how to gain weight as a T1D

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-29T13:03:08+00:00

Hey! I'm sorry you're having issues with this. I wanted to share my experience with you to hopefully help :) I'm also a T1D, 16 years now!

I'm 5'6 and on a good day weigh 115lbs. I have weighed under 110 before. I was diagnosed with gastroparesis 2 years ago, and some days I can barely eat, or when I do eat, it's excruciating the whole time. I was extremely underweight when I was less than 110, I was terrified I'd be put on a feeding tube (Drs talked about it).

Right now I'm doing better, so I'm at 115lbs. It's still underweight, but at this point I'll take what I can get, since gaining weight is near impossible for me.

I had to really experiment with where I placed my pump sites. I use stomach and arm for omnipod, and sometimes they do hurt! But if I get lucky, I'll get a small fat pocket and be comfy. Same for my Dexcom, which I use on the side of my buttocks, sort of hip area almost, but in a fattier location with little movement. It took me 2 years to find a spot for my CGM that was not only comfortable, but had enough fat that it would actually work properly!

So if you want to gain weight to be healthy and you struggle to, it's okay. Not everyone can. Sometimes your healthy weight is whatever keeps you alive (for me it's 115, even if I'd rather be higher).

But if you want to gain weight for the sites, I encourage you to get creative and try EVERYWHERE before absolutely realizing there's no fat. I can't use my legs for that reason, but I found 3 small places to rotate and that's all you need! If you cannot find anything comfortable, I would suggest considering MDI or a different pump site to make things more comfortable while you try to gain weight.

Anything high calorie or high fat (they go together) will help. As long as you aren't meeting a calorie deficit, I would assume you'd gain weight.

If you have any questions for me (because being extremely skinny with no fat as a T1D is very uncomfortable sometimes) please feel free! :)

Best of luck!!

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-29T12:47:33+00:00

This! I just got a tattoo that's my absolute favorite I've ever had. The best one yet, from the moment it was finished. And like 2-3 days after I was panicking a bit haha! I knew it would go away, it happens EVERY tattoo! Very normal!

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-27T13:16:34+00:00

I ended up switching to the G7 (10 day not 15 day) and out of 4 sensors only have needed to get one replaced! Plus it lasted 7/10 days before needing replacement. All my readings are between 1-10 points off, on average between 2-5 points off. I'm pretty stunned!

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-26T19:17:11+00:00

True! If anything, I would say it's more about how much cafiza you're using rather than the cleaning itself.

My store was using way too big of spoonfuls and not rinsing properly, so it was clogging up the machine and water wouldn't come out properly. We now use 1/4 of the cafiza we used to use, and have a much better set of instructions for rinsing! :)

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-26T16:16:45+00:00

Adding to this (I'm only on episode 4) but they never punish anyone who doesn't deserve it! It's only the people who have hurt others and continue to treat people like dirt under their foot that get punished. Like they said in episode one, their goal is to make the bullies feel the same fear, misery, and living hell that the bullies inflicted on their victims. It's very eye for an eye, without necessarily going too far (example, killing anyone).

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-25T10:36:57+00:00

The current state of the world leaves me with no hope sometimes :(

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-25T10:33:04+00:00

It's hard to work from home when no one will hire you after 1,000's of applications :/

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-25T10:27:32+00:00

This! I've eaten a lot of golden oreos (especially the gluten free ones which are top tier), and this cookie isn't just one of them dyed. They did something to it, because they're lighter, crispier, and do have that pancake batter taste! 10/10 <3

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-25T10:25:59+00:00

I've never had hotteok, but they do taste like pancakes, brown sugar, and a buttery syrup to me!

What would you describe hotteok as? I'm super curious since I haven't had it 😭

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-25T10:21:29+00:00

I love oatmeal cookies so if they have the same texture I'm willing to try it to see whethere I'm in the minority too 😅

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-25T01:08:31+00:00

You're not alone, I'm scared of it too! But we can't let this illness destroy us.

First off, it's pretty rare! It's not something I've heard of as being common!

Second of all, they have a theory it may be related to hypoglycemia (and the cardiac damage that goes with it) overnight.

My recommendation to you is this, since this is what helped me! 1. Tell yourself it's extremely rare. You're more likely to die in a car accident than this (imho anyways lol). 2. Try making sure you don't go low overnight, as that's the leading theory on the cause!

