starting university and living in halls of residence

diamum

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Hi All,

I am a mum of a T1 diabetic son who is going to university in September. Does the community have any top tips for making the transition from home to studying and living independently in uni halls of residence as trouble free as possible. To add worry and complexity to this adventure, my son will be studying in America! I am trying to plan ahead and research as much as possible for him as he is in the middle of revision and A-levels and can't think about anything else at the moment. We will be making contact with the university health centre and a local specialist doctor/consultant to oversee him whilst he is there. But any other (however small) ideas, thoughts or suggestions or places where I/he can get support and information would be great.
 

BeccyB

Well-Known Member
Messages
465
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
When I went to uni I was advised to get a mini-fridge for my room to keep my insulin in, rather than keeping it in a communal fridge. It means you have easier access to it, plus you know it hasn't been taken out and left somewhere while someone cools their beer down!

Given the different way the health service works in America, I'd suggest making sure he knows how to get hold of supplies in an emergency, e.g. if he loses his bag with all his kit in or something. It's unlikely but better to be prepared!

It might be worth posting a duplicate message with a different title too - something like 'advice for T1 going/moving to America'? - it will probably be noticed by some people over there then that may have useful advice. That way you've covered the 'uni' aspect and the 'new country' aspect of your worries.
 
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diamum

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How does he feel about it?
He is excited and nervous to be going so far. And relatively relaxed/cool about managing his diabetes because he hasn't thought/grasped the intricacies of living away especially in America where things are going to be different.
 

diamum

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Type of diabetes
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When I went to uni I was advised to get a mini-fridge for my room to keep my insulin in, rather than keeping it in a communal fridge. It means you have easier access to it, plus you know it hasn't been taken out and left somewhere while someone cools their beer down!

Given the different way the health service works in America, I'd suggest making sure he knows how to get hold of supplies in an emergency, e.g. if he loses his bag with all his kit in or something. It's unlikely but better to be prepared!

It might be worth posting a duplicate message with a different title too - something like 'advice for T1 going/moving to America'? - it will probably be noticed by some people over there then that may have useful advice. That way you've covered the 'uni' aspect and the 'new country' aspect of your worries.
Thank you! Some really good advice and yes I had wondered about his own fridge as the uni have said students can have a fridge in their rooms.
 

becky.ford93

Well-Known Member
Messages
242
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
How long has he been diabetic?
I was diagnosed in my third (penultimate) year so didn't have to go through meeting a ton of new people, though did have to tell my housemates. Admittedly I'm a lot closer to home too!
Best advice wouold be to be very careful with drinking (which obviously won't be legal for him in America anyway), make sure the people he's living with know, and importantly know what to do if he goes low and how to recognise it.
I have no idea how healthcare works over there so hopefully someone else can give you some advice on that. Make sure he speaks to his diabetic team for advice on the initial adjustment to the time difference too.
 
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diamum

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Thanks. He has been diabetic since 2012. He seems happy with his close friends knowing about his condition but not all and sundry, I guess he doesn't want it to define him (fair enough). He will have to let his new friends and roommates know for obvious reasons but how he goes about this we haven't discussed yet. As his mum I am quite happy with the drinking age being 21! But I can see that as part of as newly acquired adult status this is slightly annoying.
 

TorqPenderloin

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,599
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
As his mum I am quite happy with the drinking age being 21! But I can see that as part of as newly acquired adult status this is slightly annoying.
LOL, that's not going to matter one bit if he's going to college here in the US. Every college kid in America has a fake ID that says they're 21+ years old.

I can't say I know how it works for non-citizens, but here in the US insulin is extremely expensive without insurance. To put that into perspective, a single insulin pen costs around $100. Presumably, he'd want to bring supplies from back home in the UK.

Emergency rooms are one of the last resorts here as they're insanely expensive. For minor emergencies, we have "Urgent care" clinics that can assist with most non-life threatening emergencies and they're significantly cheaper (the bills are usually hundreds of dollars rather than thousands).

Obviously, we have anti-discrimination laws here that protect diabetics from unfair treatment. Hopefully, that won't be an issue, but it's my understanding that for the most part it's no different between the US and UK.

Depending on where he goes to school, it may make sense for him to live on or off campus. On campus would allow him to have a dorm/apartment advisor to keep tabs on him if there's ever an emergency.
 
