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Original poster

My 4 year old has been drinking a lot of water and his mouth smells like acid like a battery acid what could this be?

290 replies

alpop · 13/11/2024 13:09

The past two days I've really noticed how much water (with a tiny bit dilution juice) he is drinking. He's asking me a lot for more. He will down it then ask for another one

His mouth smells like an acidic smell like battery acid. I have no better way of explaining it. It's smelt like that since yesterday. His older sisters have noticed it too and said he smells weird

He's well otherwise. He was running a lot today and has been at his nursery.

He's maybe eating slightly more. But he's completely well other wise

Diabetes runs in my family. My brother is type 1 and was really unwell at 5 years old. My mum didn't notice anything until he was passing out then admitted to hospital.

Does anyone have any ideas??

OP posts:
BreatheAndFocus · 13/11/2024 17:43

Borntorunfast · 13/11/2024 17:36

OP: good luck. It's a big diagnosis, it is life-changing, but it's very manageable. The new tech my DS uses, being rolled out across the NHS atm, is insanely good and works particularly well for children (this is omnipod 5, also known as an artificial pancreas). Hope it's not T1 but sending love if it is x

There are various ‘artificial pancreas’ systems - Omnipod is just one kind. My clinic avoids the Omnipod for children, but uses a couple of other hybrid closed loops.

OP, if it is Type 1, don’t panic. Look at Diabetes U.K. :

https://www.diabetes.org.uk

Make sure you get the right one as there are other sites with similar names. The one above is the actual charity. They have a helpline and also a forum:

https://forum.diabetes.org.uk

Diabetes UK - Know diabetes. Fight diabetes. | Diabetes UK

We are Diabetes UK, the leading charity for people living with diabetes in the UK. Our vision is a world where diabetes can do no harm.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk

Beeloux · 13/11/2024 17:40

I have a family history of diabetes and had gestational diabetes with my first despite being very slim. First signs was always being thirsty, acidy sweet smelling breath and pee.
I’d take him to the gp to get tested just incase.

CrazyCatLady008 · 13/11/2024 17:40

Sounds like DKA type one diabetes.

Gemmawemma9 · 13/11/2024 17:39

glad you’ve got an appointment OP. Hope he is ok!

Borntorunfast · 13/11/2024 17:36

OP: good luck. It's a big diagnosis, it is life-changing, but it's very manageable. The new tech my DS uses, being rolled out across the NHS atm, is insanely good and works particularly well for children (this is omnipod 5, also known as an artificial pancreas). Hope it's not T1 but sending love if it is x

Borntorunfast · 13/11/2024 17:34

Missmarplesknittingbuddy · 13/11/2024 17:32

Please do not do this . He needs a proper professional assessment.

Show quote history

Tbf that'd be a highly accurate way of diagnosing it. My DS's BG was off the scale when he was diagnosed, and anyone with T1 will know the safe levels. BUT they don't mess about with T1 in kids, or not in our experience: we had a fingerprick test at the GP and were blue-lighted to A&E within the hour.

Missmarplesknittingbuddy · 13/11/2024 17:32

Unrealnotunrealistic · 13/11/2024 17:27

Take him to your brother’s house. He can check his BG gently. It’s best if he gets diagnosed early.

Please do not do this . He needs a proper professional assessment.

Unrealnotunrealistic · 13/11/2024 17:27

Take him to your brother’s house. He can check his BG gently. It’s best if he gets diagnosed early.

BigManLittleDignity · 13/11/2024 17:10

Posts classic T1D symptoms, mentions family history if T1D and then asks what it is?!
Seriously?!
Your child need urgent medical care. It was clear this wasn’t an urgent GP appt, it needed addressing as soon as you noticed symptoms.

nocoolnamesleft · 13/11/2024 17:09

Definitely needs his blood sugar checking (finger prick at GP fine) today, and if it is raised needs to go to the hospital today. This does sound rather suggestive of decompensating diabetes, so could easily be heading into DKA which needs immediate treatment. But is very treatable. Do not be fobbed off. If the GP does not do a finger prick then go to A&E.

notbelieved · 13/11/2024 16:53

Hope all is OK, OP. If he is diagnosed with Type 1, there is a huge online community for support. Have a look on Facebook. It's life changing and initially terrifying but you get used to it. Take care.

