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Published Sep 8, 2021

#539 Diagnosed in Iran

Explore Shaya's gripping account of navigating her son's unexpected type 1 diabetes diagnosis in Iran, highlighting the emotional and cultural hurdles of managing diabetes in a foreign healthcare system.
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Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes logo

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Episode Highlights

  • Insulin Dosages

    Managing insulin dosages is a complex task that requires constant vigilance and adjustment. shares her experience of trying to find the right balance for her child, especially when dealing with common foods like rice and stew. She expresses her fear of administering too much insulin at night, which leads her to give smaller doses and then adjust as needed 1. suggests manipulating the basal rate to accommodate predictable rises in blood sugar, offering a strategy to spread out insulin doses more effectively 2.

    I think you're just looking for ways to manipulate the insulin to do what you want it to do and be where you need it to be.

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    This approach can help manage blood sugar levels without the risk of overcorrection.

       

    Coping with Meals

    Balancing meals with insulin dosages is particularly challenging when dealing with culturally specific foods. discusses the difficulties of managing her child's insulin needs with meals that are high in protein and carbohydrates, such as those common in her culture 3. Despite giving the same breakfast every day, the results can vary drastically, leading to unpredictable blood sugar levels 4. advises on the importance of tracking different infusion sites and understanding how they might affect insulin absorption.

    It's interesting to look at also different sites. So different places on the body may affect absorption.

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    This insight can help in fine-tuning insulin administration to better match dietary habits.

       

    Daily Management

    Daily management of type 1 diabetes involves a delicate balance between vigilance and practicality. recounts her initial lack of worry about her child's condition, which has evolved into a more cautious approach as she gains experience 5. emphasizes finding a middle ground between constant worry and common sense, suggesting that time and experience will help in developing this balance 6.

    There's a middle ground you have to find between vigilance, worry and common sense.

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    This balance is crucial for effective diabetes management, especially as children grow and become more aware of their own bodies.

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