[willfan]

hi guys , need help with my 15 yr old who has been diabetic since she was 11months old, im at the end of my tether with her she wont do bm's or fill her book in , i just feel ive lost control of her any ideas.i feel so low at he moment

[Penny]

She is at a difficult age, even if she didn't have Diabetes. I sure feel for you. Maybe you can find someone that she will listen to at this time......most 15 year olds will listen to anyone except a parent. There are teens on the forum, maybe you could get her to talk to them. In the meantime, here's a hug for you, I know you need it.

[Jamison]

Well, I happen to be 16 and I do not fill in my log book and I have only had diabetes for 2 months. To me, It is just a waste. If I take too much insulin, my BS will go low and if I do not eat something before exercising it will go too high. If i miscalculate carbs or eat extra it will go too high so I suggest you let the log slide.

[willfan]

Originally Posted by Jamison

Well, I happen to be 16 and I do not fill in my log book and I have only had diabetes for 2 months. To me, It is just a waste. If I take too much insulin, my BS will go low and if I do not eat something before exercising it will go too high. If i miscalculate carbs or eat extra it will go too high so I suggest you let the log slide.

she has to fill it in as the hospital like to see whats going on when we have to go every 3 months, then they decide what to do about her insulin, ive filled it in for the past 14 years but i thought it was time for her to take some of the responsability, but if she doesnt do her sugar levels how can i fill them in

[PepsiLvr]

Sometimes I think log books are a little over-rated. I was dxd at the age of 24 (5 years ago) I was never even told to fill in a log book and If I was, I probably wouldn't have done it. What I have is more of a psudo-logbook. It is the One Touch Ultra Smart meter. It has a built in log book and does graphs of BG levels and you can even input your carbs, meals, health, etc. Maybe she will be more interested in that? If all else fails, there is always the trip to the hospital to see and talk to the people who are really bad off (to explain the complications to come if she doesn't keep on track)

[fgummett]

Ideally the BG testing and log go hand in hand, but to my thinking it is more important that she is testing and using that to correct than logging... maybe if you back off on the logging she might get on with the testing?

[lgvincent]

I went through the same thing at that age and I didn't grow out of it until after I had finished college. It was at that point that I realized I was doing myself more harm than good. I can't say there is any way to make her change her behavior, it's more of a learning process for her. Try to encourage her to take care of herself but she's probably going to have to learn these lessons on her own.

[Coppernob]

I understand how you must feel and can imagine your frustration, anxiety and depression.

I identify with your daughter because I have been right where she is now. My real rebellion came during my university years when my parents could not see what was going on. In the end I realized that I was actually hurting myself and so got myself back on track.

Your daughter has been diabetic for so long and she probably doesn't see the point of it all - you know that teenage "I am invincible" feeling. I agree with the previous comments, especially the last two.

Just hang in there Mum and be there for her - I know it is hard.

[SueM]

Your best bet is to have a word in consultant and DSN's ear without daughter knowing.
Then get them to sit down with her and have an adult talk.
Not give her the complications blurb all it does is make teenagers more rebelious.
Explain that bs readings are needed so that insulin can be altered to keep her healthy and also above all so that she can hold a driving license.
At 16 she can hold a moped licence but no control no licence.
A diabetic hormonal teenager Good luck

[RobiJo]

Originally Posted by willfan

hi guys , need help with my 15 yr old who has been diabetic since she was 11months old, im at the end of my tether with her she wont do bm's or fill her book in , i just feel ive lost control of her any ideas.i feel so low at he moment

Originally Posted by willfan

she has to fill it in as the hospital like to see whats going on when we have to go every 3 months, then they decide what to do about her insulin, ive filled it in for the past 14 years but i thought it was time for her to take some of the responsability, but if she doesnt do her sugar levels how can i fill them in

Use a program to upload the data from the meter. It's much more useful than logging ever will be. Lifescan, Freestyle, etc all have programs. If she has a MM pump, use Carelink. If this is not possible log it together. Kids scream that they won't freedom, but many really want freedom from the responsibility of D. Make using the program/log book something you do together... and (hold your breath) don't "yell" at her for what she's not doing, rather set goals. Make it a routine. Always upload/log together on Sunday mornings for example. It should help keep her accountable as well.

