Type 1 Diabetes: When did you "wake up" and take care of yourself?

My daughter (16) was diagnosed a Type 1 Diabetic, 4 years ago. She is (long story short) not doing the right things, no matter how constantly we are on her. Unfortunately, her last A1C was 12.2, and the Dr. is saying it's time for her to WAKE UP (step up to the plate, and take care of herself) or they will put her into the hospital as an "inpatient" for I don't know how long, until she starts managing this disease correctly. We try constantly to get through to her. Obviously, we are pulling out all the stops now, and planning to begin home schooling, and keeping her home 24/7 to monitor everything she does. If you've "been there" (and started off not doing the right things) at what point did YOU wake up??? Is there hope that she's going to get a grip on the damage she's doing to her body??? We're a wreck. I'd love your thoughts. Thanks!

I have constantly had people that aren't diabetic trying to tell me how I need to do things with my diabetes and its so frustrating. I know how she feels. I have been diabetic for 8 years. I was diagnosed when I was 18. Sometimes I still have trouble doing what I'm supposed to. Its very hard especially since she lived her whole life up until that point however she wanted. Does that make sense? Now this thing that's way bigger than she is has a hold on her life and everything she does has to revolve around it. I hope she comes around soon, but you can't try to shelter her and force her to do things. I know you love her and only want what's best for her, but you can't possibly understand what she's going through.
Maybe have her take some diabetes education classes. My insurance paid for mine 100% and it has really helped me to make better diet and exercise choices.
I'm sorry if this doesn't help you or if its not the sort of answer you were looking for. I'm just being honest about my opinion and what I've gone through.

I woke up when I had a very bad miscarriage. I don't think your 16 year old wants to do that though....

Go to a rest home and talk to some nurses. There are often times non-compliant diabetics that have lost limbs, organs, sight, and I am sure that will have a profound reality check on her.

I'm type 1 on 4 shots a day. I test so often that I'm almost scared to drink water for fear that I'll spring a leak. You are excellent in the parent category for caring as much as you do. That a1c means she's been misbehaving for at least 3 months.

It was a RUDE awakening when I went from NOT being diabetic to type 1 on 4 shots a day. It was another crisis that put me there. It was then that I realized my mortality. As a mother myself, I know that it really hurts to see a child, anyone's child, hurting themselves. Maybe some info from the Juvenile Diabetes Assoociation. will help. Try to contact them.

My heart is with you,
The Muse

I was 16 when I was dx and about 25 when I really "woke up". It was after I read an article that described high blood sugar as the consistency of maple syrup. For some reason, that image of syrup running through my veins woke me up, even though I knew my control was poor for years before that. I had a doctor years earlier that told me he wanted me to outlive him so I'd better take care of myself, but I didn't really understand how to do that. But my BG's were so frustrating, I just kept giving up because no doctor had the patience to help me figure out the patterns. It took about 5 years of work, but I can now say I've been in really good control for the last 10 years (I'm 41 now). And I will tell you that it's entirely possible to turn around some damage from past poor control. I had started getting some microalbuminuria, but when I went on a pump it went away and has stayed away. I know it's hard, but this is something you can only be encouraging about...you can't control her control. She has to decide that for herself and take ownership of the disease. Maybe when you tell her you have relinquished control to her, she will realize she needs to get some help. But she will need a good diabetes educator to help her figure it out, because you all need to understand that achieving good control is insanely complicated, very frustrating, a long process, and takes more discipline than most people have naturally. Good luck.

Kids around 10 years and up diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is so difficult. Mostly because they remember the good life. I agree... your child needs a bang-over-the-head education, and fast! Don't sugar coat the consequences (so to speak) of mis-managed diabetes. Diabetic ketoacidosis will kill you if ignored. You need sit with her TODAY. If your child doesn't take this seriously now, she never will. As an irresponsible diabetic adult she will - BEST case scenario - become blind or need an organ transplant at a young age. Welcome to the world of gray hair. This is especially difficult for a teenage girl because they don鈥檛 want to be different. Who wants to order a salad when everyone else is eating fries? Boys will think I鈥檓 a contagious freak!

