I was 9 when I was diagnosed. I had the usual symptoms, nausea, unquenchable thirst, constant urination, stomach ache, exhaustion, loss of appetite, weight loss.
My mother suspected it but didn't want to appear to be an over bearing mother by taking me to the gp. It wasn't till I had weird spots appear over my body, mostly abdomin that she took me and mentioned the other symptoms. My gp asked for a urine sample and then sent me to Alder Hey Children's Hospital without really saying what he suspected. I was hospitalised for 10 days, partly due to a bout of gastro I picked up from A&E.
I do think I'm extremely lucky. As a child, we were given loads of support from the diabetes team Alder Hey. From the ward staff to clinic staff. We saw the specialist nurse, a dietician who explained carb counting, the consultant who I will never forget and highly experienced and skilled ward staff who were able to answer any queries in between.
Now that I'm in adult clinic, I have no issues here either. If I need any support, I simply ring the clinic. My gp I have full faith in because he also specialises in endocrinology so despite whatever else I see him about, he asks how it's effecting my diabetes. I feel totally comfortable talking to him about anything.
Some of the stories I've heard about poor diabetes care, especially after diagnosis, really worries me. Do professionals expect that because we're adults that we automatically know it all? That the diagnosis would not make us feel like the world caved in? There are still so many myths and ignorance about diabetes. Education is key. Why is this not happening? I read a report a little while ago that basically said GP's were failing at diabetes care.
A guy I know, diagnosed with type 1 from GP 8yrs ago. Never been refered to the hospital. Also never been to gp regular to have his hba1c done. Didn't even know what that was till I told him. How many other people are the same?