Juvenile Diabetes?

[maidenfairy]

Today I noticed my 3.5 yr old has been really thirsty a lot. I know that could be a sign of diabetes. Also he has been complaining of his legs and feet being sore. Should I be worried or am I being a over reacting parent? Diabetes runs in my family, not juvenile, type 2. What do you think?

 

[Chloesmom]

My daughter has type 1 diabetes and while extreme thirst was a symptom she also has extreme wieght loss with increased appetite and frequent ( every ten minutes) urination. Also, some get a fruity smelling breath. If you are concerned you should ask you ped.. Better safe than sorry. You can also buy glucose urine strips at Wal mart or any drug store that will show the amount of sugar in urine. This is actually how I found out something was wrong so if you are worried you could try those...

 

[Belle & Ariel]

My dad and father in law are both type II. My son was diagnosed type I 4 years ago. The doctor did not want to test him, but I insisted and he called back the next day with the diagnosis. I would insist on a blood glucose test. It is best done 2 hours after a meal, or early in the morning before breakfast. Non diabetics should be about 80-120.
We did not have sore legs or feet.
You could also ask one of the diabetics in your family to change the lancet and do a blood test on your child with their glucose meter.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

How thirsty is thirsty? I remember reading about one woman who has two kids with type I, and she said that she knew as soon as she walked into her son's room and saw water bottles lining the wall.

There's a lot of reasons for increased thirst, including something as simple as a change in the environment. However, if you're concerned it's not a bad idea to get him checked out.

Other symptoms include:
-Unusual weight loss or gain
-Extreme thirst
-Increased urination
-Fatigue
-Nauseau
-Dry Mouth
-Cuts that are slow to heal.

I have never heard of leg pains as a symptom- chances are he is experiencing growing pains. I know that whenver I hit a growth spurt my legs would hurt.

Bottom line, if you are worried, get it checked out. Uncontrolled blood sugar can do a lot of damage that is irreversible. The thirst is because high blood sugar actually thickens the blood, and the body is trying to thin it back out. This thickness is what damages the blood vessels, causing peripheral neuropathy in the feet (the reason so many diabetics end up with amputations.) If it is diabetes, the sooner you catch it, the less likely he is to suffer complications.

Good luck, I hope it turns out to be nothing.

 

[zurgswife]

With 2 type 1 kids. I say if your are concerned then have them tested. If you have a family member with a Blood test kit use that. I would do a waking test and then one that is at least 2 hours after a meal.

Besides thirst, we had weight loss, crabby behavior when it really didn't warrant it and fruity smelling breath is a big one for high blood sugar.

If you catch type 1 early then you kid doesn't get death bed sick. Which is how most people end up catching that their kid is sick. They end up in the ER almost in a coma.

I suggest buying the glucose urine strips if you can't get hold of a test kit.

Any blood sugar over 126 at waking or 2 hours after a meal should be watched. Sometimes you do catch it early and don't have BS or 700 or higher like my son. Don't let a dr put you off if you think there could be a problem. Most medical professionals have no idea when it comes to type 1.

 

[wdhinn89]

My son is also a type 1 diabetic. His symptons were constant drinking and peeing. Now when he is high and keytones are present, he will feel nauchous( I know that is spelled wrong )

We caught my sons diabetes very early. His blood glucose numbers were only in the 300's. It is very important to catch diabetes in the early stages. I was told by people that he just had a urinary tract infection or it was puberty but my gut told me differently. When I took my son to the doctor with our supision, he took a urine test and found keytones and told us to take hime to the hospital immediately. We were very lucky. Some children learn too late and wind up in the hospital in serious condition.

Good Luck to you and keep us posted. We care.