 Please
remember all changes in insulin regimens must be discussed with your
diabetes team first!!! Below is information to assist you in being
more informed when speaking with them.
The first thing to remember when
you are faced with diabetes is that the only stupid question is one not
asked. There are many misconceptions and changes in diabetes care. If
you have a question to ask, you are taking a huge step in attempting to
educated yourself on a much misunderstood disease. If you have a
question that you have not found an answer for on our site, please
email us and we will do our best to help you to find an answer. Please
remember that we are not medical professionals, we can only offer
support and provide you with questions that you may wish to discuss with
your diabetes care team.
 Is
diabetes contagious? Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body
attacks itself and the pancreas no longer produces insulin. How this
happens is still a widely debated issue. For some the belief is that
once this mystery is solved, a true cure may then be found. Type 2
diabetes occurs when the body does not properly use the insulin it
produces. Is diabetes contagious? NO, there is a genetic component
but diabetes itself is in no way contagious.
How can I
prevent my child from getting diabetes? What did I do to make this
happen to my child? Again, there is no clear
evidence that you can do anything to prevent diabetes. You should not
feel guilty if your child or loved one does develop diabetes. You did
nothing to "cause" it. It is a chronic illness that strikes our loved
ones for precise reasons as yet unknown.
How do
you test for ketones? The best method for testing for ketones is
to use a blood ketone monitor like the Precision meter. Speak with your
diabetes team for the proper prescription and use of this meter. Ketones
can also be measured by using urine ketostix but it must be remembered
that urine can lag 4 hours behind blood readings. The blood strips are
much more worth it but make at home care much easier in our opinion.
When do
you test for ketones? Again, your diabetes team should give you
specifics on ketone testing but it is advised that you watch for ketones
when you have been high (over 12mmol/220mg/dl) for a set period of time
(usually a matter of a few hours) or when ill.
Is your
child getting worse? It is truly a myth to think that someone
with Type 1 diabetes is "getting worse". A person with Type 1 diabetes
has an organ that has ceased to function. You can't get worse than that.
During such times as puberty and growth spurts for children, diabetes
can often become more difficult to control as the hormones that
naturally occur during these process make insulin less efficient in the
body. The result is often what is considered less than optimal control.
This can be dealt with by enlisting the help of your diabetes care team.
Often a regimen of specific Type 2 medications, improved
monitoring, counselling, and/or peer support can help to work on this
problem.
Can you
eat that? Again, it is a myth to think that a person with Type 1
diabetes cannot eat like an average person. They are at a higher risk
for cardiac problems and like everyone else, should try to maintain
healthy meals, a proper body mass, and stay physically active. With the
advent of new insulin therapies, there is no reason to drastically
restrict the diet of a person living with Type 1 diabetes. As one person
living with diabetes explains ""We can eat anything, we just need to
take into the account the carbs and bolus for it....as well as consider
the time of day, last bolus, exercise, etc."
Did you
get diabetes from eating too much sugar? Myth! Type 1
diabetes can occur at any age and has nothing to do with diet.
Babies under 7 months old have developed this disease. Adults in their
40s have also been targeted by Type 1 diabetes. It knows no age limit
and doesn't care what you ate. For reasons that science has yet to
pinpoint, the body will attack the beta (insulin producing) cells of the
pancreas rendering a person unable to turn the food into glucose (fuel)
for the body.
If you
are low, do you need more insulin? No. A low blood glucose
level means too little glucose (sugar) in the body and too much insulin.
In this situation a person needs you to provide them with juice or
regular pop immediately as long as they are still conscious and can
swallow. A low can happen when one in accurately calculates the
carbohydrates in a meal, the metabolism of their body, or their activity
level.
You seem
awfully grouchy. Are you sure that you are not low? Nine times
out of ten, the person will have a blood glucose level that is out of
whack. It is exceptionally annoying for those living with diabetes to be
told this. It is even worse when the other person is right! They want to
just be allowed to be miserable, tired, or simply have a bad day.
Unfortunately, this is not a luxury afforded to someone living with
diabetes. A low or high left untreated can become serious and deadly.
Sadly we cannot afford to allow them to just be human, we have to push
to ensure that they are safe because we care.
