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Parents role

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Matt1212

Well-Known Member
Messages
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Hello All,

Just a quick question for those parents with type 1 diabetic children under 10
Do people make changes to insulin dosage (either carb to insulin ratio’s for short acting or background amounts)
Without always confirming with the relevant health care professional that this is OK

My own personal experience is that if changes are needed then it is OK for me to proceed
i.e 3 consecutive pre-lunch readings above 10bg I would then amend the carb-insulin ratio for breakfast to correct this

Any input appreciated.

Thanks
Matt
 
Minor changes in relation to carbs/Insulin intake are always something that can be individually adjusted on a day to day, hour by hour basis. If it's a major change though then you should always discuss it with your HCP before going ahead. The sensible option.

Ken
 
Thanks Ken very helpful
In your experience (not sure if you have any) in injecting small children with insulin on a daily basis
At what point would you consider a minor change moving into a major change ?
 
Oh, we all have experience Matt. I did look after a Type 1 child from birth and never went about treating him without first discussing the options available with a HCP.

As to what point it all changes......perhaps you should discuss it with your HCP. I mean if I was considering a change to any child of mines medications I would want to be 100% certain that what I was doing was absolutely right and correct.

I certainly wouldn't go by any anecdotal evidence where my child was concerned.

Ken
 
Besides the small and regular adjustments I have also done a couple of over-hauls without speaking to Khaleb's Dr's first. I'm quite happy to discuss changes I've made at my next appointment. Khaleb's insulin needs change between summer and winter and for the last 3 months he's been pretty sick. As a parent I indentify problems arising and compensate for them up to the point that it is not possible. If I find myself altering my lifestyle or Khaleb's diet to manage his blood sugar I know it is time to make some adjustments. I do keep an eye on Khaleb's hunger levels, growth, weight and activity.

The hospital wouldn't be able to accommodate parents being unable to make dosage choices but are happy to discuss and make suggestions when asked.

My personal opinion is that parents will go home and do what works. The Dr's don't know how each family lives. Most of it is trial and error anyway. If you are not confident you should seek help and certainly not take risks. Probably depends on how long your child has been diagnosed. Khaleb will be 3 years diabetic in 3 weeks time.

As for a minor change and a major one I find all changes in little kids are fairly major. Even a half unit insulin dose is going to make some significant difference.
 
Matt

Parents of Children do adjust there childrens insulin as they know their children well, and the other factors that needs to be taken into consideration when making adjustments to the insulin...

It is very important before doing this, you discuss with your diabetic team so that you know what you can and can't do.

When looking at the advice or suggestion given here, you do need to evaluate it very carefully, any doubts etc run it past your diabetic team...

Ken

I would imagine that it is many years ago since your charge of a diabetic child, how children are managed has changed a great deal..

Parents managed and make more day to day decisions concerning insulin adjustments which they didn't many years ago... Same as adults T1 diaebtics we are now taught to managed our daily adustments where once we were prescibed not only the insulin dose but the carb we were allowed to eat..

I would however agree with you on one point, concerning imformation provided on this forum..

Is that Matt does need to envaluate what he's being advised (as we all do) use this as a resouce to ask questions from his diabetic team, so he understands his daughters diabetes condition and establish what he may do and what he may not do concerning adjustments etc without first discussing it with the diabetic team...

Without asking questions, and recieving answers from others, Matt will have nothing to ask his diabetic team nor will he gain much knowledge or understanding..
 
Hi. Yes, I do make small adjustments myself before asking my dr. I think that I know my kids better than they do and to be honest they aren't great in my area. I wasn't even told to carb count when my children were diagnosed and even now they ask me question's which aren't really relevant. It was only becasue my husband also has type 1 that we sort of knew what to do when we left the hospital.

We had a problem a few months back with my son. I asked for a CGM device so I could see what his bloods were doing over night. I was told that they didn't have one and that that was that. I ended up staying up all night for a few days doing blood checks every hour and eventually figured out the problem myself.

I would say that it is really an indivual thing. Even in my 2 children they both have different requirements. It is hard getting good control in kids, you can tweak away at things, but i find it can be a bit of a moving target.

In all honesty I have found the information on this site most useful, although it probably is advisable to discuss making big changes with the so called professionals.
 
Jo.
I agree with what you have posted.......and yes, it is some time ago since I dealt with a Diabetic Type 1 child. I do keep myself updated though. I'm not a mid-wife either but I can still offer advice when asked a question. :?

This from the NIDDK.......a well respected website.

Dr. Griffin Rodgers who is the Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

To help your child manage diabetes, work with your child’s doctor to determine the best treatment plan. The key for children with diabetes is to keep their blood sugar as close to normal as possible by:

•Eating the right amount of healthy food.
•Being active every day.
•Staying at a healthy weight.
•And taking medicines and checking their blood sugar as prescribed.

Also, remember to share your child’s diabetes care plan with the staff at his or her school.
Click to expand...

I think what I posted here and elsewhere is pretty much in line with the advice from a Professional as above. Up to date as well. :)

As for the OP posing questions and getting answers....not a problem. There is another problem which has been addressed and is a Moderating decision so will not be discussed on the open Forum.

Ken
 
Lol, If only it was that easy

To help your child manage diabetes, work with your child’s doctor to determine the best treatment plan. The key for children with diabetes is to keep their blood sugar as close to normal as possible by:

•Eating the right amount of healthy food.
•Being active every day.
•Staying at a healthy weight.
•And taking medicines and checking their blood sugar as prescribed.
Click to expand...


Zacnemma x
 
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