Am I "the weak triplet"?

Question

I have an identical triplet sister and an unidentical triplet brother who are completely healthy. So how come it's me who gets all the problems?

I've had asthma since I was a baby, and I'm allergic to nuts and dairy. And when I was ten I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (I'm 14 now).

Is it true that there's always a weak twin or triplet? I'm not any smaller or skinnier than my sister but because she's indentical how come she's not diabetic/asthmatic etc too??

Answer 1

I dont think you are the "weak" one, I just think some people have better immune systems than others. I have an 8 and 6 yr old and my 8 yr old is always sick, they eat the same foods are almost like twins, but the oldest just gets sick a lot. I am sure it is hard to have asthma and diabetes and allergies, hang in there, it will get better. And every sibling has the same problems they just want their hair, or body, or athletic ability. These are just hard years in time it will all level out.

Answer 2

Everyone gave great answers.

Often one child of multiples, will not get the necessary nutrients.

This doesn't make you the weak one, it just makes you the one who will learn to deal more effectively with the things life hands you sooner than your sibs.

Even though you arrived at the same time as your identical and fraternal brother and sister, you are still individuals. Just like sibs born individually.

It's the individuality that is making the difference.

Sure, all of this may bother you right now. But many conditons people have while they are young do not continue into adulthood.

Here is what I hope will be encouragement, although you probably know this:
Although allergies are unpredictable and can develop or go away at any age, childhood allergies often persist into adulthood. Most children don't outgrow hay fever and allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish or shellfish. However, most children do outgrow allergies to milk, eggs, soy and wheat...
--Mayo Clinic "Allergy Myths" Quiz, Question 3


I am allergic to mint--all mint, one of my favorite things. This did not develop until adulthood.

Perhaps you can discuss this with your doctor. If he and your parents don't mind, do a bit of research, and see if you can find any info on what I mentioned.

Keep a good attitude, and try not to feel bad. ( I know, easier said than done.) Attitude affects health as well. Remember to enjoy what you CAN do.

You are probably familiar with this, too:
Stress or emotions may bring on or worsen the symptoms of an allergy, but emotions don't cause allergies...
--Same source, Q. 1

I say this to almost everyone, but...laugh! Humor can have a very positive effect on the body, because attitude makes a difference!


P. S. Do you think you might feel better talking to other teens in your situation? Sharing your experience, might help you gain a better perspective about your situation or just help you feel better. Then again, you may just be able to unburden to people who understand what you are going through.


Hope this helps!
God bless you.
I will pray for you.

...If I didn't help, and upset you more, I'm sorry. :(

Answer 3

you just might be, When a woman is pregnant with triplets she cannot hold the babies in her belly until the due date, Usually they are born about 1-2 months early, which really messes with the babies because they are not fully developed. especially not their lungs, (your asthma)so the babies are given steroids to speed up the development. Also when there is more than one baby in the belly, the other babies tent to compete for the nutrition, the baby that gets the least nutrition will be the one that ends up slightly less developed, so even thought your sister is identical, it doesnt shes exactly the same. More than likley she was one of the bigger babies in the womb. Right now your not particularly small cause you probably eat right, but those other allergies and all that stuff come from when you were inside your momms stomach.

Answer 4

I'm not sure about the "weak" twin or triplet thing, but I don't think it matters if you're identical than the other one or not. Just because the outside is the same, doesn't mean the insides are.

Answer 5

If you look really hard, over time you will see that your triplets are different from each other in significant ways. In fact, when you are 40, you may be the robust one while they may have developed differently. Don't think of yourself as 'weak' - because that can change.

Answer 6

even though you are identical triplets every body is different so that means you are just different

Answer 7

ur problems make u stronger unless u fall and never get back up. so no u are not weaker u are stronger.

Answer 8

you may have gotten less nutrients when you were in your moms belly