she was crying on the floor and it took us 40 minutes to calm her down enough to get the injection done.
Her hands are shaking and she cannot do them herself anymore.
she has had a one to one session with one of our great nurses but she cannot get pass the sad, upset, scared feeling her hands continue to shake and I am supporting her a school by doing them for her if she cant this week in the hope that this will take the pressure off a bit. She has done only 1-2 injection a day where as before she was doing all of them herself as she wanted to be in control.
PLEASE does anyone have any advice from previous experince as I am sure this is the first of many time I will be facing this.
Flojos mum

 

[hanadr]

I don't have experience and probably am not terribly helpful in this case, but please tell Chloe I think she's wonderful and CAN cope

 

[Stuboy]

Is she having trouble because she's developed a fear of the needles? Or do you think it's a denial thing?

If it's denial, then she really need to try and accept it, easier said than done im afraid... but the consiquences of not taking her injections (if it really comes to that) will probably shock her back into action again. If she's missing her injections she's at risk of DKA which can lead to a coma. (harsh, but true)

If it's a fear of needles, then there are devices out there on the market for this, which hide the needles so you don't see it. Or perhaps a pump may help? I know they are more keen to give children pumps than adults. Pump = no injections (well, 1 every 2 - 3 days, to inset the catheter) which is obviously much better than 4-5 injections a day.

I hope she gets over the hurdle soon, She's not alone. It often helps talking to others going through the same thing so that she doesn't feel alone with it all. That's what we are here for. You also have childrenwithdiabetes assosiation which might be able to provide more advise, sinse they specialise in the area of children with diabetes.

Please let us know how she gets on!

 

[suzi]

Hi Flojos Mum,
I'm sorry to here she's hit that brick wall, full force from what youv'e said. Unfortunately it's part and parcel of what our youngster go through. I'm sure if like me, if you could inject yourself to benefit her, you'd do it in a heartbeat. But as thats not possible the only advise i can give is what i've done with my son Andrew, and that is do it for her, but tell her you'l only do her injections until the weekend, then she has to do them herself, if she sticks to your bargaining then a treat is in store. Hopefully by Thurs she'l be fed up you doing them for her and she'l take over the reigns herself. Along with the injections i bet she shouting i hate being diabetic! thats often shouted in our house. Whats probably happened with Chloe is she dealt with it so well at the begining, she's a real star, and now its over whelmed her. Give her a big hug from me and Andrew, tell her we hope she's back to her bright sunny self soon, you take care and you get a hug too, us Mums need support as well.
Take care
Suzi x

 

[flojos mum]

Hi, Thanks for the support, she is a little star but very similar to her mum in that she has delated reactions to the bad things that hit us in life, she is going through the why me?, injections hurt me so i'm not doing them- but all injections are being done-eventually! just fed up of it all and the realisation that this is with her for life has hit her bang on. She is better but told her I would put this on as I knew you have all been impressed with her attitude so far and I'm sure her fighting spirit will come back-soon I hope!
I'm sure she will be ok soon- until next time, just wish I could take it all away!

 

[jopar]

Almost every diabetic young or old hits the wall with diabetes...

If you consider most medical conditions that we suffer from chest infection, urine infections, cough, colds and even broken bones... You hurt, feel unwell etc for a period of time but keep taking the medication and it will go away and you return to normal...

At the begining this sort of what happens with a diabetic, you take your insulin, monitor and faff, but deep down you still believe this is short term it's going to go away and you'll return to normal... Then one day it all sinks in, it ain't going to go away not now or ever..

If you had a couple of injections that have hurt, then all you can think about that you'll not only have to suffer the daily routines on being diabetic, but this pain is going to happen several times a day and you got to keep facing it, every time you do this it can get harder and harder to do..

So how lcan ittle flojo over come these,

If you feel that this might of stem from having a couple of injections that might have hurt then is it possible to some cream to numb the injection area for her, or you could you use a ice-cube to numb?

Have a word with the nurses, as you can get saline cartridges that fit insulin pens, this would enable you to inject at the same time as flojo, and might give her the extra support and belive in her self to get through her wall..

Pehaps as a stuboy as said, a insulin pump might be a alternative to look at in the aid of control, as this will not only involve a lot less injections, but actually would give her a lot more control over what she is doing with a couple presses of a button...

