Subscribe Now

* You will receive the latest news and updates on your favorite celebrities!

Trending News

T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
  • Activity
    • 3 hours, 12 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use an insulin pump that comes with a clip, how often do you have your pump clip attached to your pump?
      The more important question is 'how well does the clip work'. For me, the Medtronic clip worked very well, but the Tandem clip is quite ineffective and the pump falls off my belt during things like yard work or other bending movements.
    • 3 hours, 13 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use an insulin pump that comes with a clip, how often do you have your pump clip attached to your pump?
      I answered never. I always use a clip -- I wear my t:slim x2 on my belt -- but not the Tandem clip. I use the black t:Holster Rotating Belt Clip. Very pleased.
    • 3 hours, 14 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use an insulin pump that comes with a clip, how often do you have your pump clip attached to your pump?
      I am rough on pumps and use a Tandem X2 but dont use the Tandem clip/holster. I use a neoprene case and a pouch with a metal clip. Thenmetal clip is uncomfortable while I sleep. Looking for a different solution for wearing my pump at night.
    • 23 hours, 30 minutes ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      If you or someone in your family has T1D, have other members of your family been screened for T1D autoantibodies? If not, do you think your family would be willing to be screened for T1D autoantibodies?
      I answered that nobody wants to be screened, but I was answering based on my immediate family. I did let my deceased type-1 diabetic cousin's 35 year old son know he can be tested for his likelihood of becoming type-1 diabetic. He said he may be tested as he was always curious if he had a chance.
    • 23 hours, 51 minutes ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      If you or someone in your family has T1D, have other members of your family been screened for T1D autoantibodies? If not, do you think your family would be willing to be screened for T1D autoantibodies?
      I have T1, and when my oldest grandson got T1, the other 3 grandkids got screened. The grandson who's the brother of the one with T1, showed a strong possibility of being a future T1 diabetic. It sadly came true about a year later.
    • 1 day ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      If you or someone in your family has T1D, have other members of your family been screened for T1D autoantibodies? If not, do you think your family would be willing to be screened for T1D autoantibodies?
      I have LADA, and the idea of screening has not come up, either by me or my adult children. I guess I need to present the opportunity to them so they can make the decision.
    • 1 day ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      If you or someone in your family has T1D, have other members of your family been screened for T1D autoantibodies? If not, do you think your family would be willing to be screened for T1D autoantibodies?
      Hi Kristen, thanks so much for your feedback. We do plan to continue questions and education on T1D screening. The constantly evolving clinical trials and FDA-approved therapies that offer the potential to intervene, delay —— and hopefully some day prevent —— T1D are only effective if children are being screened for the earliest stages of T1D. Without screening, we cannot delay or prevent T1D. We do offer "No, my family members have no been screened" as an option. We appreciate your passion as a person affected by T1D and hope you enjoy our other daily questions. All the best, The T1D Exchange team
    • 1 day, 3 hours ago
      Samantha Walsh likes your comment at
      If you or someone in your family has T1D, have other members of your family been screened for T1D autoantibodies? If not, do you think your family would be willing to be screened for T1D autoantibodies?
      I was born in 1939 and had many childhood illnesses. Three different kinds of measles and tonsils removed before I was 5 years old, then mumps and chickenpox when I was 5. While recovering from the mumps and chickenpox, I began showing the symptoms of very high blood sugar. Three doctors examined me and they were not able to make a diagnosis. I had lost much weight, and I had stopped eating. I did not have an appetite. It was almost impossible for me to walk. A fourth doctor had my blood tested and he made the diagnosis. While receiving pork insulin I finally began to recover a few days after my sixth birthday. I did not have ant relatives with diabetes. I think the childhood diseases caused internal damage and that was the cause of my diabetes. At the present time there are still no type one diabetics among my relatives. I do not believe it is necessary for my children and grandchildren to be screened for T1D autoantibodies.
    • 1 day, 22 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you or someone in your family has T1D, have other members of your family been screened for T1D autoantibodies? If not, do you think your family would be willing to be screened for T1D autoantibodies?
      Hi Kristen, thanks so much for your feedback. We do plan to continue questions and education on T1D screening. The constantly evolving clinical trials and FDA-approved therapies that offer the potential to intervene, delay —— and hopefully some day prevent —— T1D are only effective if children are being screened for the earliest stages of T1D. Without screening, we cannot delay or prevent T1D. We do offer "No, my family members have no been screened" as an option. We appreciate your passion as a person affected by T1D and hope you enjoy our other daily questions. All the best, The T1D Exchange team
