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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I'm worried, onset of confusion, lethargy and excessive thirst

44 replies

PissyDressingGown · 26/03/2018 11:37

So past few months I've been feeling so exhausted that I barely leave the house unless I have to. Ive cut from working full time to four days a week and now have cut down to 3 days starting in April. Still I'm so exhausted all the time.

On top of this I'm so thirsty all the time and nothing seems to quench it. I've lost weight but always feel hungry so am probably eating more than I used to but what is worrying me more is my mental state. I'm forgetting things from one minute to the next, I'm stuttering all of a sudden and can't think of the right word to say when speaking. I've just been trying to make a GP appointment and for s few seconds, I couldn't remember my address. Yesterday I couldn't remember my date of birth (and I'm only 36!). I've just been driving down a route I do weekly and all of a sudden I felt like I was in a completely new area, it was weird, I didn't recognise any of it for a few seconds and had to follow my sat nav but it's an area I know well.

I'm shitting myself. Booked in to GP tomorrow but before then, can anyone take a guess or has anyone experienced this? I'm a nurse so really need my head right. I've noticed I'm cocking paperwork up a lot lately, patients drug cards are full of crossings outs where I've wrote in the wrong box, but date where data should be etc etc. I'm half tempted to go on sick until I know what's up before I make a big mistake. I was in trouble recently for not doing the stock check on controlled drugs I was using so it looked like stuff had gone missing. I don't know why I didn't do it, it's supposed to be second nature

OP posts:
orangesmartieseggs · 26/03/2018 11:40

Diabetes? The excessive thirst/weightloss/confusion could all be symptoms.

choseausername1 · 26/03/2018 11:41

When you mentioned thirst my first thought was diabetes. Do you have a family history?

IntelligentYetIndecisive · 26/03/2018 11:41

Possible Type 2 diabetes.

Bundlesmads · 26/03/2018 11:41

Diabetes or iron deficiency?

Oliversmumsarmy · 26/03/2018 11:42

All the symptoms dp had before he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes

mrscampbellblackreturns · 26/03/2018 11:42

Would agree that tiredness, excessive thirst and weight loss all point towards diabetes.

Am sure the GP will do a blood prick to see what your glucose levels are like.

Good luck.

PissyDressingGown · 26/03/2018 11:42

Yes both my grandmothers are/were diabetic. I've just done my blood sugar and I'm 4.7mmols. Having blood and using tests done tomorrow to check for diabetes.

OP posts:
AllertonRoad · 26/03/2018 11:43

Classic diabetes symptoms. Get seen today. Some pharmacies do diabetes checks now.

Babyroobs · 26/03/2018 11:43

I also was going to ask if you've had your blood sugar tested. I get similar issues to you - not being able to remember things and occasional stuttering and I just put it down to being excessively tired - I am a Nurse too and exhausted form nightshifts etc. I don't think you'd be unreasonable to go off sick if you feel unsafe. Hope you manage to get to the bottom of it.

SandysMam · 26/03/2018 11:43

Could be kidney problems? I have kidney disease and can describe these symptoms. Doctors don’t always think of this so make sure you get a kidney function test.

Flomper · 26/03/2018 11:44

Also, I had very similar symptoms and it turnwd out to be a severe vutamin D deficiency. Easily resolved with injections and supplements.

user1471462115 · 26/03/2018 11:44

Diabetes.
You need a blood test today, the confusion could be a very serious condition called diabetic keto acidosis DKA and need treating about three hours ago.
Go to your surgery and take this message with you and ask for a test. Takes 10 seconds ...........

mrscampbellblackreturns · 26/03/2018 11:46

Hmm, your level sounds normal - for comparison my eldest was 30 when he had blood prick and was diagnosed as type one.

Peregrane · 26/03/2018 11:46

Sorry to read this, it must feel very disconcerting. If this has been going on for months, with such a significant impact, it's a real pity you did not see the GP sooner! Not sure it will be helpful if we take guesses here - more than likely we'll be wrong, and you'll be worrying needlessly about googling various illnesses that may not actually be related to what is going on with you. But if you must have a guess, mine is it's diabetes. If you can, please do go on sick leave while this is being investigated - as you pointed out, you work in a profession where a lot rides on you being able to function well.

Good luck, and I hope you have a diagnosis soon of something that is relatively easily cured!

Peregrane · 26/03/2018 11:48

Apologies for repeating everyone else - when I started typing there was only the OP!

Grilledaubergines · 26/03/2018 11:50

Type 1 diabetes would be my bet.

PerryPerryThePlatypus · 26/03/2018 11:50

Do you have periods?
Are they heavy if you do?

PissyDressingGown · 26/03/2018 11:53

My periods have been a bit weird lately, I get all the pain and headaches etc, have a moderate period for 2 days and then it stops yet all the pain etc starts up again straight afterwards with no period attached to it

OP posts:
agedknees · 26/03/2018 11:54

This could have been me. Type 2 diabetic, low vit b12. On 3 monthly vit b12 injections now and feel like a new woman.

Was also a nurse (retired now).

user1471462115 · 26/03/2018 11:54

Why do you have a blood testing kit ?
Unless it is calibrated and your technique is up to date, and your test strips are in date, I would not trust that result.
You need your ketones testing urgently...........

Momo18 · 26/03/2018 11:54

I had this, all blood work was fine. I began healthy eating and it went away, not always the cause but worth a look after bloods done if nothing is revealed wrong.

PissyDressingGown · 26/03/2018 11:58

I have a blood testing kit because I'm a nurse - and I hope my technique is upto date as I've used it 4 times on patients this morning 😁

I can do myself a urine test to to check for keytones, I'll do that now

OP posts:
Motoko · 26/03/2018 12:02

Why do you have a blood testing kit?

OP said she was a nurse.

PissyDressingGown · 26/03/2018 12:04

I've just done a urine test, positive for protein so looks like I might have an infection although I don't feel like I do. Trace of keytones, no glucose

OP posts:
Motoko · 26/03/2018 12:05

Ah, cross posted.

Hope you're able to get to the bottom of this OP. I think it would be a good idea to go off sick if you're making mistakes. You don't want a patient's care to be affected.

Go and speak to your manager.

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