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Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin?
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I still think it's pretty strange your doctor didn't just test your sugars during your initial appointment but it's good that you're all sorted out now! Sounds like you've got a pretty positive attitude towards it which is great.
I recommend this book a lot to new diabetics because it is a great primer on self-management: Think Like a Pancreas. It can help you get started on things like carb counting, testing and dosing.
Work on getting yourself a CGM if it is financially possible, they are great for seeing how foods impact you, as well as giving you peace of mind about overnight lows/highs/etc.
Here is a good book that has a lot of info for you: Think Like a Pancreas
It has info on how to manage it, how to dose insulin and count carbs, and how to manage his blood sugar.
You need a whole bunch of training and medical advice, generally beyond the scope of this sub. See if you can talk to a doctor, or if there is a diabetes educator or someone you can speak to in your country. This isn't a situation where you just need a few answers. He needs to learn to count carbs, to set up basal and bolus injections and how much to inject, to read and understand blood sugar readings, there's a lot.
Sounds like you need to get up to speed on your condition. When I was diagnosed I found Think Like a Pancreas immensely helpful to understand what my body was doing. I recommend it highly,
Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0738246689/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7-dkFbF3574DW
He will need to learn to treat himself like a type 1 most likely. This includes carb counting, adjusting rapid-acting insulin doses for meals, monitoring his blood sugar, etc. This book is a great primer on Diabetes and how it is managed if you are interested.
This book is a good primer on T1 diabetes: Think Like a Pancreas. It has a lot of what you need to know for management and will get you started into knowing what else you need to learn.
It's really good at explaining how to count carbs, which is a new concept for many, and how to dose for them.
I'd suggest staying away from cookbooks until you have a better idea of what to look for, most diabetic-friendly cookbooks are nonsense.
Sounds like you could use some basics info to start with, I suggest this book as an excellent source of both 101-level info and great information on how to manage insulin and diet for best results.
It's going to suck for a bit, it's a harsh adjustment. But you get used to it, for what it's worth, and it becomes much more second nature.
For nausea I suggest sugarfree carbonated drinks, like ginger ale. At least I find them pretty helpful.
I would definitely recommend Think Like a Pancreas by Gary Scheiner
Implements a lot of humor and also incorporates a lot of his own personal experiences with T1D which are very relatable. Super educational and funny. He has a few sections that go over exercise and how to combat lows and highs before, during and after exercise. He also has a chart that roughly provides how many grams of carbs you should have during certain physical activities.
I have my nursing degree, T1D, and I still learned some stuff. If you're really familiar with everything there is about T1D, it will mostly be a humorous read with some educational refreshments.
This is a great book.
Hey OP just be careful if you decide to buy it to get the last revision. The previous ones have the same title.
I think the most recent one is from 2020:
Hi. Welcome to our club!! We're all sorry you've joined us.
Get the book: Think Like a Pancreas. It will answer slews of questions, and help you understand it all.
Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin https://www.amazon.com/dp/0738246689/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_i_3W5HE0607417DESTQ1QE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I'm just reading it now. This sub is excellent for shared, experiential information. For the great part, the sub is super supportive. All questions are good questions.
This is a marathon, not a sprint. It will take time to learn. Be easy on yourself. There are few "perfect" days.
You can eat whatever you like, just supported by the correct bolus -- also never perfectly achieved.
Again, welcome to the party. Sorry your invitation arrived.
There's a lot of advice here, so I'll keep it simple. Get this book - it's like Diabetes 101 and good for newly diagnosed people like you!
Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin https://www.amazon.com/dp/0738246689/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_X4RWJ2R02SHBAH2XGQGS
Your should get and read this book: Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin https://www.amazon.com/dp/0738246689/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_4ZGNXANRHWHMG8N946W4
It's like a really good instruction manual.
And get a CGM asap!
My advice is always to get any read this book:
Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin https://www.amazon.com/dp/0738246689/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_555CS1H11SH89VVHP6RW
Once you get settled, diabetes is really a DIY disease. It's different for everyone. You'll be ok though!
I can recommend you some good books assuming you do end up needing them. This is a great primer on T1 Diabetes and gets into detail about how it is managed, how to carb count and all that: Think Like a Pancreas
What sorts of things you can get for treatment depends a lot where you live and what kind of insurance you have. I'm in BC Canada so most of my knowledge is Canadian-specific for things like that.
