I am a 31 yr old type I diabetic that has had diabetes for 27 years. I just found out 2 months ago that I have a 4 year old son, I could not of been more happier, though the downside is that I found out he is being treated for diabetes. I was told his pancreas is shutting down. I cried my eyes out for days. I could not believe what I was hearing, and did not want my children to suffer from health complications like I have for over 25 years. Doctors and professionals say its passed on through family, well guess what, I was the only person in 3 generations to have the disease in my family, thats out of 117 family members. I guess a positive is that I am an expert on this disease and will be there for my son to help him and guide him through any difficulty’s he may encounter, and to answer any questions he may have. Is there anyone else out in TuDiabetes land that is going through or has experienced what I am currently going through?
I’m sorry to hear that news, as someone who’s been Type 1 now for 26 years. But I try to look at the positives, in that our modern state of diabetes management (which continues evolving) proves that your son will have the ability to live an incredibly full, productive, and successful life - just like anyone.Despite diabetes. Try to look at that. But you’re right, as we know: it does suck. While I am not in your shoes, I’m a 31-year-old who was diagnosed at age 5 (in 1984) and am the only son of a Type 1 mom, who was diagnosed herself at age 5 (in 1958). She saw firsthand the changes through the decades, and I do feel fortunate to have had her experience and background when I was growing up. As “lucky” as we might dub ourselves, as far as living with this chronic condition. Anyhow, congrats on your newly-found fatherhood! That is awesome!
I am not a Type 1 but a Type 2 and I am living proof that diabetes is hereditary. I KNOW my genes are to blame because I honestly had no factors that would lead to this. Plus a bunch of my cousins are also finding out they diabetes right same age as me. Coincidence? No. I think it is mostly age related in my family -although my cousins are/were overweight and I have never been. It is hard not to be bitter about it because you feel like you got stuck with a bad deal.
So sorry about your son. I am 40 and I just started with this. I hate to imagine having to deal with it as a kid. At least, he will have you there to help him. I hope everything turns out fine.
Out of hundreds of family members, I am the ONLY one with type1 diabetes. Yes, that’s great you can help your child since you know about type1(I wish I had that from my dad).
There is a group here at Tudiabetes called “parents of kids with type 1” be sure to check it out!!! I’m new to Tudiabetes but in the last month or so I have learned more than in the last few years. Best of luck to you and your son. And, welcome to TuDiabetes. JuiceMe.
I had several uncles on both sides who were diabetic, so I am not surprised that D has a genetic component.
My heart feels for you. Although I don’t have a child with diabetes, I as a type 1 fear this. My father is also a type 1. I have joined these groups. I wish you and your son the best in your journey ahead of getting to know each other.
Families with Multiple Members with Type 1
http://www.tudiabetes.org/group/familieswithmultiplememberswithtype1
Diabetic Parents
http://www.tudiabetes.org/group/diabeticparents
I’m always interested in hearing other people talk about the hereditary question (though I would be just as happy to never hear of additional cases). I was diagnosed Type I at the age of 31 (12 years ago) and believe that my disease is not hereditary. No one else in my family has ever been diagnosed with diabetes, nor are have my two children (ages 11 & 13). I do believe that my late stage indication has roots in a virus.
I also know people who are type I and have siblings who are type I - but all of them were diagnosed as children.
To have the genes does not mean you will develop type 1. The genes can pass from generation to generation. But if specific environmental factors come together this might trigger its development: the lack of vitamin D, the development of autoimmune reactions of the immune system and other so far unknown factors. Overall the likelyhood to develop type 1 even if the genes are present seems to be low. But your son is proof that the likelyhood is not zero. I hope you will find a way to fulfill this new role. Best of luck to you and your son.
