Diabetes in Children??

**McD** · 12-10-2008, 11:38 AM

Does anyone have any experience with diabetes in children?

I am having Wesley tested on Monday because I think something is off. All of a sudden he is constantly thirsty. I'll give him a cup filled with either milk, juice, or water and he sucks it down in less than a minute and wants more.I googled excessive thirst in children and some of the other warning signs seem to fit other issues he's been having. I don't think I am being overly neurotic but I know my son very well and I know when something is wrong.

I just thought I would post to see if anyone has any experience with diabetes in children.

**Nishu** · 12-11-2008, 06:43 PM

I have no experience with kids with diabetes, just with kids with excessive thirst. A friend of mine had a little girl that was thirsty all the time and could drink large amounts of water without blinking. I mentioned the same thing, that it was a sign of diabetes, and when she brought it up with her doctor he wasn't even concerned enough to do a test. He acted as though the symptoms would be so sudden and severe that it would be obvious if that was the problem. But this wasn't a sudden change. She was always like that.

I think it's a good idea you get him tested. In the meantime, maybe you should give him only water when he's thirsty just to be safe.

**mom21ofeach** · 12-11-2008, 06:49 PM

I have a very good friend with a diabetic child. She was in kindergarten was she was diagnosed, and is in 6th grade now.

This may sound gross, but check the toilet seat after he pees. If the urine is thick like syrup, I would take him in right away. Is he excessively crabby? That is another warning sign.

**Ali Lee** · 12-11-2008, 11:34 PM

My 10 year old gr'son is a juvenile diabetic. He's been diabetic since 16 months. I diagnosed him and I would gladly give you his signs. 1st of all, not only drinking but excessive wetting, is he soaked in the morning, is he thrashing in the bed when sleeping, does he have a dry cough? Has he lost weight? Does his breath smell like fingernail polish remover? Is he ever lethargic? Fussy? But the big signs to look for...WEIGHT LOSS, BREATH, EXCESSIVE WETTING. Demand a blood glucose check with a finger prick. IF by chance he does have it... only go to a hospital & dr's familiar with diabetic children. Don't mess with family doctors. I'll be thinking about you & Wesley. Be strong.

**McD** · 12-12-2008, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by Ali Lee

My 10 year old gr'son is a juvenile diabetic. He's been diabetic since 16 months. I diagnosed him and I would gladly give you his signs. 1st of all, not only drinking but excessive wetting, is he soaked in the morning, is he thrashing in the bed when sleeping, does he have a dry cough? Has he lost weight? Does his breath smell like fingernail polish remover? Is he ever lethargic? Fussy? But the big signs to look for...WEIGHT LOSS, BREATH, EXCESSIVE WETTING. Demand a blood glucose check with a finger prick. IF by chance he does have it... only go to a hospital & dr's familiar with diabetic children. Don't mess with family doctors. I'll be thinking about you & Wesley. Be strong.

Wesley is potty-trained and hasn't had an accident in months. I haven't noticed him peeing more than normal, but we have always had him trained to go potty often. I have noticed that when he does go, it's a lot more urine. He has been doing a lot of thrashing in bed. He has had a bit of a dry cough. He hasn't lost weight, but Wesley has always been extremely underweight. His breath doesn't smell like acetone, but it is something I have been monitoring. His sleep schedule has changed quite a bit. He used to be my night owl, wouldn't go to bed until almost 10 and woke up at 6. Now he's in bed at 8:30 and I have to force him out of bed almost. He's having horrible mood swings which isn't like him. When we first get him out of bed he is horrible--he doesn't want want anyone to look at him or talk to him. He doesn't snap out of it until we give him something to eat or drink. I know my son and I know when something is wrong. Somethings not right and I'd rather be safe then sorry, you know?

I'm taking him to our family doctor on Monday. Our doctor is amazing and only ever doubted my judgement once. I took Wesley in because I thought he had a UTI. The doctor didn't think he did, but he tested him anyway and he did have it. I know our doctor will take my concerns seriously and test him.

**mom21ofeach** · 12-12-2008, 10:54 AM

When my friends daughter was diagnosed, they sent her immediately to the hospital for a crash course on how to deal with diabetes. Be prepared for that, because she was there until evening. Keep a close eye on your little one. I pray that everything is ok and this is just a phase he's going thru!!

**cab54** · 12-14-2008, 12:50 PM

I don't think you're overreacting at all. And it's true---mothers do know their kids. I'm glad you have a great doc. And I agree, insist on a blood test. Maybe more than once. (like after eating some sugary stuff). I hope he doesn't have it, but it never hurts to check. Keep us posted!

**PrairieRose** · 12-14-2008, 08:34 PM

I think you're doing the right thing to have him tested. Keep us posted on what the dr. says, I'll be thinking about you guys.

**xtena** · 12-14-2008, 11:56 PM

I don't have anything to add except my sincere hope and prayers that the tests are negative.

**InDiAnNa** · 12-15-2008, 09:11 AM

Will be thinking of you both today, hope that whatever the outcome you can get some answers to the problem and go forward from there.

**brennasmom** · 12-15-2008, 09:35 AM

My Dh had some of the symptoms you mentioned above and it turned out to be his thyroid...

From my memory he had:
* increased thirst
* increased bathroom breaks
* increase in sleep
* very irritable

Might be worth checking into as well?

Keep us posted.

**MoonMommy** · 12-15-2008, 09:58 AM

I have two friends who have children with diabetes. If he does in fact have it, let me know and I can get you in touch with them. One lives in Finland and the other in Virginia. They would gladly offer you their support and advice. They are both on facebook and are VERY nice women.

**Patty A** · 12-15-2008, 10:45 AM

One of the best places to get information on diabetes is here;
http://www.diabetes.org/for-parents-and-kids.jsp
They have some great info that covers a little of everything. There is nothing that equals a mom when she knows something is going on, I am so glad you are having him checked!
Please let us know what you find out!

**McD** · 12-15-2008, 12:00 PM

Well, we went to the doctor this a.m. I was hoping that the doctor would laugh it off and run the test just to set my mind at ease. I wanted my fears to be completely unfounded, ya know?

However, the doctor ran the diabetes test, the thyroid test and several others. He's pretty concerned too.

**IntlMom** · 12-15-2008, 12:29 PM

Nichole - I'm sorry that the initial appt was not as encouraging as you had hoped......you don;t know anything yet...try to remember that. I know, as a Mommy, I would be too....but TRY to not get too worried, untill you know what you have to worry about.

PLEASE kees updated.

One last thought, if there IS something going on, it sounds like you are in good hands..... and you can't beat Blank for great kids care. (yes, personal experience)
My son saw a ped doctor for his thyroid at Blank when we lived in DM.....can't remember her name, but she was great!!!