I am in almost the exact same boat as you. Between Dec 19 and March 20 I dropped from 195lb to 145lb.
In talks with my endo he has made it clear that FOR ME, carb restrictions will be counter productive. My understanding is that when your carb intake is too low your body tries to compensate by converting the proteins to sugars to meet your daily needs. He has told me that MY best option is to stick to normal intake; read RDA for carbs which is i believe 200-300g or about 50% of your calories; and use insulin to control the BG.
I've also started tracking my calories in/out per day. This is simply because weight gain/loss is determined by the calories in vs calories out.
TO BE CLEAR, this was MY endo to ME. This may not be the case for you.
Regardless, you're not alone. Good Luck in your journey.
Footnote: This Book has been a massive help understanding my T1 diagnosis and this particular issue.
Do some basal rate testing (or long-acting testing) to make sure your underlying doses of insulin are correct. This can be done with short periods of fasting. Once you have that pretty much dialed in, it really helps with day-to-day management of blood sugars.
Also, read "Think Like a Pancreas" by Gary Scheiner if you haven't yet. Great tips for self-management of diabetes (and it really is a DIY disease).
This book is a good primer on T1 diabetes: Think Like a Pancreas
It really does get easier to manage. Your diabetes will likely be different from your dad's. I strongly encourage you read "Think Like a Pancreas" by Gary Scheiner. And if you're interested in exercise, "The Athlete's Guide to Diabetes" by Sheri Colberg. Truly game changers.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0738246689/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_791VHXYSM8VFW9SNMJBT
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1492572845/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_GHGKME40ZB0ZP5BMSJ14
This one is free in PDF format from their website:
https://brightspotsandlandmines.org/
This one is written by a diabetic in a language easy to understand by everyone
I am a little over a week into using the Freestyle Libre 2 CGM. While not a Dexcom G6, it's similar. You have to be aware that the BG readings you are getting with your Accu-chek meter will be different from your Dexcom G6 because they measure different things.
Read the link below. It should clear things up a lot.
As for the Bernstein diet, I have both of his books. I haven't implemented anything from them, though. A book that was recommended to me here is Think Like A Pancreas.
It's a great book and a valuable resource so far. I'm about halfway through reading.
Hopefully, with this information, you'll be better informed and will make better decisions regarding your health. I know I have. Also, be sure to talk with your Doctor or Endocrinologist about any issues or questions you have.
Hopefully, with this information, you'll be better informed and make better decisions regarding your health. I know I have. Also, be sure to talk with your Doctor or Endocrinologist about any issues or questions you have.
Good luck.
Pumps are so, so helpful. Sounds like you are on track to figure it out. I highly recommend this book if you have not read it: Think Like a Pancreas
Since you asked to see other people's graphs, here is the summary of my last two weeks. Here's the day-to-day of my last two weeks. A little eye opening to look at the day to day vs weekly!
First of all I want to suggest this book about type 1 diabetes. It`s written in an easy to understand way and extremely helpful:
or this one it`s free and it will get you started:
https://diatribe.org/get-revolutionary-diabetes-book-here-bright-spots-landmines
As for a management app there is Diabetes:M.
https://diabetes-m.com/features/
Until you learn more about diabetes you can just use it as a log book that replaces your binder.
It will generate graphs and reports that you can show to your doctor.
After you learn more about diabetes you can use the Bolus calculator from the app.
The bolus calculator is great and it will make your life easier since it recommends the dose of insulin required for you current blood sugar and the amount of carbs you eat(it has a usada food data base).
THIS REQUIRES SOME KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DIABETES. You need to learn and know your carb ratio, insulin sensitivity, insulin duration.
Think Like a Pancreas and Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution are two that I universally recommend.
SierisMG provided the right answer.
