My two year is Type 1

[tattyhead]

Hello everyone. My fabulous daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 about two months ago. She's doing brilliantly, little trooper that she is. I suppose, like many others here, I'm just looking to find out more, information being power and all that.

How have other parents coped - what works for you, what things to I need to be on the look-out for? Is anyone using a pump and how have they found it?

If anyone is Type 1, I'd love to hear what your experiences have been so that I can make the world a happy place for my wee miss. No-one in my family, or the other half's, has Type 1 and she is too little to let me know what it's like, so I'm hoping to gain some understanding of what it means to be Type 1. What are the things she will resent, what are the positives?

I live in Australia, so if I don't respond in a timely fashion, I'm not being rude (honest), it's the time difference.

[Keezheekoni]

Hi and welcome to the board! Tons of us T1s around here. :D

I use a pump and I love it. :) I didn't have diabetes as a kid though, so I can't tell you what it's like for your little one. My 3 year old has a different autoimmune blood disease, so I can help you with sick days and such....

I know that there are a few members here who were diagnosed as infants, so I'm sure they'll shed some more light.

We also have quite a few Aussie members here, so for sure there will be someone here to answer you!

Again, welcome!

[tattyhead]

Thanks for the welcome.

What do you love about the pump? Are there any drawbacks? I'm a bit concerned that relative to a two-year-old, the device seems quite large and might interfere with her sleep. Could she pull it out or generally disrupt it? She's quite the beach baby - what do we do when the day involves a lot of sand and water?

[gettingby]

Hi Tattyhead and Welcome. I'm glad that you followed the link to us. There are quite a number of parents of diabetic children here and a lot of pumpers so I'm sure your questions will be answered.
Again, Welcome. :)

[am1977]

Welcome :) This is a great place for support, info, and advice :)

Hope we'll be seeing you around :)

[KickStart101]

Hello There: It's Nice to see you here. :) That's
Wonderful that your Daughter is doing Good with
this new hurdle in her Life. She sounds like a
PowerHouse. ;) Way to be. She'll be needing that.
Still a shame that Little Ones are being dealt this
card. Hopefully in her day, there'll be a Cure for sure. :)

I was dxd. at age 3, by an old country Dr.(who made
house calls :T )back in the cave Lady days when we
tested our urine only, and injected Insulin with harpoons.
No blood tests, certainly no A1c's, or testing at school.
Just twice a day at home or where ever we were visiting.
I did go to Camp though from age 8 to 13. That was a Blast. :D

Anyways, the above was just to mention that if most
of us made it through those times, then your Daughter
will do just Fine. With all the info there is being taught
from day 1 to Diabetics(and Family)about Diabetes now,
the frequent required testing, the new technology and
advanced equipment, carb counting, more knowledge
about foods, plus a Great Forum like this, :D etc. She'll
go a Long way with your help and Love.

Ask whatever you need to in the Forums.
Best Wishes and Welcome!! :wavey:

****
If she seems lethargic, irritable, isn't responding normally
to verbal or visual cues, acting sillier than usual ;), etc.
please check her sugar.

When a Person's sugar is high, the blood is thicker. They
feel Very tired and find it hard to think properly.

When a Person's sugar is low, the brain is lacking needed
glucose so it can also not think properly(sometimes it can).
Feelings can vary. From irritable to argmentative, even angry.
Some get silly, cuddly. At times a Diabetic can feel scared or
terrified. That's usually from a fast drop in blood sugar and
they don't realize it.

They can also get Very tired and weak. I remember
walking 3/4 of a mile home from school at lunch time
and just passing out on the pavement sometimes since
my sugar was so low. That was from age 5 to 9.

If a Diabetic's sugar goes too high they can of course,
go into DKA and possibly a coma.

If their sugar gets too low, they can go into a seizure.
Usually from not enough food or too much exercise to
match the dose of Insulin. I remember waking up many
a time with one sore tongue from biting it. I still have
the railroad tracks. I outgrew that after I had my Son.

Always have snacks packed for her. When she goes
to school please have a ride available for her. Even
better, ask no...Demand that she be able to stay at
school for lunch. I know that the school's do not allow
children to take a bus or stay for lunch if they live a
certan amount of kms. away from home starting in
Grade 2 or 3, I think. But a Diabetic IS a special case.

