My 13 year old son may have Diabetes, what do I do?

I would contact JDRF the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, since they are very familiar with various types of cases of diabtees in young children and may be able to offer you better advice than myself. I would however, bring your son to see a nutritionist where this type of professional will be better able to provide you with details specific to your sons weight and condition.

My friend has type 2 diabetes and my grandfather had type 1 before he passed. Start off with cutting sugar out of his diet. Sweetner is ok. Watch the foods he eats, try to get him to eat healthier foods rather then foods high in fat. Fruits with lower sugar in them are good, veggies, salads. Watch the french fry eating. He can still enjoy his sweet tooth by getting sugar free candy (hard to find sometimes) and make cakes with sweet n' low or splenda or another sugar replacement. Make sure he has sugar free icecream and diet pops. When he is 100% positive for diabetes, that's when the doctor will tell you what to do for him. I know they say for you to work out but at 13, it's not the greatest of ideas. Talk to the doctor about that part. People can lead normal lives with diabetes, you just have to know what to do for yourself (or family). Good luck and God bless.

wow it just so happened my husband got the same information last thursday... his test came back stating he may have type 2 diabetes. that is a scary feeling. right away we started talking about changing his eating habits and how he needs to work out more... My mother has it and handles it very well but it can get pretty bad if you don't take care of it. So our doctor set us up with a dietician, she is going to go over everything from food portion to what to eat and what not to eat. I herd on Good Morning America that eating lots of cabbage is very good for people with diabetes, it has a certain compound that regulates natural sugar in the body... well good luck to your son... and tell him don't be scared he will be ok...

My dad have diabetes and that I really gotta tell you that that stuff is very bad. You should have him working out regularly, since he is a kid he should be full of energy. Take him to the park or go out with him to take walks outside. Just do anything that creates physical workout. That's one of the things my dad almost never did. He just spent most of his days sitting and doing his paperwork. He was like that for like 1 year or more, and that's when the disease got worse. Anyways after a doctor check he decided to workout and eat more healthy food. Vegetables and grains, less meat and absolutely no sugar =(. Sometimes I fell bad for him since he can't eat any sweet stuff. So you should be very careful and take care of your son even if it means you need to be more strict. Remember that since he's only 13 he doesn't know the real risks that the disease could bring him in the future if he doesn't take care now. Teach him, all the secundary diseases that could produce just from having diabetes; high blood pressure, liver problems, headaches, and many many others. Well, just take care of your boy and keep him healthy, even if it means being more strict. Later when his older, and recognize what you did for him, he will thank you =).

Losing weight may just stop him from developing diabetes. Here is something you do need to find out..........does he have diabetes now. If he even gets a test of prediabetes, ....you can slow down the process. Losing weight fast enough to not get the disease, may not be an option. Don't hide from what you may need to know. Go see an endrocrinologist (?) I spelled that wrong.. With prediabetes, if you can get a doctor to put him on insulin, it slows the process down and gives the cells that produce insulin a much needed rest. If they rest, ...you may save the development of the disease for 10 or even 20 years. I am an adult with Type 2 diabetes. I am about 5-10 lbs overweight. I could not stop the progression, but I eat right, and I exercise now. My daughter has Type 1 diabetes. It has not been easy. A person can live to their 90's with diabetes. Make doubly sure he does not have diabetes now. If he does, he may need to be hospitalized and monitored. Perhaps he may not need to be hospitalized. But he could die if his blood sugars are extremely high. Either he has it, or he doesn't. I'd leave that doctor and find out. walkgal

I have diabetes and I am just testing my blood and taking my meds and I am just watching what I eat I would have him start walking. Has the blood work come back yet and if so what did it say if you would like I have some wbsites you can check out just give me you email and I will send them off to you. If you would also like I can be a support system for you if you need one

First off, your son is in my prayers. The best thing you can do is whatever the doctor tells you to do. Make sure that you feed him healthy foods, and get a list of ideas from the doctor. We're not medical professionals (atleast I'm not) but the doctor is. Do everything the doctor tells you to do, eat what she tells him to eat, and excercise the way she tells him to. You, the reset of the family, set a good example for him and be supportive!!!

Aw momma, so sorry about this. You're lucky that if it is diabetes you can reverse this by getting his weight down. I would get him running or walking, stay away from TV, computer, video games and get physical. Cut out all junk food, I know it will be hard for him but young ones can lose weight fast. Good luck and keep us posted!

My dear don't worry just follow the instructions of the doctor and read all the information you can receive on it. Please try and avoid bruises and cuts because these are very hard to get well. Just pray and believe and don't leave God out of the decisions.

It's not easy dealing with diabetes. My dad has it and we constantly monitor the food he eats and we always make it a point to give him his medication. To be sure, why dont you get a second opinion. It wont hurt anyone. If it's confirmed that he indeed has diabetes, give him the proper diet that he needs and try to get as much information on the disease as possible. Dont worry people with diabetes usually lead normal lives. I guess it just takes a little getting used to.

oh thats weird.. never knew a rash was a sign of diabetes.. but when i was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 12 i lost alot of weight.. was a lil chunky but ended up losing quite a bit of weight..

well u should get a second opinion cuz im diabetic and rashes really dont have anything to do with diabetes.. did he get his blood sugar checked? it should be between 75-150.. n if he is diabetic.. if he doesnt eat enough while playin sports or doin activities.. his blood sugar will go low and he could possibly die if not go into a coma.. so its important not to go too low.. if he gets too high from eating too many goodies n snacks.. he will get really thirsty.. urinate alot and get clamy/sweaty.. so if he hasnt got the blood sugar checked.. have that done.. but if he does have diabetes its not the end of the world.. if u learn enough about the disease u can handle it well and live a pretty normal life.. hope things turn out well for you and your son..

