17 year old son, GP or A&E?

[Imamumgetmeoutofhere]

My son is 17, almost 18. For the last 3 days he’s been peeing a lot more than normal and drinking a lot more than normal. This morning I found him asleep on the sofa and he said he had been too tired to go up the stairs to bed, but feels ok in himself today, just wiped out.

I said take him to A&E as these sound like possible diabetes symptoms, husband think it sounds like a UTI and has done an e-consult and urine sample for him at our surgery.

Am I over panicking? Or should I be trusting my judgement and taking him to A&E?

Thanks in advance

I think the people who are saying it's not potentially an emergency are unaware of the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Not their fault, but we should all be wary of giving clinical advice if we're not trained.

I'm really sorry again. I said something wrong and I apologize profusely.

OP, does your son have diabetes?

Hey @Imamumgetmeoutofhere How is your son? Any updates? 💐

Potential Type 1 diabetes is very, very definitely a medical emergency! The risk is ketoacidosis, which can be fatal.

Yes, which is really sad because Diabetes U.K. has pushed hard to publicise the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes. There are also other campaigns like the one run by the parents of Lyla - Lyla’s Law. (Edited by MNHQ at the request of the author)

The signs of Type 1 diabetes:

Every time I see these threads my heart just sinks

*Lyla not Lyra. Sorry know the family personally!

100%

It’s the same every time people bleating about it not being an A&E job. I envy them actually because it’s proof that they have no involvement of T1 in their life and lucky them.

Why would you not listen to other diabetic mums or mums of diabetics and risk someone else reading this thread and not getting help until their child was in a coma??

Well even if they are, that's a doctor's job to decide. Not the OP..

It's not for us to self-diagnose, that's why we have medical professionals.

As I said above, they won't mind if a teenager comes in with symptoms of diabetes and it turns out to be something less serious.

Don’t worry, I envy them too! Oh just to have one day without the stress of T1.

I think MN needs to start removing incorrect medical advice, one of these days someone is going to listen and there will be a death as a result due to some faceless posters stupidity.

No, it comes from this idea that you don't use the hallowed NHS unless you are definitely dying,

We pay for it via our taxes and if we need it, we can and should use it.

Yes some people abuse it by taking the whole family in because they've sprained their wrist and putting peas on it at home would be fine, or who are drunk, but can we please stop trying to tell people not to use medical services they need and have paid to use.

Thank you - and huge apologies to the family. I didn’t notice the predictive text had put ‘Lyra’ rather than Lyla. I’m too late to edit, so can only apologise profusely again.

Was just going to post the 4Ts picture. DD’s boyfriend has type one Diabetes and found out from him about Lyla’s law. Do get your ds tested.

If your son starts to vomit often as well as thirst this is a red flag for T1 diabetes and he would need to be rushed into hospital as this is an emergency.

This happened to a teenage relative of mine recently - diabetes symptoms, dipped urine for sugar at the GP. It was present so sent her to hospital. If you are unwell with diabetes you need the hospital, it's not just a case of bung you some insulin and be on your way.

You have no idea what you’re talking about.
Type 1 diabetes is rapidly fatal.
Thirst, urinary frequency and extreme tiredness are classic symptoms.

Type 1 can very quickly become life threatening before it's diagnosed and being treated with insulin.

Hi there.

Thank you for your kind concern and advice for the OP and her son.

We feel that in these instances, it's always better to seek medical advice from qualified professionals.

We're sending our best wishes to the OP and her son, and hope they get the answers and support they need.

Faye
MNHQ.
💐

I reported them ages ago but Mumsnet doesn’t seem to give a toss.

No-one is this stupid, so the only explanation is that they are not posting in good faith.

And you've diagnosed this how?

Diabetic emergencies often appear quickly, with no warning, and can have serious, life-altering or even fatal consequences. Episodes of dangerously high or low glucose levels that need urgent treatment are often the first time someone is diagnosed with diabetes.

It is hopefully something less serious, but his symptoms could indicate hypoglycemia, so why risk it? A&E will be happy to see him.

Please be careful when giving advice on something that could be very serious. I know of at least 3 people who found out during a crisis.

HTH, I'm hoping that you're right.

Glucose in urine and blood, and diagnosed with diabetes and DKA.

Was more unwell by the time we arrived and was slurring his speech and struggling to keep his eyes open though he could still talk, didn’t even have to wait we were taken right through. At 17 he’s not as cuddly normally but when I gave him a hug I could feel his spine and ribs so he’s also lost weight which was hidden by his clothes, normally slim anyway.

Currently on a drip as he is very dehydrated and is being given insulin drip and waiting to see the diabetic specialist team, said we may be here several days whilst he gets better and they sort out his plan for management of it.

It’s all been such a blur since we got here and I just want to cry really for him, how it’s going to impact his life but trying so hard to be strong for him.

Husband is on his way up soon as he has to sort childcare with our youngest but he wants to speak to the doctors too.

thank you for all who advised to come to A&E. You may well have saved my sons life

oh op, sending you & your son big hugs. You got the whole type one Mumsnet community behind you, if you need any support or advice - support we will. We are right here. 💙
Thank god you took him to a&e.

Oh OP< I'm sorry to hear that and am sending hugs. It absolutelt IS manageable and the tools for this are getting better all the time. But this is going to be a tough transition so I don't blame you for feeling completely overwhelmed and unhappy right now.