Children who are diabetic

[robyn323]

O.K. I know this is the disney site and all but I have a ? for any of the parents that have children diagnosed with juvenile Diabetis. My ds school nurse called me today and asked if he had ever been screened for diabetis. And I told her yes when he was 5 but it came back normal. When I was carrying him I was borderline and controlled it with my diet and exercise. He was a 10 pound baby at birth. The reason she called is the teacher brought it to her attention that he is always begging for a drink and to use the bathroom. Well he has always been a big fan of drinking water. It's his preffered drink over milk,tea even soda. I have never noticed the frequent bathroom thing though. He goes before bed and not again until morning. I went ahead and called his pediatrion and got a appt. for thursday. But now I'm sitting here worrying myself silly with what if's. Can anyone give me any other symptoms to go by? Any advise? Anything would be helpful. Thank you all. Robyn

 

[cdrn1]

Excessive thirst is a cardinal sign. Other signs are frequent urination, extreme hunger, weight loss even though he eats well, irritability, fatigue, complaints of blurry vision. It's great that the school nurse is keeping her eyes open for things like that. There's lots of good information on the internet. Look for juvenile or Type 1 diabetes. I hope your pediatrician finds that everything is okay. Keep us posted.

 

[Selket]

My younger son was diagnosed about a year ago with type 1 diabetes and he had just turned 2 yrs old. What the previous poster said is exactly right and in hindsight perhaps the extreme hunger would have been our first sign. He was actually eating (at age 26 months old) more food for breakfast than me, my husband and my older son put together He could eat 2 poptarts and 2 bowls of cereal for breakfast and this was typical. He was always starving. He wasn't losing weight as many folks do but wasn't gaining either. Then in a couple of weeks he started the excessive drinking and peeing (into his diaper - he'd soak through a diaper in an hour or 2 and pee'd out of his diaper every night pretty much).

Our HMO"s policy, once I called them and told them his symptoms, was to see him within 24 hours and sooner if he seemed ill. Fortunately we went in the next day -and they told me they were almost positive he was a urinary tract infection and not diabetes as we were waiting for the results of his urine test. But of course he had diabetes - I pretty much had realized by that time that he was diabetic. We were very very fortunate that we caught it early and he actually wasn't very sick at all. I've talked to many parents however that didn't catch it (or the doctors misdiagnosed it!!!) and their children were practically in a coma by the time they were diagnosed.

I would suggest that you keep a close eye on him - if he seems ill at all take him to the ER or your dr's office if they will see him right away. Otherwise the Thurs. appt should be fine. The Children With Diabetes is a great website and resource. The URL for a list of symptoms they give is at: http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/clinic/signs.htm Note that if your son has these symptoms: vomiting, lethargy, confusion, and flu-like symptoms those are the ones that are VERY serious and mean a trip to the ER right away.

Out of curiosity, why was he tested at age 5? And there is no reason to thing that your gestational diabetes would cause him to be diabetic although diabetes and auto-immune diseases can run in the family (I mean you could have passed along some genes to him but having the GD didn't give him diabetes).

The CWD site also has a chat room and you can go on there and talk to other parents and chat more about his symptoms - folks are very very helpful. Go to: http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/chat/

Sadly, I know so much crap about diabetes now my head could easily explode. Please feel free to pm me with any questions

 

[robyn323]

Thank you so much! He was tested at 5 when he had a urine sample that came back with sugar in it. His doctor then told us to keep an eye on what he ate and how often. Now I wish thursday would hurry up! I'm going to be a nrevous wrexk until then. In the meantime I am going to the web sites you posted. Thanks again. robyn

 

[Selket]

Try not to be a nervous wreck! Of course once I put 2 and 2 together and was waiting the next day for his appointment I wasn't such a happy camper either. However most of the time it is NOT diabetes. How old is he btw?

Even if it is diabetes I can't say it is easy or fun or nice or anything but it can certainly be treated and you can live very well with it and for a very long time. There are insulins out there now that weren't available a few years ago and my 3 year old is on an insulin pump and it is just amazing how much better it is all around for us and him.

Let me know how things come out and should you need any more info feel free to pm or email!

 

[Ambassador]

Though a diagnosis of diabetes needs to be taken seriously (sadly many don't), it can be better managed now than ever before. Some people feel that they actually live better through diet, exercise and discipline, than before. And there is new perspective on importance in life.

There is a lively and informed diabetes group on the disABILITIES boards, which are happy to give their support. Best wishes for tomorrow.

