Juvenile Diabetes?

[DutchsMommy]

My son's teacher called us today to say DS was drinking very large amounts of water at school and we should consider getting him tested for Juvenile Diabetes. I am thinking this is a bit of a stretch. He is healthy, not lethargic, fairly normal weight (thin but not losing weight), and seems OK to me. Just wanting opinions or perhaps experience from anyone who has gone through diagnostic testing/symptoms. DS is 7 going on 8.

Thanks!

 

[lovetoscrap]

I don't have any personal experience but I do know several families affected by this. I know in at least 2 cases, drinking large amounts of water was the first "clue" that they had. I wouldn't risk it, I would call the pediatrician now. I am not sure exactly but I think that the test is just some simple fingersticks to measure whatever it is they are measuring.

 

[EveDallas]

When my then 2 year old DS started drinking lots of water, I thought "Well, he is an active little boy and it is hot (middle of summer), he's just thirsty." A week later, he was in the ICU in a coma with a blood sugar over 1000. No history of diabetes on either side of our family, but he had it. Please don't risk it. Get your son tested. It is a very simple test.

 

[claudia]

that was one of the first signs for DH. IMHO, if this is standing out to a teacher in a room full of kids I would give the pediatrician a call.

 

[MerMom60_94]

I say there is no harm in having him tested. Better safe than sorry. My Dad used to be in the navy before I was born and a flight surgeon noticed he was drinking excessive amounts of water and suggested he get tested. Sure enough he was diabetic.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Add me to the list - it's such a simple test, I would get it done without hesitation. Do you know anyone with diabetes? You could easily borrow one of their test strips and glucose monitor and test him yourself.

Thirst was also the first symptom when my brother developed Type I diabetes (he was 15). He went from being simply thirsty to very, very ill quickly. It's just not something I'd mess around with when the test to rule it out is so incredibly easy.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You don't see the term used much these days, but it used to be called polydipsia. (That and polyuria were the classic signs of diabetes.) It was a good pick up by the teacher, and it wouldn't hurt to see your pediatrician to discuss testing.

Here are some links which might be helpful. Good luck.

http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=103498

http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/diabetes.cfm

 

[Pooh Crew]

Kudos to the teacher for noticing something like this! Have you noticed an increase in his liquid intake? Lethargy did not happen for us until two weeks after all the water drinking began. Ds did have sweet breath. I thought it was because he was a baby.

Call your ped and have your child tested. My ped used a urine dip, not even a finger stick. It took all of 15 seconds to change our lives. My son was diagnosed at 23 months. Like many (most?) we have no family history of type 1.

Your son is probably fine, but better safe than sorry. While it's certainly no substitute for a physician's examination, you can buy the urine dip ketone test strips at Walmart for about $6. If your son has ketones, you should probably go straight to the emergency room.

 

[DebbieB]

Both my nieces are diabetic, both diagnosed around age 11 or 12. My oldest neice almost died. They ignored the symptoms and it wasn't until she got very sick that they took her to the hospital, ironically on Christmas morning. By that time she was almost in a coma. She had to be life flighted to Children's Hospital from the community hospital. They are now 19 & 15 and both have dealt with it pretty well, they know how to do their testing & shots. No one in either family has it so it was shocking.

 

[DutchsMommy]

Well - a pretty solid answer for sure. I will discuss with DH tonight and call the Dr. It is nice to know there is a possibility we could do urine or finger prick - ever since his 4 year MMR he has been pretty freaked about needles. Thanks again for the feedback.

 

[blissventure]

It sounds like your son's teacher cares about him, and is concerned. That's a good thing. I'd be making a call to the ped, today. Tell the ped exactly what the teacher has observed.

 

[Savanah'sMom]

I agree with everyone else, it would be a good thing to get him tested.

The unquenchable thirst should have been my 1st red flag. I ended up going to the ER (I didn't have insurance at the time) b/c I was tired of being nauseous and throwing up for the littlest things. I ended up being really dehydrated and w/my blood sugars were around 700. I was put in ICU for 3 days.

Good luck, I hope it's just because his is thirsty.

PS - if he's freaked out about the needle and they want to do a finger stick. Try asking them if they would let your DS stick himself. I know that with my DD anything that could possibly hurt, she would rather do it herself. It gives them a sense of control.

 

[diznygirl]

My mother noticed my nephew was drinking a lot at her place once weekend. It didn't click for her. Four days later he was in the hospital.

I'm in the "Better Safe than Sorry" camp. See the doctor, have the test. That's what they are there for.

