Seeking Parents with Children Who Have Type 1 Diabetes

My beautiful 13 year old dauaghter has had diabetes since she was 3 years and 4 months. AS a family, it rocked our world. We have been through it all - multiple hospital stays....., emergency runs to school. Our life isn't perfect, but we have raised her to be a great kid with diabetes, not a "diabetic child." She plays competitive soccer, and is also in the band.

One thing my daughter possesses has that many girls her age don't - is maturity and perspective. I'd be glad to help any parents who are dealing with the affect this has on the whole family, and it does alter parenting.

1 mom found this helpful

Hey, my little brother, started on shots when he got Diabetes at age2. He hated them then and still does, at age 24, however the shots are very thin (at least compared to what they used to be) and in time she will see that it hurts less every time. Be sure she is rotating the shots, and you can inject using the same type of shots, but with saline in to empathize and help her determine which shots may be the most comfortable. I agree that the pen, per my brothers report is much easier and more comfortable to use. A little anecdote about this age.. I think age 6 and 7 is avery aware time--- when David was 6 having been taking shots several times a day for 4 years, he informed my mom that it was time to stop the shots, and move on. My mom talked him back into it several times... after that, but he is in excellent health and we are proud of him. Just keep on teaching that consistency makes it all hurt less. God bless. Now that i have a 20 month old of my own, I think of how much it broke my heart to give my little brother shots, and how much more it would hurt to give my baby shots. Hang in there. Also have a doctor or nurse at her pediatric endocrinologist give her lessons on how to do it so it hurts less.... take care...

I think Catie L is correct. My daughter has Diabetes and when she switched to the insulin pen it has been much easier for her. She has actually told me it was much better and it really didn't hurt. We are working on getting the pump but until then I think the pen has been the best thing. If you have any questions feel free to ask me.

How about an insulin pump?

I'm an adult with Type 2. I'm not on insulin yet, but I do have a suggestion for the shots that I use for my daily glucose testing. Get the alcohol swabs that have pain relief in them--an ingredient called benzocaine that acts as a local anesthetic. Swab the injection site as usual, wait a minute or so, then wipe dry and proceed as usual.

I hope this works for your daughter. If you are doing daily glucose testing with a meter for her, e-mail/message me with your e-mail. I wrote a four-page MSWord document with daily testing procedures, tactics and tips for a friend who was recently diagnosed with Type 2.

A.,
Have you tried having her hold some ice on the spot where u r going to give the shot for a little bit before, untill she gets a little older and can get used to it. And maybe think of an upbeat song to sing or tell eachother a joke while giving the shot, just anything to take her mind off of it. The more you talk about pain, leading up to it, the worse it seems to make it. I will keep u in my prayers,Goodluck.
R. F.

Check with your daughter's doctor to see if she can get the insulin pen. It's much easier to use (she could even do it) and the needles are very small. We recommend this for the kids at my work. With the pen, you don't have to worry about drawing up the insulin. It's already in the pen. I've even seen some needless models. It shoots the medicine through the skin, and there's no needle to deal with. It doesn't mean it's painless, though. It has been said to feel like a rubberband snapping your skin. Some people prefer one to the other. With kids, they may do better with the nedless, eventhough you can still feel it, because they know there is no needle.
Good luck!