Type 1 diabetes....HELP!!! ?

I have just received the news that my 5 year old neice has been diagnosed today with type 1 diabetes. her parents are gutted, it comes as a shock as it isnt in the family, i was wondering if there was anyone who had it that could give me a bit of info on it. she's been told she has to stay in hospital until both her parents can inject her insulin perfectly, which is something that she is going to have to do for the rest of her life, any help gratefully received. x

i know when you first get the news its shocking and scary. Diabetes is not a death sentence. People with diabetes live normal lives, they just need watch there diet, exercise regularly...Yes her parents are going to have to learn to give the injections but in due time they will have it down pact. It's the fear of actually doing it the first time that scares many people but your niece will learn to give her own shots as well..i have seen many many children her age injecting themselves after a while its a piece of cake. Like I said it is scary but you and mom-n-dad have to stay strong and positive for this little girl..She will live a normal life, get educated on diabetes, there's many resources on line such as.http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp
any hospital you go to or call has a diabetes nurse educator you can talk with and even take classes on what diabetes is, how it effects the body and organs and the diet diabetics should live by. I am a diabetic for 15 years now..a teenager when first diagnosed and i thought It was the end of the world. I to had to use insulin at first but now i am off. it was definitely scary but after learning about it and things you can do to control diabetes i knew it wasn't a death sentence..I wish you and your family luck!! Just remember there is nothing abnormal about her, she just has a chronic disease that she will fight and be successful...She's a normal 5 year old and she may not understand why she cant have candy or ice cream all the time but implementing a healthy eating habit, she wont even question it. Just know because she is a diabetic doesnt mean she cant have ice cream or some sugar free candy or even cake on occassion..it's all about moderation. If you go on the ADA site you can learn about diet exchanges diabetics use, im sure your nieces parents have learned about that...read the info they have gotten from the docs and go onto the website i posted up above..that should give you some insight on the condition

Adv. Registered Nurse Practitioner MSN

I have no experience with this personally, but do know that ppl are getting insulin pumps installed that make the injections unnecessary and control blood sugar real well.

Tough situation, but manageable.

I wish her and her family the very best.

Luckily, Type 1 Diabetes has become a much easier managed disease then it was in the past.

Most kids are able to live a normal life as if they don't have it.

It does take a lot of work from the parents and care givers to make sure she is taught how to manage it.
It will be a huge lifestyle change for the family, but if they work hard to educate themselves and her about her condition it will become second nature.

She will get used to the needle injections in no time. And I have seen kids her age give them to themselves without problems!!

Get her cool little bags to keep her stuff in... if she likes Dora find a Dora pencil case to carry the syringes in.
There are lots of cool Blood Sugar testers out there that come in designs and nice colours!
Make it fun for her so the transition is as easy as possible.

Read EVERYTHING you can on the disease so that you are informed as well.

Good Luck!!

Try to get her on the insulin pump,as soon as she is old enough to handle it-The parents giving her the needles ,should be easy enough for them to do-BUT giving them to your self never gets easy,especially if she has to give her self 3 to 4 shots a day-good luck and god bless this child-DIABETES affects every thing you do it controls your life!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your neice is old enough to wear an insulin pump. I really believe that she would do quite well with it. One pump made is called an OmniPod. It does not have tubing and really makes having diabetes a lot easier. I have been giving myself shots for over 35 years and would really hate to be without my pump. I feel badly for your neice and family but it's not the end of the world. Become educated about diabetes and she will outlive all of us.

My younger brother was diagnosed with type 1 diabeties when he was 4 years old. It's a bit hard to get used to at first, however after a while, it's quite simple. It doesn't really affect your life too much, and it's quite easily managable. It will be with her life forever, however lots of people have diabeties, and it doesn't end your life early, so there's not too much to worry about.

My daughter was 5 as well at diagnosis (11 months ago) and we were extremely overwhelmed as well!! (That's to put it lightly!!) Unfortunately with Type 1, it doesn't discriminate as to who it chooses to affect and heredity doesn't have to much to do with it.

She will most likely be in the hospital up to a week. This is so they can get her glucose levels down and the insulin working correctly. They will also meet with a diabetic educator who will explain how the insulin works and how foods affect her blood glucose levels. She will have to prick her finger several times a day to monitor her levels (the OTC lancets are MUCH shorter and less painful) and take insulin shots at mealtimes.