Going down the lets scare her into doing it with the scare stories of future complications or even DKA I think isn't always the wisest option, based on If a adult can not always realise and take on board that there actions that they do now in the present, can have consquenes in the future how is a young child supposed to comprehend this and take it on board?

Other options to look at if injections seem to hurt,

Is the insulin cold straight out of the fridge or a cold bag, this can cause insulin to sting
If she using lantus (which is renouned to sting) perhaps a change to levimer?
Is the needle she using been changed everytime?
Is the needle size wrong too big too small, so delivering insulin into a more sensitive area?
Where does she inject, does certain places hurt more than others?
Has she changed her injection technique in any way?

Another thought

As flojo is a bright lass, she may be struggling to come to terms with her fears and worries etc, but doesn't want to worry mum about it all, so perhaps some sessions with a counsellor who can listien to all her fears and woes might be helpfull, so she can dump them with out having to worry if mum is going to get worried!

 

[suzi]

Hi Flojos Mum,
Just had a thought, Chloe's about 11/12 isn't she. Apart from her diabetes, she could be hitting puberty and her periods are on the way/or she has already started, and thats why shes playing up on you a bit, just a thought, i'm sure you've thought of it yourself. (& this coming from a mum with 2 sons )
Suzi x

 

[flojos mum]

thanks for alll the advice, my little star did all her injections yesterday( her friend has decided to pretend that chloe is not injecting her self but different foods instead- she was afish finger yesterday dont ask why but it worked which is all that matters. she even did her levemir in front of everyone at her dog training last night- so proud. I think it was the reality that this is it just hit her hard and came out it a fear of needles but we have our positive superstar back for now, hopefully the support on here will help next time.
as for the advice you lot realy are experts

we changed her lantus to levemir last week

she has had one to one session with her nurse- having mum around isnt always a good thing.

needles only used once( even though while in hospital she was told to reuse needle 2-3 times to save PCT money! as company that makes needles only put on for one use to make money- needless to say that nurse can no longer give diabetes advice, report was interesting made worse by her having 2 training nurses with her- god only know what else she taught them- but thats another story

insulin taken out of fridge in plenty of time when changed over

Suzi you are a wise woman that time hits us next week beginning of every month moody, sulky, crying about nothing, tummy hurting and bloods go very high- my poor baby shes not quite 11 yet! been showing signs for about 8 months now.

Thanks again for all the advice, I am a pharmacy technician and read up about diabetes and gave advice on insulin use before but the reality is very different from the thoery- the books dont tell you about the emotional rollercoaster that goes with it. At least my studies are easier now in fact Chloe helps me with me case studies! Thanks again you experts im sure I will need to ask more questions in the years to come.

 

[suzi]

Hi Chloes Mum,
I'm so happy Chloe is back on the right path, tell her i'm proud that she is now doing her own injections again. Chloe may be young to be having her monthlies but your star has a wise head on them young shoulders.
As for me I've never been called a wise woman before, thankyou, you'v enriched my day and i'm now grinning and feeling quite chuffed with myself. Us Mums need to stick together and support each other, you've done a terrific job with Chloe and you deserve much praise too, well done, you got her through that brick wall, lets hope next time its just a little stumbling fence she hits.
Take care
Suzi x

 

[ChocFish]

Suzi, what a lovely post, so helpful, and so touching, you really have written straight from the heart

Thank you

All the best

Karen x

 

[suzi]

Hi Karen,
It's great to finally know your name, rather than just as "Chloes Mum", as to my posts to you, you are most welcome, when it comes to our kids, i have to admit to being very sentimental and i do tend to write from my heart.
Take care and best wishes,
Suzi x

 

[jackie1969uk]

Hi, just joined and I have a son of 13 now with type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed since he was 10 and is going through a really rebellious stage of stealing food and blood very high.

To Karen (Flojo's mum) have you see JDRF site that suply a teddy bear in their kidsac free and kids can inject insulin in and test blood sugar on the bear. It may just give her a little time out and my son still loves his and he is a teenager now. It is strictly for type 1 diabetics though but has a great book and information supplied too. It was a lifesaver for us and found it by accident in a school newsletter.

http://www.jdrf.org.uk/page.asp?section ... 0400030001

Jackie XX

 

[hanadr]

To Flojo AKA Chloe
Starting periods, even on the early side, is a sign that your body is coping perfectly with the diabetes and developing normally. When the time comes ( not soon I hope) you will be able to have a family.
That's so important. One day you will be a great Mum, with your own superb one as your model.

