Thanks for this forum

[Caynuns mom]

My son has been Dx diabetic for a year now and this whole time I've been looking for support groups, classes, parents of D children but have not had much luck finding help and support in my county. I finally got word from JDRF in New York city that this forum could help and boy has it opened my eyes to how much I dont know about my sons disease. I thought I was pretty well versed in diabetes growing up with a diabetic father. I'm versed enough to be maintaing my sons A1C level @ 7.7 which is still a little higher than it should be but not too bad for newly diagnosed according to our Endo. I have been reading through alot of the different topics like Illness and mixing glucogon and insulin, meter readings of 120 two hours after eating, keytones with low blood sugar? I dont get those kinds of readings 2 hours after my son eats (not even close) is it a pump vs injection thing? I didnt know he could have keytones with low blood sugar or is that only during illnesses? If the glucogon is used in emergency situations to bring a low up and insulin keeps the levels from being to high are they using them together to maintain a certain level during the illness? I havent encountered alot of these things and I'd like to be prepared just in case.
I obviously need some support and guidance.

[jpb286]

Welcom to Children with Diabetes(CWD) and the CWD forum!

My son has been Dx diabetic for a year now and this whole time I've been looking for support groups, classes, parents of D children but have not had much luck finding help and support in my county. I finally got word from JDRF in New York city that this forum could help and boy has it opened my eyes to how much I dont know about my sons disease.
You came to the right place!

I thought I was pretty well versed in diabetes growing up with a diabetic father. I'm versed enough to be maintaing my sons A1C level @ 7.7 which is still a little higher than it should be but not too bad for newly diagnosed according to our Endo.
Thats a fantastic A1c, especially for new diagnosis! I would say the average A1c for new diagnosis is 10.0-14.0. I have been diabetic 18 years and I wish mine would drop below 8.0 :(

I have been reading through alot of the different topics like Illness and mixing glucogon and insulin, meter readings of 120 two hours after eating, keytones with low blood sugar? I dont get those kinds of readings 2 hours after my son eats (not even close) is it a pump vs injection thing?
Mixing insulin and glucagon is NOT recommended. Parents that have done this use two separate shots. One for the glucagon and one for the insulin AFTER the sugar has come up and the kid is able to eat something.

Some people DO NOT GET meter readings 2 hours after eating. I personally can only do it if I am super-aggressive(i.e bolus my pump as soon as I order food, and even then thats taking a chance). For many it IS a pump thing, because of the amount of fine-tune control and adjustments that can be made. Occasionally someone on shots will still be able to pull it off. I am not saying it cant be done, but it almost cant be done.

I didnt know he could have keytones with low blood sugar or is that only during illnesses? If the glucogon is used in emergency situations to bring a low up and insulin keeps the levels from being to high are they using them together to maintain a certain level during the illness? I havent encountered alot of these things and I'd like to be prepared just in case.
I obviously need some support and guidance.

Yes, ketones can be present at any time regardless of the blood sugar level, as long as the body is burning fat or starving itself (illness, infection, etc...) Glucagon and insulin are a temporary fix for when the child will not/can not eat, but ultimately they need to be eating to avoid ketones.

Hope this helps!

[Caynuns mom]

It seems as though the pump is the way to go for better control. I'd like more info on the pump. My father is on it but we dont talk much so finding a class or demonstration where I can see it and have some hands on instruction would be great ! unfortunately I havent been able to find much of anything where I live. Very surprising since I live in the fasting growing county in Florida.

[jpb286]

Here's a website with a list of diabetes support groups in Central W. Florida:

http://www.elviradarknight.com/diabetes/supportgroupsfloridacw.html

Give some of these places a call, they may have or know who has a pump group in your area.

[Caynuns mom]

Thanks I just looked through I will try in the AM thanks so much for the info.