Comments on: Type 1 Diabetes Help?

By: The shy Guy

The shy Guy — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:00:55 +0000

Hi i am a type 1 diabetic i was diagnosed at the age of 11 my sugar was 2500 i was almost dead. I am now 18 years old and still take shots.
I hear the pump is easy to use it’s just i don’t want to use it. It would make me feel like i can never get away from diabetes as the pump would always be on and shots i just have to take 5 -6 times a day.
The best spots for me to get shots are in the stomach the upper part of my leg , arms.
after 8 years of getting shots i have got used to it there are days when i hit a spot and the shot hurts but the pain only last for a second nothing to bad.
take care good luck :O)

By: Noccie

Noccie — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:00:55 +0000

My son is 16. He was diagnosed with type 1 at age 7. He switched to an insulin pump one year ago and says it is waaaay better than shots. He has no pain with using it. He has had better control of his numbers too.
For the least amount of pain with your injections - well, that varies from person to person. Injections hurt, there’s really nothing you can do except keep trying different spots. We also learned that there are shorter needles available. Make sure you are using the shortest thinnest needle available. You can simply ask the pharmacist this question or your endocrinologist.
If the shots are horrible for you, mention this to your doctor, and you can discuss what options may be available for you.
Please look into going to diabetes camp, or a weekend trip for diabetic teens. Look up http://www.setebaid.com - this group hosts camps and teen weekends. Also look at http://www.ChildrenWithDiabetes.com for the same type of information. My son learned a lot about management by being with other kids the same age with the same problems.
We also participate alot with JDRF events, like the big walk they have to raise money. Both my son and I find that it is helpful to meet other families dealing with diabetes.
Please email me if there is any other information I can help you with.
Oh - if you are newly diagnosed contact your local JDRF chapter and see if they have the “Bag of Hope” program. It’s a goodie bag of things for diabetics that is free of charge.

By: MAC

MAC — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:00:55 +0000

First things first. Learn to manage your diabetes. Learn the chemistry involved. Food and how your body and all diabetics manage it. You are not too young to learn about it.
When you and your Diabetes is in control, then look at alternative ways of providing the needed insulin.

By: celtic.p

celtic.p — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:00:55 +0000

I wouldn’t suggest a pump just yet.
To use a pump correctly, you really need to know how to manage yourself very well, which just being diagnosed, you won’t.
Also consider the fact that it is attached to you 24 hrs a day.
You need to plan everything out in advance, can i do it with hte pump, if not disconnect, calculate how much insulin, will li be eating…
Pump’s really are a big pain in the butt.
Not really worth it, unless you really know what’s going on with your body.
Get used to the injections first, I hardly notice them.
A few tricks…Make sure the site is warm. Especially in the winter.
If the insulin, or you are cold, it’s very painful.
Grip your arm/leg/whatever so you have about 1/2 inch, and pinch it, just so it’s pulled a little away from your body, not so much that it even hurts.
Relax the site.
Remember how muscles work?
If you’re doing it in your arm, that means your elbow and below must be supported.
That makes the muscle relax, and a lot less painful.
New Needle every time.
Every single time.
Top of your thighs are good for me, probably a little to the outside.
Arms, again, more towards my back area is least painful.
Stomach, the sides are better than underneath the belly button.
Anyway.
I’ve had it for 13 years now.
Gawd, I feel old lol.
A few years ago I qualified as a Ski Instructor.
I went Heli-skiing,
I’ve been mountain biking on a lot of real mountains lol.
Bungee jumping, all the usual lunacy.
You will be okay, as long as you take care of yourself.
Good luck, and email me if you want a hand
You can do anything you want, including chocolate cake

By: I'm so sweet I need insulin

I'm so sweet I need insulin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:00:54 +0000

Hey what’s up? I was dx’d when I was 13 too. I was on injections (5+ a day) for 4 and 1/2 years, but I got on the insulin pump this past May. The insulin pump is not for everyone, but I personally love it! For me it is way better than injections; It’s easier to stay in control, I can ‘graze’ all day instead of sticking to a strict meal plan, and instead of getting MDI every day, I only get one ’shot’ every three days, unless my infusion set get’s pulled out.
I’ve found that the best spot for injections or site changes, with the least amount of pain (listed from least amount down to greates amount, IMHO), are my tummy (always stay more than 1 in. away from the belly button), lower back (almost right above the pants line), the upper/outer side of the bum, and sometimes the outer part of the thight and the flabby part of the upper arm..
For me, when I do a site change, it’s about the same as an injection pain-wise. Sometimes it hurts and sometimes it doesn’t. But most of the time I don’t even feel it, unless I hit muscle…
If you ever want anymore information about T1 or just somebody to talk to about it, feel free to contact me via email. There’s also a really great Online Diabetes Community that I belong to, and there are tons of people there who have and/or live with diabetes. There are parent’s of kids with T1 there, and lots of teens and kids there who have it as well. It’s a great support system, people there actually ‘get it’.
I really hope that this helps! Good luck!

By: myblackl

myblackl — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:00:54 +0000

An insulin pump works better and one has better control with sugars. There are all brands. Look up insulin pumps in google and you will read lots. You can start out with a pump with help from your doctor, a nurse showing you about it and a dietician. Ask your doctor and see what he/she tells you.
The BEST place to inject insulin is in the stomach, 1″ away from the belly button on all sides. There are no nerve endings in the stomach and it does not hurt. The insulin also gets into your body quicker. Make sure when you inject everyday that you do not repeat the same spot as previously. After say a week’s time you can go back to the same spot.
I am on 4-5 injections of insulin a day and been type 1 for 49 yrs. Good luck and try to go for the pump

By: WP Robot for Wordpress

WP Robot for Wordpress — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:00:54 +0000

Hi,
I suggest that you get this book and read it. It will give health tips to prevent you from becoming insulin resistant diabetic, and also help stabilize your blood sugar levels.
Dr. Barnard’s program for reversing diabetes.
He offers tips on the right foods to eat, what is absorbed more slowly, so you don’t spike your blood sugar levels after a meal.