Comments on: Teens with Diabetes: Freedom is Their Secret Drug http://www.diabetesmine.com/2010/02/teens-with-diabete.html A gold mine of straight talk and encouragement for people living with diabetes Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:28:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Janeen Wilson http://www.diabetesmine.com/2010/02/teens-with-diabete.html/comment-page-2#comment-553660 Janeen Wilson Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:28:13 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=14370#comment-553660 My daughter is T1D and is 13 years old. She was dx at 2. I can see this beginning to happen and thank you so much for sharing. Does your daughter have any advice for my daughter as she moves into her teens? She is the only T1D in her school but is burned out on Diabetes Camps. We've had some bad experiences with the school around her bs and pump. She is pretty frustrated. Thank you. My daughter is T1D and is 13 years old. She was dx at 2. I can see this beginning to happen and thank you so much for sharing. Does your daughter have any advice for my daughter as she moves into her teens? She is the only T1D in her school but is burned out on Diabetes Camps. We’ve had some bad experiences with the school around her bs and pump. She is pretty frustrated.

Thank you.

]]> By: Carissa http://www.diabetesmine.com/2010/02/teens-with-diabete.html/comment-page-2#comment-553260 Carissa Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:56:00 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=14370#comment-553260 You just told my life story...wow. I really did think I was the only one...Im only 15 and all I get is nagging. But this...This helped me. Thank you so much ma'am. Im so grateful. You just told my life story…wow. I really did think I was the only one…Im only 15 and all I get is nagging. But this…This helped me. Thank you so much ma’am. Im so grateful.

]]> By: Jennifer Murphy http://www.diabetesmine.com/2010/02/teens-with-diabete.html/comment-page-2#comment-549377 Jennifer Murphy Mon, 21 Nov 2011 04:51:12 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=14370#comment-549377 I have read this before and it really describes what we are going through with my 17 year old daughter. The comment before the blog where she looks perfect on the outside hits home too. One of my coworkers has seen my daughter and has said you would never know my daughter has these problems by looking at her- she looks so healthy! Only a fellow parent of a diabetic would understand what our lives have been like! I have read this before and it really describes what we are going through with my 17 year old daughter. The comment before the blog where she looks perfect on the outside hits home too. One of my coworkers has seen my daughter and has said you would never know my daughter has these problems by looking at her- she looks so healthy! Only a fellow parent of a diabetic would understand what our lives have been like!

]]> By: Susan H http://www.diabetesmine.com/2010/02/teens-with-diabete.html/comment-page-2#comment-543579 Susan H Wed, 26 Oct 2011 01:09:33 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=14370#comment-543579 Was so glad to find this forum. I am the mom of a 16 yr old son, who was diagnosed with type 1 10 years ago. He is a great kid, mature for his age, does very well in high school, involved in marching band and guitar playing. However, his A1C has been averaging 10 for the past year and before that pretty much in the 9's. He's been "forgetting" to test his BS, fudging BS's when he does test (and gets high #s), and forgets to bolus with his insulin pump (either to correct a high BS or for food). In addition, he is overweight and has signs of type 2 (he also takes metformin). Being a retired RN, I am on his case regularly, reminding him to test (I sound like a minah bird sometimes). I'll admit to trying to "scare" him into testing (telling him that his kidneys and eyesight could worsen if he keeps going like he is), without success. From reading these posts, this is obviously not the answer. His endo nurse just told us that he may need to go back to shots, since he's not being compliant with testing and that he is not being responsible enough for the pump. I realize that I cannot "control" him like when he was young, but I get so frustrated when I try to allow him more responsibility (and less for me) and he then does not test. He's gone days here and there without testing at all. All I can do is keep supporting him, and like many of the teen T1's who posted, not freak out too much at the high #s. I just want him to take care of himself so that he can attend the college of his choice in 2 years, but unless he does a big about-face, am starting to doubt that this will happen. Was so glad to find this forum. I am the mom of a 16 yr old son, who was diagnosed with type 1 10 years ago. He is a great kid, mature for his age, does very well in high school, involved in marching band and guitar playing. However, his A1C has been averaging 10 for the past year and before that pretty much in the 9′s. He’s been “forgetting” to test his BS, fudging BS’s when he does test (and gets high #s), and forgets to bolus with his insulin pump (either to correct a high BS or for food). In addition, he is overweight and has signs of type 2 (he also takes metformin). Being a retired RN, I am on his case regularly, reminding him to test (I sound like a minah bird sometimes). I’ll admit to trying to “scare” him into testing (telling him that his kidneys and eyesight could worsen if he keeps going like he is), without success. From reading these posts, this is obviously not the answer. His endo nurse just told us that he may need to go back to shots, since he’s not being compliant with testing and that he is not being responsible enough for the pump. I realize that I cannot “control” him like when he was young, but I get so frustrated when I try to allow him more responsibility (and less for me) and he then does not test. He’s gone days here and there without testing at all. All I can do is keep supporting him, and like many of the teen T1′s who posted, not freak out too much at the high #s. I just want him to take care of himself so that he can attend the college of his choice in 2 years, but unless he does a big about-face, am starting to doubt that this will happen.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.diabetesmine.com/2010/02/teens-with-diabete.html/comment-page-2#comment-536634 Sarah Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:55:44 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=14370#comment-536634 Thanks for posting this Jordan! It's really helpful to hear honest emotions from the 'patient'. As most teens are usually not commucative or in touch with what's going on, it's nice to have a glimmer inside the diabetic teen brain. Keep the advice coming!! Thanks for posting this Jordan! It’s really helpful to hear honest emotions from the ‘patient’. As most teens are usually not commucative or in touch with what’s going on, it’s nice to have a glimmer inside the diabetic teen brain. Keep the advice coming!!

