Type 1 Diabetes

well im 29yrs old and had it since i was 21... and would b willing to chat as much as i can about this...im not the best at managing my sugars but i will help wit wat i can..

I've been diabetic for 22 almost 23 years now! I would love to TRY and help you as much as possible! I've been through a lot with my blood sugars! In the beginning, I experienced some lows, and have also experienced high's (DKA-Diabetic Ketoacidosis) which has been somewhat recent! But I'm better at giving others advice, then taking my own! But I have to say since my last major hospitalization, I've been doing MUCH better! So, If you still would like to talk please let me know!

Hi! My son (12) was diagnosed with type 1 just this past August. We have learned so much in the past 6 months, but we still struggle with a lot of things. He's not a big snack/junk food eater - but he still likes to have cookies and desserts on occasion. I am willing to share anything with you that we have learned over the past 6 months. For the others on this discussion - I'd love any advise that you can give me as well. I've been trying to use more "low carb" recipies - especially for cookies and things. I found a product on netrition.com which is a high gluten flour. We tried that in a cookie receipe and it's not bad. However - in doing a little research on the web, it sounds like high gluten foods aren't really a good thing while trying to manage type 1. Do any of you have any comments...pros or cons about high gluten flour?

Hi Tammy,
My 7 year old son was diagnosed with Type 1 this past Monday. Im in the confusion boat with you so Im up for a chat anytime. I feel numb actually.

My daughter (12) was just diagnosed with Type 1 Easter week. When she was busy with school and on a schedule she was fine, but now that it is summer she doesn't want to stay on a schedule. She is currently going through the anger stage and hates it all. She doesn't want it and is fighting me. Any suggestions?

Docs are not always the greatest at explainning things in ways patients understand. I will TRY and give some easy to understand principles. If I use a term you do not understand, ASK!

Inuslin needs;

BASAL.. I liken it to what a car motor needs in the way of fuel to IDLE. Not enought fuel/insulin the engine/body stalls. I have my BASAL insulin adjusted so my blood sugar is very stable for at least 5hrs, with NO food or exercise.

BOLUS insulin is extra fuel/insulin the engine/body needs to climb a hill. A meal is a hill and a snack is a smaller hill. Fast carbs like regular pop, OJ etc are very fast carbs (good for treating lows) or a very steep hill.

If you BOLUS too much, like a stuck gas pedal, you climb the hill and the engine/body is still reving as it crests the hill and you go down the hill FASTER, that's when you use the brake, OJ POP etc, to slow down so you don't crash going down the hill.

FOODS: A meal is like a hill, the bigger the more fuel/gas needed to navigate the hill.

The lower the carbs. smaller hill. more carbs = BIGer hill.
Lower glycemic foods make for a more gentle hill and high glycemic foods (that SPIKE BS), like fruit juices reg soda etc make for a steeper hill.

RAPID insulins, Like Novalog, Humlalog etc do a good job of matching normal meals, but its not fast enough to do as well with juices, reg soda etc, that is a good reason to try and avoid them, unless treating a low.

EXTRA food/snack is needed for energy for phsyical activity. Think of it as like a reverse bolus. When I was doing P/T (phsyical Therapy), I would have a snack just before starting the session to cover my activity so I did not worry about going low.

Diabetes is a balancing act between carbs/sugar, insulin and activity. Most endos or a dietician will make a meal plan, so many carbs/meal and snacks in between for a more even stable blood sugar.

Everyone varies and specifics need to be tailoer for each diabetic. YOU have to learn to read you body, how certain foods affect you, how various exercises and activities affect YOU (or your child).

HONEYMOON is a period lasting weeks or even months, maybe a year even after Dx. That is where the pancrease may get moody and work a little sometimes and not work at all other times. It's an OXYMORONIC term, the hardest time IMO.

KNOWLEDGE is power, learn all you can, but give yourself time to absorb it, ther is a lot to learn, so be patient with yourself. There is no reason a diabetic can not do jsut about anything, be anything they want. With todays better diet info and modern insulins, diabetics should be able to live long healthy lives, even healthier than their non-diabetic counterparts.

ANYtime you even think you (or your child) NEEDS medical attention, do NOT HESITATE, better safe than sorry later. In other words, if the situation brings you to think maybe I need to go to ER or call 911, the odds you you SHOULD.

Gomer Diabetic 3 decades , latest a1c 5.6

My daughter doesnt like using the alcohol wipes because they burn during injection. Any suggestions?

I posted a reply yesterday, seem to have floated off into cyber space.

I have not used alcohol pads for many years for my insulins or copaxone (for my MS).

There was at least one study done and found no different risk of infections etc among useres and non-users of alcohol pads.

IF you still want to use them, try waiting a little longer to allow the alcohol to dry / evaporate before doing the shot or finger stick.

For finger sticks, alcohol does not always clean off BS affecting residue from some fruits, washing with soap and water works better.

BOTTOM LINE.. make sure the site is CLEAN, that's all I do.

Gomer

Thanks. She's been stuborn and hasn't been using the alcohol wipes so at least I feel better. I'll make sure she at least washes her hands.

Hi Tammy. I am a type one diabetic x 25 years and I am an RN. If you have any particular questions I would be more than happy to answer them for you. Your child will be successful with this disease. I am 38 years old and I still have no other health problems as a result of this disease. IT CAN BE DONE. I do have alot I can share with you. So let me know if I can be of help!!!!