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Child diabetes

Answered 4 years ago

So my 4 year olds doctor has asked me to get her checked for diabetes and I'm full freaking out. Like I took her in asking for her to be tested for a UTI, she has lost weight but never stops eating, she will go to the toilet 7 times in an hour (and that's a good day, it can be way more, she is tired and cranky all the time despite getting like 11 hours sleep (she goes to bed at 7, asleep by 8 and gets up 7am every morning). I have no idea how I'm supposed to convince a 4 year old to sit for a blood test? And what the hell am I meant to do if she does have it? Doctor also wrote on the blood test referral that she is pale, but she's always been pale. I'm not even 100% sure what my question is, I'm just freaking out. The more I look in to the signs and symptoms the more it describes her.


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ANSWER
4 years ago
Ok thankfully it's definitely not diabetes, problem is now we don't know what's going on. Dr has ordered a couple more tests and another course of antibiotics in case it's an infection somewhere. Hopefully we figure it out 🤞🤞

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4 years ago
That is wonderful news. I am so glad to hear it. Hopefully you will get to the bottom of what is wrong soon.

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4 years ago
Wow thank God it’s not diabetes! Been thinking about you so I jumped on to see how everything went! See if you can get a referral to a paediatrician, they might be able to help more. All doctors are great of course, but the more help the better! Thinking positive thoughts OP x

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4 years ago
Just thought if maybe you could ask for an X-ray? See if there’s anything amiss with bladder/kidneys and that general area. Then you get a second doctors opinion that way too.

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4 years ago
Thanks ladies. I have been pushing for a referral for a pediatrician but the doctor seems to not want to listen to me there. I'm definitely going to be pushing harder now but. She's had ultrasounds and everything done on her kidneys and they came back fine, but the lady that did it said that what the Dr wanted to look for couldn't be picked up with one 🤷‍♀️. GPs confuse me, all the ones around where I live are so reluctant to give referals and too money hungry to admit you need more help than they are qualified to give

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4 years ago
Good luck Op.let us know how you go xx

ANSWER
5 years ago
Everyone is different and has different challenges in life, life is a marathon not a sprint. I’m sure you’ll be ok to get your child blood tests, your doctor is doing your job so relax. Your child will be reading you. My 8year old has had a lot of blood tests, she still doesn’t like it, but we manage and learn that’s life has things in it that aren’t ideal but we do them anyway, then we become stronger., just like parenthood, you’ll manage it

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5 years ago
I have been thinking about you and your little one. How is she doing? Have you been able to get her test results back?

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5 years ago
She has an appointment this afternoon to get the results back. I spoke to my step mum over the weekend and she was saying that my daughter is nowhere near as bad as she was when she was diagnosed with diabetes so we're still hoping it's something else.

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5 years ago
Crossing my fingers for you!

ANSWER
5 years ago
My son is 10 and has had Type 1 Diabetes for 2 1/2 years. Not to freak you out even more but if the Doctor suspects it you need to get her tested sooner than later. It can go from bad to worse very, very quickly. What you are describing is very consistent with Type 1 symptoms. Does she also drink a lot? That was our first clue something was wrong.

A normal blood sugar reading should be less than 8 mmol upon waking or two hours after eating. In the early stages it can be hard to diagnose as the pancreas will still produce a bit of insulin so the numbers might be perfect first thing in the morning but it might not be the case later in the day. A fasting blood sugar test and a Glycated hemoglobin test should be done. They might also test for antibodies common to Type 1.

If she tests positive, you will be ok. I won’t lie, it is hard and I cried for weeks but life does get back to normal, just a new kind of normal. She will be put on an insulin regime and you will have to monitor her blood sugar levels regularly. I cannot recommend a Constant glucose monitor enough. They are subsidised (free) to all children under 21 and allow you to monitor her on your phone. BUT that is getting too far ahead. Get the tests done and go from there. If she is positive, don’t hesitate to reach out, I will answer any question you have as will many others I am sure.

Hugs to you and your little one.