May I suggest this book. It`s written in an easy to understand way and extremely helpful:
Also I too struggled in the mornings due to insulin resistance but I started eating chia seeds pudding and since you can make it to taste differently every time I never get bored of it:
https://diatribe.org/50-shades-chia-pudding-diabetes-breakfast-revolution
Yeah it can be a bit overwhelming at first, but don`t worry you'll get there. Maybe take a look at this book. it is incredibly helpful:
or this one it`s free and it will get you started:
https://diatribe.org/get-revolutionary-diabetes-book-here-bright-spots-landmines
Amazon Used
There are a couple book options you can read that help talk you through how to do your own dosing adjustments. think like a pancreas
Part 2 I 2
the short term, remember that the best endocrinologist in the world can't help unless they have data (endocrinology: the medical science of endocrine systems and hormones such as insulin - if she doesn't have a specifically endocrinologist appointment yet then get referred to one, general practitioners tend to be a bit too general for managing T1).
Make sure that your daughter is recording her blood glucose readings, exercise, and food with the times of each, so they have something to work with when she sees them.
Don't forget to look after yourself too. It's sanity-sapping.
Here's the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's useful links: https://jdrf.org.uk/information-support/newly-diagnosed/useful-links/) which includes support forums as well as addressing the day-to-day aspects of T1.
See: And /r/diabetes_t1 too for that matter.
This book is a good primer on T1 diabetes: [Think Like a Pancreas]
(https://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Pancreas-Practical-Managing/dp/0738246689/). It has a lot of what you need to know for management and will get you started into knowing what else you need to learn.
Hint: Do not be shy about telling those around you, you will need their eyes and ears. As hard as it will be, you will need to teach your child they are not the disease and they are responsible for it, as if it was a puppy that needs to be trained. Also, expect lows & highs and sudden changes in plans.
However, in the short term, don't focus on all the fear stuff stuff - that stuff is a long, long way off - keep focus on the simple stuff.
My knowledge of today's T1 kids is old, but the same problems exist - just different solutions.
I raised a T1 diabetics stepdaughter as a single parent in the 1980s without all the gadgets and flavors of nowadays insulin. It happened by the kindness of strangers and friends.
In the 1980's I became a single parent of a step-daughter at age 10 who had been diagnosed at age 5. Was married 6 months. I had the extra task of dealing Her mother's death by a drunk driver. Her mom had dealt w diabetes by keeping her on a short leash.
I had to teach her how to take care of herself and be independent.
My observations. Don't shame her for the small stuff, like lows/highs - shot happens.
Enlist the her friends and teach then to read/use a finger prick BGM, get docs to double # of test strips she will WASTE a lot, also friends can test with her.
TALK to local rescue squad and arrange tour of ambulance for her and friends. I was a former rural EMT with experience hauling kids to hospitals, it may NEVER happen, but it takes the fear out of call to 911.
Lockbox data w 911. Hospital to take to in 911 database
!A couple of differing approaches about kids and Type 1 management.
More reliant on technology:
More reliant on carbohydrate reduction:
Regarding private pre-K child care
Generally speaking they can not currently under the ADA, so I do not think this spending bill alters the ADA.
Under the ADA the parents or guardians are required to supply all materials and training needed to the facility to treat a child with diabetes.
>Q: What about children with diabetes? Do we have to admit them to our program? If we do, do we have to test their blood sugar levels?
>A: Generally, yes. Children with diabetes can usually be integrated into a child care program without fundamentally altering it, so they should not be excluded from the program on the basis of their diabetes. Providers should obtain written authorization from the child's parents or guardians and physician and follow their directions for simple diabetes-related care. In most instances, they will authorize the provider to monitor the child's blood sugar -- or "blood glucose" -- levels before lunch and whenever the child appears to be having certain easy-to-recognize symptoms of a low blood sugar incident. While the process may seem uncomfortable or even frightening to those unfamiliar with it, monitoring a child's blood sugar is easy to do with minimal training and takes only a minute or two. Once the caregiver has the blood sugar level, he or she must take whatever simple actions have been recommended by the child's parents or guardians and doctor, such as giving the child some fruit juice if the child's blood sugar level is low. The child's parents or guardians are responsible for providing all appropriate testing equipment, training, and special food necessary for the child.
https://www.ada.gov/childqanda.htm
I always have a tube of glucose tablets in my pocket. They're easy to carry around, and work quickly. Most importantly, they don't cause me to skyrocket into high blood sugar like juices and soda tend to do. Anything with sugar should work but these tend to have the fewest drawbacks for me.
