Worried!!

[kenny17]

ok you see im 17 years old and im afraid that i have diabetes because on both sides of my family has it. i have 2 uncles, 2 aunts, a pap, and a grandma who have died from it, and im starting to become really tired all the time and its becomeing hard for me to concentrate. plus im begaining to lose alot of wieght, and im always thristy and hungry. like my papgot it when he was 17 so im beganing to worry. any help?????

[JDRF-Team-wak]

I am not a doctor, but volunteer and a mom of a child with diabetes.  You do not say how long you have had the sypmtoms, therfeore I would suggest that you have your folks take you to the doctor and ask to be tested for diabetes as soon as possible.  You are describing " classic" on set signs of diabetes symptoms; Extreme thirst, constant hunger, lack of energy, frequent urination and sudden weight loss.  I know that it is close to new years, but I would not wait till the weekend.  The longer you wait if you do have diabetes your risk going into DKA- diabetic ketone acidosis, - which can lead to a coma. as i said before i am not a doctor, but what you are us i wold get checked by a doctor.
I ope everything goes ok, please let us know what happens, and feel free to comeback and ask more questions if you need to

have a happy and healthy new year.

wak-staff

[jdrf team dm]

Dear kenney,
You seem to be a very intelligent person at 17 years old and have had a history of diabetes in your family.  It's great that you have the awarness of possible symptoms of type 1 diabetes. I,m a volunteer and not a doctor, however, from your stated symptoms, I would strongly recommend to see your doctor to get a simple blood test to see if you have type 1 diabetes. Better sooner than later. Do your parents know of your concerns?  Type 1 diabetes can be well controlled these days with all of the great technology and research we have achieved.  As a mom that saw some of the same symptoms with my son please get attention asap.  It maybe nothing, but be on the safe side. The test is very simple and will tell you one way or the other. In any case please let us know.  We can help and not to be too alarmist, get to a doctor asap. Keep in contact and let us know.
Sincerely.
dm

[JDRF-Team-LRS]

Kenny,
DM is right on all points.  You're bright & alert to possible symptoms, it's good to check in SOON with your doc for a quick blood test, AND, if you have diabetes, you are lucky to be diagnosed "now" in 2003 rather than many decades ago.  (I know that last item might not sound wonderful, but diagnosis & treatments now allow us diabetics to live a much more "normal life" than was possible 20, 40 or 60 years ago.)

I was diagnosed as a teen ... I think I was a bit younger than you but I was in high school.  I've had it now for ~35 years and because I take care of myself and have been a bit lucky, I am completely healthy otherwise.  I went to college and grad school, I've travelled the world, I have good friends and a loving hubby & stepdaughter, and can do all the sports & recreation things that I like.  Oh, I'm a college professor, too.  

My point is that knowing about diabetes is a HUGE step to being able to take good care of oneself.  Of course, there are risks associated with diabetes, but truly truly truly those are reduced in a BIG way when we manage ourselves:  testing our blood sugar often and learning how to respond to high or low numbers, eating a well-balanced diet (that, by the way, can include foods that many teens love!), getting good exercise, and keeping informed about advances in treatments.  

Kenny, I hope you're not a diabetic, but if your doctor tells you that you are, from experience I can tell you that you can live a long, happy, productive life ... and you can enjoy all you dream of.  Please check back, I'm sure you'll get more replies -- we have some teens who are here pretty regularly.