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AIBU?

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Original poster

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:
MissGlitterSparkles · 23/08/2022 12:22

i would call the GP at 2pm and tell them the urgency. You are much likely to be seen quicker that way. A&E wait times are off the scale at the moment - you will most likely be hanging around for hours and hours

justfiveminutes · 23/08/2022 12:22

You can buy urine tests for diabetes at a pharmacy, but hopefully unnecessary if you ring at 2pm and get an appointment.

I wouldn't go to A&E - he isn't unwell in himself, and you will just sit there for 8 hours before being given a urine test and referred back to your gp for care.

Carrotzen · 23/08/2022 12:23

Just take him to ED. At the end of the day it takes about 20 seconds to do a blood glucose, it's hardly a waste of NHS resources or time and he has enough signs. If he is diabetic then ED is an appropriate place for him, if not then he can go home

User45446 · 23/08/2022 12:24

girlmom21 · 23/08/2022 12:16

Because he would need to stay in hospital for a few nights if it was diabetes- the pharmacist would just send him to A&E anyway, so better to just go straight to A&E.

And if it's not diabetes he wouldn't need to be in A&E so if it's avoidable to use A&E and still get quick help that's what we should do.

Well, the point is if he does have diabetes, he is going to need immediate treatment. If he doesn't have it then it really is a quick test for A&E staff to determine that so it doesn't use up massive resources. Lot of people use A&E when one possible outcome is serious. It is really the most sensible thing to do. Advising people against using it because it might not be that outcome is pretty irresponsible.

Carrotzen · 23/08/2022 12:26

Wait times in A&E are long, but he will likely just get a finger prick test in triage which will determine whether he needs to stay or not. It will not be an 8hr wait for triage

Toddlerteaplease · 23/08/2022 12:28

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.

Blood glucose tests are more accurate than urine. Some pharmacies will offer this.

kimchifox · 23/08/2022 12:30

Is he eating normally? The weight loss and acetone smell could be diabetes but it could also be from restricting food. It doesn't really explain the thirst though, unless he's thirsty because he's actually hungry. I'd definitely get the diabetes checked but there could be other reasons.

Toddlerteaplease · 23/08/2022 12:30

I'm
A paediatric nurse. Take him to A&E.

Ducksurprise · 23/08/2022 12:31

girlmom21 · 23/08/2022 12:07

Yes a&e. I am a nurse there. Don't hang about Simple finger prick test will tell you. Local pharmacist may be able to do one for him instantly.

If a pharmacist can do it why would you encourage A&E? It makes no sense.

Exactly. A&E isn't a catch all for what's and maybes, go to the pharmacy, demand a doctor see you, call 111 do something today but the answer is not to go straight to A&E

Namenic · 23/08/2022 12:32

Go to a&e. They can do simple quick tests to check. IF he does have diabetes (even if unlikely), it could get dangerous if you wait.

Simonjt · 23/08/2022 12:40

girlmom21 · 23/08/2022 12:16

Because he would need to stay in hospital for a few nights if it was diabetes- the pharmacist would just send him to A&E anyway, so better to just go straight to A&E.

And if it's not diabetes he wouldn't need to be in A&E so if it's avoidable to use A&E and still get quick help that's what we should do.

Delaying access to care when type 1 diabetes is suspected is very dangerous and can have life long consequences. If it was your child would you choose to delay their care?

girlmom21 · 23/08/2022 12:41

@User45446 you clearly haven't read what I said so please don't call me irresponsible. Irresponsible would be sending a child to sit in A&E for 8 hours when a pharmacist could diagnose an issue in a few minutes and get him seen much quicker.

girlmom21 · 23/08/2022 12:41

@Simonjt I haven't suggested delaying anyones care.

Simonjt · 23/08/2022 12:41

MissGlitterSparkles · 23/08/2022 12:22

i would call the GP at 2pm and tell them the urgency. You are much likely to be seen quicker that way. A&E wait times are off the scale at the moment - you will most likely be hanging around for hours and hours

If someone presents to A&E with suspected type 1 diabetes they are given a blood test straight away.