[seanmarr]

I was 15 once and I did something similar. You just get fed up with it. Someone suggested that an UltraSmart is like a log book and acutally I think it would solve the log book problem - I know I rely on it absolutely. I havn't checked what country you're in but I know they can be had in the UK for around £20 max (possibly free if your DSN has a secret stash).

My advice would be to let it go - its not worth the stress arguing over it. Unfortunatly you cant ever go on holiday over diabetes and I personally think that everyone should just stay as happy as possible.

The fact that you are writing that 'she needs to fill it in so that the hospital can decide on her insulin' shows there is a clear need for education as she, or you as her carer (if indeed you see that as your role) needs to make those sorts of decisions.

[UpNorth]

I didn't have diabetes yet when i was 15, i was diagnosed days before i turned 19... But if i had been diabetic when i was 15, i'd most likely be quite pissed off if my mum was naggin on me all the time about diabetes related things, especially if living with the disease for so long. Maybe it's time to let go and let her deal with it on her own. After all these years she should be able to manage it brilliantly as long as puberty doesn't cause too much trouble for her. Also, some, or maybe even quite many diabetics can pretty much feel at about what level they're at. I know of Type 1's who ONLY test when feeling completely off and don't know if it's a high or low causing it. The rest of the time they just go by feeling.

Get your hands on a meter that records the test results, the OTUS is a great choice in this case.

But the main thing with kids in the teens... Encourage, but NEVER nag about things. Nagging usually just means the teen will do the opposit, so if you nag on your daughter to test, she'll most likely test even less. I know i was that way anyways If mum told me to clean my room, i watched TV instead

[Alice]

After 43 years of this...I probably hate "logging numbers" more than the disease itself! I think it's "ok" to not log...if a few compromises are met...

Such as backing up a doctors appointment with an excellent A1C test. If that number isn't so great...then a two-week log would be needed, minimum.

A doctor should understand teens and "logging"...which is different than testing. I test all day. I just hate the extra step of writing it down or downloading...whatever. It's a mental fight for me.

Yet, I still manage to take about two weeks of numbers to the doctor each visit. Especially to a new doctor. Sometimes I pull them out, sometimes not...but I'm always prepared.

I find the numbers are confusing for the doctors since they tend to concentrate on one particular day they like or don't like...it the case of my last doctor, she only noticed the first log number...the rest just didn't sink in with her and that's understandable.

Also, it helps if you come up with a "fun" way to log. Stick a chart on the bathroom mirror. Or set up a special page on the computer...something to catch a few numbers.

Ideally, you would have a pre-meal number and a post-meal number for all meals...but I often have a few open spots.

I hated those "little log books"...instead, I just grab my daily planner and jot the number there...then transfer later for a doctors appointment.

Key, just find something that works...even if it's a compromise at this point.

til the day I die...I hate logging. Not testing...logging.

[kstreeter513]

I am 21 and don't log. I quit logging when I was around 15. This was the time I realized it was unnecessary. I do log for certain circumstances though. If making adjustments on my pump I definatly log so I can see what changes need to be made. Also for the 2-3 weeks before a Dr. visit, I will log just for something for them to see. I don't really even know why I bother with that anymore, because at this point in the game, I know just about all they can tell me.

How are your daughter's blood sugars? If they are good, is there really a need to log? Honestly? If they aren't so good, then logging definatly has it's benefits and should be done, but if your daughter is responsible enough to test regularly, and maintain good control, then I really don't see a need for logging.

[Eddy]

I don't log. I tried, but it was too time-consuming. (Of course, had you seen the "estimated IOB" graphs and other insanity that I included as "logging"...)

Does she want you to help her track? It's possible that she feels overwhelmed or abandoned. Hopefully you and she could talk about her taking more control, even if gradually.

I generally am a "do it in my head"-type person. I mentally track my food, insulin, and environment, and figure things out as I go along. I was the same way at university; rarely did I take notes, as that tended to distract me from watching and listening.

She might be the same way. The bottom line is: How well is she managing her condition? Is she avoiding wicked spikes and drops? How about her A1c results?

Not testing blood sugar would be another matter. Although I usually have a decent feel for where I am, I'm still wrong often enough that I (admittedly not a long-timer) average eight or nine tests per day.

Perhaps she doesn't like the hospital trips? I certainly wouldn't. I greatly prefer self-management, and believe that's the best (only?) sustainable method. Her next set of labs could well indicate her ability to self-manage.

Finally, just remember: You do your best, and that's the best you can do. She has free will.