See if they can find out if they can use an insulin injection pen. They are a LOT less intimidating than the syringes. You just "dial" the amount of insulin then push a button to dispense the insulin into the body.

She is going to have ups and downs and mood swings and so are her mom and dad. It is a life changing experience, but if everyone works together, they will be in the new routine and it will just become a normal way of life to her.

Being that she is young and smart enough at her age, she will be able to learn to be independent checking her fingers, and eventually her own shots. I am so proud of how much my daugher CAN do. It stinks to see a young one go through it, but their resiliance is amazing!

Please check out (and her parents too) some of these websites:

http://www.jdrf.org
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com
http://www.ada.com

There are also quite a few books geared toward younger children that explain what is happening to them. We got the book about Frances and Rufus, the Bear with Diabetes free from a couple of the diabetes supply companies. The JDRF site has a link where they can get a Wizdom Kit, which has stress balls, a book for kids, one for adults, one for school, and a bunch of other neat stuff in it.

I know that this diagnosis is extremely overwhelming at first. There is SO much to learn. The only way I felt in control was to research research research. I've armed myself with information to help me understand better. The local JDRF near you can also help with support groups and going back to school, etc. Remind everyone that although this is life changing, it is treatable. She will still be able to do what all other kids do, she just needs to be more aware of her blood sugar while doing it. My daughter is now in first grade and we are getting ready to get started on an insulin pump. It has been a roller coaster of a year, but we have been getting through. You can also have them contact me via e-mail if they have any specific questions. Good luck to you and your family and take care!!!!

I was diagnosed when I was 11, and it is quite a shock to any parents. I remember my mom cried for weeks, and she is also a type one diabetic. I couldn't leave until I was able to give myself a shot, but of course I was a lot older then. I would recommend talking to her doctor about a Insulin pump. I just went on one about a year ago. I went from taking 4 shots a day to just changing the insert every 2-3 days, and it controls your blood sugar better. It is the closest thing out there as a normal pancreas. There are also summer camps available for children, some include whole family's, it would be a good experience for her to meet other people like herself. It is at least something to keep in mind, for when she gets a little older. Statistically wise, she is more likely to take better care of herself as a diabetic since she was diagnosed at such a young age. I read an article on this once. Children that are diagnosed at a young age, don't know any different, where children that are diagnosed at an older age, like 14 or 15, or less likely to take care of themselves. Not in all cases of course, but it was a really interesting article. It is a life changing experience, and my sympathy goes out to her and all her family. But I have been a type one diabetic for 13 years now, and I have no complications, and am very healthy. Diabetes can be managed, and although it is a shock to everyone now, you will get through it. I recommend checking out the JDRF.org site, which will provide a lot of support and information of the disease. It is a wonderful organization and it donates more money then any other organization to Type One Diabetes research. You can also look at Joslin.org, there will be information on the summer camps. There summer camps I believe are only for boys, but I am not really sure. You can also go to http://www.bartoncenter.org they also offer the summer, weekend and day camps. If there are financial issues, both organizations have low income and grant programs, so it is something to look into. I hope this helps, you will find any information you need to about the disease at the JDRF.org site, so I recommend looking there first.

i know how difficult this must be for you because i can only imagine how difficult it was for my family when i was 9 and a half. the insulin pump normally is held off for a few years by doctors and i had 2 do insulin shots for about 2 years before i could sign up to take a pumping class then i still had to wait. the child will have some stubles in skool i think almost all diabetics do and there are many diabetes camps in pretty much all states and personally i've been able to see little kids learn to do their own shots and learn more about their disease and can ask other kids their age wat they do like about all the people that will ask what they are doing when the test their blood sugar....
any more questions? please let me know!!

I am sorry to hear of this news. What kind of help are you looking for? The American Diabetes society has local representatives can tell you what you need to know. www.diabetes.org

These pranayam exercises will help control the diabetes and the side effects.Build up the timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume later.The benefits will be noticed in weeks as the sugar level is checked daily.Over the long tern the diabetes will be in full control and the medicine can be reduced in consultation with the doctor.
Anulom Vilom 鈥?
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril
then 鈥?close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril
then -keeping the left nostril closed deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day(maximum 60 minutes in one day).
Children under 15 years - do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day.(Max 60 min/day)
Children under 15 years 鈥?do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.

Also everyday press the centre point of the palm of your hand 40 times with the thumb and press the tips of all fingers 40 times each.