Really not feeling like myself and feeling very ill

[blvdbrokendreams]

I am 26 and a mum to an 8 month old. I am really struggling with eating. I feel sick when I eat and feel better if I force it down. I then feel better for about half an hour and then feel sick again. I'm exhausted. I know I'm a mum to a little one but this is beyond exhaustion. I could nap all day and still sleep all night. I can actually feel my eyes shutting when I'm changing her nappy. I'm constantly thirsty. And all I want is sugar. Orange juice or full sugar cola.
I took a pregnancy test on the off chance and both came back negative. I had a period 10 days ago so I'm thinking that's very unlikely.
I rang the doctors who told me no appointments because of covid and if I'm worried to call 111.
I dont think it's an out of hours gp thing. It doesn't feel like a hospital thing. It's been going on for 5 days. And I'm starting to worry

but the moment they found out I had an 8 month old baby they dismissed me as being tired from having a baby

That old familiar tune...

I’m so glad you went to be seen and had a quick diagnosis. Sounds like you caught it just in time to prevent a medical emergency, so definitely trust your judgment. I hope you’re not feeling too overwhelmed with information and you get to go home soon. Be kind to yourself 💐

Rather 'new' to posting on here but hope this site helps as you really MUST complain! www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-complain-if-you-re-unhappy-with-your-gp-or-doctor-s-surgery-a2fyc8v0Q7Nj
Take care

I'm going to complain but I'm going to wait till I'm more settled and up to it. I posted the wrong blood sugar amount earlier. It wasn't 11 but 21. This is why I should look before posting. I'm angry and fed up. I just want to go home and see my daughter. I've felt funny for weeks but I put it down to the tiredness of a baby and general boredom of lockdown. We are moving doctors. I cant stay there anymore. Im sure the gp and the nurses are lovely but my trust is gone.
I've had so much amazing support and I'm glad you guys pushed me to go to a and e.

Glad you managed to get to the bottom of why you were feeling unwell. It is terrible you wasn't seen by your GP but I am not surprised this happened, I had a similar problem recently and so did a friend. Both of us have ended up in A&E and have both filed complaints.

That is appalling that you weren't able to see a GP. And it is worth complaining about.

I was recently diagnosed with diabetes (type 2 rather than type 1 which is what it sounds like you have). I contacted the GP surgery to request a blood sugar test, as I was experiencing some symptoms which I identified as being likely to be diabetes (constantly thirsty, waking up several times a night to pee, blurred vision). I was constantly tired too. I had an appointment for a blood test the next day.

There was unfortunately a 3 week delay between the results which indicated I was likely to have type 2 diabetes and my appointment with the diabetes specialist GP. I then tested with dangerously high blood sugar (in the 20s) and ketone levels (although I felt ok other than tired) and was sent straight to A&E. I then spent 2 days in hospital being monitored. It turns out I do have type 2 but I need medication to control it. It still takes a bit of getting used to. Type 1 requires even more.

A friend of mine had undiagnosed type 1 at the start of the first lockdown. He hadn't even tried to see a GP. It was only diagnosed after a friend called round to his house to drop something off, saw the curtains still closed at midday, let herself in, found him unconscious on the floor and called an ambulance. He's ok now but it has taken him a while to adjust to his new normal of glucose testing and insulin injections.

Glad you got a diagnosis OP. My best friend was diagnosed type 1 in her thirties and has been living with it successfully for almost 20 years, including having two children. Things have moved on a lot now and you can get a monitor in your shoulder that sends regular blood sugar readings to your phone so you don’t need to finger prick test and an insulin pump instead of injections. It’s not completely automatic- you still need to be VERY aware of what you eat and drink and tell others to watch out for you having hypos etc, but she can eat cake and drink alcohol and lives a fairly normal life. I’m sure others with first hand experience on here will be able to support you. Good luck.

Can your DH take some leave to support you until you get the hang of insulin and stabilise?

@Hoppingpalova I imagine he will but there's a lot we need to talk about when I get home. It's hard to have these conversations over dodgy Internet connections. Hes got some annual leave to take.

Diabetics are not always Thin, I’m a Type 2 Diabetic on insulin control and I’m totally the opposite. You can buy a blood sugar test kit quite cheaply, it’s the replacement supplies of strips or discs that are expensive unless you are eligible to get them on prescription.

@SavannahLands Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics are extremely different in that respect and many others.

The majority of cases of Type 2 diabetes are caused by people being overweight, and in many cases the diabetes can in fact be cured by losing weight.

Type 1 diabetes is not in any way caused by being overweight or by any other lifestyle factors, and it does tend to cause weight loss before it is diagnosed, sometimes terrifyingly rapid and dangerous weight loss.

They are not the same kind of thing at all.

I would definitely complain to the GP. Our surgery are limiting face to face appointments but everyone is triaged by a nurse on the same day as they call.

My only medical qualification is watching every episode of ER but even I could see that your symptoms strongly suggested diabetes and to have called several times complaining of symptoms of that nature and it not be picked up is really not good.