 

[robyn323]

Thank you so much for your advice and kindness. Yes I am still biting my nails until tomorrow at 3:00 He is 7 years old. And we call him our little miracle boy. My oldest son is 27 and after trying for many years to have another one and finally giving up after too many years went by well the day my oldest son turned 20 I found out I was pregant with him! And he is so sweet and so lovable it just kills me to think there might be something wrong with him. We have told him that he has to go to the doctor and that they were going to have to draw blood and explained the procedure but toned it way down as to why. Just that they wanted to make sure everything was working as it should. He's not too happy about the needles. And totally freaked out about peeing in a cup even more! Said nobody pees in a cup mommy that's just sick and wrong! And my poor mother is a basket case. I told her she has to stay home tomorrow because I am afraid she will get him upset! I just wonder how long before we will get the results. Anybody know? Because if it's any kind of long wait I will go nuts. Sorry for going on so and thank you all for listening to me. I will let you know a.s.a.p. Robyn

 

[Selket]

You should get the results right away - at least while you are in the office. I wouldn't leave until they tell you the results. With a finger poke (it shouldn't need to be a regular blood draw I wouldn't think - at least at first) that will tell you quite a few things. My son had a urine test done first - no blood draw (why, I don't know) and the results were back within an hour but my HMO has a lab on site. He had sugar in his urine - and then they did a finger stick. A blood glucose meter will tell you something in a few seconds. Even if the test is normal on a meter they might want to take other urine and blood samples. However that finger poke would have been all that was needed pretty much to tell them that something was wrong with my son as his blg was 435 or so (normal would have been closer to 100).

If nothing else insist they do a finger check for his bgl with a meter if they can't give you any other results before leaving the office. I'm not trying to scare you - certainly it is more likely your son is NOT diabetic than is! However I've talked to many parents who had a misdiagnosed child (the dr. saying the child had the flu or had a urinary tract infection) and didn't even run the proper tests. I just don't want that to happen for you and your son!

Let me know what they say - I know how worrisome it can be but realize that it certainly isn't a death sentence. I have much hope for my son. And did you know the Children With Diabetes annual conference is often held at Disneyworld (on the property at CSR)? Ok - that may be grasping at straws for a silver lining but we take what we can get sometimes

Hang in there! Pixie dust your way!

 

[LovePug]

Excessive thirst is a cardinal sign. Other signs are frequent urination, extreme hunger, weight loss even though he eats well, irritability, fatigue, complaints of blurry vision.

This is a good list of symptoms. I don't have a child that has been diagnosed, but I was at 10 years old. These are exactly the types of symptoms I experienced. I was 59 lbs when I was admitted to the hospital with a glucose of over 500. I'm 41 now and I don't let the Diabetes get in my way. This is going to sound weird, but it almost seems easier to adjust to the disease when your diagnosed as a child than an adult who is already set in their ways. I hope that doesn't come across wrong.....

 

[robyn323]

Yes he is just fine! Doctor said that although it was a little elevated to just keep watching his diet and exercise. He did a finger stick and a urine sample.He is borderline and that I should treat it like he was diabetic to keep him from contracting full diabetes. Means watching his sweets and snacks. I'll do anything to keep him healthy. Thank you all so much! Man I can breathe now. I don't think I took a deep breathe since monday. Thanks again. Robyn

 

[LovePug]

That's great news!

 

[Selket]

I'm so glad he was fine! What is "borderline" if you don't mind me asking? Was his bgl close to 200 or over?

Certainly watching sweets and weight will help prevent type II (though certainly not always!) but with type 1 it wouldn't matter what he eats - there is no known way to prevent it. It is rare for young children to get type II - especially a 7 year old. I just didn't want you to think that limiting sweets would prevent type 1!

You still might wish to check out the chat at the CWD boards and post his test results there and discuss it with folks. There are other things that could cause an elevated number (urine or blood or both?) and so forth. I guess I'm not comfortable with the "borderline" diagnosis and the advice to watch what he eats to keep from getting diabetes. Does he think your son is borderline type 2 then? Was it a fasting test?

Of course I'm just being overly cautious - not trying to worry you!

 

[robyn323]

His count was 160 and he did a blood fast nothing for 8 hours took blood and waited a hour took it out again then he had to drink this really awful stuff ( i tasted it) kind of like pure syrup drew blood waited another hour drew blood again. Seemed like it went on forever and the little guy was so good thru it all.I was very proud of him. I myself HATE needles. He said by borderline he meant contracting type II. My husband doesn't like the man at all and wants me to call another doctor (which will mean more blood work) but after talking to some of the wonderful people here I am going to call another doctor one of the girls that lives close to highly reccomended. I figure a second opionion can't hurt any ( well except for those darn needles) Hopefully he will forgive me. I have done so much reading up on them that I'm afraid I'm running everything together. And my MIL thinks I'm looking for trouble and to just drop it all. But then if something were to happen I would never forgive myself for not doing all I can. Our disney trip is in about 6 weeks so hopefully by then everything will be back to normal and fine. Thanks Selkit you have been a blessing. Robyn

 

[mommyx2]

As a mom of a ten year old diabetic, I just wanted to say "hang in there".

While we're on the subject, my daughter just started to wear a pump this past august, anyone ever been through security with there pump on?

I'll go post this at the disability board also.

Thanks.