 

[kgc07]

You don't see the term used much these days, but it used to be called polydipsia. (That and polyuria were the classic signs of diabetes.) It was a good pick up by the teacher, and it wouldn't hurt to see your pediatrician to discuss testing.

Here are some links which might be helpful. Good luck.

http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=103498

http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/diabetes.cfm

These terms are still used. They are medical terms and are not usualy used when talking to the general public. Polyphagia (increased hunger is another sign of diabeties).


OP, If your son is drinking enough water for his teacher to notice, I would at least put a call in to your son's Dr.. If your son does have type 1 diabetes, he is not able to produce insulin, so his blood sugar could get out of hand fairly quickly.

 

[honugirl]

If you don't want to wait and go to the doc, you can pick up a meter at Wal-mart or any other pharmacy. They are as low as $20 and they generally come with 10 test strips so you can try it at home and see what his numbers are.

If his blood sugar is fine and he's still drinking excessively, there is another type of Diabetes, diabetes insipidus that actually has to do with an issue with the anti-diuretic hormone the body produces.

Good luck! Hope he's OK.

 

[laurie31]

Here's another vote for getting it checked out. If it's just because it's hot, then ALL the kids in the class would be drinking a lot. He's doing something more than all the rest, to catch the teacher's eye to the point that she felt the need to inform you. (kudos to her for that!)

I also wanted to point out that Juvenille, or Type 1 Diabetes is not from being overweight. Most patients are of normal weight. It's Type 2 or Adult Diabetics that are often overweight, although that term "Adult onset" is falling out of use due to so many obese children developing it.

I hope everything is okay!

 

[esbrick]

I was diagnosed when I was 12. I was getting up maybe ever 2 to 3 hours to get a drink and go to the bathroom. I was diagnosed by urine test. Urine tests look for glucose and ketones. You want to tell the nurse when you call about the teacher's observations as it does carry a bit of weight when trying to get an appointment sooner rather then later.

This is a very portable disease and only becomes debilitating when you DON'T take care of it. If your son does have JD help him to take responsibility for it. Give him power to help himself. Of course you are going to help him regulate his sugars in the beginning but again, give him ownership so that he will learn about his body. Finding out when you young is much better, IMHO, then when you are older. Yes, your body suffers longer, however, telling a 65 year old that they need to change the way they have been eating for the last 65 years is harder then helping your 7 year old adjust to changes that will be better for your family all around. This also does not mean that your child will never have candy or cake again. He will of course! You learn how to adjust your insulin for exercise and sweets. When we go to WDW I ALWAYS have a Mickey Bar! However, I would NEVER have a cinnebon. The smell of them makes my teeth itch. You also learn how to have 3 m&ms vs a whole bag! It can be done.

Yes, low blood sugars and High blood sugars are terrible. They are scarey and they make you sick and I still have pity parties about it, however, I always remind myself that there is no alternitive available if I want to live a healthy life which I do for the most part.

Good luck with your DS. Please PM me if you have any questions. They have great things out now like insulin pumps which make life alot easier to control your blood sugar. These pumps even have sensors in them that measure your blood sugar as well.

Take care!
E

 

[camlace]

Just to give the other side of the coin....definitely get him checked....however excessive drinking does not always = diabetes. My daughter has always drank an excessive amount and has been tested numerous times and does not have diabetes. At this point all we know is the she drinks alot. Also, what does "a lot" mean to the teacher? If your child was drinking "a lot" you would notice as well.

My daughter easily drinks 70-90 oz of water a day (since 2 yo...she is 4 now) and that is on top of milk at 3 meals and an occasional juice box. I noticed, her teachers noticed, friends noticed, etc. That is ALOT of liquid...most adults don't drink that much. Her ped did not believe me...when I said she "drank alot" he was thinking 50+/- oz. So we kept a log and always filled her cup from a measured container so we knew how much she drank.

Good luck...just wanted to give another view that a lot of drinking is not always associated with a disease such as diabetes.

 

[Laura]

Well - a pretty solid answer for sure. I will discuss with DH tonight and call the Dr. It is nice to know there is a possibility we could do urine or finger prick - ever since his 4 year MMR he has been pretty freaked about needles. Thanks again for the feedback.

Hopefully the teacher's barking up the wrong tree and there's nothing wrong with your son, but it's definitely a good idea to get him tested.

 

[vettechick99]

I've noticed one of my kids drinking a lot of water and had the thought it might be this. I'll definitely write a note to mom and mention it to her!