Type 1 Diabetes Support

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
A month ago my 11 year old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, my family and I have lived in Bern for 9 months as expats and are struggling to find a new norm with her diagnosis. My daughter and I are looking to connect with families that may be going through T1D, share experiences, ask question and just feel normal for a little while. Thank you.

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www.diabetes .co. uk /forum/

3
You are welcome to PM me. Our son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 6. he's now 13.

"Welcome to the club that no one wishes they belonged to".

I highly recommend you join the diabetes association. Even though the info is all (for us anyway in Zurich) in German, the kids do have a few events including a camp... There is a 'diabetes kids cup' in Bern on the 14th of June. My son is registered to go along... But normally I send him with his dad for those sorts of things.

The kids hospital/endocrinology/diabetes clinic will play a huge role in giving you support you need, and online you should be able to find an internet forum related to your home country that might also help to understand a bit more in your own language...

Generally there is a 'honeymoon' period straight after diagnosis where the sugar numbers etc are not too bad to control and it's mostly adjusting to the shock of having a sick kid, adapting to the idea of having a life-long illness, and dealing with everyone else's opinions, stupid questions and desire to support.

As said, feel free to PM me direct questions...there are at least two other forum members from the past who also have kids with Type 1 Diabetes.

4
Hi All,

I am type 1 diabetic, diagnosed a couple of years ago now. Recently I have been considering starting a casual support group in Zurich, to discuss experiences, share stories, share recipes, tips and so on. I was thinking a meet up once a month would be good.

For anyone interested in this, please send me a message.

5
Are you a member of the Zurich Diabetes association ? They have lots of events, and plenty of people speak English...

http://www.diabeteszuerich.ch/

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Hello! I was diagnosed with diabetes a few months ago. Still not clear which sort. Does anyone have a specialist in Zurich to recommend? I think my GP may be hopeless. Also, I'd be interested in a support group in Zurich if there is one. Thanks!

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https://www.docapp.ch/en/searching?q...s=specialfield&s=specialfield)

I suspect T2, given your description.

Do a search on this forum for the FreeStyle Libre which is now covered by all Swiss Medical insurers Prescription is required!

8
Join the diabetes association - they have regular meetings and although all their info is in German, most of the volunteers and staff speak English no problem!

http://www.diabeteszuerich.ch/

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for families with kids with any kind of disability/illness etc there is a non profit organisation www.sternentaler.ch which connects families and gives support. It is quite large and runs swiss wide. It is mainly in German I believe, but considering we are in Switzerland, I m sure many people also speak/write English.

PS. the organisation is also for families who recentely lost a child/mama/or papa. it is to share experiences and loss feelings in a closed environment with others affected similarly

10
Hi all, I wonder if anyone has a child here with Type 1 in Zurich. We’ve had a recent diagnosis for our 8 year old and it would be great if she can meet another child roughly around the same age who is also dealing with diabetes.

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Hi. Welcome to the 'club we all don't want to belong to'.

my son was diagnoesd at 6 and he's 18 now... not sure if that's close enough in age as your child, but he'll be more than happy to hang out together - he has coeliac as well, so it's two auto-immune disorders.

We did meet up and go swimming a long time ago with a younger girl in zurich who had it and was newly diagnosed. She was super-impressed to meet another child with it...

I also highly recommend signing your son up for the diabetes summer camp with the diabetes association, My son found them very challenging, but also very good for building independence and a week of living in what he calls 'diabetes world' where everyone either has diabetes or understands it...

Take care...it's a rollercoaster!

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Thanks my daughter is 8 bit would still be impressed! She is also Celiac so a lot in common....

13
I might be too old for what you are looking for, but I was diagnosed with Type 1 at 4 years old and I'm 35 by now.

I've seen it all during the years - diabetes camps, growing up as an insecure teenager, first girlfriends, alcohol & student life, moving abroad, traveling to extreme places with a very different diets, sports of al kind, had two events where I passed out due to hypoglycemia (at 12 and 16 years old). I'm married and have two (so far) healthy kids. Always been happy, never let it slow me down.

In case of questions, just PM me - happy to help!

14
Hello everyone,

I am planning to move from the US to Switzerland, Basel area for a job. I have type 1 diabetes for 23 years, very well controlled on insulin pump with continuous monitoring system (close loop). Could anyone recommend a diabetes endocrinologist in Basel area (or even in Zurich). I am interested to learn what the option are in Switzerland regarding insulin pump and continuous monitoring system.

Any advice will be highly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance,

Adina

15
I have type 1 diabetes, currently aged 65, diagnosed about 15 years ago (it happens), on a pump, but using Freestylelibre measurement. Closed systems with continuous measuring can in theory be covered by regular health insurance for type 1 diabetics though it requires help from your doctor.

I can't help you with endos in Basel or Zurich other than to tell you there are almost certainly plenty of them around in both cities. You really won't need to travel from one city to the other.

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Thank you