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mojo_101

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Messages
126
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I was at uni decades ago, but had many of the problems you are worrying about. Make sure that all your house are aware, and that all close mates are clued up enough to help out - as soon as you get to know them. Embarrassment doesn't matter in this case, jfdi. I would go with the fridge, sounds sensible. and take all the supplies you need including glucagon, again choose some trusty mates to educate.
Don't want to make this sound frightening, but I would plan some worst case scenarios. But that is not easy and confronting the "coming out" is as difficult as you would imagine. Any possibility for a dexcom or libre? Libre allows others to check you easily, dexcom has alarms, but is far more expensive outlay.
All the best and good luck.
 
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diamum

Member
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Type of diabetes
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I was at uni decades ago, but had many of the problems you are worrying about. Make sure that all your house are aware, and that all close mates are clued up enough to help out - as soon as you get to know them. Embarrassment doesn't matter in this case, jfdi. I would go with the fridge, sounds sensible. and take all the supplies you need including glucagon, again choose some trusty mates to educate.
Don't want to make this sound frightening, but I would plan some worst case scenarios. But that is not easy and confronting the "coming out" is as difficult as you would imagine. Any possibility for a dexcom or libre? Libre allows others to check you easily, dexcom has alarms, but is far more expensive outlay.
All the best and good luck.
Good response. We have tried the Libre with my youngest son (also T1), but they are both very active with sporting activities including swimming and sailing and the sensor didn't cope well with this! You are right about trying to think ahead a bit and I am going to make sure he, the university, his halls of residence and new roommates have as much info and contact details as possible.
 

diamum

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Carer
LOL, that's not going to matter one bit if he's going to college here in the US. Every college kid in America has a fake ID that says they're 21+ years old.

I can't say I know how it works for non-citizens, but here in the US insulin is extremely expensive without insurance. To put that into perspective, a single insulin pen costs around $100. Presumably, he'd want to bring supplies from back home in the UK.

Emergency rooms are one of the last resorts here as they're insanely expensive. For minor emergencies, we have "Urgent care" clinics that can assist with most non-life threatening emergencies and they're significantly cheaper (the bills are usually hundreds of dollars rather than thousands).

Obviously, we have anti-discrimination laws here that protect diabetics from unfair treatment. Hopefully, that won't be an issue, but it's my understanding that for the most part it's no different between the US and UK.

Depending on where he goes to school, it may make sense for him to live on or off campus. On campus would allow him to have a dorm/apartment advisor to keep tabs on him if there's ever an emergency.
I haven't yet delved into the ins and outs of the health insurance - the uni have a student health insurance that seems to be mandatory which I need to look into further. It is particularly difficult to understand and navigate the US health system (which is very different from ours here in the UK) - I have lots of homework to do! His specialist diabetes nurse has recommended that he DOESN'T take supplies from the UK, as he could be away from the UK for several months at a time. And I guess this would also mean he wouldn't be in the 'system' there. He is definitely going to be living on campus for his first year which means I will worry slightly less - maybe!
 

TorqPenderloin

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,599
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I haven't yet delved into the ins and outs of the health insurance - the uni have a student health insurance that seems to be mandatory which I need to look into further. It is particularly difficult to understand and navigate the US health system (which is very different from ours here in the UK) - I have lots of homework to do! His specialist diabetes nurse has recommended that he DOESN'T take supplies from the UK, as he could be away from the UK for several months at a time. And I guess this would also mean he wouldn't be in the 'system' there. He is definitely going to be living on campus for his first year which means I will worry slightly less - maybe!

Health insurance is a very complicated subject, but it's extremely important to understand what your coverage options are and how you're covered by a particular plan.

As a type 1, I worry most about the "Pharmacy benefit" which tells me how much my insurance will pay for a particular drug/medication. "Durable medical equipment" is the second category as that covers my Dexcom CGM.

Happy to answer any other questions.
 

diamum

Member
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Type of diabetes
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Health insurance is a very complicated subject, but it's extremely important to understand what your coverage options are and how you're covered by a particular plan.

As a type 1, I worry most about the "Pharmacy benefit" which tells me how much my insurance will pay for a particular drug/medication. "Durable medical equipment" is the second category as that covers my Dexcom CGM.

Happy to answer any other questions.
Thank you soo much. Understanding some of the terminology and jargon is hard enough on a UK insurance policy but on a US policy it is that much harder. I think I will thoroughly read the 'small print' and may take you up on your kind offer if I come across things I don't understand!