My 8 year old daughter is Diabetic?

Question

My daughter was diagnosed at the age of 4. And till this day i still have problems with her eating things that she shouldn't. Her target range is 80-150. But she's always high. I mean I get so frusturated because i try so hard to keep her under control. I have 2 other kids that i have to care for also. She draws most of the attention becuase of her condition. I love all my kids equal but it's hard when you try to explain to her that it's important to follow the meals and the carbs. She is growing but i am afraid of all the insulin i give her can affect her organs in the long run... !! What do you think I should do that I probably haven't already!
Thanks

Answer 1

I was diagnosed as type 1 (they called it Juvenile Daibetes then) at the age of 9, in 1973, and I remember it was a little hard to understand how my brother and sisters and even father could eat cookies and candy, while I couldn't. But, I also understood that it was serious, and I was kind of scared into avoiding those things. And, I don't condone scare tactics, although you need to get your child to understand how serious it is to follow medications and meals. Education is key. And, one of the best things I ever did was go to a summer camp for kids with diabetes. Check in your state/area, and see if there are any camps in the area for children with diabetes. This was really a great experience for me, as I got to get away from home and go to camp, and be with other kids and have fun, while learning about my condition. It was there that they even taught us about how McDonalds and Burger King coudlbe worked into the exchange plan of the diabetic diet (although I really don't like eating there for other reasons). So, you see, you can also show her that, while she needs to follow her meds and testing and eat properly, that doesn't mean she has to completely avoid everything the non-diabetic children do; it just has to be done in moderation and worked into her meal plan. And, I don't use the term "diabetic and normal". After all, people with diabetess are normal people, too. We just happen to have a condition that non-diabetics don't have to live with.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I'm a 14 year old girl and was diagnosed with diabetes when i was 10 years old. it was very hard at first because i had no idea what i could eat and what i couldn't. thankfully, my mom is a nutritionist so she knew a lot about diabetes and nutrition facts and counting carbs. as time went on, i learned a lot about carbs and am still learning. i started out with a long acting (basal) insulin and took humolog shots from a humolog pen. it controlled the sugars more-or-less but taking shots before every time i ate was a pain. about two years ago, my endocrinologist suggested the insulin pump- and i love it. i have to give myself a shot every other day. we established a basal rate that works my body and schedule- for example, on weekends the basal in the morning is more because I'm sleeping and am not moving, but on a weekday, it's less because i get up at 6:45 and require less insulin. also, it's easy to give insulin before meals and i can snack whenever i want (snacking too much isn't good either though). all i have to do is press a few buttons and insulin is on it's way. it's expensive, but it helps-a lot. and my blood sugars now are much easier to control.

hope this helps!

Answer 4

I will start with an apology - this will be very long - as I am a diabetic and was one from a young age.

Consider yourself and your daughter lucky. The reason I say that, is that before 1990 - the researchers weren't sure about how to handle the intake of sugars (as regular Carbs) - I was diagnosed at the age of 7 - and I remember what it was like to be your daughter - but for me it was even harder. The only diet drink that existed was a very nasty version of Tab! and forget anything else sugar-free (no gum, candy, chocolate, etc. etc. etc.)

She will go through periods of feeling very isolated because she feels like she is the only one in the world with this disease. You might want to look into getting her into support groups and into the ADA summer camp. The more kids her age she knows who are diabetic the less alone she will feel.

Having siblings without diabetes actually makes things harder. For the parents, you don't want to deprive the other kids of some kinds of sweets - but that makes it difficult for your diabetic child. Experiment with the sugar-free products that are in the grocery stores now - find things your daughter likes, and when your kids earn dessert - your daughter gets her own very special dessert. Also try to find some ways to make cakes and things with Splenda and juices - and serve them at all birthdays if all your kids like them.

Encourage her to stay on her diet - but allow some room for flexibility. A growing child has no concept of this or that hurting her and you will just become a broken record over time.

In regards to the insulin - I know that there is such a thing as insulin sensitivity - and that some people require more and more insulin over time, but since I got past puberty - my insulin requirements were very stable - but when I had my baby 2 years ago - my insulin requirements DROPPPED dramatically. So there are things that can cause shifts in insulin needs - but I personally have not met someone who's insulin requirements went up dramatically.

In the past they would not allow diabetics who took insulin to give blood - because of the insulin, but they have found that laboratory insulin is basically no different that the insulin the body makes - so keep that in mind. The insulins today are synthetically created in a laboratory, but they are based on actual human insulin - when I started it was insulin from pigs or cows - so we have come a long way. By the way, if it makes you feel any better, I was dianosed 27 years ago - and I am healthy enough that the doctor said I could get pregnant and that everything would probably be fine - and it was, and still is.