Simonjt · 23/08/2022 12:42

girlmom21 · 23/08/2022 12:41

@Simonjt I haven't suggested delaying anyones care.

Going to a pharmacist instead of A&E is delaying care.

girlmom21 · 23/08/2022 12:43

@Simonjt not if the pharmacist is going to diagnose much quicker than A&E would.

Simonjt · 23/08/2022 12:44

girlmom21 · 23/08/2022 12:43

@Simonjt not if the pharmacist is going to diagnose much quicker than A&E would.

If you present to A&E with suspected type 1 diabetes you are given a blood test straight away. A pharmacist is not going to provide emergency care, going their will delay appropriate care.

User45446 · 23/08/2022 12:45

girlmom21 · 23/08/2022 12:41

@User45446 you clearly haven't read what I said so please don't call me irresponsible. Irresponsible would be sending a child to sit in A&E for 8 hours when a pharmacist could diagnose an issue in a few minutes and get him seen much quicker.

@girlmom21

Well, I did read what you said. I assumed you would know about triage and you do not have to wait 8 hours for that. If you enter A&E and say you are worried about T1 diabetes there is not a hospital in the country that would have you waiting for 8 hours. What do you know about T1 diabetes anyway?

Ducksurprise · 23/08/2022 12:47

www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-go-to-ae/

When to go to A&E
An A&E department (also known as emergency department or casualty) deals with genuine life-threatening emergencies, such as:

loss of consciousness
a sudden confused state
fits that are not stopping
chest pain
breathing difficulties
severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
severe burns or scalds
stroke
major trauma such as a road traffic collision
feelings of self-harm or suicide
Less severe injuries can be treated in urgent treatment centres (walk-in centres or minor injury units).

If you're not sure what to do
NHS 111 can help if you need urgent medical help or you're not sure what to do.

They will ask questions about your symptoms so you get the help you need.

If you need to go to A&E, NHS 111 will book an arrival time. This might mean you spend less time in A&E. This also helps with social distancing.

You can get help from NHS 111 online or call 111. It's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Allmarbleslost · 23/08/2022 12:47

Op please ignore any posters telling you not to go to a&e. Type 1 diabetes is absolutely a medical emergency and would require hospital admission. Please take him straight to a&e because if it is T1D he could deteriorate very quickly.

ofwarren · 23/08/2022 12:48

User45446 · 23/08/2022 12:45

@girlmom21

Well, I did read what you said. I assumed you would know about triage and you do not have to wait 8 hours for that. If you enter A&E and say you are worried about T1 diabetes there is not a hospital in the country that would have you waiting for 8 hours. What do you know about T1 diabetes anyway?

Show quote history

Our A&E triage checks everyone's blood on arrival with the blood sugar thing that diabetics use. Sorry, I'm not sure of its name.
I assume all A&Es do the same?
Your waiting is after that test

Allmarbleslost · 23/08/2022 12:48

@Ducksurprise type 1 diabetes is absolutely a medical emergency.

girlmom21 · 23/08/2022 12:49

A&E don't give a blood test as soon as you arrive if you say you've been drinking more than usual and feel tired.

@User45446 by the sounds of things a lot more than you...

OP hopefully you've managed to get some tests done now!

Ducksurprise · 23/08/2022 12:49

There is a difference between getting help today and expecting to be able to go to A&E with something that may or may not be diabetes.

I would argue that it would be dangerous if everyone listened to the hysteria on here where A&E is touted as the answer to everything.

OP ring 111, speak to the doctor, get some help today. Hope he starts to feel better soon and gets whatever treatment he needs

Simonjt · 23/08/2022 12:52

girlmom21 · 23/08/2022 12:49

A&E don't give a blood test as soon as you arrive if you say you've been drinking more than usual and feel tired.

@User45446 by the sounds of things a lot more than you...

OP hopefully you've managed to get some tests done now!

If you presented with a child with this many symptoms of type one diabetes they absolutely do. Not sure why you chose to only post two of the symptoms the OPs son is experiencing.