    • 2 days ago
      Katie Bennett likes your comment at
      If you or someone in your family has T1D, have other members of your family been screened for T1D autoantibodies? If not, do you think your family would be willing to be screened for T1D autoantibodies?
      Hi Kristen, thanks so much for your feedback. We do plan to continue questions and education on T1D screening. The constantly evolving clinical trials and FDA-approved therapies that offer the potential to intervene, delay —— and hopefully some day prevent —— T1D are only effective if children are being screened for the earliest stages of T1D. Without screening, we cannot delay or prevent T1D. We do offer "No, my family members have no been screened" as an option. We appreciate your passion as a person affected by T1D and hope you enjoy our other daily questions. All the best, The T1D Exchange team
    • 2 days ago
      Kate Kuhn likes your comment at
      If you or someone in your family has T1D, have other members of your family been screened for T1D autoantibodies? If not, do you think your family would be willing to be screened for T1D autoantibodies?
      Hi Kristen, thanks so much for your feedback. We do plan to continue questions and education on T1D screening. The constantly evolving clinical trials and FDA-approved therapies that offer the potential to intervene, delay —— and hopefully some day prevent —— T1D are only effective if children are being screened for the earliest stages of T1D. Without screening, we cannot delay or prevent T1D. We do offer "No, my family members have no been screened" as an option. We appreciate your passion as a person affected by T1D and hope you enjoy our other daily questions. All the best, The T1D Exchange team
    • 2 days, 1 hour ago
      Karen DeVeaux likes your comment at
      If you or someone in your family has T1D, have other members of your family been screened for T1D autoantibodies? If not, do you think your family would be willing to be screened for T1D autoantibodies?
      I was born in 1939 and had many childhood illnesses. Three different kinds of measles and tonsils removed before I was 5 years old, then mumps and chickenpox when I was 5. While recovering from the mumps and chickenpox, I began showing the symptoms of very high blood sugar. Three doctors examined me and they were not able to make a diagnosis. I had lost much weight, and I had stopped eating. I did not have an appetite. It was almost impossible for me to walk. A fourth doctor had my blood tested and he made the diagnosis. While receiving pork insulin I finally began to recover a few days after my sixth birthday. I did not have ant relatives with diabetes. I think the childhood diseases caused internal damage and that was the cause of my diabetes. At the present time there are still no type one diabetics among my relatives. I do not believe it is necessary for my children and grandchildren to be screened for T1D autoantibodies.
    • 2 days, 1 hour ago
      Kelly-Dayne likes your comment at
      If you or someone in your family has T1D, have other members of your family been screened for T1D autoantibodies? If not, do you think your family would be willing to be screened for T1D autoantibodies?
      Hi Kristen, thanks so much for your feedback. We do plan to continue questions and education on T1D screening. The constantly evolving clinical trials and FDA-approved therapies that offer the potential to intervene, delay —— and hopefully some day prevent —— T1D are only effective if children are being screened for the earliest stages of T1D. Without screening, we cannot delay or prevent T1D. We do offer "No, my family members have no been screened" as an option. We appreciate your passion as a person affected by T1D and hope you enjoy our other daily questions. All the best, The T1D Exchange team
    • 2 days, 2 hours ago
      William Bennett likes your comment at
      If you or someone in your family has T1D, have other members of your family been screened for T1D autoantibodies? If not, do you think your family would be willing to be screened for T1D autoantibodies?
      Hi Kristen, thanks so much for your feedback. We do plan to continue questions and education on T1D screening. The constantly evolving clinical trials and FDA-approved therapies that offer the potential to intervene, delay —— and hopefully some day prevent —— T1D are only effective if children are being screened for the earliest stages of T1D. Without screening, we cannot delay or prevent T1D. We do offer "No, my family members have no been screened" as an option. We appreciate your passion as a person affected by T1D and hope you enjoy our other daily questions. All the best, The T1D Exchange team
    • 2 days, 3 hours ago
      Jneticdiabetic likes your comment at
      Have you ever participated in a charity fundraising event that benefitted a diabetes organization (i.e., a walk, marathon, gala, etc.)?
      I have led a team for the JDRF OneWalk annually since the late 1990's. We have been able to raise a lot of funds for JDRF...and I have enjoyed doing it. Good cause!
    • 2 days, 3 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you or someone in your family has T1D, have other members of your family been screened for T1D autoantibodies? If not, do you think your family would be willing to be screened for T1D autoantibodies?