There are definite denial periods to work through and sadly, the way people often come to grips is through tears and unfortunate repircussions. Let's avoid it! As the mother to a diabetic and two teenagers, here are my thoughts.

Is she sill taking shots? Down the road, you'll have the opportunity to move to the pump. Your doctor will never let her go on the pump with irresponsible management of the disease. Tell your daughter! It will be a goal for her to work towards, all the while forming good eating habits.

In the meantime...
1.) Find out what "free" (ie., carb free) foods she likes and stock up. Kids are hungry! Let her have the freedom of enjoying carb free foods between snacks/meals.
2.) Join a support group, find a Parents of Diabetics chat room, or at minimum, collect email addresses from other parents here. It's a very lonely feeling to defend another person's health by yourself. Seeking out other parents and sharing "best-practices" is a great way to deal with the bumps ahead. Learn from those who have fought the battle before you. Help her find similar groups. It sounds like she's the only person she knows in this situation. Being alone in scary situation stinks for anyone, imagine how she feels. There are camps, workshops, etc.
3.) MOST importantly, don't lead a different lifestyle than your child. Diabetes is a family disease, we ALL have to adjust our eating and exercise habits when one of us is diagnosed. Walk the walk, and educate. These are the most important things you can do at home.

I never went to sleep.

From the start, I decided to fight. I swore to myself that I was not going to fall victim to a random disease. I love my life and I'll be damned if I'm going to let diabetes take it away. I have diabetes...it doesn't have me.

There is one thing I learned a long time ago, when I first diagnosed. There are a lot of diseases that can take your life. Diabetes can take OVER your life. Whether or not you let it is entirely up to you.

Do she want to crawl under a rock and hide...or does she want to start climbing?

EMT

type 1, use a pump

I was diagnosed 25 years ago when I was 12, I rebelled and didn't take care of myself until about 3 years ago. I have been fortunate in the fact that I haven't had alot of complications but am now feeling the effects of it. I am 37 and there are mornings I feel like I am 60. I can tell you that what your daughter may be feeling is depression over a situation she has no control over. I personally think that putting her in the hospital is a bad idea. They can get control of her diabetes during that time but she is still going to have to deal with this disease herself. Obviously, you can't afford to put her there every time she's out of control. It may be a better idea to get her into a support group of her peers. Also, let her take control of some aspects of diabetes herself.She may not do what you like but it's HER disease and if she doesn't realize she is doing this to HERSELF and not you..maybe she needs to feel as horrible as can be. my mom's nagging didn't do anything except make me rebel. I still will walk out of my Dr's office if she tears into me. It's really hard to adjust to hormone changes not only from diabetes but also teenage hormones. I am now on depression medicine and there is an actual diagnosis called "x" syndrome that she may be experiencing already. The best advice I can give you is take it easy on her and on you.

I have to agree with Rae's answer above me. I was diagnosed at 13, did a pretty good job taking care of myself for a while, rebelled in the late teens and finally "woke up" in my later 20's. On occasion there are days that I may act like I am still asleep. This has to be your daughter's decision, and unfortunately there is nothing you or the doctor can do to make it happen any quicker.

I was diagnosed at 12, took care of things ok for awhile, then rebelled in my later teens. I started to take better care of myself at around 19 or 20, when I realized I just felt better when I did so.
My biggest wake up call came when I found myself pregnant at 23. Then I took excellent care of myself, but lost my baby due to diabetes, when the baby was full-term. (Low blood sugars caused by tight control)
I then let things go real bad for several years. Things got a lot easier to manage, diabetes wise, when I got a pump. It made my uncontrollable, brittle diabetes manageable for the first time in my life. If you haven't considered it, you should look into a pump, things are just easier that way.

She is very young and not ready to accept full responsibility for her own health matters YET. I have been there,young teenagers are generally rather tired all the time due to hormones but your daughter is by far more lethargic due to her Diabetes deteriorating through her own lack of self care as you say! What woke me up big time was being forced into hospital when a teenager,shown the realities and facts through other more advanced cases ie partial limbs having to be removed and that suffering etc etc. Allow your daughter to be taken into hospital,sometimes it's better to be cruel to be kind!!