My father was diagnosed at age 33. I was diagnosed at age 27. I think it’s a combination of genitics with some sort of trigger, be it an illness, pregnancy, or environmental factors. (But I’m not a doc…just my own thoughts)
According to a genetic counselor I saw, the risk of the child of a T1 getting it varies depending on the gender of the parent who has it (more likely if the father has T1 than the mother), the age of onset for T1 (i think it is double if onset was before 11), and if the mother is T1, her age at the birth of the child.
This is from the Joslin website:
"The risk for a child of a parent with type 1 diabetes is lower if it is the mother — rather than the father — who has diabetes. “If the father has it, the risk is about 1 in 10 (10 percent) that his child will develop type 1 diabetes — the same as the risk to a sibling of an affected child,” Dr. Warram says. On the other hand, if the mother has type 1 diabetes and is age 25 or younger when the child is born, the risk is reduced to 1 in 25 (4 percent) and if the mother is over age 25, the risk drops to 1 in 100 — virtually the same as the average American.
If one of the parents developed type 1 diabetes before age 11, their child’s risk of developing type 1 diabetes is somewhat higher than these figures and lower if the parent was diagnosed after their 11th birthday."
I do worry about it with my kids all the time…and just hope they will be lucky and avoid this, and all health issues for that matter! JuiceMe, I am sorry to hear about your son. Just know that each year diabetes treatment improves, and I know I have had it easier that those diagnosed in the years before, and believe those diagnosed in the years to come will know much better management.
JuiceMe,
I think one day we’ll find that we simply have the platform of cellular structure, DNA or whatever, that responds to our environment with autoimmunity attacks.
I have a daughter who got diabetes Type 1 in 1973. Stressors played a part - going from living overseas to living in a teen world in the US. Nothing could be more stressful to a 13 year old.
I didn’t get it til 2001. Stress also played an immediate role for mine, too.
Auto immunity is a funny thing & shows itself in many forms.
My father was carrying glucose tabs when he died out of state; we don’t know if he had it or not; my mother had arthritis.
I think its a syndrome.
Certainly eating pancakes for all meals during the 1929 depression didn’t help anyone!
Out of over 2600 relatives I’ve charted, we’re the only 2 with diabetes! They all lived long lives - 80-100.
You know you hit the nail on the head…we have to live with it and deal with it! It is what it is. There is a lot of positive I will get out of it, establishing a relationship with my son with the common denominator…Diabetes. Thanks Michael
See no one in my family isn’t over weight, and we are all in really great physical condition…I always ask my mom if I’m the milk mans son…lol Thanks for the feedback Kim
Mikey, I really appreciate the info about the group “Parents of kids with type 1.” I have already checked it out and it is really helpful. Thanks a bunch!
I thought it was always good being the first in everything! LOL Thanks Roxanne
Well I sure do hope to live to be 80. Thank you so much for the feed back
You are exactly right Bob, a VIRUS. Several months before I was diagnosed I was sick with pneumonia, to this day my family says its because of being sick and taking prednisone. I feel and believe the same way you do Bob, caused from a virus. I was told 5 months ago that my son was in Children’s hospital with severe bronchitis, he also was put on prednisone. Now 5 months later he is diagnosed with type 1, coincidence, I dont think so! Thanks for the feed back Bob.
My father was diagnosed at 30 and I was just diagnosed at 30. He was the first one in my family to have it. I always thought it was triggered by a virus for him and I was in the clear after 20. Now my two younger siblings are worried about what’s going to happen when they turn 30.
I, too, always kidded my Mom that I must have come from the milkman! TEEHEE. I am the only one that has D1…no cousins, uncles, aunts, neices, nephews AND I have 3 children 36 yrs, 35 ys & 28 yrs AND 4 grandchildren, NONE have D1yet I have had it for 48 years. My father did have cancer so i believe it has something to do with a virus.
BTW…I am not adopted 
I believe I got it from a flu shot… My first ever flu shot… I got the shot because I had a newborn at home. Now I will never let her get a flu shot as long as she lives. Just my 2 cents.