      my siblings & parents are older (like me) and they've never expressed any interest in getting tested. my nieces and nephews have never said anything either
    • 2 days, 14 hours ago
      Karen Newe likes your comment at
      Have you ever participated in a charity fundraising event that benefitted a diabetes organization (i.e., a walk, marathon, gala, etc.)?
      I participated in several ADA walks not long after being Dx with T1D. As Ahh Life points out large $ are rased, but where do they go? I stopped supporting ADA for that reason. I think JDF is much more open on where the funding goes.
    • 2 days, 14 hours ago
      Karen Newe likes your comment at
      Have you ever participated in a charity fundraising event that benefitted a diabetes organization (i.e., a walk, marathon, gala, etc.)?
      JDRF only. I like knowing that my contributions are going specifically to T1D.
    • 2 days, 14 hours ago
      Karen Newe likes your comment at
      Have you ever participated in a charity fundraising event that benefitted a diabetes organization (i.e., a walk, marathon, gala, etc.)?
      I have led a team for the JDRF OneWalk annually since the late 1990's. We have been able to raise a lot of funds for JDRF...and I have enjoyed doing it. Good cause!
    • 2 days, 19 hours ago
      Joindy23 likes your comment at
      The last time you discussed adding a new device or medication to your T1D management routine with your health care provider, who initially suggested trying the new device or medication?
      Switched a long time ago to Tandem/Dexcom from Minimed because of improved and more automated control, and haven't looked back. Still wishing for a cure, but know it's not going to happen for dinosaurs like me. I'll just be glad when young people will will one day experience that magic word: cure. It's too easy to sit around and complain, but it's high time for a cure, and way past time having us depend on treatment that is pretty much a money maker for big Pharma when it seems as if there's a cure waiting in the wings. Filling up landfills with used pump supplies, etc., makes our society look nothing but incompetent and greedy. Sorry to rant.......
    • 2 days, 19 hours ago
      Joindy23 likes your comment at
      The last time you discussed adding a new device or medication to your T1D management routine with your health care provider, who initially suggested trying the new device or medication?
      They do too often. Why I ask? Well because it will help long term.... oh how do you know that it will help? It's a brand new medication, never been used by the D community, except for the shortest term study mandated in order to get it to market, and sell. Long term has never been achieved... its NEW. Let's revisit/wait a couple years... if its MAGIC medicine, sure I'll try it. But unless it's got magic properties, guarantees magic results why would I want it, until it's been used for a decent while??? Oh well... yeah, guess that does makes sense....
    • 3 days, 12 hours ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      Does your T1D health care provider currently offer the option to have virtual appointments (via phone or video call)?
      Yes and for the last year and a half that is exclusively what I have been offered so I am not getting all the usual checks an in person endo visit requires. ADA and others spent 10-20 years convincing endos they needed to check patients feet and that progress has evaporated.
    • 3 days, 12 hours ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      Does your T1D health care provider currently offer the option to have virtual appointments (via phone or video call)?
      I would rather see in person. He checks my feet, BP etc. we have a chance to catch up and for me to ask questions. To me so much better face to face. We did virtual during pandemic.
    • 3 days, 19 hours ago
      Phyllis Biederman likes your comment at
      If you use an insulin pump, do you currently have a protective case on your pump or PDM?
      I’ll occasionally use the holster with clip that came with my pump or a protective case of my own when I’m wearing something without pockets. However I find these quite bulky thus usually just slip my pump in a pocket.
    • 3 days, 19 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Of the people in your life, who (if anyone) makes you feel judged or criticized for your T1D management (for example, what foods you eat, where or when you check your blood glucose, etc.)? Select all that apply to you.
      Hmmm... I'd almost welcome it, another challenge to enjoy?
    Clear All
Pages
    • T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
    • Articles
    • Community
      • About
      • Insights
      • Submit a Question
      • Donate
      • Join the Community
    • Quality Improvement
      • About
      • Collaborative
        • Leadership
        • Committees
      • Clinics
      • Meet the Experts
      • Learning Sessions
      • Resources
        • Change Packages
        • Sick Day Guide
      • Portal
      • Health Equity
        • Heal Advisors
      • Join Us
    • Registry
      • About
      • Recruit for the Registry
    • Research
      • About
      • Publications
      • COVID-19 Research
      • Our Initiatives
    • Partners
      • About
      • Previous Work
      • Academic Partnerships
      • Industry Partnerships
    • About
      • Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Culture & Careers
      • Annual Report
    • Join / Login
    • Donate

    If you (or your loved one) lived with T1D as a child, at what age did you start dosing insulin without help from an adult?

    Home > LC Polls > If you (or your loved one) lived with T1D as a child, at what age did you start dosing insulin without help from an adult?
    Previous

    If CGMs existed when you were diagnosed with T1D and you wanted to use one, did you have to wait to get a CGM for any reason? Select all of the below options that apply to you, and share your experience in the comments.

    Next

    How do you bolus for pizza?

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Manager of Marketing at T1D Exchange. Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.

    Related Stories

    Blood Sugar

    How You Can Detect & Delay Type 1 Diabetes Before Symptoms Start 

    Ginger Vieira, 1 day ago 8 min read  
    T2D

    Why Your Heart Health Matters if You Live with Diabetes 

    Ginger Vieira, 1 week ago 5 min read  
    2023 Publications

    Association Between Health Insurance Type and Adverse Outcomes for Children and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes and Coronavirus Disease 2019 

    T1D Exchange, 1 week ago 1 min read  
    Meet the Expert

    Meet the Expert: Pursuing Beta-Cell Transplant with Temporary Immunosuppression  

    Jewels Doskicz, 3 weeks ago 6 min read  
    2023 Publications

    Institutional Barriers to the Successful Implementation of Telemedicine for Type 1 Diabetes Care 

    T1D Exchange, 3 weeks ago 1 min read  
    Insulin & Meds

    Perceptions About Nasal Glucagon in Young Adults and Caregivers 

    Caitlin Kelly, 3 weeks ago 6 min read  

    40 Comments

    1. ConnieT1D62

      In 1963 and 1964 I was 9 or 10 years old. Insulin dosing was pretty standard back then; one shot of NPH with breakfast and a shot of Regular or Lente with dinner. I had a lot of unpredictable hypoglycemia “insulin reactions” back then, especially before noon and during overnight sleep. The Internal Medicine MD took care of making insulin dose adjustments based on the pattern of the “insulin reactions” I was having. I did what he told me to do. Once I mastered drawing up insulin into the syringe and injecting myself, my mother stepped aside and only supervised for a day or two when the MD made a dosage change. However, from about age 12, I was pretty much on my own as far as giving myself injections based on what my diabetes MD told me to do.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Britni

      I was diagnosed at 6 and I was 16 when I took over insulin dosing from my parents. I started trying when I was 11 but I was (and still am) terribly afraid of needles. I managed it when I was 11 and injected myself a few times over the course of a month but then my fear took hold again and I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I continued to calculate my doses and draw up the insulin but couldn’t actually inject it myself. I kept freezing up. I missed out on a lot as a kid because of it. I couldn’t go anywhere without my parents or grandmother coming with me, so no 8th grade trip to Washington, for example. It took staying home while (almost) all my friends were competing in the annual high school drama guild festival sophomore year to finally push through my fear. To this day (I’m almost 35 now) I hesitate for a moment every time I need to take an injection or apply my Libre. And I don’t think I could inject my insulin at all without an Inject-ease. I have about 10 of them because I’m so worried mine will break and I won’t be able to replace it. And the only pump I’ve ever even considered using is the Omnipod because it’s automated, but the loud clicking it makes as it prepares to inject is torturous. I also can’t watch others take injections. I’m so grateful for the the Covid-19 vaccines, but the images on the news of people getting injected in the arm really need to stop.

      2
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Kimberly Green

        if you are ever on pens ask for the auto sheild needles. you will never see the needle the entire time. Its worked great for all my needle phobic patients. most of the pump have inserters for their infusion sets as well.