A good option is those little gel cake frosting tubes. If they’re unable to eat/drink, you squirt it into their mouth on their cheeks and it will dissolve. Less of a choking hazard, doesn’t expire quickly, and doesn’t require a prescription.
baqsimi nasal glucagon. should be over the counter. https://www.baqsimi.ca/
If they are unable to take in glucose by eating this is the stuff you want on hand.
Glucose tablets (dex 4, etc..) and any juices are good suggestions for normal low treatment.
Teach her how to cook meals and make food choices.
Setup a trust w provision that can't be used for medical purposes until all government exhausted. If you pass, she will have nickels to spend.
Puberty will be a bastard. 40 years ago there was little research. I don't think it's changed.
I did it without insulin pens, blood glucose meters, CGM, ketone strips, insulin analogs - so it can be done.
I did not do it alone. I built a network of helpers.
Do not carry this alone - ask for help and keep asking.
A dog will help bye the way, they can be trained to alert you, plus it gives her a reason to walk on a rainy day and also to cry with so you don't see the tears.
Financing the cost of Insulin will be a chronic issue, there are solutions however, they are a complexity you don't need in the short term.
There are NO STUPID questions. Ask early, ask often. Ask until you have it clear.
Enjoy !
Welcome to the club
Start part two:
Here's the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's useful links: https://jdrf.org.uk/information-support/newly-diagnosed/useful-links/) which includes support forums as well as addressing the day-to-day aspects of T1.
See: And /r/diabetes_t1 too for that matter.
This book is a good primer on T1 diabetes: [Think Like a Pancreas]
(https://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Pancreas-Practical-Managing/dp/0738246689/). It has a lot of what you need to know for management and will get you started into knowing what else you need to learn.
Hint: Do not be shy about telling those around you, you will need their eyes and ears. As hard as it will be, you will need to teach your child they are not the disease and they are responsible for it, as if it was a puppy that needs to be trained. Also, expect lows & highs and sudden changes in plans.
However, in the short term, don't focus on all the fear stuff stuff - that stuff is a long, long way off - keep focus on the simple stuff.
My knowledge of today's T1 kids is old, but the same problems exist - just different solutions.
I raised a T1 diabetics stepdaughter as a single parent in the 1980s without all the gadgets and flavors of nowadays insulin. It happened by the kindness of strangers and friends.
In the 1980's I became a single parent of a step-daughter at age 10 who had been diagnosed at age 5. Was married 6 months. I had the extra task of dealing Her mother's death by a drunk driver. Her mom had dealt w diabetes by keeping her on a short leash.
I had to teach her how to take care of herself and be independent.
My observations. Don't shame her for the small stuff, like lows/highs - shot happens.
Enlist the her friends and teach then to read/use a finger prick BGM, get docs to double # of test strips she will WASTE a lot, also friends can test with her.
TALK to local rescue squad and arrange tour of ambulance for her and friends. I was a former rural EMT with experience hauling kids to hospitals, it may NEVER happen, but it takes the fear out of call to 911.
Lockbox data w 911. Hospital to take to in 911 database
Regarding private pre-K child care
Generally speaking they can not currently under the ADA, so I do not think this spending bill alters the ADA.
Under the ADA the parents or guardians are required to supply all materials and training needed to the facility to treat a child with diabetes.
>Q: What about children with diabetes? Do we have to admit them to our program? If we do, do we have to test their blood sugar levels?
>A: Generally, yes. Children with diabetes can usually be integrated into a child care program without fundamentally altering it, so they should not be excluded from the program on the basis of their diabetes. Providers should obtain written authorization from the child's parents or guardians and physician and follow their directions for simple diabetes-related care. In most instances, they will authorize the provider to monitor the child's blood sugar -- or "blood glucose" -- levels before lunch and whenever the child appears to be having certain easy-to-recognize symptoms of a low blood sugar incident. While the process may seem uncomfortable or even frightening to those unfamiliar with it, monitoring a child's blood sugar is easy to do with minimal training and takes only a minute or two. Once the caregiver has the blood sugar level, he or she must take whatever simple actions have been recommended by the child's parents or guardians and doctor, such as giving the child some fruit juice if the child's blood sugar level is low. The child's parents or guardians are responsible for providing all appropriate testing equipment, training, and special food necessary for the child.
https://www.ada.gov/childqanda.htm
I always have a tube of glucose tablets in my pocket. They're easy to carry around, and work quickly. Most importantly, they don't cause me to skyrocket into high blood sugar like juices and soda tend to do. Anything with sugar should work but these tend to have the fewest drawbacks for me.