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5 years ago
Yes she drinks a lot as well, I honestly hadn't thought anything of it as it has been getting hotter here and we are all drinking more but now I've actually stopped and had a good look at what she's doing, she's drinking a lot more than the rest of us. I am currently wondering if there is someway I can borrow my step mums BSL machine and finger prick her myself to have a quick look (my step mum has type 1 so she'll probably be the first person I will go crying to).

To make matters worse I took her in to pathology today and they said they couldn't do it as they were short staffed and I'd have to come back tomorrow. My poor partner is trying to keep me calm but I don't think that's going to happen until I get this done and get the results. But the referral sheet doesn't say that she needs to be fasting for the test which really confused me?

Thank you so much for your kind words ❤

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5 years ago
If you can get her machine you could always try testing her in her sleep. It’s quick and will be over before she is fully awake. If she gets a higher than normal result, well there is your proof that you can take to the GP or hospital. If it is within range I’d still get the official tests done anyway.

We thought the same thing, it’s getting hotter, we are all drinking more, etc but the day he drank 3 full glasses of water back to back and asked for more we knew something was up.

I hope this isn’t a club you have to join but if you do, there is a lot of support out there.

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5 years ago
I think I'll definitely try that. Problem is my stepmum starts work at 5am and I am definitely not up that early lol. I'll ring my dad tomorrow and find out if he is home and I can just borrow it to do a quick one

And putting her thirst in to perspective, I sent her to bed at 7.30 with a litre pump bottle, it's current 12.15 and she just came in asking me to fill it back up because she is "so, so thirsty." And it's only 14°, made it to a top of 26 today so it's not even hot.

As any mother would, I'm seriously hoping that it's something else and not serious, but I know we will he able to cope if she does have it. After I have my little break down of course lol

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5 years ago
Oh poor little thing. I am sorry to say this and I hope I am wrong, but it really sounds like she has Type 1. The thirst is awful for them. You really need to take her in ASAP and insist they check her. Many doctors will dismiss the symptoms as a virus or the flu and won’t test until it is very near too late. Don’t leave until you are satisfied. If worse comes to worse stop by a chemist and ask for a blood test (preferably two hours after eating). Keep a close eye on her, things really can turn bad fast. Hugs and best wishes. You’ll handle it whatever the results may be.

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5 years ago
Well we just had the blood test and I honestly stressed more than she did. She asked me to cover her eyes when they put the needle in, then watched them fill the vials up. She let out an "ow" when they put it in and that was it. I just bought her an ice cream for being so brave. I'm about to ring the Drs now to book in her follow up and get the results. I'm so nervous about this

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5 years ago
Crossing my fingers for you both. Please post an update when you get the results.

ANSWER
5 years ago
Omg get to a hospital immediately. Type1 diabetes is life threatening. My daughter has it and I was lucky I made it to a hospital in time.

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5 years ago
A finger prick will tell you if she is diabetic. She doesn't even need a blood test.

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5 years ago
Not entirely true. A finger prick is a good tool but depending if she is still in the “honeymoon” stage her levels could still be in the normal range. The pancreas can still release some insulin and depending on how active she is, what she ate and when she eats her levels might not be that high.

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5 years ago
Unfortunately the hospital here won't do anything. They have 1 doctor on duty and he knocks off at 5pm and won't be back until 8am and rolls his eyes and gets annoyed when people go in and the nurses are basically all cranky old bitches who should have retired 20 years ago. I only live in a small town (approx 10,000 people) and have never heard a person have something good to say about our hospital. There has been investigations and everything in to it because people have literally died from lack of care. I've had it happen before, I'll go up and say "her GP said" and I'll get told "well take her back to the GP." Even right down to my partner went in when he was having a heart attack and they told him "Oh it's only a minor one, the pain will stop soon, you'll be right, just go see your GP." It was a public holiday and the doctors wouldn't be open for 3 more days. So yeah I'll get more of a response doing it the long way unfortunately.

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5 years ago
Having a crappy hospital stinks. Is there another one nearby?

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5 years ago
Did your partner get admitted during his heart attack?