Why do
you need diet pop? Are you on a diet or something? This comment
can be especially common from dining staff when young children order
diet pop. While we can appreciate their concern for the global obsession
with weight, diet pop for a person with diabetes is not an attention
seeking issue but an albatross that comes with the disease. A regular
pop contains too many empty carbohydrates making a diet pop a better
dietary choice in such a situation.
Will my
son be able to father children if he has Type 1 diabetes? Of
course! Providing that you teach them responsible diabetes control. An
intensely managed individual has a reduced chance of complication
including erectile dysfunction.
When will
their diabetes be under control? When a cure is found and they
no longer have to guess at what a human body would do in a given
situation. During adulthood, it is felt that diabetes is a little easier
to "control" due to a more regular lifestyle and eating habits but we
all know that that is not always the case. Diabetes is a lifelong fight.
Good control is afforded to those who can obtain the best medical tools,
support, and care.
How do I
stop the insulin from coming back "out" after I inject? This is
such a common problem and many people have different answers. Some will
tell you to pinch the skin when you first insert the needle/pen tip.
Release the skin as you are injecting the insulin. Count to 10 and then
slowly remove the needle. The best advice? Practice and find what works
right for you. Its a hateful game we play when fighting this diabeast!
Am I the
only one with this disease? "I felt like I was the only one
having this diagnosis. My family helped me and supported me. I'm not
afraid now because half of my family has it (type 2 mostly). Public
school was annoying because I couldn't go to the bathroom by myself in
case I faint. I feel kind of normal, because I know a lot of teens that
have this diagnosis. Communication with my parents is ok, I have a cell,
and so do my parents. I feel sort of different, but it's ok. I don't
know if when I go to college, I might faint and maybe people won't know
why.--From Diamond - 9 at diagnosis, now 13 yrs.
You are not alone. Millions of people
worldwide live active lives with diabetes. If you are feeling alone
please look to family, support groups and friends. In some cases,
counselling can also be a huge help to develop a healthy attitude
towards type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Advocacy does have an
online support group that can offer as much support as people chose
to avail. There are also groups like
www.childrenwithdiabetes.com that has conferences and online support
groups for all ages. Your diabetes team may be able to help you to find
a local support group or mentor to lean on. There are also other online
resources in web pages such as Facebook that offer networking.
How do
you deal with school? Sadly how you handle school and options
available once again depend on where you live. If you live in the US, it
is most important that you have a 504 plan put in place for your child.
In Canada, there is not that option. More and more schools and boards
are willing to learn and accommodate for their children with diabetes
but you must be willing to educate them and yourself. Go to our
Getting Ready for school page and use
some of our resources. See if your school has a
diabetes care policy in place. If they
don't suggest that they adopt one similar to what
Diabetes Advocacy has suggested.
Be informative, not hostile. Teach them the realities of diabetes and
make sure that you are there to offer support and guidance. A schools'
job is to provide the same care as a parent could reasonably be expected
to provide. Please remember however that there can be union issues that
also must be dealt with. Also, many administrators may not be aware of
the options available to them or your child. If you have further
questions, we are always willing to help you through the process.
How soon
before you can leave your child with diabetes with a babysitter?
That is a personal choice. If you have a caregiver that you trust and
who is willing to learn, it can be done at any time. The most important
thing is to have a link to your child at all times (a phone number where
you will be or cell phone) and a responsible caregiver who is confident
and knowledgeable. Snacks can be pre-measured ahead of time. Insulin
doses can be written out. Make sure he/she understands testing and
interpreting the results. Most importantly, make sure that they know how
and when to use glucagon.
How do
you deal with play dates at someone else's house? Again, this is
up to you. If you are really lucky, it will occur at a home that has a
child with diabetes! This is not always the case. For a younger child,
you may feel the most comfortable being in attendance any way. As the
child ages, ensure that they understand the basics of their care. Try to
ensure that the parents at the other home are versed in the basics of
diabetes care. Make sure that your child can always be reached. Teach
your child at the earliest age to always carry their supplies--meter,
glucose, and/or snacks.
Will I
even understand any of this? In as much as any of us understand
this! Its a slow process. Do not be hard on yourself. Take life 4 hours
at a time. Four hours because most people are using fast acting insulins
which tend to only have a 4 hour duration :-) Learn from others with the
disease. Research. Join support groups. Attend conferences, forums and
other information sessions. Go to your diabetes care team with
questions. They are there to work with you. Give yourself a break! Type
1 diabetes means that a vital organ as stopped working. You are now
trying to fill that role. You are not God or any supreme being. You are
human. You cannot anticipate all activities, stressors, or metabolic
rates. You can only do your very best for yourself and for your loved
ones.
