OT- Diabetes symtoms in children

[ninahbear]

If there are any parents out there with children who are diabetic would you please tell me what their symptoms were before you found out. My DS has been drinking more lately and I know that is one of the symptoms. Just wondering if I am looking any others.

 

[lovinpoohbear]

Yes, drinking more than usual is a symptom. Sometimes excessive hunger could be a symptom. I would definitly get it checked out by your pediatrician.

 

[badblackpug]

We call it PPP (polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria) basically eating, drinking and peeing A LOT! It is usually accompanied by weight loss. Once the sugar gets high enough, but not always, you may see lethargy, nausea and vomiting. With kids the symptoms can be subtle. Remember kids going through a growth spurt will eat you out of house an home and not gain an ounce! Also it is not unusual for a child that has been very atively playing (particularly outdoors in the summer) to increase fluid intake.

If you are really worried see your pesiatrician. Diabetes can be easily diagnosed with a simple prick of the finger.

 

[dis75ney]

My DH was diagnosed with type I diabetes at the age of 13, and he told me that he had these symptoms:

FREQUENT urination (I capped this one because this was the major flag that tipped my MIL off - she was an RN and knew the signs to watch for)

Excessive thirst (not just drinking more, since there can be numerous reasons for drinking more, especially in the summer. According to DH, before he was diagnosed, he had the type of thirst that he couldn't quench no matter how much he drank. Another red flag...)

Extreme hunger (this is typical of DH in general - always hungry - but could be a sign if your DS usually eats like a bird but then has a HUGE appetite all of a sudden)

Unusual weight loss (DH dropped about 15 pounds in a matter of three weeks, and he was already a string bean...combined with the hunger, definite warning sign)

Increased fatigue

Irritability

Blurry vision

If you really feel your DS might be at risk for diabetes, check with your pediatrician. Make sure that you rule out anything else...increased activity, summer heat, etc., that you can before calling the pediatrician...

Hope this helps!

 

[ninahbear]

He has also had a cut on his toe for 3 weeks. It is finally starting to heal but now he has a cut on his other foot. Plus some of the skin on his feet are dry and cracking.

 

[blackforest]

My DD13, was diagnosed at age 3 with Type 1 Diabetes.

We had just come off of a very, very hot week at VBS (at or near 100 for the entire week). So, she was drinking a lot!!! Had a few "accidents" in bed at night, but then she hadn't been potty trained that long?!

What tipped it for us, was a night that she was complaining of a tummy ache. Typical mom, "Go lay down on the couch for a while; do you need to go to the potty?". Well, after an hour or so, we were packing for vacation, she says her tummy still hurts, sits on her daddy's lap and says, " I think I need to go see the doctor." Well, I'm thinking appendicitis, so we scooped and ran. By 10 p.m. we were in the Children's ER. Of course, she felt better half way there, but we still went. By 2 a.m. we are in a room and the doctors are telling us our DD has diabetes!!!

So, after all that, you know your child best. If you are suspicious at all; go to your doctor, buy an over-the-counter blood glucose kit (there is a travel one that has a disposible monitor with strips, buy some keto-sticks and check the urine (less invasive), find a friend or relative and ask to use there monitor. There are lots of options.

I have helped out numerous friends and family members. Thankfully, none of the friends or their kids tested high, however my DB was sky high and I was able to get him into the doctor sooner rather than later.

Normal blood sugar/glucose levels are 80-100, my DD is in the 80-150 range for a "good" range.

If you do end up with a diabetic child, it's not the end of their life or yours! BTDT! Life will continue, just with some changes. If your DS is a diabetic, look for a pediatric endocronologist that will deal with diabetes, they have the extra knowledge. Also, we resisted putting DD on her insulin pump for several years, now I'm not sure WHY! It has been a life saver, literally. And yes, we have been to WDW several times!

Hang in there and if you have any more questions let me know!

 

[ninahbear]

I just remembered one other thing. The last week or two he has woken up in the middle of the night a few times to go to the bathroom and/or asked for some water because he was thirsty. I just remembered the part about him being thirsty which he has never done before.

 

[blackforest]

I just remembered one other thing. The last week or two he has woken up in the middle of the night a few times to go to the bathroom and/or asked for some water because he was thirsty. I just remembered the part about him being thirsty which he has never done before.

From one mom to another, I'd say go get him checked out. It's an office visit. And if your doctor won't do the finger stick, find one who will!

