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Son Diagnosed too

A

AndyGresty

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all
Ive had type 1 diabetes for 28 years, I was 7 at the time. There have been ups and downs as with anyone in any walk of life cos afterall everyone has ups and downs. There have been some funny and horrific hypo stories in my time too some of them I count myself lucky to be alive.
Getting to the point, I have a 9 year old boy who is my absolute world. I had noticed recently lack of concentration, drinking a lot, peeing a lot, mood swings, etc. On the Saturday night I decided to do a blood test on him. When result came up HI I nearly died. I thought it must be a faulty machine. Took him to hospital next day which was 15th Feb and it was confirmed. He was kept in.
One of the nurses treating him had been there 28 years before when I was taken in and that was quite funny.
When I found out for sure though I left the hospital ward and had to have some alone time. I cried like never before. I don't mind having diabetes but this should not happen to my boy.
After 10 days he is doing brilliantly. Back at school and playing football.
I have been delving into family history and there is nobody on my fathers side who had diabetes and on my mothers side her uncle had type 2 which is unrelated. I cant believe how unlucky my little boy and even myself have been.
 
Really sorry to hear that. No family history on either parents side, but myself & sisters son are type 1. I was diagnosed last year at the age of 36. My nephew was 1.
 
They get on with it better than we do. When I found out all I did was cry but you can't change it unfortunately. You will help him manage it, you will be the best person to teach him x
 
@AndyGresty - Sorry to hear your news. I like you have no history of diabetes in my family apart from myself too. Ive been T1 for 18 years, accepted it long ago and dont mind it. The only thing that plays on my mind about diabetes, is my daughter ( 19 months old ) developing it later on as a child.

But your son unlike you when diagnosed, already knows allot about T1 because of you :) and 10 days after diagnoses to back on his feet playing football is a great thing ! personally it took me 36 days and even then i was so unsure of everything, and with no mentor i refused to even go near a football. Well done to him thats a great achievement!
 
Hi Andy at least your son has had a good loving knowledgeable teacher, and he's been picking up a wealth of facts, playing football brilliant, you seem to have been an exemplary example through highs and lows. I can understand the upset you felt but I'd look at it now you and your son have a strong bond of something you can share in a positive way if you get my drift, my bet is he's very proud of his dad and feels a lot closer. :-)
 
Sorry to hear of your child's diagnosis, I know how it feels, as my granddaughter was diagnosed at 2 1/2 years. Kids are tough little cookies and do really incredibly well and just get on with it to live a full and happy life. It really is sad when children are
diagnosed
Try to keep strong and positive.

All the best RRB
 
hi everyone thanks for everyones replies.
I am actually beginning to wonder whether my son is diabetic. He was put on 1/10g ratio of novorapid in hospital 10 units of lantus at night. He has had no novorapid for 2 days and lantus down to 3 units yet still had 3 episodes below 4 today at school. Its really doing my head in. Had zero support from diabetic nurses. I know about the honeymoon period but I honestly don't believe he is. Ive been living with diabetes for 28 years. I still remember having to do 2 injections a day at the time. Now 4. 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner, 1 before bed. I phoned the hospital earlier and the paediatrician said we were right to stop the novorapid (quick acting) insulin and his bloods have been great apart from hypos. I even said to him I am wondering if he is diabetic. He did say that he cannot say hes not but there is a possibility.
 
You mention honeymoon period...
As the hosp confirmed originally that a T1, it is more than likely that your son is indeed kicking out some last dregs of insulin from his pancreas. There isn't a time limit on this happening.

Are you using 1/2 unit insulin pens? These may, whilst this is happening give better ability to fine tune insulin needs.

You can only test and act to the results really.

It may be that due to needing to fine tune doses of basal insulin that your son may be offered a pump if he hasn't already.

The only thing you can do is the test, test, test and keep in close contact with the consultant.

The other thing is the amount of activities.. Ie watch PE days, school days compared to weekends or holidays as these will have an impact too.

However as you are T1 yourself I'm sure I'm stating the obvious!!
 
Hi Andy,

My father was Type 1 and I remember so well watching him first thing in the morning getting out a saucepan and boiling his metal and glass syringe, putting the metal needle on and then taking the insulin vials out the fridge before drawing up and injecting into his leg. He would then go through the same process every evening when he got home from work.

I was so used to him doing this and he was so open with it (never made a fuss) that when I was diagnosed at the age of 13 it never really created much of a problem. I was very fortunate that my father had diabetes, as I grew up not seeing it as an illness to be scared or ashamed of and as a result I just got on with it.

As you said you have both been unlucky Andy but at least you know the illness and can use your wealth of experience in supporting your beloved son to live a normal life. Your son is unlucky but also very fortunate that his father knows what the score is. He has a massive advantage over those newly diagnosed young diabetics whose family have no knowledge or understanding of this illness.

Use it to your and his advantage.

KevFitz
 
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