Diabetes Type 1 Support Group

I was the same way. I still kind of am. I am 17 and I just want to be like everyone else so I pretend that I am fine but I learnt the hard way and almost died. The best thing to do is not give up and keep reassuring her.

Thank you for replying. Tonight, I tried telling her that I understand that she is not a diabetic person, but rather a person who happens to be diabetic. I tried to tell her sorry for being so "nagging" about it - I just care - but I have agreed to only ask her once a day for the next week. If she is responsible and takes care of everything like she should, then I will keep on only asking once a day. But, she got mad at me and said that I will never understand her or what she goes through. It really hurts my feelings because I put every single ounce of me into helping her, but, like she said tonight, her and my mom are closer than ever, and her and I are the further apart than ever. The saddest part about it is that if my mom acted like a mom, I would be able to act as a sister. But since my mom is more like a friend or sister, I get the responsibility and the consequences of a mom. What would you say to her at this point? Or if it were you, what would you want me to say to you?

It is ok to worry but it really annoys me when people tell me that they worry about me. I know how the mom thing can be. That's the way my sister and I are like. It is hard to understand what a diabetic goes through unless you have gone through it but you have the experience of seeing it so you do understand it a bit. Just try acting like her sister and do things that you would normally do with her. She is very lucky to have a sister like you.

Hi,

I went through a whole phase of not taking my insulin enough when I was about 15/16. At the time it was a 'great' way of losing weight and any consequences seemed like a far way off. As awful as it sounds, I used to get really annoyed about my Mum always asking me how I was, if I'd tested etc., so it got to the point where we decided that she'd just back down and let me take control of it for myself. Obviously she'd still be there if I needed her, but I'd be responsible for the day to day things.

What type of medication is she on? When I was at that age, I was taking a mixed insulin which was really unflexible. Maybe having a long acting dose along with short acting shots when she eats would be a better option? I'm no angel (thinking about going and sitting in front of the TV with a bag of Skittles as I type!!) but having the quick acting insulin does let me counteract the bad stuff that I do shove down my neck...in the same way that if she doesn't eat, then she wouldn't really have to do the quick acting.

How long has she been diagnosed? 12 years ago I could get away with not doing my insulin without having too many side effects - other than the major thirst! Now, if I don't have any, I feel really rough, really nauseous. So, if nothing else, maybe time will kick her into reality?

To this day I still don't like telling people that I'm diabetic. Don't know why, I mean it's not like it's an embarrassing illness or anything. Guess it's just because you don't want to stand out from the crowd. Oh and if anyone else reacts to me telling them by telling me that they know someone who's diabetic...well, I think I'll scream!! What do they want? Congratulations?! Seriously though, it's a common thing that people really don't fully understand until they suffer from it themselves. I think a good thing to do would be to ask her how she wants you to be with her...

After reading your story I think I might know what my parents and sister went though. Well for one when your young you think that your are untouchable, so thats one bad thing. Also now that I have had diabetes for about 12 years I to started that same phase, and it has cause be a lot of person health issues. About a month ago I went to the hospital because I wasn't taken my insulin, and I have had this for 12 years I know better. I guess for me I want to feel normal or what is thought of as being normal.

I have a son that is seventeen and doesn't test like he should today he didn't check and was low and non responsive again i had to give him glucagon again i know you can't help but worry and pray it seems like when we do lay off he doesn't check. good luck

from what I have gotten from everyone is don't give up which of course we haven't and he josh is doing better but his numbers are all over the place. But he is checking about 8 times a day. I talked to a guy from medtronics today and he asked me why josh was not on a pump and i told him that our previous dr told us he couldn't get the pump until blood sugars were regulated he said that was not true the pump helps to regulate
prays and thoughts are with all of you hang in there
Dawn

i was diagnosed about 12 years ago and i think everyone from the age 15 thru till about 20 just rebel and cant b bothered it is truely like the whole if we ignor it it will go away....i have a sister with diabetes 2 ...a few years older than me and she went thru it as well in hospital everyother week 2 close 2 death yet it still didnt wake her up...it took a while and she fell pregnant and found new responsibility and grew out of it...i did it 2 had alot of fits and ketonosis (sp?) at one stage i lost ability 2 speak but it isnt something that u can easily get over....we do understand that the people in our lives just wanna help us but in my case anyway the nagging of my mother just pissed me off and made me disobey more...personally i say stop trying 2 force her 2 do it because she wont at ur say so...she will grow out of it...i know its hard and i may b wrong but that is my advice

I am the same way and I am just 13. It is fun to exercise with friends or get her involved in a sport she likes at your local YMCA. I am on the soccer team in my town.

Hi I was the same when I was at a similar age but over time I started to start getting used to what I had to do and justgot on with it the best I could. I you sister feels like you are nagging give her some space and she may start coming to you for advise. Keep a eye on her for low sugar levels she may not even relise she is low. Am from England and things are different here but is 20 or 30 the same as our 2 or 3. Try to find some activities she likes swimming, running and take part with her as its not just diabetics who need to exercise lead by example.