 

[nyyankeegirl]

It seems like some of the previous posters have more experience than me-- but my nephew was diagnosed at age 7 w/ juvenile diabetes. A few of the things that had my brother worried was that he was thirsty all the time, and then started wetting the bed at night. That had never been a problem before. He is now 16, and thankfully his life is normal & they keep the diabetes under control.

 

[carj]

My nephew was diagnosed at age 2. My SIL had a friend over with her children. (The adult friend was diabetic) Nephew came back over and over asking for a drink, peeing constantly and he was starving! SIL tells friend that he had just started this. The friend told her that she needed to get him checked out. His blood sugar when they took him in was 990! Normal is 80-120 I believe. He was hospitalized right away so that they could get it under control and teach my brother and SIL how to manage diabetes.

One thing that SIL told me later is that she should have taken him to the children's hospital, NOT the regular hospital where their family doctor practiced. She felt that they would have done better if they had seen specialist in children right away.

Fast forward 16 years and this nephew is starting college in 2 weeks! How time flies! He played varsity basketball in high school. He currently has a pump which has made things somewhat easier.

 

[ninahbear]

Thanks everyone! My DS is scheduled to see the pediatrican tomorrow.

 

[blackforest]

Make sure to let us know the outcome, and we'll be praying for good news!

 

[ERMama]

glad hes getting checked out.

but also know that alot of kids drink more in the summer and therefore pee more. and also many cuts on hands/feet (moving parts) may take longer to heal because the kids are so active.

definately though get the blood sugar check at the docs office. its only a pin prick to the finger and you will get some answers (or be put at ease).

 

[robsmom]

He has also had a cut on his toe for 3 weeks. It is finally starting to heal but now he has a cut on his other foot. Plus some of the skin on his feet are dry and cracking.

This was my symptom, i am borderline diabetics but defintely glucose intolerant. i had mole tested at the dermatololgists and it did not heal well, the nurse suggested that i get tested and the doctor then came in and concurred.

Lisa

 

[ninahbear]

Well I took my DS to the doctor this morning and the took a urnine sample and it was fine. But the doctor wants me to take another sample tomorrow morning if he "contains" his urine over night and I can't give him anything to drink after he goes to bed tonight.

 

[nyyankeegirl]

That's good news so far! We'll be praying that tomorrows test comes back negative as well!

 

[blackforest]

Well I took my DS to the doctor this morning and the took a urnine sample and it was fine. But the doctor wants me to take another sample tomorrow morning if he "contains" his urine over night and I can't give him anything to drink after he goes to bed tonight.

Did your doctor do any bloodwork? Did s/he want a fasting blood sugar? In addition to the blood glucose level, the doctor can do an A1C test-it is like an average of the person's BG evels for the pas 2-3 months.

Praying that everything is okay!

 

[ammeador2]

My DH was diagnosed with type I diabetes at the age of 13, and he told me that he had these symptoms:

FREQUENT urination (I capped this one because this was the major flag that tipped my MIL off - she was an RN and knew the signs to watch for)

Excessive thirst (not just drinking more, since there can be numerous reasons for drinking more, especially in the summer. According to DH, before he was diagnosed, he had the type of thirst that he couldn't quench no matter how much he drank. Another red flag...)

Extreme hunger (this is typical of DH in general - always hungry - but could be a sign if your DS usually eats like a bird but then has a HUGE appetite all of a sudden)

Unusual weight loss (DH dropped about 15 pounds in a matter of three weeks, and he was already a string bean...combined with the hunger, definite warning sign)

Increased fatigue

Irritability

Blurry vision

If you really feel your DS might be at risk for diabetes, check with your pediatrician. Make sure that you rule out anything else...increased activity, summer heat, etc., that you can before calling the pediatrician...

Hope this helps!

I was dx at 13 also with diabetes. Lets just say my fasting blood sugar was 880! Loads of fun! I lost about 30 lbs in 2 weeks, excessive thirst, and hunger and I was very lethargic. I also got up to pee a lot in the middle of the night and I am not a nocturnal peer! lol.

Most importantly do you have any family history of diabetes? My biological father has diabetes as well as my maternal grandfather, and his father nad so forth. So I was predestinaly screwed!

 

[ammeador2]

I have always been paranoid with my kids and diabetes with my family history. Both of my kiddos are excessive drinkers and pee'rs especially in the summer. My ped told me that some kids just drink and pee more than others and not to worry about it. Unless there are other symptoms. If I am super paranoid about something I will check their blood sugar and all has always been ok.

Wishing the best to you guys!