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To be sick with worry than DS (12) may have diabetes!

266 replies

HumiditySucks · 23/08/2022 10:13

Please help calm me down until I can get a GP appointment this afternoon.

DS 12 has started drinking a lot more water, saying he feels thirsty. Started about 3 weeks ago while abroad. Obviously it’s hot but this is more than that.

He’s also lost a lost a lot of weight on his stomach. That may be him shooting up in height but he wasn’t over weight before.

Also saying he feels more tired but that could be due to being up until early hours of the morning 😡and sleeping rhythm messed up.

Noticed last night his breath has a chemical smell like acetone.

No Type 1 diabetes in families. MIL was diagnosed in her late 60’s with Type 2.

GP had no appointments by the time I got through this morning so have to try again at 2pm. Aarghhh!

OP posts:
itdoesntcount · 23/08/2022 10:16

I would go to A&E, if it is T1 he will need insulin asap. Don't wait op, it's urgent if you suspect T1.

girlmom21 · 23/08/2022 10:17

Call 111 for an appointment or download the Push Doctor app.

ermagerdabear · 23/08/2022 10:18

Get to A&E if you think it's diabetes. Don't wait around for a few appointment.

lanthanum · 23/08/2022 10:18

If it is diabetes, the good news is that you've spotted the signs, and they can get him checked out. The management of diabetes seems to be improving all the time - I suspect it's never easy managing it through puberty, but I think they have wearable monitors now, so keeping an eye on levels is much easer.

It might turn out to be nothing - I was worried that I had some signs, but it turned out to just be coincidence.

Mangogogogo · 23/08/2022 10:18

i would deffo get him seen.

i had acetone breath when I had a stomach ulcer too so worth just getting checked in general

MerryMarigold · 23/08/2022 10:18

Make sure you take a urine sample. It's a very quick way to test. I'm not sure, maybe even a pharmacist could do it.

ermagerdabear · 23/08/2022 10:18

*Drs not few.

abbey44 · 23/08/2022 10:19

I’m type 1 and second the A&E suggestion. The symptoms are enough to ring alarm bells and if it’s type 1 it’s urgent. Don’t wait for your GP to find you an appointment. Good luck.

Trisolaris · 23/08/2022 10:19

If you can’t get a drs appt please call 111. It does sound like diabetes so he will need to go the hospital but they can tell them you are on your way in and get him seen as a priority. Getting him seen quickly is important as undiagnosed diabetes is dangerous.

I’m the only type 1 in my family but I adapted well - the tech we get now is amazing! Just get him seen quickly and we’ll done for noticing the signs! Xxx

Aardbeien · 23/08/2022 10:19

T1 Diabetic here, take him to A&E, or at the very least call NHS24 first. If he is diabetic he needs urgent treatment. Fingers crossed for you both.

notapizzaeater · 23/08/2022 10:19

Can the practice nurse not do a urine test ?

Do you know anyone with a blood meter to do a test ?.

girlmom21 · 23/08/2022 10:21

Don't go to A&E before calling 111. They wouldn't prioritise him and 111 will get you an appointment.

abovedecknotbelow · 23/08/2022 10:21

A&E, friend had suspicions about her DD and she ended up in A&E by ambulance with DKA later that day.

fannyfan · 23/08/2022 10:21

You need to go to a&e. And you need to not feel guilty (parents do for some reason) t1 patients seem to have always been guaranteed to get it, it's just a question of when and what viral illness pushes the body over into developing diabetes it's an auto immune disease. Nothing you did caused this.

However you need to go a&e

Ducksurprise · 23/08/2022 10:22

You can't turn up at A&E and say I think my son has diabetes, it is not appropriate.

If the doctors will not see you call 111 or the Scotland equivalent and get an emergency appointment.

Teder · 23/08/2022 10:25

Call NHS 111, they can triage and get you an urgent GP appointment today.

Thehonestbadger · 23/08/2022 10:26

Yeah go to A&E

My sibling was diagnosed T1 aged 11 and luckily my mum figured it out and insisted he go to hospital. GP told her it was virus and she was being dramatic FFS 😡

That being said my sibling also had these;
thrush
excess sweating
waking up wrenching in the night
nausea/ lack of energy directly linked to eating

It might be fine but if you’re concerned definitely don’t wait xx

greenacrylicpaint · 23/08/2022 10:28

as pp say you need to get him seen urgently.
call 111 to ask where best to go.
if you can't get through a&e is warranted. it is an emergency.

whereever you end up, take a bag with a change of clothes as he will be admitted if it is diabetes.

also take books, phone & charger, bottle of water...

Skiphopbump · 23/08/2022 10:29

Call 111 to get him a priority appointment- they may tell you to take him straight to A&E.

greenacrylicpaint · 23/08/2022 10:29

Ducksurprise · 23/08/2022 10:22

You can't turn up at A&E and say I think my son has diabetes, it is not appropriate.

If the doctors will not see you call 111 or the Scotland equivalent and get an emergency appointment.

untreated diabetes is an emergency.

a&e is absolutely the right place unless the local nhs service has a separate department for this.

Sarahcoggles · 23/08/2022 10:31

Ask for a nurse appointment. They can dip his urine and do a finger prick test. If it shows sugar then the GP will see you and arrange a hospital appointment today.

TheDivineOddity · 23/08/2022 10:32

You absolutely can turn up at A & E with suspected T1D, it's an emergency.
Don't wait, trust your instincts and go now.

Cherryblossoms85 · 23/08/2022 10:32

I wouldn't go directly to A&E but get 111 to help you with a GP appointment or call the GP again and explain your specific concerns. They often say there are no slots left but every receptionist I've spoken to has found a slot for some thing like this. I know a kid with type 1, apparently there is usually a little bit of time when first symptoms appear to get treatment, as the insulin production is slowly going down, rather than stopping altogether as it does eventually.

Didiplanthis · 23/08/2022 10:32

You must get him seen today as if it is they may admit him to stabilise him. I would ring GP back and say you think its an emergency as you think your son may have developed type1 diabetes.. ask them to run it past the duty doctor..

Oblomov22 · 23/08/2022 10:33

Please don't wait for a GP. T1 here.