flojo has hit that wall- help

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

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!

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

.hope everything works out well for you.

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

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

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