A good option is those little gel cake frosting tubes. If they’re unable to eat/drink, you squirt it into their mouth on their cheeks and it will dissolve. Less of a choking hazard, doesn’t expire quickly, and doesn’t require a prescription.
baqsimi nasal glucagon. should be over the counter. https://www.baqsimi.ca/
If they are unable to take in glucose by eating this is the stuff you want on hand.
Glucose tablets (dex 4, etc..) and any juices are good suggestions for normal low treatment.
Teach her how to cook meals and make food choices.
Setup a trust w provision that can't be used for medical purposes until all government exhausted. If you pass, she will have nickels to spend.
Puberty will be a bastard. 40 years ago there was little research. I don't think it's changed.
I did it without insulin pens, blood glucose meters, CGM, ketone strips, insulin analogs - so it can be done.
I did not do it alone. I built a network of helpers.
Do not carry this alone - ask for help and keep asking.
A dog will help bye the way, they can be trained to alert you, plus it gives her a reason to walk on a rainy day and also to cry with so you don't see the tears.
Financing the cost of Insulin will be a chronic issue, there are solutions however, they are a complexity you don't need in the short term.
There are NO STUPID questions. Ask early, ask often. Ask until you have it clear.
Enjoy !
Welcome to the club
A little reading For New T1 parents.
These prior threads have pearls of wisdom from both parents & kids - read them some in the future.
These suggestions are not sorted by age appropriateness - each age has its own issues.
You are not alone. There are many here who have experience dealing with what's happening. It is okay to ask anything at any time day night or weekend. As a rule of thumb, if 5 to 10 strangers give the same advice give it some weight.
You have a lot to learn and a lot to teach.
RIGHT NOW: You also should contact the JDF for their resource kit for kids see:
https://www.jdrf.org/t1d-resources/newly-diagnosed/children/bag-of-hope/
You'll want a supply of juice in the house (that is just for her, tell any siblings she might have). You'll also have grabbed some glucose tablets from the chemist (a lot of people prefer boiled sweets - definitely not chocolate - for hypo treatment purposes) and that's something she can carry around herself. Precisely which is a matter of taste, but the key thing is a good amount of sugar and nothing to slow down its absorption (such as fat, which is why chocolate is a poor choice).
You'll also want to ask her doctor for a glucagon prescription so you have it on hand. This is an injectable hormone to trigger the liver to release stored glucose, very handy if a hypo has progressed unconsciousness.
As suggestion from a nurse who used to work in a Childrens hospital: " When we did pokes/shots we used a “Buzzy”.
It’s a device that vibrates and has an ice pack. It’s cute and helps distract the child while offering pain management. I’m not sure how much one would cost for individual usage, but may help her get used to the shots.
Push for a Dexcom ASAP. If you talk to the right people at A Children's Hospital or an endocrinologist they can give you one or two while insurance figures stuff out. They are really important at this age when they can't tell you if they are feeling low.
Having said that, things aren't anywhere near the same as they were 100 years ago when a diagnosis was a death sentence or in the 80's when it was my turn as a parent.
T1 treatment has improved dramatically over the years. Get her a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) if you can, but let her make the cyborg jokes and stand aside when she's ready to add laser cannon and take over the world.
Types of insulin are available that can do their thing in the space of an hour or two, allowing one to better match their effects to what one is eating and doing.
Glucometer accuracy is better than I've ever seen it.
When looking at glucometer, the key questions is : does your insurance cover the test strips and how much.
Nutritional information for counting carbohydrates is far more available than ever before (I'll go to myfitnespal if I'm working out the carbs per portion of a recipe, or else I might build a salad on the scales to count the contributions from croutons and dressing - chain restaurants' menu items are googleable).
Carb counting is a chore but something you can definitely help with as a parent, and you can't calculate meal boluses without it.