FearMe · 13/11/2024 16:51

Classic type 1 symptoms. Great you're on the ball and catching it before he gets very ill.

greengreyblue · 13/11/2024 16:51

This happened to a boy of 7 at my school. His school trousers fit him on Friday and were loose on Monday. He couldn’t quench his thirst. Type 1 diabetes. Hope you’re in the right place by now. Good luck.

Missmarplesknittingbuddy · 13/11/2024 16:49

alpop · 13/11/2024 13:23

I've gotten an appointment this afternoon for him

Former diabetes specialist nurse . Impossible to diagnose via a post but sounds classic Type 1 diabetes symptoms . Referral pathway is same day admission to hospital for bloods / assessment/ likely diagnosis. If for any reason your GP does not do this then take your child to A and E TODAY . Sometimes GPs do not have enough experience in Type 1 and book blood tests for a few days time or ask for urine sample to be sent in . The acetone smell is from Ketones and your child could be in the early stages of diabetic ketoacidosis , which can progess quickly and can keep lifethreatening .

Letitgoe · 13/11/2024 16:46

Fingers crossed it all goes ok!

itsmabeline · 13/11/2024 16:40

Straight to the GP and tell them everything you've said here.

SpaceFairy8 · 13/11/2024 16:37

As everyone else is saying this is a big sign for diabetes. Please get it checked out asap, I know two people who's children have been diagnosed after it got to the point the children ended up in A&E. It's a very quick, easy test.

JWKD · 13/11/2024 16:28

Best of luck OP.

Let us know how he got on.

SlightlyJaded · 13/11/2024 16:27

Ladyj84 · 13/11/2024 16:10

Oh for goodn sake it can be several things.our youngest son recently started drinking a lot so took him to drs and was a water infection

How are you being so dismissive? You literally said that you also took your son to the GP

Which is what OP is doing.

coffeesaveslives · 13/11/2024 16:25

Ladyj84 · 13/11/2024 16:10

Oh for goodn sake it can be several things.our youngest son recently started drinking a lot so took him to drs and was a water infection

But that's not OP's situation.

She has T1 diabetes in her family and her son is showing all the symptoms of ketoacidosis, which can be fatal if left untreated. He's not just drinking a lot - there are other symptoms too.

x2boys · 13/11/2024 16:24

Ladyj84 · 13/11/2024 16:10

Oh for goodn sake it can be several things.our youngest son recently started drinking a lot so took him to drs and was a water infection

It's the drinking and the weird smell that's pointing to Diabetes
DKAis a life threatening condition, if its not diabetes that's great but if it is it needs treating ASAP.

holdmecloseyoungtonydanza · 13/11/2024 16:23

Ladyj84 · 13/11/2024 16:10

Oh for goodn sake it can be several things.our youngest son recently started drinking a lot so took him to drs and was a water infection

What's wrong with erring on the side of caution?

cathcath2 · 13/11/2024 16:17

I'm really glad you have got him an appointment. My first thought was diabetes as soon as I read his symptoms.

SaveMeFromMyBoobs · 13/11/2024 16:14

Ladyj84 · 13/11/2024 16:10

Oh for goodn sake it can be several things.our youngest son recently started drinking a lot so took him to drs and was a water infection

It could. But T1 diabetes runs in the family so it's much much much more likely than for the average person to be diabetes. And uncontrolled diabetes can kill. So it's absolutely correct to treat this as the emergency it could potentially be.

Goingncforthisone · 13/11/2024 16:12

You have probably had the appointment now, but in the meantime please avoid the juice in the water as this kind of sugar will go straight in and raise his blood sugar. Water is best or sugar-free squash.

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