Worried about DS2 (18 months) and just been a bit fobbed off by GP

[NoCapes]

I've been worried about DS2 for a long time, still waiting for food allergy tests, he's had acid reflux most of his life and recently there have been some strange new symptoms that I couldn't match up to anything else going on

So I googled, and he has all the symptoms of diabetes (this has come up before as when he was very young he used to smell very very sweet, so made sense)

Took him to the GP this morning and was basically laughed out with a 'if he had diabetes he'd be in a coma' and a refusal to test him
Do I have to wait for him to be critically ill before I get a test? Surely people present with symptoms every day and get tested, without needing to be in a coma??
Should I get a second opinion?

[JennyOnAPlate]

What symptoms does he have and how long has he had them? type one diabetes would make a baby very ill very quickly.

[floatingfrog]

Yes I asked GP for a blood sugar test for symtoms my DS had he wouldn't do one. If I had rocked up to A & E with these symptoms it would have been the first thing they would check. I don't know wtf is up with GPs atm.

I think a GP would be up before the GMC of you asked for a blood sugar test and they were found to have diabetes.


I would go and get some strips from boots and test yourself.

It is such a simple test for a GP to do I cannot understand why they won't do it.

[floatingfrog]

if

[NoCapes]

His symptoms have been for around a week or so
He has literally unquenchable thirst, he has a sports bottle type thing that he drains 12/15 times a day, and frequently cries at the sink asking for more
He's also been weeing a lot nappies to his knees within an hour or two and I have to completely strip him and change him a couple of times a night because he'll be wet up to his armpits
Within the last couple of days his hunger has ramped right up too, he's clearing plates bigger than the 7 year olds and offen rooting in cupboards asking for food (something he's never done before)
I've also noticed an increase in tantrums and general emotional-ness, and irritability can also be a symptom

Had no idea you could buy the tests and do it yourself thanks frog
Can I ask what your DS's symptoms were?

[NoCapes]

Fell off Active, so just a gentle bump

[FreeButtonBee]

okay, that sounds really bad. I would definitely go back. That much thirst is not normal! And keep going back. Maybe call 111 as well?

[scaredofthecity]

oh it sounds textbook to me
crazy that your gp has fobbed you off. It really is such a simple test.
you can buy the machines in boots, also a few of the larger pharmacy chains offer blood sugar testing for free but I'm not sure if they do kids.
if you know anyone with diabetes, they could use their machine to test him.
I hope you get sorted soon

[Fitzsimmons]

Your poor boy, that sounds terrible. Can you ask to see a different GP? If not, I would go back anyway and refuse to leave until I had some sort of action plan. His drinking habits are not normal and need further investigation.

[Alwayshungryforcrisps]

Defiant get some strips from Boots, it sounds like he needs this doing asap, to rule out if nothing else.

I would request bloods too, do you have a children's hospital with an A&E department, or a local walk in centre?

[Alwayshungryforcrisps]

Definitely

[Kahlua4me]

Perhaps go to your local pharmacy/Boots and ask them about getting him tested. They could probably do the strip test, which would give you an immediate result.

Or can you ask to see another gp?

[TheHiphopopotamus]

I think you need to see a different GP. My daughter has Type 1 and nearly died after I took her to doctors (twice) and was fobbed off.

The symptoms are/were:
Tired - do they seem lethargic or listless?
Thirsty - insatiable thirst
Thinner - does it look they've lost weight?
Toilet - are they going to the loo more often?

It seem like your DS fits all those. Even if he doesn't have it, a simple test would rule it out.

[NoCapes]

Ah I'm glad you all don't think I'm crazy, if it was just one symptom I could understand GP thinking maybe not but its every single symptom isn't it? He actually said at one point "maybe he just really likes water"
He also said it would be a full set of bloods in hospital, not just a finger prick like I was expecting and that's why he wasn't keen to do it because he would be 'traumatised'
We don't have a walk in centre no, but there is a children's A&E nearby, but don't know if it's a case for A&E? I think I'll give 111 a ring and see what they think

Thank you all so much

[Gooseygoosey12345]

Quite honestly, and I'll probably be flamed for this, if my gp refused again I'd go to a&e. There's no way I'd risk my children being left to go into a coma! Your gp sounds like an arse quite frankly

[DearMrDilkington]

I agree with goosey.

[JennyOnAPlate]

I would go to a&e too. It just isn't worth the risk to leave it.

[floatingfrog]

I'm afraid to say over the last 5 years the GPs have been rubbish at helping with any problems with my children. I tend to bypass now and go to A&E.

One condition was actually life-threatening and they gave me no help.

[TheHiphopopotamus]

On second thoughts, I also agree with pp's. If it is diabetes, you'd be sent to hospital anyway, so you might as well cut out the middle man.

[Bananamanfan]

Go back again, op & ask for a 2nd opinion.

[scaredofthecity]

it would need to be proper bloods to diagnose officially, but a skin prick test will give an idea. I diagnosed my uncle this way, he then went to the docs afterwards.

[ruby29]

Please get a fingerprick blood glucose done today. Might you be able to see another GP this afternoon? If not I would go to A&E. A fingerpirck will either reassure you or make a diagnosis so that he can start treatment straight away. It's not worth risking waiting around.
Hope you get it sorted!

[floatingfrog]

I also think that when you go to see your GP you have to ask them straight away what you want from them.

"Hello Doctor. I would like you to test my DS's blood sugar as I think he may have diabetes" Instead of giving a list of symptoms and then waiting for the GP to diagnose. It is then almost impossible for them not to do the test.

[floatingfrog]

And absolutely book another apointment. They cannot refuse you this test.

[prakattack]

Another one here with a son with Type 1 diabetes - your list of symptoms brought back all teh memories of when my son was diagnosed last year. If your GP is fobbing you off then I too would go straight to A&E.
Not to worry you, but this needs checking - children with undiagnosed diabetes can deteriorate really quickly and you need an answer before the weekend.

[NoCapes]

Ok now you've all reassured me I'm not hysterical I'm going to get him tested this afternoon, I'll see if another GP will do it first, if not I'll go to A&E, will just have to make some other arrangements for Dc1 & 2
He's just woke up from his nap so I'm going to get him changed and go
I really appreciate all the advice, I felt a bit silly after the appointment this morning but I feel much better about going back now
I'll update later