Subscribe Now

* You will receive the latest news and updates on your favorite celebrities!

Trending News

T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
  • Activity
    • 39 minutes ago
      Sue Martin likes your comment at
      Multiple daily injections users: Do you use a diabetes-specific app on a smart phone to track your insulin dosing? Share what works best for you in the comments!
      I use an InPen. Tracts my doses and gives report just like a pump. IOB total insulin etc.
    • 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
      Kris Sykes-David likes your comment at
      Multiple daily injections users: Do you use a diabetes-specific app on a smart phone to track your insulin dosing? Share what works best for you in the comments!
      I’m looking for an app that reminds me of basal doses that keeps the time static as you change time zones. For example, I recently travelled to London. My normal basal dose is at 8 PM at home but currently 1 AM in the UK. The Apple Health app reminded me to take it at 8 PM London time instead of 1 AM. I really just want an app that reminds me at the same time my body is set at without making me think about it.
    • 2 hours, 22 minutes ago
      beth nelson likes your comment at
      Multiple daily injections users: Do you use a diabetes-specific app on a smart phone to track your insulin dosing? Share what works best for you in the comments!
      I’m looking for an app that reminds me of basal doses that keeps the time static as you change time zones. For example, I recently travelled to London. My normal basal dose is at 8 PM at home but currently 1 AM in the UK. The Apple Health app reminded me to take it at 8 PM London time instead of 1 AM. I really just want an app that reminds me at the same time my body is set at without making me think about it.
    • 3 hours, 9 minutes ago
      Mick Martin likes your comment at
      In the past 12 months, have you experienced nausea and/or vomiting as a symptom of high blood glucose levels?
      Echo Mick Martin. Gastroparesis? Try ondonestron (sp?) one of the 10 best medicines ever invented. Also, "a forever learning curve" and "If in doubt, pull it out."
    • 19 hours, 5 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      In the past 12 months, have you experienced nausea and/or vomiting as a symptom of high blood glucose levels?
      "It's a forever learning curve" - so very true
    • 19 hours, 13 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      For pump users: In the past 3 months, have you had issues with insulin delivery due to a bent cannula or occlusion?
      I hesitate to bring this up but I am quite sure this happens more than people realize. I use a tubed pump and small amounts of total daily insulin and have checked the tubing for YEARS for bubbles. YES, they are difficult to "notice" unless you have a good light behind the clear tubing because the insulin is also colorless. I detach and check the tubing in the morning and before bedtime if not before the evening meal...I'm talking about significant bubbles----8-10-or12 inches in length can appear and you would NOT notice them unless you were looking. I wonder how many people wonder why their blood sugar is occasionally high and it's being caused by a significant bubble...NO, not the champagne sized version that's often mentioned to "ignore." The pump company I deal with tried to get me to switch to injections instead but I am an EXPERT with the bubble situation. Also, comments over the years that I am probably not filling the reservoir correctly, etc....just plain silly. I am NOT new at this...LOL!!!
    • 19 hours, 38 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      In the past 12 months, have you experienced nausea and/or vomiting as a symptom of high blood glucose levels?
      I said yes to nausea, occurred with a bad pump site insertion and rising BG over the next 4 hours. I picked it up early w CGM notification and realizing that it was very unusual for me to have rising BG at that time of the day (morning) when on Control IQ pump. The severity was delayed because I had given a breakfast meal bolus via the prior site before the change, so BG was rising after 3 hours, and I knew something was not right. I think this is an important clue for pumpers- when I see people get in trouble w bad sites or insertion failures, the thought process usually is- I just put a new site in, it must be ok- or maybe it does not occur to people that the pump site could have failed--when it should be- did the insertion fail? ----If in doubt, pull it out!----- I pulled the site and could see the cannula was bent, so I know what happened and injected w a syringe, put a new site in, and was better in a 3-4 hours.
    • 1 day ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      In the past 12 months, have you experienced nausea and/or vomiting as a symptom of high blood glucose levels?
      I said yes to nausea, occurred with a bad pump site insertion and rising BG over the next 4 hours. I picked it up early w CGM notification and realizing that it was very unusual for me to have rising BG at that time of the day (morning) when on Control IQ pump. The severity was delayed because I had given a breakfast meal bolus via the prior site before the change, so BG was rising after 3 hours, and I knew something was not right. I think this is an important clue for pumpers- when I see people get in trouble w bad sites or insertion failures, the thought process usually is- I just put a new site in, it must be ok- or maybe it does not occur to people that the pump site could have failed--when it should be- did the insertion fail? ----If in doubt, pull it out!----- I pulled the site and could see the cannula was bent, so I know what happened and injected w a syringe, put a new site in, and was better in a 3-4 hours.