]]> By: MoiraMcC http://www.diabetesmine.com/2010/02/teens-with-diabete.html/comment-page-2#comment-534909 MoiraMcC Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:49:58 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=14370#comment-534909 Jordan I LOVE your comments and input! Thank you so much. BTW Lauren made it through her first year of college. First half was a charm -- a1c dropped quite a bit. Second not so much but she did well and came home healthy and LOVES college. Jordan I LOVE your comments and input! Thank you so much.

BTW Lauren made it through her first year of college. First half was a charm — a1c dropped quite a bit. Second not so much but she did well and came home healthy and LOVES college.

]]> By: Jordan Bennett http://www.diabetesmine.com/2010/02/teens-with-diabete.html/comment-page-2#comment-534135 Jordan Bennett Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:52:33 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=14370#comment-534135 Hi, My name is Jordan Bennett, I am 14 yrs old and I am a type 1 diabteic I am in Year 9, but i was diagnosed in yr 7 when i was just hitting my prime years of being a teenager. I was diagnosed with a blood sugar of 89mmol, I was almost in a coma. I am really glad to have found your story moira because it helped me realise i wasnt the only person NOT DOING all my bsl and insulin injections. It really is horrbible and life threatening for your body, but i kept saying, ..... i will start fresh tomorrow!!!!I I have just recently been put on the pump, AND LOVING IT!!!! It is really helping me control my bsl levels!! I used to test my blood sugar once a day if that and make up blood sugars everyday. And when i did test it once in a day..... my blood sugar would read HIGH!!! (IM NOT TALKING A NUMBER I AM TALAKING hi SO hi IT COULDNT READ ON MY METRE, AND MY METRE READ UP TO 35MMOL) just a slight tip for those parents that have irritable or aggresive, angry kids when they are high: i am just wanting to tell any parent with a child my age, that if you think your child is acting out, or beeing more agressive or angry than their usual self, they know their blod sugar is high, and if you tell hem to test their blood sugar it really will tick them off!!! trust me i know. of course they will tell you "no its not" even though it really is, that just casue they dont want to say it. and if it is high.... when they test it dont say "told you " or "knew it", cause that tends to make me really upset and emotional. i hope this helped parents or teens!!!! p.s i strongly recomend the pump!!! p,s thanx moiraxxx Hi,
My name is Jordan Bennett,
I am 14 yrs old and I am a type 1 diabteic
I am in Year 9, but i was diagnosed in yr 7 when i was just hitting my prime years of being a teenager.
I was diagnosed with a blood sugar of 89mmol, I was almost in a coma.
I am really glad to have found your story moira because it helped me realise i wasnt the only person NOT DOING all my bsl and insulin injections.
It really is horrbible and life threatening for your body, but i kept saying, ….. i will start fresh tomorrow!!!!I
I have just recently been put on the pump, AND LOVING IT!!!!
It is really helping me control my bsl levels!!
I used to test my blood sugar once a day if that and make up blood sugars everyday. And when i did test it once in a day….. my blood sugar would read HIGH!!!
(IM NOT TALKING A NUMBER I AM TALAKING hi SO hi IT COULDNT READ ON MY METRE, AND MY METRE READ UP TO 35MMOL)

just a slight tip for those parents that have irritable or aggresive, angry kids when they are high:

i am just wanting to tell any parent with a child my age, that if you think your child is acting out, or beeing more agressive or angry than their usual self, they know their blod sugar is high, and if you tell hem to test their blood sugar it really will tick them off!!! trust me i know. of course they will tell you “no its not” even though it really is, that just casue they dont want to say it. and if it is high…. when they test it dont say “told you ” or “knew it”, cause that tends to make me really upset and emotional.
i hope this helped parents or teens!!!!
p.s i strongly recomend the pump!!!
p,s thanx moiraxxx