I am glad you are feeling better.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune immune condition.
Glad you’re feeling better and have been assigned a DSN, they will help you through it. I second diabetes.org as a great place for information and they have a fantastic forum too. Take care op and I hope you’re reunited with your dd soon.

I'm a GP. Please tell the practice what happened. They need to look at their triaging process. No one gets it right 100% of the time, but it is concerning that someone with your symptoms wasn't offered a same-day telephone appointment with a GP or ANP.

@SavannahLands

Diabetics are not always Thin, I’m a Type 2 Diabetic on insulin control and I’m totally the opposite. You can buy a blood sugar test kit quite cheaply, it’s the replacement supplies of strips or discs that are expensive unless you are eligible to get them on prescription.

Type 2 diabetes is caused fundamentally by lifestyle, and very often obesity. It's also sometimes reversible with significant lifestyle changes.

Type 1 is genetic, or something you are born with or develop which isn't anything to do with lifestyle, and is irreversible and more serious.
The two can't be compared really.

I hope you are feeling better op. I recall the overwhelming feeling that I was no longer invincible when I developed Graves disease in my late 20s.

I am sure all will be well and just be kind to yourself as you acclimatise to having a medical condition, which thankfully is treatable.

Your GP practice deserve a very hard kick up the backside.

Second the GP upthread.

I'm involved in patient safety in the NHS. Knowing about an incident like this would prompt us to look at our systems to try to ensure it couldn't happen to another patient.

I'm sure your head is totally spinning Type 1 Diabetes has a lot to get to know. There is loads of information available on line I suspect your team will signpost you to the stuff most useful to you. encourage your husband and family to read it too - they can help you too!

As well as looking after patients with diabetes one of my best friends was diagnosed with Type 1 aged 24. It's been a learning curve for us all!

He used to stay with me periodically when he was in London for work and I was always worried about him having a hypo overnight - used to stock my cupboards with lots of cereal bars (which are his preferred food).

He now has a pump and indwelling measuring device which works well for him. But what works for one person doesn't necessarily suit another person and their lifestyle.

Could be dehydration? I had severe dehydration after my 1st at around the same age as yours is now. Even if it’s just small sips of water to start with, see if it makes you feel a bit better, but also agree with the others and get sugars checked to be on the safe side. Hope you feel better soon! X

@Hereforthelaughs2020

Could be dehydration? I had severe dehydration after my 1st at around the same age as yours is now. Even if it’s just small sips of water to start with, see if it makes you feel a bit better, but also agree with the others and get sugars checked to be on the safe side. Hope you feel better soon! X

It really pays to read the OP's posts, especially on serious threads. Do you know how to adjust your settings so they are a different colour & have you noticed the 'see next' at the end of the OP's posts?

It's not the end of the world on this thread, but it can be very upsetting for an op in other circumstances.

@Hereforthelaughs2020

Could be dehydration? I had severe dehydration after my 1st at around the same age as yours is now. Even if it’s just small sips of water to start with, see if it makes you feel a bit better, but also agree with the others and get sugars checked to be on the safe side. Hope you feel better soon! X

Read the thread? In hospital, diagnosed......

[quote blvdbrokendreams]@Hoppingpalova I imagine he will but there's a lot we need to talk about when I get home. It's hard to have these conversations over dodgy Internet connections. Hes got some annual leave to take. [/quote]
(((Big hug))). It's a Big Thing to get your head around. It's a life changing event, so don't try to pretend it's all ok. It's not a high number though and if you look after yourself you can really minimise the impact it has on your life

Best wishes.

Ps your DH sounds like a keeper!

@blvdbrokendreams

The doctor is so mad I haven't been able to see a gp. I'll be sending them a letter as soon as I feel up to it. Physically I am already feeling a lot better and I feel hungry for the first time in weeks. I am so glad I came in. My husband is furious at the doctors surgery

I'm so sorry this happened to you. For comparison my Dd had a f2f appointment this week as a precursor to going on the pill. This 'postcode lottery' for who can/can't see GP s is really dangerous. Best of luck

Type 2 isnt always caused by diet . My father is diagnosed as type 2 but is on the same injection regime as a type one. No amount of diet or lifestyle changes could reverse it, he is also a slim man.

Wow this is awful! I'm so sorry you were treated this way. I immediately thought diabetes when I read your OP too....

I agree take your time to look after yourself and get your head around learning how to manage things, and enjoy being back with your family.

When you are feeling much better then I hope you will be able to find some closure via the complaints system at the GP surgery.

Everything must be such a shock.

You sound like an absolutely brilliant first time mum caring for your baby when being so poorly yourself recently. I hope you will be taken care of now.

@imalmostthere

Type 2 diabetes is caused fundamentally by lifestyle, and very often obesity. It's also sometimes reversible with significant lifestyle changes

This judgemental claptrap needs to stop.

I have T2. It was caused by a virus that attacked my liver, after glandular fever. I was very slim & very fit & healthy.

I am now fat BECAUSE of the way my body now fails to work properly. I'm not the only T2 in this position.

I am hoping that there's some Covid inspired research that will help them make a bit more sense of it all and help people in my situation. It's a horrible way to feel for years on end.

I have been living with a form of long Covid for years, and judgemental people really don't help.