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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To go to my GP?

25 replies

NurseRoscoe · 09/05/2015 22:34

I would really appreciate honest answers but not nasty ones please.

I am 17 weeks pregnant. My dad is a type 2 diabetic. I have been feeling constantly tired, waking at least 3 times in the night to go to the toilet, I can often taste a really sugary sweet taste in my mouth even if I haven't eaten anything sweet, I really don't eat much sugar as in chocolate, sweets, cakes etc and (sorry for TMI) but my wee sometimes smells like sugar puffs, I know that sounds strange but I have heard it mentioned before so I assume I'm not just imagining it! I sometimes get little round circles floating in my vision too!

WIBU to make an appointment with my GP and ask to be tested for diabetes/ask if there is anything else that may cause all this/ask how to manage the tiredness as I don't want it to affect my children I already have or my job? Or is this all just normal pregnancy stuff that I need to man up and get on with?

The reason I ask is because I have seen a few comments on other threads from GPs about people who go to them for really silly things and waste their time, I really don't want to be one of these people!

OP posts:

Littlefish · 09/05/2015 22:36

I think it would be very sensible to go and speak to your GP.

DragonRojo · 09/05/2015 22:37

make an appointment. You have a serious concern so you would not be wasting his/her time

RandomMess · 09/05/2015 22:39

You're pregnant had have diabetes associated symptoms. I'd ring your midwifery team and see if they can test your urine tomorrow.

Nectarines · 09/05/2015 22:39

GP or midwife? I'm sure that in your booking in appt they assess risk of GD with family history etc.

If you had a 16 week midwife appt your urine glucose would have been checked.

If it helps, I know some pharmacies offer a quick blood glucose check.

hobNong · 09/05/2015 22:40

It wouldn't be a waste of time to go to the gp, especially with your family history. Just to try and reassure you a bit though, I had that sugar puff smell when I was pregnant, and was waking for the toilet constantly at night (that is definitely common!) I can't remember if I had the sweet taste in my mouth though.

Sorry but YABU a little bit for saying "man up".

Cherriesandapples · 09/05/2015 22:43

Type 2 diabetes is usually due to lifestyle choices rather than genetic so I think family history is unrelated but I don't think any GP or midwife would think badly of you for checking things out with them!

littlejohnnydory · 09/05/2015 22:43

You should be offered a Glucose Tolerance Test because of your family history but that usually happens around 28 weeks; they may bring it forward if you are having symptoms. It may just be pregnancy, it may be Gestational Diabetes- either way, YANBU to go to your GP. You should be able to get hold of your midwife v easily if you can't get a GP appointment.

Welshmaenad · 09/05/2015 22:44

Either gp appointment or see your midwife to dip your urine for sugar, and possibly arrange a GTT for you.

You are absolutely not time wasting. I'm diabetic and thirst/excessive weeing/tiredness are the first signs my blood glucose is spiralling out of control.

Original poster

NurseRoscoe · 09/05/2015 22:45

Thank you for your replies!

Nectarines I do have a glucose tolerance test booked for me as routine because of my dad but it's over a month away, all of the things I mentioned are really starting to get me down as well as worrying me that if there IS something wrong it could harm my baby (I don't know if it would) I also wasn't sure if the midwife would be a better bet, I have had experience of them just putting a lot of things down to pregnancy without actually testing/examining, which is why I wanted to see if other people had these sort of symptoms as part of a normal pregnancy before I took an appointment up, since all these political debates have been flying around, it's really come to light how stretched the NHS is!

OP posts:

Welshmaenad · 09/05/2015 22:46

Cherries that is incorrect, there's a massive genetic link for Type 2 diabetes.

Original poster

NurseRoscoe · 09/05/2015 22:47

hobnog sorry I am rubbish at wording things!