]]> By: Coleen Weiszbrod http://www.diabetesmine.com/2010/02/teens-with-diabete.html/comment-page-2#comment-533900 Coleen Weiszbrod Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:46:35 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=14370#comment-533900 Thank you so much for sharing your story. My family has also had a really hard time dealing with our 12 yrs. diabetes. She was great until the middle of last year. Now not so much. Her dad and I are divorced and had a great relationship up until a month ago. He has not stop speaking to his daughter over this and has said all sorts of awful things to me about it. I refuse to punish her for her numbers but work to be caring and understanding that she just wants to be normal and not have diabetes anymore. I hope he comes around since it is hurting her very much. I am so worried for her and hate to see her hurting her self. but I don't know what else to do but care for her best I can. Thank you so much for sharing your story. My family has also had a really hard time dealing with our 12 yrs. diabetes. She was great until the middle of last year. Now not so much. Her dad and I are divorced and had a great relationship up until a month ago. He has not stop speaking to his daughter over this and has said all sorts of awful things to me about it. I refuse to punish her for her numbers but work to be caring and understanding that she just wants to be normal and not have diabetes anymore. I hope he comes around since it is hurting her very much. I am so worried for her and hate to see her hurting her self. but I don’t know what else to do but care for her best I can.

]]> By: Anne Chaffin http://www.diabetesmine.com/2010/02/teens-with-diabete.html/comment-page-2#comment-532368 Anne Chaffin Mon, 09 May 2011 11:35:56 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=14370#comment-532368 Hi Moira, This is Anne Chaffin. We met several years ago when at a JDRF national conference. I was just sent this link by a friend who read it. Thought it was a near perfect description of my life. As you know being in the 'spotlight' and one of those very active and proactive moms with a T1 child should mean we and our child have it all together!! Ha! Being on the JDRF BOD and involved in its activities seemed to add pressure to be 'in control' (both of us), but we just were not and have not been for several years. My daughter, diagnosed at age 8, and now just about to hit 21 has pretty much struggled since 14 (as have I) in all the ways you describe. It was good for me to read about the addition to freedom as an apt reason why a teen or anyone would want to go on with their life this way. But it does make total sense and and is not just doing it to be self destructive. One thing that I am sure must be of some help to a person that is feeling this way is 1.) Honesty ( as you have put forth here and I have tried to do in the last couple of years 2.) Acceptance of them as they are and not putting them in a perfect mold 3.) Hope...Giving them hope that they can do this and that we will give (or will back off) to help them and try whatever approach is best for that individual person. I admire your courage and honesty and hope all is well with both of you. Fondly, anne Hi Moira,
This is Anne Chaffin. We met several years ago when at a JDRF national conference. I was just sent this link by a friend who read it. Thought it was a near perfect description of my life. As you know being in the ‘spotlight’ and one of those very active and proactive moms with a T1 child should mean we and our child have it all together!! Ha! Being on the JDRF BOD and involved in its activities seemed to add pressure to be ‘in control’ (both of us), but we just were not and have not been for several years. My daughter, diagnosed at age 8, and now just about to hit 21 has pretty much struggled since 14 (as have I) in all the ways you describe. It was good for me to read about the addition to freedom as an apt reason why a teen or anyone would want to go on with their life this way. But it does make total sense and and is not just doing it to be self destructive. One thing that I am sure must be of some help to a person that is feeling this way is 1.) Honesty ( as you have put forth here and I have tried to do in the last couple of years 2.) Acceptance of them as they are and not putting them in a perfect mold 3.) Hope…Giving them hope that they can do this and that we will give (or will back off) to help them and try whatever approach is best for that individual person.
I admire your courage and honesty and hope all is well with both of you.
Fondly,

anne

]]> By: Karen http://www.diabetesmine.com/2010/02/teens-with-diabete.html/comment-page-2#comment-531574 Karen Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:50:15 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=14370#comment-531574 I am so glad you shared! We are really going through a rough spot and I feel so alone. My son has been diagnosed since he was 4, and these past 2 years it's like he could care less if he goes into DKA. I am at my witts end. I cried seeing my feeling written in your article, especially about the complications on your watch. That's me to a T! Thanks for being honest. I am so glad you shared! We are really going through a rough spot and I feel so alone. My son has been diagnosed since he was 4, and these past 2 years it’s like he could care less if he goes into DKA. I am at my witts end. I cried seeing my feeling written in your article, especially about the complications on your watch. That’s me to a T! Thanks for being honest.

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