 

[nessa-lou]

To flojo,
i have just read through all the posts above and they all remind me of me. i found out i was diabetic when i was 13. At first i was really good i recorded my sugars, i injected fine it didnt bother me then all of a sudden i was in asda and i burst into tears and it hit me. i am so glad that you are climbing over that wall instead of hitting your head against it. i wish i could be as brave as you. 5years on and im getting along fine, i have my ups and downs, you will come across this in your life, but, iv now learnt its the downs that make you stronger and you jump back on your feet and you know you can do it! My injections do hurt me sometimes and im on novorapid and lantus, the lantus does hurt but i believe that is because of the amount of units i take. this is second nature now i just do my injections and i dont even think twice. please believe me when i say it does get easier.Dont rebel against being a diabetic, i wish i could turn back the clock and be 13 again because i wish i was brave like you and start again. if you grab control now its less work for you in the long run. Also if you have heathly sugars your less likely to get ill. for example colds or infections. one thing i used to find useful is the I.D bracelets and your allowed to wear them in school and i used to love that and now you can get some really nice ones, they used to be plain and boring. i found a useful site not long ago, i will try and find it for you it is not the normal medic alert site. best wishes for the future and any problems i would be happy to help. Your mum is a great women and seems so supportive just like my mum and we dont give our mums enough credit. So i think big cuddles for mum. take care x

 

[sophsmam]

.hope everything works out well for you.

 

[flojos mum]

there are so many different stories and situations involving diabetes I try to read all the subjects on the forum so I can be prepared of wht ever is round the corner.
Chloe is doing amazing well, we do have every now and then a fight against it but she never misses an injection. She has had high bloos over the last few weeks mainly between 10-18 which our brilliant nurses have been helping us with. We have adjusted her ratios for carb counting several times and just doing trail and error with working out the right one at the moment.
After ruling out her sneekly eating food which I knew she wasnt and her not being ill, I have been told that she may have come out of her honemoon period and her body is playing up a bit- she was diagnosed last October.
\what experience do you have of thinking yes, we have control we can do this then like a slap in the face its like you are starting all over again with it?
Does any one have advise on how best to deal with the, what seems to be a guessing game, of getting ratios right and how to deal with the teenage years with the added bonus of diabetes!!! she is only 11 but the teens are definatley appearing!
She has her SATs test coming up and the lead roel in the wizard of Oz to deal with over the next few weeks so I am guessing from my little knowledge I will see some great stress relate high blood sugars coming up but hey as she told me today "if I hadnt been Diabetic I would never have had the confidence to be lead in a play, sing a solo and go rock climbing, Chloe says if i can stick that needle in me 4 times a day I can do any thing!!!" Children are amazing and we could all learn a few things from listening to their honest, inocent way of striaght forward thinking.

We have been offered aplace on one of the weekends for us all to learn and meet other families- Have any of you been on one and what did you get out of it, would you recommend it?

 

[IanD]

I trust Chloe is coping OK again. Its good to see how she is gaining confidence to do other things. Preoccupation with a health condition is not the best way forward.

Good to hear that she has gained such confidence. Wizard of Oz is fun - my granddaughter Michela starred in her school performance last year (at 11.) She is very musical & plays violin up to grade 5, as well as piano & ballet. She's not diabetic. I only took up music seriously after I reached 65 - I was much too nervous before then, & was intimidated by my older brother, & my younger sister.

We feel for you, Chloe. Will we see & hear you singing "Over the Rainbow" on Facebook in due course :?:

Love,

Ian

 

[flojo1234]

hello just me visiting!!
im really looking forward to the play and, yes i will be singing somewhere over the rainbow!!!! :lol: i am now thinking of all the positives rarther than the negitives of diabetes. i am back on track now with my injections and doing alright :mrgreen: !! chloe

 

[IanD]

One of the boys played the part of the dog, really brilliantly. He was the silent star :!: