Question for parents of kids with type 1 diabetes?

hypnotik61985 asked:


My son was just diagnosed less than a month ago, and it seems like the insulin is giving him diarrhea. Is this normal or could this be from something else? He is two years old, btw.

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This entry was posted on Monday, February 15th, 2010 and is filed under Type Diabetes.

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7 Responses to “Question for parents of kids with type 1 diabetes?”

  • 1
    phillies262006
    February 18th, 2010 01:18

    most likely something else. insulin is a naturally occurring substance in the body and would have no effect on something like that

  • 2
    fun_purple_beach
    February 18th, 2010 08:56

    I agree with the first answer. Sounds like your little guy has a touch of the flu.

    Be sure to test his blood sugar more often–and it may be elevated. You might need to give him a touch more insulin whenever he isn’t feeling well.

  • 3
    Cammie
    February 20th, 2010 05:18

    It is so hard in the beginning as there is so much to learn.Take it slow.Try and relax.
    Insulin does not cause diarrhea but if you have been giving him sugar free sweets that are sweetened with anything like Manatol or Sorbitol, that is the culprit !
    Any artificial sweetener ending with tol will cause diarrhea.
    Remember you are counting carbs not sugar. This sugar free junk almost always has the same or more carbs than the real stuff.Try to remember to count his carbs and an occasional sweet is fine.
    Good luck.

  • 4
    RainDateChick
    February 22nd, 2010 22:15

    I don’t know the answer to your question, but I do know how hard this must be. My sister was diagnosed when she was 6 and that was hard enough. I can’t imagine trying to explain to a two year old that he has to eat even though he’s not hungry or vice versa or having to give him shots every day. I will tell you that yes, it will be hard, but it will get easier. Here’s some advice:

    *The best advice I can give you is to monitor his blood sugar regularly, keep good records of it (some meters have computer programs what will do this for you) and keep a good relationship with his doctor.
    *Try to keep an eye out for warning signs of when his blood sugar may be too high or too low and check it if you have the slightest feeling something could be wrong. As he gets older, he will start to understand better what it means when his body feels a certain way.
    *Explain things the best you can to his comprehension level and answer any questions the best you can for him.
    *Talk to his doctor about when you should start letting him learn to check his own blood sugar, give himself shots, etc. It’s very important for a diabetic to be able to do these things on their own. My sister started checking herself pretty much straight off (barely 6 yrs old) and was giving herself shots around age 10.
    *When he starts school, contact the school early and find out if any teachers for the grade he’s entering are diabetic or have diabetic family members. It will be easier on him and on the teacher, and you will feel more at ease. If there aren’t any teachers with a background, meet with his teacher before school starts to go over his situation and give her a folder or packet with daily instructions and instructions for emergency situations… do the same for the school nurse.
    *Talk to your doctor about switching him to an insulin pump when he gets a little earlier. It allows for a lot more freedom with mealtimes and food choices.
    *If you notice a lot of abnormal blood sugar readings, contact his doctor, you may need to adjust his insulin dose… This is very common with kids since they are constantly growing and changing.
    *I don’t know if you have any other children, but if you do, try to give them similar diet restrictions.. you don’t need to count their carbs or anything, but when you’re at the mall don’t buy an icee for your non-diabetic kid and get nothing for your diabetic son… it’s just cruel, your other children will probably understand. I did and I was only 8. On the other hand, make sure you give enough attention to your other children, so they don’t feel jealous or left out, especially if they’re young too.
    *As he gets a little older, don’t be afraid to let him be a kid, but do be cautious and keep people informed. My sister still played soccer every fall, still went on sleepovers, etc. Just make sure you talk to and trust the coach or other parent. Before my sister was old enough to give herself shots, my mom let her go on sleepovers with her friends in the neighborhood whose parents she knew and would just come down the street to give her her shot at the right time and then leave.

    I know this is a scary time, but things will get easier and you can work together to keep his diabetes under control. A lot of people think diabetes means you’re life will become nothing but finger sticks and shots, but I assure you that diabetics live lives like everyone else. My sister is now 16 and plays high school soccer, volunteers, works part time, and goes to bible study. She’s gone through so much (she also has a few other medical problems as well) and is one of the strongest, most amazing people I know… But I’m a little biased :)

    I know this is a lot of information, some of which is irrelevant right now, but some doctors actually don’t think to mention any of this even when it becomes relevant. I also suggest you check out It’s a great site with an entire section for “newly diagnosed” and they also have an online support team of other diabetics and parents of diabetics who can help answer questions for you.

    Knowledge is key to success in any aspect of life, diabetes included. I’m now 19 and a freshman in college. I recently thought I might be showing some symptoms of diabetes. First, because I knew enough about diabetes, I realized what might be wrong. I called the campus health center and asked if they could do blood sugar tests there. I went in and the nurse seemed amazed at how calm I was. Then she checked my blood sugar and it was 88, which is relatively normal. I just said “ok” and started to pack up my things… she was really confused that she didn’t have to explain much until I told her my sister was diabetic… She was like, “Ohh, okay.” I know there’s still a chance I might have diabetes, but I know what to watch for and will start checking my blood sugar more often. If I do have diabetes, I’m okay with that. The better you and your son understand his diabetes, the

  • 5
    Jake F ™
    February 25th, 2010 03:10

    hi , I am not a parent of type one but I’m a teen and have it myself. This happened when i first got diagnosed , it is because the body is still getting used to it and mine went away after a few weeks.It is not very unusual and happens to most people in early diagnosis especially children and young adults.If it gets any worse i would visit your doctor just in case it is something else or your son needs another type of insulin.

    Good Luck and Best Wishes , Diabetes isn’t easy but we hope for a cure !!

  • 6
    dingding
    February 25th, 2010 03:44

    It’s not the insulin. Maybe he has a stomach virus? By any chance has he been eating “sugar-free’ candy or gum? It contains Sorbitol/Xylitol/Mannitol, which are alcohol sugars that give you diarrhea if you have more than one or two pieces. That’s a common issue in new diabetics…they use that stuff as a substitute, often in significant amounts. I made that mistake. Once I stopped eating that stuff the diarrhea stopped. Better to have a small piece of “real” candy and give him the right insulin for the carbs.

  • 7
    suzanne_una
    February 27th, 2010 02:34

    When someone is diagnosed with type I it can take the body awhile to get back to normal. Before he was diagnosed his sugars were high causing all of his body systems to be out of whack. Many newly diagnosed type Is have diarrhea, swelling in the legs or hands, rashes, and other weird body issues. As his system gets back to normal, these will go away. Check with the doctor just to be sure though.