I don't know which way to turn, my daughter was diagnosed Type 1 just before her 13th birthday 7 years ago. She has never managed her diabetes well and constantly runs too high for her meter to even give her reading. Her poor diabetes management was the cause of many arguments as a teenager. She ended up leaving home to live with her father when she was 15, but he never helped her with her diabetes. She has been in hospital at least 20 times with DKA over the years, but doesn't seem to care. She also suffers with mental health issues and depression, I believe she has borderline personality disorder, but it has never been diagnosed. She was in a bad place earlier this year and took 2 overdoses ending up in hospital. She refuses to accept any help from the mental health team. She is now 20 years old working full time and living on her own, but we are only 5 minutes away for support, and see her at least once a week. She seems to be in a good place mentally at the moment, however she has recently been told she has Diabetic Maculopathy. Even this has not shocked her into looking after her diabetes. I went with her to see her diabetic consultant recently and found out that whilst she is meant to have 4 injections a day, she only has maybe one every few days. And really could not see how she could improve this! I was shocked, I believe she is still in denial and is hoping that if she ignores it, it will go away. I asked about a pump, there is a year long waiting list, but she doesn't meet the criteria, but surely getting some insulin into her would be better than none, the consultant agreed. I cannot understand why the health professionals hear what she says, but will not offer any alternative to daily injections, they seem happy to watch her slowly kill herself. Any advise? Is hypnotherapy worth a try? Should I get her a pump privately? I want to help her but don't know which way to turn. Please can someone help me?
Help my daughter is Type 1, but wont take her insulin!
- Thread starter EdieLou
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She seems to think a pump will be better for her, as it's quicker and easier and less painful than injecting
azure
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An alternative would be an iPort. Read info here:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetic-products/iport-injection-port.html
A pump means less needle pricks but it's not an easy option.
Freema
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well if your daugther thinks that herself , then I think it is a good idea to get one for her...I think I would do the same for my daugther if I could in any way.., hopefully she is not avoiding it because she is afraid of gaining weight...
azure
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Then that does sound like denial. Someone here once said "You can ignore diabetes, but it won't ignore you...."
I imagine you've tried talking to her about complications already, but sometimes something in particular will stick and have an effect.
azure
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Freema
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Surely a pump is easier than injecting 4 times a day? I haven't heard of the iPort before, thanks I will forward her her the link to look into it.
Freema
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i dont know the rules in UK, maybe the insuline is packed differently and only available with government support I don´t know about that, but I do feel your worry ad pain... and fear... and hope in some way you will get her helped
azure
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Easier as in less injections but the pump doesn't do all the work. Boluses (meal doses) need to be calculated and the user needs a good understanding of carb counting and correction doses. There's also a higher risk of DKA if something should go,wrong because there's no long-acting insulin on board. So it does take commitment.
You've mentioned other issues you think your daughter might have. Her diabetes team may have a link with counsellors. If it was my daughter, I'd explore that first because if there was any underlying denial or problems, then they may still continue even if she does have a pump.
Diabetes denial is surprisingly common. Your daughter isn't alone.
I agree with you, sticking her head in the sand will not help! She is a very intelligent young lady and fully understands the complications. I thought having Diabetic Maculopathy would be the eye opener, but no, although she was very upset when she found out, it has not made her change her poor habits.
azure
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You can fund it yourself but she'd need ongoing support from her team, so it would be wise to discuss it with them.
There's some info about self-funding here. Please note the pump models and prices are slightly out of date, but it gives you an idea:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/insulin-pumps/buying-an-insulin-pump.html
Twice daily insulin exists and is ideal for teenagers as long as they remember to test bg levels about 4 to 5 times per day and eat some food at set meal times. I am so glad that I was able to get through my school years injecting insulin just once in the morning and testing my urine with Clinitest tabs for 2 years and then with Clinistix. ......heaven
She has been carb counting and doing correction doses for 7 years, (when she does take her insulin), so has a very good understanding of it, she just doesn't do it! She never has any long acting insulin on board anyway and her sugars are alway 'Hi'. She quite often has ketones, but over the last few months has learned how to get them down before she needs hospitalisation.
She was seeing the diabetic counsellor earlier this year after her overdoses,but said it was no help and stopped going! She was also seeing a phsychologist through most of her teen years. But as an adult says it didn't help.