In the short term, remember that the best endocrinologist in the world can't help unless they have data (endocrinology: the medical science of endocrine systems and hormones such as insulin - if she doesn't have a specifically endocrinologist appointment yet then get referred to one, general practitioners tend to be a bit too general for managing T1).
Make sure that your daughter is recording her blood glucose readings, exercise, and food with the times of each, so they have something to work with when she sees them.
Don't forget to look after yourself too. It's sanity-sapping.
Here's the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's useful links: https://jdrf.org.uk/information-support/newly-diagnosed/useful-links/) which includes support forums as well as addressing the day-to-day aspects of T1.
See: And /r/diabetes_t1 too for that matter.
This book is a good primer on T1 diabetes: [Think Like a Pancreas]
(https://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Pancreas-Practical-Managing/dp/0738246689/). It has a lot of what you need to know for management and will get you started into knowing what else you need to learn.
Hint: Do not be shy about telling those around you, you will need their eyes and ears. As hard as it will be, you will need to teach your child they are not the disease and they are responsible for it, as if it was a puppy that needs to be trained. Also, expect lows & highs and sudden changes in BG. However, in the short term, don't focus on all the fear stuff stuff - that stuff is a long, long way off - keep focus on the simple stuff.
My knowledge of today's T1 kids is old, but the same problems exist - just different solutions.
I raised a T1 diabetics stepdaughter as a single parent in the 1980s without all the gadgets and flavors of nowadays insulin. It happened by the kindness of strangers and friends.
In the 1980's I became a single parent of a step-daughter at age 10 who had been diagnosed at age 5. Was married 6 months. I had the extra task of dealing Her mother's death by a drunk driver. Her mom had dealt w diabetes by keeping her on a short leash.
I had to teach her how to take care of herself and be independent.
My observations. Don't shame her for the small stuff, like lows/highs - shot happens.
Enlist the her friends and teach then to read/use a finger prick BGM, get docs to double # of test strips she will WASTE a lot, also friends can test with her.
TALK to local rescue squad and arrange tour of ambulance for her and friends. I was a former rural EMT with experience hauling kids to hospitals, it may NEVER happen, but it takes the fear out of call to 911.
Lockbox data w 911. Hospital to take to in 911 database
A little reading For New T1 parents
These prior threads have pearls of wisdom from both parents & kids - read them some in the future.
These suggestions are not sorted by age appropriateness - each age has its own issues.
You are not alone. There are many here who have experience dealing with what's happening. It is okay to ask anything.
RIGHT NOW: You also should contact the JDF for their resource kit for kids see:
https://www.jdrf.org/t1d-resources/newly-diagnosed/children/bag-of-hope/
You'll want a supply of juice in the house (that is just for her, tell any siblings she might have). You'll also have grabbed some glucose tablets from the chemist (a lot of people prefer boiled sweets - definitely not chocolate - for hypo treatment purposes) and that's something she can carry around herself. Precisely which is a matter of taste, but the key thing is a good amount of sugar and nothing to slow down its absorption (such as fat, which is why chocolate is a poor choice).
You'll also want to ask her doctor for a glucagon prescription so you have it on hand. This is an injectable hormone to trigger the liver to release stored glucose, very handy if a hypo has progressed unconsciousness.
As suggestion from a nurse who used to work in a Childrens hospital: " When we did pokes/shots we used a “Buzzy”.
It’s a device that vibrates and has an ice pack. It’s cute and helps distract the child while offering pain management. I’m not sure how much one would cost for individual usage, but may help her get used to the shots.
Push for a Dexcom ASAP. If you talk to the right people at A Children's Hospital or an endocrinologist they can give you one or two while insurance figures stuff out. They are really important at this age when they can't tell you if they are feeling low.
Having said that, things aren't anywhere near the same as they were 100 years ago when a diagnosis was a death sentence or in the 80's when it was my turn.
T1 treatment has improved dramatically over the years. Get her a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) if you can, but let her make the cyborg jokes and stand aside when she's ready to add laser cannon and take over the world.
Types of insulin are available that can do their thing in the space of an hour or two, allowing one to better match their effects to what one is eating and doing.
Glucometer accuracy is better than I've ever seen it.
When looking at glucometer, the key questions is : does your insurance cover the test strips and how much.
