<p>My D. was just diagnosed with high cortisol (possible Cushing’s Disease or Syndrome), insulin resistance (possible diabetes) and lactose intolerance, and is 1000 miles away. I am really scared and need to “talk” with some parents who may possibly be facing similar stress and fear. Not only does she have to figure out how to eat crappy dining hall food at all, but now it has to be dairy free, low fat, low carb. I have spent hours online and have sent info to her about food choices. And we have so many unanswered questions. D. doesn’t even know all of what she might be facing, other than the immediate dietary changes, immediate need for weight loss, and the need for daily mega vitamin/mineral supplements. She came home for Spring Break after a less than stellar semester at school, where her grades had dropped, she was depressed, gained weight, and was very stressed. I knew this was more than just being overworked and stressed at school. I took her to the doctor and begged for answers. Anyone out there have kids with similar illnesses? Thank you.</p>
<p>Maybe onset Diabetes ll causing all the other problems. </p>
<p>Some of the symptoms of lactose intolerance is severe gas, diarrhea, gut cramps.
Lactose intolerance is not that big of a problem, and she is probably at the age where most people lose the ability to digest lactose. </p>
<p>Some of the symptoms of diabetes 2 are feeling of numbness in finger tips, toes, slow healing of wounds, hot flashes after meals, frequent and urgent bladder, sleepiness after a starchy meal or fruit (oranges, bananas, apples, peaches, apple cider, orange juice, etc).
Easy way to test is drink a large glass of orange juice during lunch.
Diabetes 11 is much bigger problem to solve since it involves replacing all that junk food, and eating a meat and vegetable diet. AND Exercise. You can almost solve all your diabetes 11 problems by exercise. </p>
<p>Most American bred kids are probably borderline diabetes 11 by lay observation of middle schoolers thru college.</p>
<p>I would recommend a normal dose of vitamins but taken near every meal. B and C vitamins are metabolise quickly by starch and sugar conversion and any excessive vitamins are washed out in the urine. Eat plenty of green vegs. Stay off of the whites.</p>
<p>Suggested reading Atkins Diet, any issue. first few chapters is good enough because the rest are recipes.</p>
<p>Her school should have a nutritionist or can refer her to one through the health center.</p>
<p>Anecdotal: My old man said that acne is when the blood sugar gets high enough for Staph A. growth (slow healing wounds). </p>
<p>When the blood sugar is stabilized, the acne should therefore subside.</p>
<p>I guess I did not make myself very clear (duh) what I was asking for: Emotional support from parents with a college kid who is far away who has a major illness. Or any feedback from parents whose child has these specific illnesses. I have a lot of info on the diseases per se. Thank you!</p>
<p>My family on both sides has Type II diabetes. I measure my sugar (I am not diabetic) on the very regular basis and so does my H (who has it). Our conclusion has been that level of sugar in blood is depended much more on person’s weight than diet. H is on oral medication (not insulin) and eats everything. I do not restrict my diet, as I mentioned - I do not have a desease. Both of us watch our weight very closely on a daily basis (actually going on scale 2 times / day). I do not know anything about milk intolerance, I do not like milk and just do not consume milk and very little of milk products. Goodness of milk is overrated and high consumption of soy is dangerous.</p>
<p>D is freshman away at college and has been sick since Feb after having flu. I have her seeing a gastroenterologist next week. She has become lactose intolerant, too. Just having knowledge and a doctor has calmed her (and me). Have your daughter sign the hippa form so you can speak with her dr. and nurses. Her school has a nutritionist, and will provide specific foods (lactaid milk, for example). Most concerned about her getting the right nutrition. Dr. said that lactose issue may be permanent but that other issues may resolve (after a bad case of the flu it may take many months to get ones system back in equilibrium). She is calmer about than me - I started feeling better after helping her put all the Dr. and support in place - but she has made the appts.</p>
<p>It’s very scary for us when our kids get sick and we’re not there to oversee their care. My youngest (freshman) has been sick on and off since starting college. Fall semester consisted of cold, flu, and strept throat which lasted all but 2 weeks of the semester. This semester, he’s dealing with a very bad case of Strept throat. He ended up in the emergency room at the hospital a few days ago because he was spitting up blood. The Health Services doctor brought him over to the ER, checked him in, talked with the triage nurse, filled out his forms, and recommended that an ENT see him as well as the regular ER doctor. After it was all over, son informed me that he was under treatment for the strept throat by the Health Services but had to make an emergency trip back there when he started bleeding. He said that when he got there, the nurse gave him one of the plastic “throw up” buckets and he said that he could have filled 3 tall glasses with the amount of blood that was coming out. Scary. </p>
<p>Anyway, health services has been monitoring him closely. Antibiotics (double strength–10 days), and Prednisone (3-days), Vicotin (pain for the first 3 days) have been working. His first mono test was negative and this morning they are going to repeat the test. It’s not easy to stand by and not make the drive up to the college. He seems to be in very competent hands. Parents never stop worrying about their kids.</p>
<p>Husband has type II diabetes (so does his Mom and sister). Tests his blood once a day. He recommends the Freestyle testing unit. It uses a smaller amount of blood, strips don’t have to be calibrated, and you can “prick” anywhere on the body. He finds it to be quicker and less painful (because he can test on his arm instead of sensitive finger tip).</p>
<p>Hope everything settles down with your daughter. The only advice I can give is to always be positive when your talk with her and help her to focus on what’s going right rather than what’s going wrong.</p>
<p>My D is also lactose intolerant. She uses lactase enzyme pills as a supplement.</p>
<p>Chronic stress can lead to high cortisol levels. From what you say about your D’s semester this might be what has happened. This eventually leads to adrenal fatigue. There are a number of books available about adrenal fatigue.</p>
<p>You’ll find when you read the articles or books that depression, weight gain, etc. are all symptoms of the condition.</p>
<p>Having experienced high cortisol levels and adrenal fatigue myself I recommend you find a good naturopath for your D to work with. She will get results quicker than with traditional medical practices.</p>
<p>Nutrition is another component of support for the adrenal glands and a naturopath and nutritionist can help her with this information.</p>
<p>Good luck. I am so sorry that your D is experiencing these issues and is so far from home.</p>
<p>Sorry to hear what your D is going through.</p>
<p>My D was diagnosed at age 11 with Type 1 diabetes. She is now 20, and attends a school 1200 miles away from home. On top of that, she is an athlete. It has always meant doing more than everyone else to stay on top on things, but she has done it. </p>
<p>Last fall she was also diagnosed w/allergies specific to that area of the country. She had suffered during the fall of her Freshman year, but never did anything but take Sudafed. I told her that if this year she did not get the problem diagnosed, I would pull her out of that school. She did, also has to have an inhaler during the season, as the allergies bring on asthma during practice and games. Living her life in the Midwest, she never had any allergies, and they do not bother her anywhere she goes out of that state. She also has an endocrinologist down there who co-operates wonderfully with hers up here. </p>
<p>Hang in there with your D. It may take time, but she can control the diabetes and lactose problem. I don’t know enough about Crone’s, but Wish you the very best.</p>
<p>Sorry, meant that to be “Cushing’s”, not “Crone’s”. Tried to edit, but couldn’t.</p>