        2 years ago Log in to Reply
      2. Britni

        Thanks, Kimberly! I have discussed that with my CDE, but I prefer the inject-ease for now. For some reason pushing a button to release a spring is much easier than inserting the needle myself, even if I can’t see it. I did try using a novolog pen about 12 years ago and got a spring-loaded assistive attachment for it (like the inject-ease but for pens) but the attachment made the pen so big that I could barely hold it! I remember telling my doctor I felt like I was using one of the hyposprays from Star Trek. I’m interested in trying the InPen, but it doesn’t seem like it comes with any assistive devices (yet) other than the i-port. Given I had such a bad reaction (redness, pain, swelling, etc) to the Omnipod, I’m not sure the i-port’s a great option for me.

        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Avasupplies

      I was diagnosed at age 11 (1993) I had to show that I could draw up and inject my own insulin before I could go home. My parents only did it every couple months so they didn’t forget how and I begged and plead for them not to do it… it always hurt when they did it.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. rick phillips

      I was DXd at 17 so that is when o started. No my mom did not do my insulin until I was 17.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Ro McL

      Diagnosed at 15 in 1981 and always did on my own from that day forward.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Nevin Bowman

      Diagnosed at 4. I began giving my own shots at age 6.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Ken Raiche

      Back in 1973 I was lucky number 13 when diagnosed with this wonderful dira disease known as T1D. I started dosing/injecting on my own at the same time. Fortunately for me at the time my older brother had been living with T1D for 6 years prior to my diagnoses, so that sure made things much easier for us all.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Jonathan Caplan

      Diagnosed at 16 in 1978. Was admitted into hospital for 2 weeks where I was handed a beautiful ripe orange, saline solution and a syringe. Got to practice a few days under supervision until I spread my diabetic wings to start the lifelong journey 🙂

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. George Lovelace

        Similar to Jonathan Caplan, I was Dxed at 15 in 1964 but Dad was a LADA so I grew up watching him dose every morning.

        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Patricia Dalrymple

      This is for Britni and it may not help but I wanted to try: I had a root canal done in the 1990s by a dentist who didn’t believe in it or didn’t know how to do it without it being extremely painful. I was on Percocet and sobbing with the pain. I had to have another one later in life and was very frightened until my dentist explained he would not hurt me in that way. Whenever I am faced with something I think will be painful, I think of people who REALLY have to face pain: veterans, burn victims, amputees, and I tell myself that those people really have to endure pain. My pain is brief, has a start and a known end, and is nowhere near what those people are going through. It helps me to think in those terms. I pray it may help you.

      2
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Britni

        Thanks for the advice, Patricia. The problem for me is that’s it’s never been about pain. It’s something about the needle itself. So thinking about other people having it worse won’t work because in my head there is literally nothing worse, even though the rational part of me knows that doesn’t make any sense. I’ve learned that I have to just not think about it and not thinking about something takes a lot of practice. For example, I have to meditate whenever I have blood drawn or I’ll get woozy. I was a veterinary technician for while and encountered a similar reaction to injecting the animals, too. Day one I was being trained to draw blood from rabbits’ ears and I almost fainted. The way I coped was a little like the memory palace technique. I had to sort of shove the part of my mind that’s scared of needles in a closet and lock the door. As long as I didn’t think too much about what I was doing I was fine. And I actually got to be pretty good at blood draws, but I have to be very careful when watching someone else do them. And the animals could always sense that I was nervous, no matter how many breathing exercises I did. For me in high school missing the drama festival was rock bottom. Drama club was my family and I had worked just as hard as everyone else on our competition piece. I wanted to be there so badly and was so depressed that they were all at the competition without me. So when I sat down to try injecting that night, like I had every other night that week, I was thinking about how sad I was instead of how scared I was and that did the trick.

        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Franklin Rios

      I am LADA.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Mary Dexter

        So am I.