Nutritional information for counting carbohydrates is far more available than ever before (I'll go to myfitnespal if I'm working out the carbs per portion of a recipe, or else I might build a salad on the scales to count the contributions from croutons and dressing - chain restaurants' menu items are googleable).
Carb counting is a chore but something you can definitely help with as a parent, and you can't calculate meal boluses without it.
In the short term, remember that the best endocrinologist in the world can't help unless they have data (endocrinology: the medical science of endocrine systems and hormones such as insulin - if she doesn't have a specifically endocrinologist appointment yet then get referred to one, general practitioners tend to be a bit too general for managing T1).
Make sure that your daughter is recording her blood glucose readings, exercise, and food with the times of each, so they have something to work with when she sees them.
Don't forget to look after yourself too. It's sanity-sapping.
Here's the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's useful links: https://jdrf.org.uk/information-support/newly-diagnosed/useful-links/) which includes support forums as well as addressing the day-to-day aspects of T1.
See: And /r/diabetes_t1 too for that matter.
This book is a good primer on T1 diabetes: [Think Like a Pancreas]
(https://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Pancreas-Practical-Managing/dp/0738246689/). It has a lot of what you need to know for management and will get you started into knowing what else you need to learn
Do not carry this alone - ask for help and keep asking.
A dog will help bye the way, they can be trained to alert you, plus it gives her a reason to walk on a rainy day and also to cry with so you don't see the tears.
Financing the cost of Insulin will be a chronic issue, there are solutions however, they are a complexity you don't need in the short term.
There are NO STUPID questions. Ask early, ask often. Ask until you have it clear.
Enjoy !
Welcome to the club
A little reading For New T1 parents
These prior threads have pearls of wisdom from both parents & kids - read them some in the future.
This a work in progress - so bear with me.
You are not alone. There are many here who have experience dealing with what's happening. It is okay to ask anything.
RIGHT NOW: You also should contact the JDF for their resource kit for kids see:
https://www.jdrf.org/t1d-resources/newly-diagnosed/children/bag-of-hope/
You'll want a supply of juice in the house (that is just for her, tell any siblings she might have). You'll also have grabbed some glucose tablets from the chemist (a lot of people prefer boiled sweets - definitely not chocolate - for hypo treatment purposes) and that's something she can carry around herself. Precisely which is a matter of taste, but the key thing is a good amount of sugar and nothing to slow down its absorption (such as fat, which is why chocolate is a poor choice).
You'll also want to ask her doctor for a glucagon prescription so you have it on hand. This is an injectable hormone to trigger the liver to release stored glucose, very handy if a hypo has progressed unconsciousness.
Having said that, things aren't anywhere near the same as they were 100 years ago when a diagnosis was a death sentence or in the 80's when it was my turn.
T1 treatment has improved dramatically over the years. Get her a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) if you can, but let her make the cyborg jokes and stand aside when she's ready to add laser cannon and take over the world.
Types of insulin are available that can do their thing in the space of an hour or two, allowing one to better match their effects to what one is eating and doing.
Glucometer accuracy is better than I've ever seen it.
When looking at glucometer, the key questions is : does your insurance cover the test strips and how much.
Nutritional information for counting carbohydrates is far more available than ever before (I'll go to myfitnespal if I'm working out the carbs per portion of a recipe, or else I might build a salad on the scales to count the contributions from croutons and dressing - chain restaurants' menu items are googleable).
Carb counting is a chore but something you can definitely help with as a parent, and you can't calculate meal boluses without it.
In the short term, remember that the best endocrinologist in the world can't help unless they have data (endocrinology: the medical science of endocrine systems and hormones such as insulin - if she doesn't have a specifically endocrinologist appointment yet then get referred to one, general practitioners tend to be a bit too general for managing T1).
Make sure that your daughter is recording her blood glucose readings, exercise, and food with the times of each, so they have something to work with when she sees them.
Don't forget to look after yourself too. It's sanity-sapping.
Here's the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's useful links: https://jdrf.org.uk/information-support/newly-diagnosed/useful-links/) which includes support forums as well as addressing the day-to-day aspects of T1.
See: And /r/diabetes_t1 too for that matter.
