T1 Diabetes

[LeCirqueFouFurieux]

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?

Like the earlier poster who said similar, this is completely wrong and you shouldn’t be posting such potentially dangerous advice.

In my family there has been a lot of T1 diagnosed, none of it in childhood. All has been in the thirties or older - I was 37 and diagnosed after my second child was born, my aunt was 70.

Undiagnosed T1 is extremely serious, can be life-threatening, and it doesn’t take long to reach a critical point. Anyone who suspects they may have it should go to A&E as a matter of urgency, if only to rule it out. I’ve had DKA twice and I’m bloody lucky to be here - it’s not pleasant and in one case I didn’t even realise there was a problem until it was almost too late.

OP, I hope your SIL can do the test for you, and good luck.

My aunt was 80 when she was diagnosed.

Ketones smell sweet, like pear drops

I disagree this is 'completely' wrong. Most people with T1 are diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood. Yes, older people can develop T1 diabetes, but it's not common.
What I do know is many people who develop diabetes during/after pregnancy and use insulin to manage their symptoms believe they have T1 when in fact they dont. The same goes for much older people too. Needing insulin does not necessarily mean you have T1 diabetes. I have heard lots of people say they had type 2 but it progressed to type 1. This doesnt happen. They are 2 different conditions.
OP is getting her results tomorrow so I dont think she needs to do anything this minute. I've not said she doesnt have T1 (symptoms seem to indicate its possible), l'm just pointing out that developing T1 as an older adult is not common...which is true.

I would have thought fainting was low blood sugar - I'm type 1 (diagnosed while pregnant at 41, no symptoms at all, but was part of a GD test and they didn't bother doing it they just sent me straight to the diabetic centre when they did my baseline prick test). But when I'm low I don't faint, but I can't think straight either.
I think you do need to be seen if fainting so much. Can someone drive you or get an Uber?

https://twitter.com/parthaskar/status/1501165190842400770?lang=en-GB

Worth looking at this tweet from Partha Kar (National diabetes lead) highlighting that diagnosis as an adult age 30+ is not uncommon- one-third of cases are diagnosed after age 30, which does not make it rare as previous poster suggested.

(Edited for spelling)

I was kept in overnight when first diagnosed. They will need to stabilise blood glucose, get the patient out of danger with regard to DKA, and be confident the patient can undertake basic diabetes care before discharge. That would be taking finger-prick blood glucose tests several times a day and also injecting insulin at least twice a day.

I am actually really scared, I've been given a bed and I'm at the hospital that I had the blood tests but I've not been seen other than by the triage nurse, who was slightly off with me as she says the blood results state I should have come to A and E on Friday (and obviously now it's the weekend and very busy), but this isn't what the GP Surgery told me.

I'm T1 diabetic (since 3 years old) and so is my 7 year old daughter (also since 3 years old).

Thinking of you OP
X

What was the result of the fingerprick test?

Don't be scared! You're in the right place. I did wonder if the receptionist had made a mistake.

Have you got someone to look after the dogs?

@Phiface77 - I think we’ll have to agree to disagree on this. All the T1s I know who were diagnosed in adulthood (and we/they are all definitely T1, having been confirmed with the antibody tests) outnumber those I know who were diagnosed in childhood or teens, so in my experience it’s not as rare or uncommon as you make out.

Anyway, I hope the OP gets an answer one way or the other soon, to put her mind at rest and get any treatment she needs without further delay.

Don’t be scared, you’re in the best place - I hope you get some answers soon.

@TheShellBeach I think she said 22? My blood pressure is really low as well which I think is what got me into the bed. I'll ask more questions with someone else because she wasn't particularly conversational.

I haven't arranged pet care, I am going to see what they say.

Actually it is unusual to develop it above the age of 40. I was 21 and my brother was 27 when diagnosed.

OP, a finger prick takes seconds and costs almost nothing. Have it ruled out now.

I hope you're OK OP. One step at a time, you're in the right place now and hopefully will get some answers very soon 💐

Yes there are more than two types of diabetes and some are adult onset

www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/types-of-diabetes

I get that it all sounds scary but if it is diabetes then you will be fine. Promiss. It's good that they are taking care of you now. We all grow up with horror stories of diabetics eho had problems decades ago. Living with diabetes in this current age is nothing like that. It's very manageable now and totally different from even just ten years ago. The technology is being updated so fast and it makes everything so much easier.

don't be scared OP. you will get better soon, your symptoms will alleviate remarkably once youre on insulin. im wishing you the best and pm me if you need any help.

If it was 22, that's definitely diabetes.
I'm so sorry the nurse is not being kind. I work in the NHS (I'm at OT) and sadly it doesn't surprise me

Please get checked my son was diagnosed with type 3c diabetes (treated as type1) after collapsing in DKA in February I don't want to frighten you but it was an awful.experience and he was in intensive care,
If it is type 1 a quick.finger prick test sill give you an immediate answer.

That's diabetes ,they will want they monitor you to.make sure you don't go.into DKA but hopefully they have caught it in time .

If it's 22, sounds like you've missed it before it's gone into DKA. My son was in DKA and his blood sugar was over 100 mmol.

Don't be scared, nowadays type one is much easier managed with CGMS, pens, pumps etc.
make sure you ask about the CGMs, they are free on the NHS and make a HUGE difference in controlling diabetes.

That sounds like Type 1 for sure.
Don't be scared.
They'll look after you and you'll be amazed how quickly you'll start to feel better once you're on insulin.

I am so sorry the nurse was abrupt with you, OP. Especially when it concerned the receptionist’s mistake. But it is brilliant that you are in the best possible place now and this will soon be sorted, with you feeling much better.

Very best wishes. Come back here if you need anything!

Blimey, T1 here my whole life, hope you get good support now you are in hospital.