        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. connie ker

      Our son is technology savy, so when he got his first pump at age 14, he was on his own totally. I think the school nurse gave him the injections at school the year prior when he was diagnosed. Parents being both diabetic, gave him injections at first but he was 13 and ready to be independent.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Mary Dexter

      So glad there was a response “Not diagnosed as a child, ” and I notice the largest percentage chose that response: 31%. This is important.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Kimberly Green

      I started giving my own injections in the hospital at age 10 when I was diagnosed.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Steve Gold

      Ok you might consider this as a nit. However, the question is written in past tense. I think that implies the person’s life is also in past tense meaning they are no longer living. I’m likely wrong however it’s something to consider.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. BOB FISK

      My diabetes onset was at age 14, and I never had an adult administer the doses.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Bill Williams

      What exactly is “dosing”? I gave myself shots at 9, when I was diagnosed. I started adjusting the amount that I took when I was about 13. This was in the early 60’s.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. María Ana Lugo

      He’s 8 and not yet doing it alone — diagnosed 20 months ago

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Don P

      certainly can’t remember that far back, goodness, almost 70 yrs

      5
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Pauline M Reynolds

      Sutprised to see 32% not diagnosed as a child. Thought I was among the very few diagnosed as an adult at age 45.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Kristine Warmecke

      I was diagnosed at 11 y/o in Jan. 1982, I started doing my own injections a few months later.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. Marcia Pulleyblank

      12

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. Jenny Richardson

      I was diagnosed at 12 and took full control. My parents rarely injected me. The doctor helped me out for about two weeks and then it was all me.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. Janis Senungetuk

      From dx. at 8 until I was 11 and proved I could draw the correct dose from the vial, my mother wouldn’t let me try. After I proved to her satisfaction that I was able to do it I was allowed to inject my daily dose of U-40 beef/pork Regular into my upper thigh. Her over the shoulder supervision of my diabetes management continued for decades.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. Becky Hertz

      I was diagnosed at 14. Dosing was Nph and regular twice daily. Not too difficult.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. John McHenery

      From the very start. The nurse handed me the syringe, told me what to do and that was it.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    26. Linda High

      I was ABLE to give my injections (which at the time were 1 a day) at age 9, but if my Mom was there, I preferred she give them! My dad had promised me a new bike after I gave my injections for 2 weeks, so I did what I HAD to do!! : ) Also, at the time, home blood testing was not available (only urine testing), and we did not adjust the dosage.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    27. M C

      From the time I was diagnosed (at 16) I have been responsible for my own injections and monitoring (so long ago now that it was shortly after I was diagnosed that the first ‘at home’ blood testing equipment became available (so archaic compared to what is available today!)).

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    28. HMW

      I’m not sure exactly what age I started doing my own dosing, but it was probably when I switched from Novolin N and R (stayed the same unless I had a high for 3 days at the same time of day or a low for 2 days at the same time of day) to Novolin N and Humalog in my teen years. Humalog was on a sliding scale at meal times depending on my BG. My doctor gave me a chart to follow. Then I was allowed to adjust according to “big” vs “small” meals. I didn’t start carb counting until I was 20.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    29. Joan Fray

      Diagnosed in clinic at age 12 in ‘62. Gave me the black plastic kit with glass syringe, bottle of NPH and vial of alcohol with cotton balls. Doc showed me how to do it and I did. Twice a day. Zip zop, that was it. My dad was t1d, so the family ate pretty much diabetic type diet. Sort of.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    30. Donald Cragun

      I was diagnosed when I was 15. I never had any help (other than my weekly doctor visits) with dosing.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    31. KarenM6

      I was diagnosed at 5 and tasked with doing my own shots from the get go. BUT, those were the days of no bs meters and when insulin doses didn’t change.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    32. Patricia Maddix

      I was diagnosed in 1961 just around my 12th birthday. I was initially hospitalized for a week or two where the nurse showed me how to give injections using an orange and Celine solution. After a day or two of this they had me start giving my own injections. I always did my own injections except for having my parents do sites that I could not reach in order to rotate. I got severe atrophy of the tops of my thighs which was the only place they told me to inject at the time. It was only later that they started having me use my abdomen so my parents would inject in my back so that my thighs could rest and try to regenerate normal tissue. Eventually the tissue did return to normal. Initially I was only taking one injection a day of NPH insulin. This obviously did not do very good at controlling my diabetes. After the first year my parents sought out a diabetes clinic in Portland Oregon which was three hours from where we lived and they started me on NPH and regular twice a day. At that time we were not allowed to change our own insulin doses without checking with the doctor and later on by using a sliding scale. During times of illness we had directions to stop and PH insulin and take regular insulin on a sliding scale every four hours. Of course at this time the sliding scale did not involve blood sugar testing because that did not become available until around 1981. All we had to go on was urine test and hypoglycemia episodes to guide for dosage. I know many of you can relate to these good old times and we are all blessed to still be alive and pretty healthy.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    33. Scott Doerner