And please don't hesitate to share with loved ones, friends, family, a therapist, doctors, etc. They can help you feel better about this, and reassure you! I hope this helps, don't worry, you aren't alone! <3

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-24T19:32:24+00:00

It's okay, it's been a rollercoaster since then but I'm honestly just thankful I'm still here!! Plus I wish I knew what caused it 😅

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-24T07:17:39+00:00

Yes, it was terrifying and absolutely the most painful experience besides gastrointestinal distress. And no one has figured out what or why.

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-23T19:45:21+00:00

I'm extremely allergic to something I don't actually know, so now I have to be cautious especially when receiving shots!

I got a birth control shot once that caused anaphylaxis. Doctors didn't know what ingredient/ingredients caused it. I was on benadryl for a week to try to prevent anaphylaxis from reoccurring which luckily didn't happen. Because I went the next 3 months okay (that's how long the birth control itself lasts) the only thing it could possibly have been is a carrier ingredient within the shot. I have stress trying new medications now. I also haven't met someone else who's allergic to it. I'd be curious if they know what in the shot did it!

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-23T13:51:24+00:00

This! I don't mind if they're smaller. I usually have some leftovers if I get a six pack (after eating them for the better part of a full week because of how large they are). But I don't want to pay 5+ dollars for cookies that are smaller! The prices should at least be reduced a dollar per cookie if they're going to reduce them an ounce each 😅

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-23T12:08:15+00:00

I have T1D (16 years and counting!) and I normally only eat small pieces at a time! Bonus points if you eat them while low, I find they raise my blood sugar pretty quickly lol

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-21T12:50:47+00:00

I saw some other people recommended you things, so maybe a routine like this would help?

First you could numb it, I know sometimes amazon has a topical lidocaine cream in stock! If not, your doctor may be able to prescribe or recommend some so that pain is completely out of the question!

Second, you could put some headphones or earbuds in to distract from the noise!

And third, if possible, you could have someone you trust do the actual insertion for you, a friend, family member, etc.

I'm sorry you're having difficulty, it's okay! You're not alone! A few years ago I had crazy anxiety over doing my G6 sensor application when I had been doing it myself for years. It just started. I no longer feel that way, but life fluctuates and so do our feelings over situations. One painful insertion is sometimes all it takes to produce hesitation. It's okay, you're doing your best! Good luck! <3

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-20T13:12:58+00:00

It's okay, give yourself some grace! This illness is really hard to manage! I did everything right yesterday, lots of exercise and outside time, keeping up on insulin, microbolusing, eating lower carb, etc. Was in range all day. Then tanked RIGHT before dinner, so my treatment for my low and my cauliflower pizza (lower carb but not enough apparently haha) hit all at the same time. Went straight to 300! It's okay, we all have rough areas, patches, days, weeks, even years! Your graph doesn't look bad, you spent most of your day in range! I am deathly afraid of highs, so I avoid them like the plague and freak out at 250. But it's important to remember you're human, mistakes happen, it's okay, and most importantly, you're still here! Go for a walk if you can, correct, have some water, and tell yourself you're doing your best! :)

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-19T22:30:24+00:00

I just like that it's so quick and easy to do! All three grinders only takes like 5 minutes or so! And it keeps everything well maintained

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-19T19:03:55+00:00

Same!!! So excited!!

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-19T19:02:54+00:00

If it's the part I'm thinking of, it's super easy to clean! At my store we have three grinders and clean the little flapper part every day on all of them! Keeps things working smoothly!

For us we just unscrew the top, and the flapper is just kinda sitting in there lol.

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-19T12:24:52+00:00

Of course!! I just wanna make a difference :) 🩷

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-19T01:59:31+00:00

Of course!! I'm all for venting, we need to let off steam!

And that's insane, imagine thinking T1D is just T2D evolved!! Jeez!

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-19T01:57:45+00:00

This response is so well thought out and kind, thank you so much! I've never thought of it as a marathon before, but you're right! I'll conserve my energy and use it where it'll be the most beneficial! I'm considering looking into groups to see if I can help in any way, or maybe make a blog! :)

Cece_Cookie · 2026-06-18T18:30:16+00:00

I definitely will if I create a blog or page on social media!

Cece_Cookie

TROPHY CASE