Does type 1 grumble on for a while or start suddenly?

[Worriedmum96458]

Have tried to get a GP appointment, but soonest is in a week despite symptoms. On calling back they said finger prick at pharmacy but he’s too young.
Not sure how worried to be hence this post.

3.5yr old.
Was 90% dry at night, now wet every night.
Wee accidents in day, not normal for him.
Strong sweet smelling wee on and off.
Lost weight since last month (I had to weigh other child, don’t normally bother routinely).
Extremely tired and grouchy yesterday morning, wouldn’t get up, exhausted no pains etc. Thought he was coming down with a bug.
Perked up after carried downstairs and made to have breakfast.
This has happened twice now over last fortnight.

So can type 1 start on and off like this, or am I being overly worried.
Would type 1 start suddenly and decline, or can it sort of come and go before it kicks off?

Appreciate any advice as I can’t seem to get anyone to listen to me

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along! All I know is, my friends son is type 1 diabetic and it started suddenly with going into diabetic ketoacidosis. Urinating a lot and a sweet smell in general can be symptoms as you know. Pear drop smell is used to describe ketoacidosis which is a medical emergency. I would try going through 111 for an urgent GP appointment.

I would call the GP back and say you suspect T1 diabetes, pharmacy won’t test as too young and you need to see someone urgently or you’re going to A&E. if there’s any chance your child is experiencing ketoacidosis they need immediate medical attention.

In fact I might just go to A&E, it’s not something you want to leave.

I would imagine it could come on stop start if the body is still producing some insulin but intermittently. My step dad is type 2 diabetic and has this.

Did you ask the pharmacist if they would do the finger prick test or are you assuming they won’t do it for a 3 year old?

Do you have a walk in clinic you could take him too so he can be seen today.

You need to go straight to AE or at least a walk in centre, for your own peace of mind, don’t leave it, that’s exactly how my son was, classic type 1 symptoms, pharmacy and doctors won’t always pick it up and may send samples for testing which could delay treatment

If you've told your gp practice this and they won't see then that is not good at all. Call them back, say that he needs to be seen urgently to assess for type 1 diabetes, or you will no choice but to take to A&E. This isn't something you can sit on.

I’ve rung the pharmacy and they don’t do under 18s.

I’m going to try calling the walk in centre.

For info I have anxiety (much worse since lockdown) and paranoid it’s me overreacting.
Normally I’m happy to be ‘that’ mother and don’t give a shit about what people think.

Thank you, your comments have helped

With his symptoms A&E/walk in centre will be happy to see him even if he turns out to be well as he does have concerning symptoms.

Diabetes in children generally comes on fairly quickly when symptoms start, but does vary from child to child and symptoms coming for a couple of weeks is possible. The four signs to look out for are the 4 't's, tired, toilet, thirsy and thin. If you're worried about this you should do as was suggested above tell the gp that your worried he has diabetes and need the gp to see him. If they refuse, I would go to a and e and put in a complaint to the gp.

Hopefully it's not diabetes. It's also worth getting a urine sample checked for infection. Constipation could also potentially cause some of these symptoms.

Tired - yes, he’s had 2 days of extreme tiredness but not consecutive.
Thin - lost weight since a month ago.
Thirsty - yes in evenings, but not noticed in daytime - just leave cups of water around as needed.

Toilet - yes

Have got walk in GP ringing me back, their receptionist was more concerned/very kind/listened to how worried I was

And not constipated, goes a couple of times a day no problems.

I know that feeling, where you’re worried you’re overreacting. But in this case, a child developing all these symptoms needs to be seen ASAP - no doctor would think you’re overreacting especially when it’s a young child

Good luck OP. Hopefully it’s nothing, but you’re absolutely right to get it checked out 🤞🤞

Turns out it’s nothing. had a urine test and a fingerprick and all fine.
Thank you for your comments and time today, I really appreciate it

I would still see your regular GP and ask if they can do a hba1c blood test as this gives an indication of blood sugar levels over the past few weeks rather than at that moment. Really pleased it’s nothing urgent, but I’d definitely be pushing for some more tests to find out what’s going on if it continues :)

My son has been having similar symptoms and our GP said it would need a proper blood test to rule it out. So we’ve decided to wait for now because of lockdown, were in an area that have had a lot of cases, so I didn’t fancy a trip to hospital unless the GP thought it was urgent.