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AIBU?

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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:
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

HormonalHetty · 13/11/2024 16:07

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??

I really hope your son is ok

As it's only been two days. Hopefully it's a viral sore throat or illness. My son has had tonsillitis and his breath has smelt very strange throughout. He's also drinking loads.

Its great you've been able to get him seen so quickly

Opentooffers · 13/11/2024 16:04

Yes, could well be diabetes although often breath could be described as more sweet smelling as ketones are a byproduct of possible developing ketoacidosis. Meantime while waiting for your appointment, do not give him anything high inn carbohydrates as you don't want to be tipping him into diabetic ketoacidosis - a life-threatening condition.

caringcarer · 13/11/2024 15:59

verycloakanddaggers · 13/11/2024 13:11

Go to the GP.

You have T1 in the family, just get him checked.

Do it straight away. My own niece was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 4. I remember she was constantly asking for drinks and saying her legs ached.

BarbaraHoward · 13/11/2024 15:59

Goingncforthisone · 13/11/2024 15:56

I think OP has got the message.

Well done for getting an appointment quickly. If it is diabetes then there is a lot of info to take in, but technology is brilliant now and improving all the time. All the best.

Exactly, I imagine OP was in a bit of disbelief/denial as she will realise just how serious T1 can be. It must be very scary for her today.

She's getting him checked out, she doesn't need to be slated.

HMW1906 · 13/11/2024 15:58

Take him to A&E and get him checked out. Increased thirst and a smell breath (normally pear drops smell) can be a sign of DKA which T1 diabetics can get.

Goingncforthisone · 13/11/2024 15:56

I think OP has got the message.

Well done for getting an appointment quickly. If it is diabetes then there is a lot of info to take in, but technology is brilliant now and improving all the time. All the best.

SaveMeFromMyBoobs · 13/11/2024 15:51

You already know he needs blood sugars checking URGENTLY.

Autumn5000 · 13/11/2024 15:43

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??

Yep sounds like symptoms of diabetes plus it runs in the family. Go to GP asap

DanielaDressen · 13/11/2024 15:42

Hopefully it turns out not to be diabetes but you’re doing the right thing getting him checked.

NannyR · 13/11/2024 15:34

ClippyMuldoon · 13/11/2024 15:01

You can all probably stop jumping on the OP, it's more than likely she's at A&E. Nothing as fun as a pile on though?

OP I hope your little boy is okay .

Agreed - there are some horrible comments on here, not offering any advice, just piling on with the comments of how stupid the OP must be.

MontyPythonSnake · 13/11/2024 15:26

I hope he's OK

Nazzywish · 13/11/2024 15:25

Just as an aside monitor him very closely until u see the GP. My lo was so unwell with KA once I couldn't wake her up in the morning and I had no idea KA was a thing. Luckily the ambulance was quick and she's recovered with no signs of TP1 4 yrs on, but the fright made me so cautious !

Nazzywish · 13/11/2024 15:21

Get checked for keto acidosis. Can be tp1 linked. If you have thise keto sticks at home do a dip test and also check his blood sugars if you've got the test. If he's been unwell could be he's not eaten enough etc that can trigger it but as you've type 1 in the family get checked and they'll likely do a referral to be on safe side for him

Arrwedancers · 13/11/2024 15:12

Don't want for the GP, treasure him to a&e today, it can go downhill very fast at this this age, better safe than sorry.

TheShellBeach · 13/11/2024 15:09

alpop · 13/11/2024 13:23

I've gotten an appointment this afternoon for him

Good.
Hope he's okay.

CarrotsAndCheese · 13/11/2024 15:08

I would take him straight to A&E. Sounds like it could be DKA, especially with family history. Hope he will be OK xx

gotmyknickersinatwist · 13/11/2024 15:08

I do not intend for this to sound mean, but as many others have said, why are you posting on mumsnet?
If my child had these symptoms the last thing on my mind would be 'I must post on AIBU.'
It might be different if you knew nothing about the symptoms but even then, if you Googled the symptoms it's going to suggest diabetes right away. You know it would be a fairly urgent medical matter & you'd take action.

Were you looking for confirmation? Reassurance?

Anyway, I hope your wee one is OK.

merryandbrightdelight · 13/11/2024 15:08

Hi op, I second everyone else - GP for diabetes check as it could be ketones. Hope all goes well

StMarie4me · 13/11/2024 15:05

ClippyMuldoon · 13/11/2024 15:01

You can all probably stop jumping on the OP, it's more than likely she's at A&E. Nothing as fun as a pile on though?

OP I hope your little boy is okay .

Quite agree. How unnecessarily nasty people are.

OP hope you're both ok. We all worry about over reacting so asking isn't as heinous as some would suggest.

ClippyMuldoon · 13/11/2024 15:01

You can all probably stop jumping on the OP, it's more than likely she's at A&E. Nothing as fun as a pile on though?

OP I hope your little boy is okay .

Differentstarts · 13/11/2024 14:55

"Does anyone have any ideas" are you serious right now

ThianWinter · 13/11/2024 14:55

I don't understand why you are asking Mumsnet what's wrong with your 4yo, with a family history of juvenile onset type 1 diabetes. Don't waste time with a GP appointment, go straight to A&E. DKA can be fatal.

ExhaustedHousewife · 13/11/2024 14:55

Oh come on this can't be serious 🙄

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 13/11/2024 14:53

Ffs diabetes not his eyes.

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