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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

T1 Diabetes

137 replies

LeCirqueFouFurieux · 29/10/2023 10:39

Not an AIBU (well it sort of is as I'm unsure if I should go to A and E). I've been having some tests recently and not got the results - one was for T1 diabetes, I've just googled the symptoms and I have every single one on the list (but I forgot to tell the GP this when I saw her as I was focusing on one particularly symptom).

I have an appointment tomorrow to get the results. One of the things I forgot to tell her (and I mean I really did only speak about two symptoms (weight loss and fatigue)) is that I've been fainting pretty regularly; this is the part I'm unsure of - I've fainted (full on fainting from standing) three times this morning (usually it's just once every few days).

Is there anything I can do at home or is this something I should seek 111 or A and E advice from, or is it OK to wait until tomorrow and speak to the GP?

I have no idea about diabetes at all so any help or advice would be really useful from those that have experienced it?

OP posts:
TheShellBeach · 29/10/2023 11:16

GuinnessBird · 29/10/2023 11:13

You need to see someone today.

Actually, reading the thread again, I agree with this.

Either get a taxi to A and E or ask a relative to drive you.

tiredwardsister · 29/10/2023 11:17

Ketones smell like pear drops or maybe nail varnish I’ve never used it! But you would be feeling pretty unwell and will deteriorate quickly if that’s the case. It’s annoying that your GP didn’t do a simple finger prick blood sugar test.

tiredwardsister · 29/10/2023 11:18

followmyflow · 29/10/2023 11:16

i would go to A&E! tell them you are experiencing T1 symptoms and get them to do a blood finger prick test, it takes seconds and will be VERY obvious if you have T1!

Yes do this it can be done by the triage nurse.

littlelizzard · 29/10/2023 11:19

agree with PPs that you should get yourself to A&E

Nectarines · 29/10/2023 11:20

I have T1D and was diagnosed in my late twenties after developing excessive thirst and unexplained weight loss. My symptoms came on quickly and in the third week of being up all night drinking water, I went to the Gp who tested my blood there and then and sent me straight to hospital as my blood glucose was very high. I started insulin treatment immediately.

Original poster
LeCirqueFouFurieux · 29/10/2023 11:21

Thank you, I'm going to go to A and E and see if they can do the finger prick test. I've lost 40% of my body weight (there's been a lot of stress recently), am very tired which is unusual, thirsty, peeing a lot, have blurred vision most mornings but it then goes after forty minutesish... it's been going on for a few months but I have been under horrific stress and was told it was that, it's been worse this week which is why I went to the GP.

What happens if it does come back as diabetes? I have pets, will I have to stay in overnight or will they let me come home? Do I need to arrange pet care is basically what I am asking.

OP posts:
HumourReplacementTherapy · 29/10/2023 11:24

@Mumaway that is not correct. Adults most certainly can be diagnosed with T1. I was @ 45
Can't you look your results up on the NHS app OP?

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 29/10/2023 11:24

AnnaMagnani · 29/10/2023 11:10

If your bloods had come back with a high blood glucose you would have been phoned as they came in, not asked to book a routine appointment.

They won't have checked current blood glucose though, they'll have checked HbA1c which is a measure of high blood glucose over 3 months. Type 1 diabetes can start fast, so your Hba1c doesn't look too bad but you can still end up in ICU.
If the GP suspected Type 1 diabetes they'd have done a fingerprick and diagnosed on the spot. But they may not have suspected it because GP training/knowledge about Type 1 diabetes is diabolical, and they might easily have thought adults don't get it (utterly wrong).

TheShellBeach · 29/10/2023 11:25

You might need to stay in if you need to be stabilised with an insulin drip.

followmyflow · 29/10/2023 11:25

that depends OP. if you do have T1 and are in DKA, a condition which develops due to unmedicated T1, you will need to stay in hospital while they administer insulin.

HumourReplacementTherapy · 29/10/2023 11:25

Sorry just seen your update that you can't

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 29/10/2023 11:26

You may need to stay in. But don't delay going to A&E. Also, can you get someone else to drive you?

poetryandwine · 29/10/2023 11:27

Great call, OP.

Who is bringing you to hospital? Can you ask someone to stand by regarding pet care? It is too soon to rule out an overnight stay as this sounds more and more like T1. If it is, whether you need to stay will depend on how severe it is relative to the number of available beds.

Worst case, come back here and ask for help regarding your pets. Very best wishes and update us when you can.

Original poster
LeCirqueFouFurieux · 29/10/2023 11:28

My Sister in Law is coming around (she is actually going to do my finger prick, she's a GP, I didn't want to hassle her with this because of everything else going on at the moment).

Yes it was the Hb1Ac test they did, along with some other things as well.

OP posts:
TheShellBeach · 29/10/2023 11:30

I'm glad you're getting tested.

Have you got someone you can ask to look after your pets?

Original poster
LeCirqueFouFurieux · 29/10/2023 11:32

I have a few people I can ask re. pets but I will see first if I need to stay in - they have been walked, and I am going to leave food and water down for everyone.

OP posts:
gingercat02 · 29/10/2023 11:34

Mumaway · 29/10/2023 10:41

It would be very unusual for an adult to develop T1 diabetes. Mention the fainting when you see Dr for results.

Nonsense! Anyone can get T1, it is still more common in children and younger adults but I had an 82yo diagnosed recently

happyl · 29/10/2023 11:38

shocked your GP didn't do a finger pricker test. A few years ago I went to the doctors with my teenage daughter. Symptoms: extreme thirst, extreme fatigue. We couldn't see a doctor but the nurse practitioner immediately did a finger prick test and a urine test and sent us stating to hospital. She was in DKA. The nurse practitioner said she rarely saw someone in DKA who seemed well, so you're not always obviously very poorly, even when you are.

HumourReplacementTherapy · 29/10/2023 11:45

I didn't have to stay in when I was diagnosed but they did say they didn't understand how I was still walking & talking.
I was BG28 on a finger prick-
I was given an insulin pen and directed to inject myself- sent home with hosp contact details and went back every day for approximately a fortnight. Levels need to come down gently to protect eyesight. (This was not a@&e though GP sent me to hosp diabetes centre)
If it is- it's a massive shock and lifestyle adjustment but it is all completely manageable thanks to how the technology has developed in the last 5/6 years.

poetryandwine · 29/10/2023 11:46

Wow, you have a good plan and you are in excellent hands. Again, very best wishes.

BloodyHellKen · 29/10/2023 11:52

OP, I'm an ex nurse and pretty expert on T1D as DS was diagnosed at 19. You can most definitely develop it at any age. Also if you have untreated T1D you need to be at A&E NOW.

I cannot stress this enough.

At A&E they will be able to give you a very quick finger prick and check your blood sugar and ketones in minutes.

Phiface77 · 29/10/2023 12:12

It would be unusual for an older adult to develop T1 diabetes, but not so rare for a teen/twenties.

LifeExperience · 29/10/2023 12:15

My daughter has T1D. You need to go to A&E before you go into diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Go now!

TheShellBeach · 29/10/2023 12:17

LifeExperience · 29/10/2023 12:15

My daughter has T1D. You need to go to A&E before you go into diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Go now!

If you'd read the thread you'd see that her SIL (a doctor) is coming round to check her BM.