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Original poster

Diabetic teen?

116 replies

FuckingHateRats · 26/12/2022 20:35

Posting in chat for traffic, sorry.

I'm taking him to the doctor's tomorrow, but I'm just hoping someone might be able to share experiences of their own I can compare.

My son (15) is KNACKERED. Falling asleep multiple times a day, really tired and lethargic when up. He's so thirsty - gets up during the night to drink, and probably drinks 3-4lt of water a day. He also feels really ill after big meals - the last two times we've eaten out we've had to leave early because he's felt like his heart is racing, he feels really "overwhelmed" (his words), and he's really spacey.

I've got coeliac disease so I'm going to ask him to be tested for that too, but we also have diabetes in the family. We're so worried about him - I think my husband would drive him up to A&E if I'd let him.

Does anyone have any experience of diabetes in a teen, and did it manifest itself like this?

OP posts:
Bimblesalong · 26/12/2022 20:40

Hello lovely. Yes, my son was diagnosed aged 7.

Please pack a bag and some water and take him to an and E. It can be so dangerous if it’s left. When I took my ds to the doctor, he told me to go straight to the ward and rang through. He phoned us later to make sure we had done that. I thank him for his swiftness.
As you’re aware, coeliac and t1 run in families so it is more probable than families without the pattern of the conditions. My dh has coeliac.

It sounds very much like our family’s dx

Bimblesalong · 26/12/2022 20:42

You may smell a pear drops smell on his breath too.

LunchWithAGruffalo · 26/12/2022 20:46

That all sounds very familiar and how I felt just before I second the suggestion to pack a bag and head to A and E.

The first couple of months after diagnosis were difficult, with so much to learn and levels still settling down but once I got into my routine it's manageable. Loads more technology available now which really helps.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Children's health Diabetes General health
Lazydazey · 26/12/2022 20:46

Yes, happened to my husband as a teen, as per pp please take him to A&E immediately if you suspect he’s diabetic. You can get blood sugar tests from the chemist but very high blood sugar from diabetes can be dangerous. Call 111 if you’re not sure . Its a NOW thing .. not a tomorrow thing.

AngelaoftheNorth · 26/12/2022 20:47

Agree with others. Dont wait until tomorrow. Take him now to A&E.

Velvetbee · 26/12/2022 20:48

It’s really common for it to first manifest at 13-15 apparently and getting more common. Mine was 13 and had full on diabetic ketoacidosis by the time he was diagnosed. Perhaps ring 111 say you’re concerned and ask which path to use to access help.

Festivefails · 26/12/2022 20:48

A few options - you must be worried as you have posted so could ring 111 & see what they say - go to a walk in/OOH or go to a late night pharmacy for a glucose kit unless a relative near by has one & test but undiagnosed diabetes can be so dangerous but he could also have something else going on so needs checking -

Best option if worried is 111 or just go to local OOH/A&E -

Fingers crossed

Bimblesalong · 26/12/2022 20:48

If it is diabetes there is so much support from the community and the technology to manage it is getting so good.

Find out what you’re dealing with and then you’ll be able to support your ds. 💐

Blueskythinking123 · 26/12/2022 20:49

My son was diagnosed age 15. Please take him to A&E, don't leave him. It's likely to be type 1 , it can be very serious if left.

Nimbostratus100 · 26/12/2022 20:50

yes, I'm on team A and E too - diabetes can very suddenly become critical

Nimbostratus100 · 26/12/2022 20:53

Velvetbee · 26/12/2022 20:48

It’s really common for it to first manifest at 13-15 apparently and getting more common. Mine was 13 and had full on diabetic ketoacidosis by the time he was diagnosed. Perhaps ring 111 say you’re concerned and ask which path to use to access help.

anecdotally, yes it has become very very much more common since covid. In my time at secondary school we would probably get one new diagnosis every 2-3 years, but we have had 2 per year in the last 3 years - I have heard that it might be related to long covid, but I dont think there is any evidence either way right now

MerryChristmasTree · 26/12/2022 20:53

Is he weeing a lot too?

They’ll test for coeliac as part of the diabetic profile, they did as soon as my child was diagnosed as part of the bloods in a&e.

Theheartsinvisiblefuries · 26/12/2022 20:58

A & E. my son was diagnosed at 14. Took him to A&E and he was in full blown keto acidosis. Don't wait until tomorrow it is dangerous

JJ8765 · 26/12/2022 21:00

weight loss is another symptom. It is an emergency issue we went to GP as thought urine infection and when gp tested he told us to go straight to hospital where son was put on drip. The GP rang ahead with result and son was admitted straight to ward. He recovered quickly and hospital told us we were very lucky as most kids come in in a wheelchair so do not worry about wasting anyone’s time. Go to hospital now. He will be feeling awful and could go into a coma. Triage will be able to test him and know straight away. Diabetes care is brilliant compared to other areas of the health service. He will be admitted if it’s type 1 so take spare clothes, chargers etc. They test for other anti immune diseases every year if you are type 1.

Sunshineismyfriend · 26/12/2022 21:03

Same as everyone else, I’m afraid. Sounds very similar to my child, when diagnosed. I hope it’s not though. He really needs to go to an and e tonight - hopefully you’re already on your way there. X

MerryChristmasTree · 26/12/2022 21:05

Definitely take some stuff with you if you do go, we were there for hours! Although very looked after.

Ikeameatballs · 26/12/2022 21:05

This is potentially a life-threatening emergency. Take him to A+E tonight. If he has untreated diabetes he could be in a coma by the morning, if he goes to A+E they can check his blood glucose level in triage.

Original poster
FuckingHateRats · 26/12/2022 21:14

Thanks everyone. Yes, he's also looks very skinny and possibly has lost some weight (he's always thin anyway). Am kicking myself for not acting sooner .

Am on hold with 111 just now. If we don't get through in the next couple of hours I'll take him to A&E

OP posts:
BuffaloCauliflower · 26/12/2022 21:16

That does sound like diabetes (DH is T1D) hope they see him today. Good luck

achildisborn · 26/12/2022 21:18

Sounds like he's in DKA, I would go to ED now. He's within Paeds age limits so will be likely swifter although he will go direct to resus if he is in DKA probably.

fiorentina · 26/12/2022 21:20

Please don’t wait for 111, go straight to A&E.
They won’t think you’re wasting time at all with these symptoms, he may need urgent help. Not trying to panic you, have known two similar teens.

NewBootsAndRanty · 26/12/2022 21:21

Don't bother holding with 111 - take him to A&E now.

newnamequickly · 26/12/2022 21:22

Please include generous snacks in your overnight bag. Probably not so bad as he's under 16 and if he's admitted you'll likely be with him, but care can be a bit disjointed when first admitted. Having snacks that a doctor or nurse can guide you to take if needed, is really useful.

If it is diabetes the modern care from the diabetes nurses is superb. It will take a few months to get into the know.

Wishing you both all the best.

elevenplusdilemma · 26/12/2022 21:23

111 wait times are long. Just go straight to A&E. If it is diabetes, it's a medical emergency and a few hours will make a huge difference. Just go. Now.

MerryChristmasTree · 26/12/2022 21:27

Don’t worry about 111, they’ll test his blood sugar in triage.