OP posts:

reikizen · 09/05/2015 22:49

We don't routinely dip urine for glucose any more (as per nice guidelines), as it is not a reliable indicator for Gestational diabetes. If you have a first degree relative with diabetes my trust offers a Gtt at 26 weeks but as you are concerned it may be appropriate to do this sooner. (Although it does actually just sound as if you are 17 weeks pregnant rather than diabetic!) Did you mention your concerns at your 16 week appointment?

madamginger · 09/05/2015 22:50

A lot of pharmacies also do diabetes checks as well if you can go tomorrow, it's usually a blood test but would give you a good indication straight away.

Lottiedoubtie · 09/05/2015 22:51

The NHS is not too stretched to assess a worried pregnant woman. Don't take the weight of the country on your shoulders. See your GP or midwife tomorrow.

Bugsylugs · 09/05/2015 22:51

Definitely see GP/ midwife.
Type 2. Extremely genetic link

steff13 · 09/05/2015 22:52

If they haven't scheduled your glucose tolerance test yet, I'd call the doctor and see. Maybe they can do it early?

steff13 · 09/05/2015 22:55

Whoops, lots of cross posts. If your test is still a few weeks away, I'd call.

Is a GTT not routine for all pregnant women there?

hobNong · 09/05/2015 22:59

NurseRoscoe no it's me. Recent threads have brought to my attention that I'm extremely intolerant to certain words and phrases!

Good luck with the pregnancy.

Cherriesandapples · 09/05/2015 22:59

Hmmm, anyone remember being pregnant for the first time???

The genetic factor is about 15% so not "massive" but still something that should be checked out.

Nectarines · 09/05/2015 23:08

Go and see a doctor or midwife and they will assess your risk or offer you an early GTT. Family history of Type 2 does flag up a risk factor for GD but certainly doesn't guarantee a tendency to diabetes.

Remember that pregnant folk do wee a lot and have heightened sense of smell so it could very well turn out to be nothing!!

Congratulations on your pregnancy and I hope all is well!

PacificDogwood · 09/05/2015 23:13

YANBU at all to see your GP or midwife about this.

It is quite sad that you have to ask - there are lots of people who seek health advice inappropriately, but this is certainly not one of those occasions.

Hope it all turns out to be nothing

Original poster

NurseRoscoe · 09/05/2015 23:15

Thank you everyone! I did mention the tiredness and needing to pee a lot at my last appointment, the midwife didn't seem concerned though, she wasn't my usual midwife and I have a bit of a habit of 'playing things down' when talking to professionals I'm not used to, I get embarrassed that they will think I'm being over dramatic (me being stupid, nothing else!) I think I will just go in now, either to the GP or midwife, whoever I can see first and just tell them like I did on here.

Hopefully it will just be nothing & they will be able to give me a bit of advice on boosting my energy levels, if that is even possible in pregnancy! Thank you again for the reassurance!

OP posts:

Nectarines · 09/05/2015 23:22

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be able to give more information, but as far as I understand it (type 1, 1 diabetic pregnancy, dd 18 months) in my T1 pregnancy, I did not make insulin, but the baby did. This meant that, as our blood supply was shared, if my glucose levels were too high, she'd make more insulin to counteract it.
As insulin is a growth hormone, this could lead to a bigger baby and there are risks attached to that.

To ensure a healthy pregnancy, I had a major diet overhaul. No refined sugar/ carbs. I had a strict low GI diet throughout the pregnancy as advised by a dietician.

Should it turn out that you do have GD, don't panic. You will receive good advice from specialist diabetes nurses. It's a bit of a shock and you do need to commit to some changes, but you'll be fine!

DazzelU · 09/05/2015 23:22

I have a parent with type 2 diabetes - was offered the Glucose Tolerance Test at around 26 weeks on that basis. Passed every pg - no hint of a problem.

Tiredness and needing to pee are common pg symptoms - but you should mention the unusual smell of the urine and the getting up 3 times a night to MW or GP - it could also possibly be a urine tract infection so if you mention all that they can make an informed choice what to test for as well as put your mind at rest.

DazzelU · 09/05/2015 23:26

Nectarines - is right if the was gestational diabetes there would be adjustment to diet and careful monitoring of baby size and possible being induced and not going over due dates - at least what my friend who tested positive for one pg (- not proceeding 3 or later 2 oddly) found.

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