Talk to the doctor about your concerns, and find a dietician that can help add things she really wants in moderation to her schedule.

I hate to say this, but this is only the beginning. As a teenager, I had all sorts of candy stashed in my room. All teenage diabetics go through a stage like this one - some earlier. Let her know that you would do anything for her, but that she needs to be honest about her sugars and her insulin levels - teach her to keep it as close to normal as possible and then the long-term complications are less threating. If she wants to have more sugar it means more testing - and that is important.

Another suggestion, try doing her diet yourself - 1 1/2 times what her diet is - or maybe 2x - but try yourself to stay on her diet for a week - it isn't as easy as most people think. You will find a new appreciation for what she will have to go through for the rest of her life, and it may make her feel better if someone else is doing (even for just a little while) what she has to do.

Answer 5

I have a 17 yr old with diabetes since she was 2 and also have 2 other kids including her twin.

One day when the twins were about 12, I showed up at their summer day camp to bring insulin and test strips and so on [ No she couldn't bring these on the bus, she could lance someone to death ! ]
As I pulled up, I saw my two and two of their friends standing around a new candy machine.
I quietly walked up to them and scared all of them.In a moments time, My daughter with diabetes handed off her candy to her twin behind their backs.The skill was amazing ! They were covering each other.
I don't think there is a person with diabetes who follows their medical plan and diet to a T. We have to expect some leeway with all people.
You didn't mention how old your child is now but scaring her will not ,as you have seen,help.
Try going to a dietitian, both of you. and make more realistic goals.
A pump with help and give you both more control .Try a lot of positive reinforcement.
Yeah, you did your blood test-Regardless of the number.Numbers are objective values .They are not good or bad.
Send her to a diabetes camp near you- the ADA has all the info.
Do not hover around her as she is not likely to drop dead at any moment.
Do you read all the books and magazines for adults and children with diabetes ? Are you in a parents support group? Is she in a kids support group?
I wish you all the best.

Answer 6

Daddy's Girl is right. I am guessing that your daughter is using a type of insulin known as NPH. NPH provides some background insulin (or basal) as well as two rather unpredictable peaks at 45 minutes and in 4-6 hours.

As you are learning, you can't tell an 8 year old when and when not to eat, and it is virtually impossible to correct high blood sugars while on NPH. I strongly suggest the insulin pump, or at least Lantus combined with Novolog or Humalog. Good luck.

Answer 7

you should see a nutritionist for that. don't change the units of insulin by yourself, you should consult her endocrinologist. as for eating, might as well give her the food she will eat, like lunch or snacks, so that you can control her food intake (and saves your budget too! :) ) it also helps that at home, all the meals you eat will be those that she can also eat. it will help your 2 children understand that you have no favoritism in treating them, and it will help your daughter understand also that all of you are supporting her.

blood sugar control is hard. i was diagnosed at age 8, and now im turning 19, and yet i still can't keep my blood sugar level at the normal range regularly. you should ask your daughter to help herself by not eating just about anything she likes, that she should not eat sweets or else she can get stuck at the hospital (yes i know this is a scare tactic but it really can happen).

hope that helps!

Answer 8

Don't have the stuff around. It'll be better for everyone in the long run.

Get EVERYONE involved in planning healthy meals and fix them together. It'll seem less like you have to do something special for your 8 year old and that you're doing something together as a family.

Pre- portion out regular snacks for all your kids, so when your 8 year old is low, she can have a sweet treat, just in moderation and so can your other kids, but have a sugar free snack there already. She needs to learn to control herself.

I work with kids, and one of the children I watch is diabetic. She knows what she can and cannot have, and gets sugar free treats instead. She understands why she cannot have certain foods.

Answer 9

I am a 32 year old type 1 and it is difficult. I can not imagine being 8 and having diabetes. I would look into a pump and also don't keep crappy food in the house. My family and I all eat what I can eat thier choice. My children are very supportive and gave up "bad" food right along with me. (husband now thats tricky!)
I would asume that what you are going through is very common with any diabetic child so look into a support group.

Answer 10

definitly explain all these concerns to a doctor, my cousin who's now 17, was diagnosed with type 1 when she was 14, and she gets really frustrated as well, but we are all there to remind her why she needs to watch what she eats. it makes it easier for her when once and a while shes allowed to just have whatever she wants (with prper insulin of course) but shes learned to make better choices.

you should try replacing all the sugary carby food in your house with good substitutes, cause its even better for your other kids. also because your girl needs so much attention set aside special time for the other kids.

i dont know about the effects of insulin but def. ask a doctor and heres a site: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/medicines_ez/index.htm

good luck