This book is a good primer on T1 diabetes: [Think Like a Pancreas]
(https://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Pancreas-Practical-Managing/dp/0738246689/). It has a lot of what you need to know for management and will get you started into knowing what else you need to learn.
Hint: Do not be shy about telling those around you, you will need their eyes and ears. As hard as it will be, you will need to teach your child they are not the disease and they are responsible for it, as if it was a puppy that needs to be trained. Also, expect lows & highs and sudden changes in plans.
However, in the short term, don't focus on all the fear stuff stuff - that stuff is a long, long way off - keep focus on the simple stuff.
My knowledge of today's T1 kids is old, but the same problems exist - just different solutions.
I raised a T1 diabetics stepdaughter as a single parent in the 1980s without all the gadgets and flavors of nowadays insulin. It happened by the kindness of strangers and friends.
In the 1980's I became a single parent of a step-daughter at age 10 who had been diagnosed at age 5. Was married 6 months. I had the extra task of dealing Her mother's death by a drunk driver. Her mom had dealt w diabetes by keeping her on a short leash.
I had to teach her how to take care of herself and be independent.
My observations. Don't shame her for the small stuff, like lows/highs - shot happens.
Enlist the her friends and teach then to read/use a finger prick BGM, get docs to double # of test strips she will WASTE a lot, also friends can test with her.
TALK to local rescue squad and arrange tour of ambulance for her and friends. I was a former rural EMT with experience hauling kids to hospitals, it may NEVER happen, but it takes the fear out of call to 911.
Teach her how to cook meals and make food choices.
Setup a trust w provision that can't be used for medical purposes until all government exhausted. If you pass, she will have nickels to spend.
Puberty will be a bastard. 40 years ago there was little research. I don't think it's changed.
I did it without insulin pens, blood glucose meters, CGM, ketone strips, insulin analogs - so it can be done.
I did not do it alone. I built a network of helpers.
Do not carry this alone - ask for help and keep asking.
A dog will help bye the way, they can be trained to alert you, plus it gives her a reason to walk on a rainy day and also to cry with so you don't see the tears.
Financing the cost of Insulin will be a chronic issue, there are solutions however, they are a complexity you don't need in the short term.
There are NO STUPID questions. Ask early, ask often. Ask until you have it clear.
Enjoy !
Welcome to the club
First off, 7.4 really isn’t that bad - sure it can be better, but please give yourself some credit here, it’s not into the double digits! Some people would still be thrilled with a 7.4 and honestly most teenagers managing their diabetes on their own (out sounds like you’re not getting much help?) probably don’t do that well. So take a deep breath and relax… you’re doing okay.
Second, do you see an endocrinologist? If so, I’d start by just asking them how you can adjust your dosages to get your BG’s into a tighter range. You not having lows does NOT mean you’re faliing somehow, it might just mean that hormones are having a bigger impact on your BG than they used to, and you just need to make some changes to your dosing. This is really normal and not a big deal - you just need to learn how to adapt to it.
If you’re not seeing an Endo, you absolutely should be. Talk to your parents about it.
Third, I highly recommend reading Think Like a Pancreas. You may be able to get it from the library (even if your library don’t have it - interlibrary loan is a thing) if you or your parents don’t want to buy it. After that, if you have are able to get a CGM, I highly recommend Sugar Surfing.
This is a really good book to get you started on a lot of fundamentals: Think Like a Pancreas
This might be a good resource for you in addition to speaking with your doctor Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin https://www.amazon.com/dp/0738246689/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QN2E1ECYFCGV8DH86WVH
Buy and read Think Like a Pancreas, it should be given to every newly diagnosed diabetic.
Read Think Like a Pancreas and stop relying on someone else to tell you how to improve your management - empower yourself with the tools you need to do it yourself.
Once you understand the material in this book and can apply it, I recommend moving on to Sugar Surfing to begin dynamically managing your diabetes.
>I know carb counting is the weight of food x per 100g ÷ 100 but thats about it...
Carb counting is based on the weight of the food and the amount of carbs in it, not all foods have the same carb counts it can vary massively.
Carb counting is only helpful if you know your carb ratio or ISF as well, since it's used for working out insulin dosage.
Here are a couple books that I like with lots of info if you want to learn some of the methods for management.
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