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

No, well done to you OP. If you hadn’t posted here you might have still been waiting to hear from the GP.

Not sure 111 has covered themselves in glory here either…

I'm so very sorry OP. Well done for trusting your instincts and going to A&E. I'm in tears for you because my DS was diagnosed exactly a year ago. The next few days will be a whirlwind of emotions and information. Reach out for help anywhere you can get it. It's hard but it will become a new normal for you and your son can still go on to lead any life he wishes. Wishing all of you all the best.

Sorry to hear this OP but glad he is getting treatment! We are 3 years into this journey with our adult DS. It’s like a bombshell at first but over time it does settle a bit and become routine, although as a parent you’ll never quite take your eyes off him! Best wishes to your DS and your family

Because he’ll need to have insulin and the GP will not do this. When my DD was diagnosed the gp phoned an ambulance as it was a life or death situation that he could not deal with at a doctors surgery.
From the time the gp diagnosed her to her getting her first dose of insulin in the children’s ward was 25 mins

Oh OP, how scary

You have lots of experienced people behind you on this thread.

Deleted because I was behind on update.

That's so scary OP, thank god you went to A & E. I'm diabetic and have drilled DH and my DC into recognising the signs of DKA but I'm always scared that they haven't taken it on board.

He'll be fine once he's got his head around it all - diabetes management has come a long way with continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps. It's still a huge adaption of course but you'll all get there.

So glad you got him to A&E and didn't listen to the idiot ramblings of some on this thread

Hugs to you and your son 💐💐💐

I promise you op it gets better with time, my ds10 was dx in dka at the age of seven we just roll with it and it’s part of life rarely think about it now, we just do it automatically and that’s words out if my sons mouth. The scaries will wear off I promise. 💙

I jumped on to say A&E now and ignore all the nonsense replies, but I have just seen your update. I'm so sorry. This was my son almost exactly a year ago and I'd hazard I know exactly how you feel. He was 16. If you have questions you think those of us who are living with T1D or supporting someone who is, can help with, just ask. In the meantime I am sending you so much strength in the sure and certain knowledge that you are both about to find out just how incredibly strong and capable and resilient you are. You have this.

Im sorry OP.

Undiagnosed diabetes leading to a person going into DKA is so incredibly dangerous (and sometimes fatal) and I’m so glad you trusted your instincts and took him to A&E. That was 100% where he needed to be.

He’s in the right place now and the next few days will be a bit of a whirlwind whilst you all come to terms with everything but I wish you the best

Sorry your son has been diagnosed, but glad you took him to a & e in time. It will definitely take some getting used to and it’s not easy at his age but I have a young adult who’s done all the ‘usual’ teen things and managed; festivals, drinking too much, holidays, uni etc There’s so much new technology that helps but it is a bit of a whole new world for you all. Lots of good Facebook groups for support, e.g. parents of type 1 teens. Good luck to you all

I hope @takingitdown and the others who said GP will take this to heart. Not because they were wrong but because having this information now might prevent serious consequences in someone they know or love.

These kinds of posts show how much people really don't know about the dangers of TYPE 1 diabetes. @Imamumgetmeoutofhere, I'm so glad you took your son to A&E, but also thank you for sharing your thread. It may help more people than you know. I hope your son is better soon.

Well done to you op for recognising the symptoms as well and trusting your instinct

Its a lot to process right now so be gentle with yourself while you take it all in

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Fucking hell! The level of ignorance on this thread is beyond belief. Seriously, if you have no knowledge of diabetes, from which people DIE, don’t contribute. It is beyond a medical emergency!

Read the updates - OP's son is in hospital seriously ill

Late to this thread, but sending hugs. My DH was diagnosed with T1 35 years ago and is healthy and active but it is a huge shock and there’s a lot to learn. I would always say A&E for those symptoms, you absolutely did the right thing

My son was 15 and diagnosed in a&e the same as your son. It's a shock and completely overwhelming for a long time. However, it does get a lot easier. My son is now 32 and the progress in diabetes management in that time has been miraculous.
He has a pump that he can access through his phone. He swims regularly and travels all over the world. Diabetes has not stopped him from living his life in the way he wishes. It will be the same for your son in time.

Ah I am so sorry but so happy your son is being cared for.
My DS was 12 when he was diagnosed with T1. I felt so awful for him and the early years following diagnosis were difficult because there's a certain degree of trial and error. I worried every day.
He is 23 now and although his diet isn't always great and he's fond of a beer, his control is excellent and honestly I don't give it a second thought these days.
Please ask if you have questions. I came on here when DS was first diagnosed and in hospital. I got so much reassurance that T1D is manageable and there is nothing your DS can't do x

I'm so glad to read down this thread and see you got to A&E in time. I'm also sorry for your poor son who's life will be a bit turned upside down for a while with this diagnosis. As others have said, it will get easier but it is a scary condition to live with and many people have no idea just how dangerous it can be.

Do you know anyone who is diabetic? I would borrow a treating kit from them and check his sugar levels .
If not I would take him to minor injuries or urgent care department .
Otherwise I would get an urgent GP appointment . He’s showing symptoms of diabetes, which at his age could be Type1 . Good luck . I hope he’s ok

Bless you, that's very scary for you all, but you've saved his life and he's in the best place now

Thank goodness you went. I hope he starts feeling better soon and that he is able up manage his symptoms well x

Well done for trusting your instincts, OP. It’s you who’ve saved your son’s life by being so alert to anything strange and by recognising worrying symptoms.

I was diagnosed with Type 1 at a similar age to your son. He’ll feel a lot better with the insulin drip up and when he’s hydrated. I didn’t realise how ill I’d been feeling until I started to feel better. Be aware though that he might go through a whole range of emotions. It’s hard. He’ll probably also be feeling weak and fragile.

However, it does get easier. I know it’s all overwhelming now, but it gradually becomes easier as things become routine and as he and you start to understand the intricacies of Type 1, and begin to feel more confident.

Diabetes U.K. has information pages and it also has a great online forum where he/you can talk to others with Type 1 and get support:

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/type-1-diabetes

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/support-for-you/community-support-and-forums/online-support-forum

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