Will I
ever be "in range"? Sure! for about 5 minutes in which you
will dance and scream. You will swear you have this disease licked and
then after being lulled into a false sense of security things will be
out of "range" again! In all seriousness, you will do your best and you
will learn that that is all that you can do. The more you can test, the
more you learn about diabetes, the better control you will achieve. Life
will throw you curves at all times. Don't beat yourself up about it. Try
to be proactive. Learn how your body reacts to various foods and
activites. Learn your carb to insulin ratios. Learn about your insulin
regimen. Remember that controlling diabetes is like driving your
car down a windy road steering from the backseat using only elastic
bands.
How can
you inject a needle into yourself/your child? Very easily
when you know that that is the only thing that stands between you and
death.
But
isn't there a cure? We wish! Scientists are working on
many theories and there are great new treatment options like the
University of Calgary's Islet Transplant therapy but nothing
currently "cures" diabetes. Until that day we will work to educate,
advocate, and fund research to learn more about causes,
complications, and possible cures.
How
do you handle holidays? Everyone handles holidays
differently but the most important thing to remember is to make the
most of each day. If you are concerned about treats for young
children use moderation. Check out the amount of
carbs items contain and substitute them for
something else in their meal plan. A lunch sized bag of chips
can be given one day instead of a slice of bread. A snack sized
chocolate bar is often the same value as a "fruit" exchange.
At Hallowe'en, some parents will buy back their children's candy or
exchange it for a toy or treat that they really want. Count your
carbs, dose accordingly and remember to use moderation. No one needs
to eat poorly. Healthy treats such as angel food cake instead of
heavy pound cake or a plate of fruit instead of bowls of chips are
always better for everyone.
At children's birthday parties, allow
your child to be a child but again teach them moderation. Even
children on MDI can often use a small piece of birthday cake or hot
dog instead of their regular 25 g CHO snack. If the parents do not
think to provide sugar-free drinks, bring a bottle of diet pop/soda
with you, or a singles pack of Crystal light or other sugar-free
drink to add to a glass of water. You would be surprised to learn
how many other parents are looking at healthier parties for their
non-D children. Talk to the parents ahead of time and see what they
have planned and when so that your child can fully enjoy all that is
going on.
Will
he/she outgrow this? Again, the pancreas has been
irreparably damaged. Until their is a cure, there is no way for a
child or anyone else to out grow Type 1 diabetes any more than an
amputee is likely to regrow a limb.
Will
their lifespan be shortened? That is individual like
most things. A person with diabetes is much more likely to have
cardiovascular disease. Without proper care, they are more likely to
develop kidney failure, blindness and limb amputation. Today's
intensive therapy give us hope that those living with diabetes today
who have access to the best of diabetes care will live long and
productive lives.
How
will I be able to "literally" keep my child alive? with
hard work, testing, injecting, and careful monitoring.
What
happens if I do something "wrong"? with any luck you have a great
diabetes care team and support system that can be there for you 24/7. Many
mistakes like too much insulin and errors in carb counting can be corrected and
managed at home with a lot of testing. Insulin errors can be corrected by
providing more food to cover lows or a "correction"
dose to deal with an unexpected high. Try to remain calm and always keep an
emergency number of a mentor or doctor nearby.
How
will this affect the rest of our lives? In some respects it will impact
every part of it and in others it will simply become another part of your life.
Your life will change but you will do your best to ensure that it doesn't take
over all of your life and you work to live each life to the fullest despite
having this unwelcomed visitor in your home.
Will
my child be able to do all that things that he dreamt of in life?
Unfortunately there are some occupations that do not allow people with diabetes
to enter. The rules and restrictions are changing each day. Allow your child to
dream as you never know what new opportunities might be there for them when they
reach the age to make that career decision.
How will I hold my family together? As will any chronic
illness, diabetes does put a serious strain on a family. Councelling and an
open dialogue between all family members is the only way to keep a family
strong and together. Sadly it can often be a marriage breaker.
This
site does not supply clinical treatment information or medical advice.
Any advice or information you may receive through this website or our
mailing lists is not guaranteed and should always be discussed with your
health care provider . All links are provided for your convenience
and further do not signify any endorsement on our behalf. |