I've never had one but I think a glucogon injection kit
is a Good item to have when you have a Diabetic child.

[kel4han]

Another great website is childrenwithdiabetes.com

[Dewey]

If anyone is Type 1, I'd love to hear what your experiences have been so that I can make the world a happy place for my wee miss. No-one in my family, or the other half's, has Type 1 and she is too little to let me know what it's like, so I'm hoping to gain some understanding of what it means to be Type 1. What are the things she will resent, what are the positives?

Hi Tattyhead & welcome to the forums family. :shakehand I was diagnosed with Type I just before my tenth birthday in 1982. My parents seemed to cope well, and tried to learn all they could to help (like you're doing :)). I never felt any resentment for Diabetes, because in having it, I've taken much better care of my health. Admittedly, during teen years, I goofed off a bit...but for the most part, I had a good understanding of what needed to done to maintain control (i.e. testing, covering with insulin, etc.).

I didn't start pump therapy till I was in my 20s, and wished I had started it much sooner. It was one of the best decisions ever made, and my levels and A1Cs dramatically improved as a result.

I can't say how your wee one may react to certain things, but Carlie provided some good information on things to look out for regarding sugar levels and all.

In terms of how she's coping (I'm only speaking from personal experience, so this is My opinion only), I think developing Diabetes at a younger age is sometimes better. If we're going to be dealt "the card" of Diabetes, it's better to get it before we get locked in with age/time to "bad" habits or certain habits that we'd probably have to break due to diagnosis (i.e. drinking regular sodas & the like). From what I've personally witnessed, those who were diagnosed as teens or adults are far more likely to be resentful of it. Not speaking for everyone, but it's just something I've personally noticed. :dontknow:

Anyway, hope all our info. helps. Feel free to ask any questions about the pump or anything else. We'll do our best to answer questions & point you in the right direction. Once again, welcome aboard & glad you've found us! :)

[HollyB]

Hi there, and welcome,

If you want to talk to some parents of really young kids who have diabetes, check out the childrenwithdiabetes forums.

Several there have toddlers on a pump -- some say that the pump "gave them their happy child back." That's mostly because with a pump you can give tiny doses of insulin, so it's easier to keep a young child's BGs more stable. There are definitely pros and cons, and the final decision might have lot to do with how your child is doing now. (If it ain't broke...)

Good luck, however you end up deciding!

[GhostRydr]

G'day and welcome. :hello:

[tattyhead]

Thanks everyone for the lovely welcome and I'll definitely check out the website recommended. It's very reassuring to meet so many positive people.

We've got a glucogen kit, which I hope never to have to use and we've been really lucky so far that Holly's levels have been really great. Her HA1C (sorry if I've got that wrong) was 7.6 at her last appointment which was super and most days she runs between 5 to 12 which is great for a two year old.

The only real problem we have is that Holly is a happy, happy active little bean regardless of where her levels are. She's had a few highs and a few lows and there has been no change in her demeanour. She doesn't get agressive, sad, clingy or tired. She is who she always is.

It's not too much of a problem right now cos she gets tested five times a day (more if we're not happy with her numbers) but her father and I would certainly appreciate it if a glowing neon sign lit up above her head any time she was out of the acceptable range.

On the subject of prick tests - if you've been diagnosed for a while, how are your fingers coping? We're very careful to keep moving her sites around but even so I can't help thinking it's got to take its toll over time. Any hints?

[EasyType2]

Try her toes, tatty. I have done that myself. Other areas can be used.

BTW, I'm the one who sent you here from GUT.

Welcome.

[shockme]

hi tattyhead and welcome!hope to see you around...take care,trish

[catgalla]

Hi Tatty and welcome to the forums.

I've had type 1 diabetes since my early 20's and am on an insulin pump. My son was also diagnosed at age 4 and is now 6 and he is also on an insulin pump. It's great because it gives kids a lot more freedom than injections alone. If they're at a birthday party for instance they can have the piece of birthday cake or ice cream. He loves his pump and even knows how to give himself bolus', even though I don't let him unless my husband or myself are there watching him. He also knows how to test his own blood sugar. Children are very resilient and I'm sure your daughter is adjusting well.

Good luck and keep us posted....:)