Type 1 Diabetes

faithfaery

I'm not sure if I'm in the right place. So I'm sorry if I'm posting this here when it should be posted elsewhere.

I have twin boys, age 3, and another boy, age 1. Today, the younger twin has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. 

I'm terrified. I've been doing some research on my own and it's so overwhelming. I'm a SAHM, so the majority of his care is going to fall to me. I also have depression that has been getting worse, and is currently undergoing a change in medication dosage. I just don't know if this is something I can handle. 

Tomorrow we are going to be spending the day learning how to care for him. I know that most of my questions will be answered then. And I know I can only take this one day at a time. But some of the stuff I have been reading ....

Minimal 4 finger pricks a day, probably more. Dietary restrictions. Injections. Keeping high sugar foods on us at all times, in case of a dip in blood sugar. Having to tell him that he can no longer eat the things he loves, while his brother can. (We aren't going to let the other boys eat them in front of him.) And he's so little. He's just a baby. He can barely understand when it's time to pick up his toys. And this changes his life. This is something we will have to do every single day for the rest of his life.

I am so scared. And fighting tears. I know that it could be worse. I know that this is treatable and manageable, and that we should be counting our blessings because of those facts. But I am so terrified that I'm not going to be able to do this.

faithfaery

I just want to thank everyone so much. Those replies mean the world to me. Today we had our second session of education, and it's starting to feel a little more manageable. I know we still have a very long road ahead of us as we adjust to this (and have to deal with twin jealousy rearing it's ugly head)

I have found a forum for parents of kids with T1D and I already feel so at home there. But thank you wonderful ladies again for your messages.

mmooki

I don't have a child with type 1 but I have type 1 diabetes. I was diagnosed as an adult 9 years ago. You've received a lot of great advice here. Take things one day at a time. And remember, he is a kid first.

Also if I am allowed, I'd like to direct you to Type 1 Parents. It is a message board/support group online. It was started a number of years ago by a man who's son was diagnosed. Feel free to search around there.

macchiatto

I'm sorry you are dealing with this, and on top of dealing with depression as well. We have dealt with major medical issues for my husband, myself, one of our twins (plus allergies and asthma for the other twin for good measure) and it's so hard when you're hit by a few big things at once. There is a lot of Type II diabetes in my family (both parents, sister, grandmother, I had prediabetes, etc.) but not Type I. I have a local friend plus two other mom friends who have kids with Type I. I know secondhand that it can be challenging and at times scary to deal with. I'm glad you have already found some good support, though I know there's a big adjustment period initially and it's very understandable to feel overwhelmed at first.

I also agree with pp that I would overhaul the diet for the whole family. We have done this with our twins with their food allergies. And interestingly as they got older, they are now OK with one eating something the other is allergic to because even by age 4, they were able to understand the allergy factor and not get jealous.  I would also try to provide an appealing alternative for the other if there was a treat that one of them couldn't have. You can play that part by ear, but like pp said, while you might need to more carefully control the balance for your child with diabetes, overall they can be pretty much eating the same things, just a healthier/lower-sugar version when necessary.