I am a type 1 diabetic. My aunt was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at 16 years old. My grandfather was a type 2 diabetic. I would not get too upset until you get the bloodwork back. I have never had a problem with rashes. I have had diabetic ulcers and sores that will not heal, but never a rash. I would let them do the bloodwork, see what it shows, and go from there. Sometimes, diet and exercise are all that is needed to control sugar in a type 1 diabetic. Mine was not diet controlled, so I am now on medication. The important thing is to limit his sugar and watch what he is eating. If he is diabetic, they will give you info on what foods are best and what to stay away from.

I sympathized with you as a mother. I have two kids of my own. Seeing my kids just have simple colds make me panic. I hate the thought of my kids that they are in pain or uncomfortable. Is there a way you can get a referral for a specialist in Children Hospital. It's better if you seek a specialist for consultation and that you know what to do next. It's hard to rely just on what people are saying here on the internet. It's better you go see a specialist to ease your mind and that your child will get treatment as soon as possible. But the question is, are you financially stable? Do you have health insurance? That's another area you need to consider. Seek help from your family for financial resources to help your child. God bless in all your endeavors.

Well, start him on a low sugar, low glucose diet. Substitute some of the foods he eats. And follow the same diet with him if possible. Otherwise, he will feel left out and ostracized. Then start to educate him on the do and don't of the disease. And hopefully, with careful monitoring, he will be able to lead a pretty normal and active life. It is a good thing that this is discovered early. There is still a chance of making things better before it gets worse. Hope that you will be getting good news... that your son is not having diabetes. Keep us updated yah?

Hey 34momma, I am so happy to know that your hopes are high. Keep them there no matter what. This too will pass, and good comes out of trouble times. Just keep trusting the Lord. It makes us stronger and we come out of it victorious. Still praying for you and family. Love

Hey 34momma, My heart goes out to you. I know where you are coming from. I inherited my diebeties from my mother. My brother and some others have it also. I'm afraid that my kids and grandkids will get it also. It's a terrible descease but it can be controled. So don't be afraid of it. Take action as soon as possible. I'm glad I can ease your mind some. If there is anything I can do or say, you know where to reach me. MYLOT !! lET ME KNOW HOW THINGS GO. GOD BLESS.

Hello 34momma, I happen to read your discussion and I would like to respond to it because I am a diabetic also. It was wise to take your son to the doctor, and do get his blood checked. Do what the doctor says in getting his sugar lowered if that is what the doctor says to do. She may refer you to give him medication to help lower it or raise it, depending on what his sugar is, high or low. But don't worry and don't let him worry. It can be handled and you both can put it under control. You both NEED TO LEARN about it and what needs to be done for it. I have to watch what I eat and also do exercises to keep my weight down and count my carb servings. You are allotted 3 to 4 carb serving at every meal to lose weight. EACH CARB SERVING EQUALS TO 15 CARBS. So 3 to 4 carbs equals TO 45 TO 60 CARBS PER MEAL. I walk my dog at a brisk walk twice a day for about 20 or 30 min. a day. I eat around 1 carb serving for snacks. I eat 3 meals and 3 snacks. I eat lots of chicken, fish(fillets) (baked, broil, grilled, pan fried with Pam. I eat all the green/ vegetables I want, and measure any starch I want,but I stretch my starch intake to 4 meals a week,not every day do I eat starch. You HAVE TO EAT IN MODERATION, CHANGE HIS WAY OF EATING. EAT WELL, WALK EVERY DAY AND HE WILL LOSE WEIGHT AND CHECK HIS BLOOD EVERY DAY BEFORE AND AFTER EVERY MEAL, ACCORDING TO WHAT THE DOCTOR SAYS. Always ask questions, don't hesitate, don't be shy or feel ignorant,nor that you are a bother. This is your son's life. You want the best for him and yourself. Good luck and I'll be praying for the both of you. Don't be scared, help him.

Hey..take a deep breath..its okay!! I promise, from a RN stand point..you have been given a chance (or should I say you son has been) that many other people would love to have. He should be checking his Blood sugars (that way, he will understand the life long difficulty that goes with Type II diabetes) I'm not sure how old your son is but this can be turned around. Second, take him to a dietician and set him on a set daily caloric intake (the hospital usually will offer this for free) Third: Take a family day/event and clean out the kitchen!! Throw out the junk, and fill the house with heathy food for the entire family. Let your son know this is not only affecting him, but its a family issue and you will work on it together!! Maybe, if he needs to lose 80lbs, maybe the entire family needs a eating overhaul? Make a pack, as a family, to become more healthy, to make healthier choices...together. This should show your son that...hey we all need to make better decisions on food and that hes not going to have to do this on his own..that he has to have the will power to go into the kitchen and not eat the chips. Throw them out..really its not hard. You just stop buying that stuff. Always shop on the outside of the grocery store..don't buy food on the shelf..(think about what kind of crap they put in the "easy, quick dinner" so they don't go bad. If it can stay on the shelf for 10 years..what do you think that is doing for you body? A great book to get is Tosca Reno (i think) Clean eating..she also has a good cookbook and recently came out with one for cooking clean for kids. Its a really good start. It won't always be easy but once you get your food choices under control then you can TREAT you and your family to a night out (have some chips/take out..what ever) But if you don't get a handel on this now..it will be a life long struggle..for everyone as well as the potential for your other children. Take baby steps and if I can ever help you out..just shoot me an email. I have learned soooo much over the years and hey...lost over 75lbs (after having a baby..wow! Talk about eating for two..LOL) Good luck and I hope this has at least helped a little. M~

one way of loosing weight is sending your son to a fitness center, in that way, he will be given a program on how to loose weight in safe way.