Help!

[dad4son]

Hi guys I just found this site and I hope it can help. I have a 14 year old son that was diagnosed in Dec 2005 as a type 1. He went on the pump (Animas 1250) about six months ago and now thinks he would be better off without it. I guess he doesn"t remember the lows and highs that he had on the needle. He says that the sites hurt all the time and he says that the needle sticks are much better. I am really worried that he will go way high because I know that he is not checking his bg like he should. Any advice on some way to talk to him about staying on the pump. There has to be some goods and bads about both.

[2high]

Hi dad4son,

First of all, welcome to DF!

Secondly, do you have a local support group for D?? For yourselves, and for your son? If so, they may be able to send someone around his age to speak to him, hang out or a while and talk about D. I know that that helped me a LOT when I was dxd, rather than just older people lecturing (at 14, everyone seems to be lecturing!!).

Kit.

[dad4son]

Great news! I talked to my son this morning when he got up with a 298 bg. I reminded him of the highs that he had before the pump and he said that he would continue on the pump for a while longer and see if he can maybe find some other sites to use ( he perfers his stomach for the insets). I hope that he continues to open up and I am trying to get in touch with a young man that he met at a JDRF fundraiser. The two spoke before and my son seemed to get a good deal of information from him.

[duck]

Call Animas and talk to them about your son's concerns with his infusion sets...They should be able to send you a variety of sets to try so hopefully you guys can find one that does not bug your son/bug him as much.

How often does he test?

[kel4han]

Dad4son...you may want to also specifically check out the childrenwithdiabetes.com website, there are alot of parents there that are very helpful and can offer support, even for those crazy teenage years.

[HollyB]

Hi there, I have a 14 year old diagnosed in 05 as well! Aaron though is still liking his pump.

I second the motion to experiment with some other infusion sets -- they shouldn't be hurting him like that. If he's using the longer cannula length, you can try the shorter one. I gather some people do have a reaction to the cannulas -- so you might even want to try the metal set. My son finds that a straight-in set does not work great on his belly -- he doesn't seem to have enough fat there even for the 6 mm set and it can hurt quite a bit going in. He can use the straight-in set on his "love handles" though, and uses the Comfort Short on his belly. Those are a little scarier to insert, but he says he rarely feel them at all once they're in. You should be able to get samples of a few sets to try.

On the other hand, people can get decent control on MDI and if your son is really unhappy with the pump, in the end it's gotta be his choice. I would be a bit more worried about the fact that he's slipping on testing. I find that at this age they can go up really fast sometimes and for no apparent reason, so timely correction doses can be really important. Is there anything you can do to help him remember, or to provide an incentive for keeping on top of it?

[notme]

Hi Dad, Welcome to the forums. I know you will get some good advice and help from many.

I have type one also and was on MDI before I started on the pump. I will give you my thoughts about the whole thing and see what you think. Having a teenager with diabetes is TOUGH. They are trying to assert their independence and we have raised them to do that. Then when they make an independent decision that we don't like we don't understand. We have all done it. So, I would let my son go back on MDI for awhile. Let HIM make the choice for his care. Maybe make an agreement that if he does not have good control on MDI he will go back on the pump. I think he will decide on his own to return to the pump. Right now he feels different from other kids. He wants to "look" like them without an outboard pancreas hanging off his baggy pants. A short time with lousy numbers will convince him that the pump is less of a bother than the high numbers.

I know this is hard on YOU and him. But at fourteen, I know your son wants to be an independent guy. Offer new sets and help for trying to solve the discomfort problem. My guess is.....it is his way on convincing you that he doesn't want a pump. I think he will come back to it.

Good luck Dad. Personally, I think you are an awsome Dad. You want only the best for your son and you probably do know what is best for him. He just needs to learn that for himself.

[MJM]

Hi guys I just found this site and I hope it can help. I have a 14 year old son that was diagnosed in Dec 2005 as a type 1. He went on the pump (Animas 1250) about six months ago and now thinks he would be better off without it. I guess he doesn"t remember the lows and highs that he had on the needle. He says that the sites hurt all the time and he says that the needle sticks are much better. I am really worried that he will go way high because I know that he is not checking his bg like he should. Any advice on some way to talk to him about staying on the pump. There has to be some goods and bads about both.

Hi, the most important thing is to ensure that his blood sugars are within guidelines. Personally I was dx at almost 14 (nearly 48 years ago) and have only used the pump in the past 2.5 years. What has to be said is that his chances of getting these controls are more feasable on a pump than on MDI. Life will be easier for him with the pump. Only one injection every 3 to 4 days. Greater flexability with dosage. Better facilities to correct overs. Better facilities to correct lows before they happen.
In reality the pump far outweighs the MDI. I think it's probably as you say and the fact that he might not want his mates to see the predicament he is in.
I know, I was similar to him. Kids don't worry about problems that might arise in the future due to lack of control and rather than insist that he do one thing or another, just point out the consequences of not achieving good control. It's imperative that the control is achieved. It's possible that if he wore it for a little time that he would get to like it. Virtually everone that ever got a pump loves it and would not be without it.
Kit's advise might be worth following. The 2 of you perhaps could go on the net and look up the potential problems that could arise from poor control and the potential befefits of a pump. This would let him see for himself without someone dictating. Knowledge is wealth, or, should I say, knowledge is health.
I wish you well dad4son and hope he can see the benefits of the pump, but if not, hopefully he will look after himself on MDI and avoid the disasters for the future. Well done to you on your endeavours.