      I started with my first shot, parents never did. I remember practicing on an orange

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    34. Christina Trudo

      I don’t recall this was something we officially did before the onset of home blood testing- (for me at age 29). However in my 20’s I did mess with my insulin all the time, including changing types and guessing at a correct does by looking in the medical library at the different graphs for release times. Wild days. (No Rx needed then, where I lived.) Only once did I end up in the hospital and when the ICU resident said, “who put you on PZI ????” I said, ummm, I did that myself. Fortunately he had a sense of humor. (Not his Attending, though, who was extremely nasty to me. “You are going to die young!!!!”) Ha ha, I’m 70 now. but of course I did straighten up not too long after that.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Christina Trudo

        OH I thought this meant adjusting my own doses. I started giving my own shots on day 2, age 11. Sorry to goof up the answers graph, if I misunderstood.

        2 years ago Log in to Reply

    If you (or your loved one) lived with T1D as a child, at what age did you start dosing insulin without help from an adult? Cancel reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.




    101 Federal Street, Suite 440
    Boston, MA 02110
    Phone: 617-892-6100
    Email: admin@t1dexchange.org

    Privacy Policy

    Terms of Use

    Follow Us

    • facebook
    • twitter
    • linkedin
    • instagram

    © 2023 T1D Exchange.
    All Rights Reserved.

    © 2023 T1D Exchange. All Rights Reserved.
    • Login
    • Register

    Forgot Password

    Registration confirmation will be emailed to you.

    Skip Next Finish

    Account successfully created.

    Please check your inbox and verify your email in the next 24 hours.

    Your Account Type

    Please select all that apply.

    I have type 1 diabetes

    I'm a parent/guardian of a person with type 1 diabetes

    I'm interested in the diabetes community or industry

    Select Topics

    We will customize your stories feed based on what you select here.

    2019 Publications

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ADA

    9 Stories Related

    2020 ADCES

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ATTD

    0 Stories Related

    2020 EASD

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ISPAD

    7 Stories Related

    2020 Publications

    0 Stories Related

    2021 ADA

    11 Stories Related

    2021 ADCES

    0 Stories Related

    2021 ATTD

    4 Stories Related

    2021 ISPAD

    8 Stories Related

    2021 Publications

    21 Stories Related

    2022 ADA

    11 Stories Related

    2022 ADCES

    4 Stories Related

    2022 ATTD

    10 Stories Related

    2022 ISPAD

    0 Stories Related

    2023 ADA

    12 Stories Related

    2023 ADCES

    2 Stories Related

    2023 ATTD

    7 Stories Related

    2023 Publications

    16 Stories Related

    ADA

    17 Stories Related

    ADCES

    2 Stories Related

    Advocacy

    23 Stories Related

    ATTD

    17 Stories Related

    Blood Sugar

    2 Stories Related

    Conditions

    8 Stories Related

    COVID-19

    14 Stories Related

    EASD

    0 Stories Related

    General Publications

    53 Stories Related

    Get Involved

    11 Stories Related

    Insulin & Meds

    17 Stories Related

    ISPAD

    1 Stories Related

    Journal of Diabetes

    21 Stories Related

    Lifestyle

    15 Stories Related

    Lifestyles

    1 Stories Related

    Meet the Expert

    28 Stories Related

    Mental Health

    12 Stories Related

    News

    35 Stories Related

    Our team

    23 Stories Related

    Partner Content

    7 Stories Related

    Press Release

    7 Stories Related

    Question of the Day

    28 Stories Related

    Research

    73 Stories Related

    Stories

    18 Stories Related

    T2D

    3 Stories Related

    Technology

    26 Stories Related

    Uncategorized

    2 Stories Related

    We're preparing your personalized page.

    This will only take a second...

    Search and filter

    • Clear All
    • Sort By

    • Select Category