    • 1 day ago
      Richard Wiener likes your comment at
      In the past 12 months, have you experienced nausea and/or vomiting as a symptom of high blood glucose levels?
      I said yes to nausea, occurred with a bad pump site insertion and rising BG over the next 4 hours. I picked it up early w CGM notification and realizing that it was very unusual for me to have rising BG at that time of the day (morning) when on Control IQ pump. The severity was delayed because I had given a breakfast meal bolus via the prior site before the change, so BG was rising after 3 hours, and I knew something was not right. I think this is an important clue for pumpers- when I see people get in trouble w bad sites or insertion failures, the thought process usually is- I just put a new site in, it must be ok- or maybe it does not occur to people that the pump site could have failed--when it should be- did the insertion fail? ----If in doubt, pull it out!----- I pulled the site and could see the cannula was bent, so I know what happened and injected w a syringe, put a new site in, and was better in a 3-4 hours.
    • 1 day ago
      Ahh Life likes your comment at
      In the past 12 months, have you experienced nausea and/or vomiting as a symptom of high blood glucose levels?
      I began playing Pickleball last year in March. When the temperatures started to rise the extra effort my body was experiencing because of the heat got my body hormones out of balance and I began experiencing nausea, higher heart rates and feeling very uncomfortable. I soon realized that I cannot play when is too hot or I’ll end up with ketones. Any new activity when on. Insulin requires adjustments. It’s a forever learning curve. Adding to the heat, last year I was having some absorption problems by the overuse of my abdomen. I have now move the infusion sites to my upper front side and it’s working much better.
    • 1 day ago
      Kristine Warmecke likes your comment at
      In the past 12 months, have you experienced nausea and/or vomiting as a symptom of high blood glucose levels?
      I said yes to nausea, occurred with a bad pump site insertion and rising BG over the next 4 hours. I picked it up early w CGM notification and realizing that it was very unusual for me to have rising BG at that time of the day (morning) when on Control IQ pump. The severity was delayed because I had given a breakfast meal bolus via the prior site before the change, so BG was rising after 3 hours, and I knew something was not right. I think this is an important clue for pumpers- when I see people get in trouble w bad sites or insertion failures, the thought process usually is- I just put a new site in, it must be ok- or maybe it does not occur to people that the pump site could have failed--when it should be- did the insertion fail? ----If in doubt, pull it out!----- I pulled the site and could see the cannula was bent, so I know what happened and injected w a syringe, put a new site in, and was better in a 3-4 hours.
    • 1 day ago
      Becky Hertz likes your comment at
      In the past 12 months, have you experienced nausea and/or vomiting as a symptom of high blood glucose levels?
      I said yes to nausea, occurred with a bad pump site insertion and rising BG over the next 4 hours. I picked it up early w CGM notification and realizing that it was very unusual for me to have rising BG at that time of the day (morning) when on Control IQ pump. The severity was delayed because I had given a breakfast meal bolus via the prior site before the change, so BG was rising after 3 hours, and I knew something was not right. I think this is an important clue for pumpers- when I see people get in trouble w bad sites or insertion failures, the thought process usually is- I just put a new site in, it must be ok- or maybe it does not occur to people that the pump site could have failed--when it should be- did the insertion fail? ----If in doubt, pull it out!----- I pulled the site and could see the cannula was bent, so I know what happened and injected w a syringe, put a new site in, and was better in a 3-4 hours.
    • 1 day, 17 hours ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      Have you developed lipohypertrophy due to repeated injections/infusions of insulin? Lipohypertrophy is a term to describe hardened lumps of body fat just under the skin that resulted from repeated insulin injections/infusion sites. If so, share how you’ve handled lipohypertrophy in the comments!
      After 62 years I have skin issues everywhere. I am an avid at rotating every time I change my infusion set. When I was on multiple daily injections, up to 9 per day, I had massive skin hardening. Since on the pump it’s not nearly as bad that’s been 33 years. I take very little insulin my daily basal comes out to 9 units over 24 hours I eat two meals that I count carbs for and try to keep at a minimum of 30-40 per day. Everything is going well. Rotation is key
    • 1 day, 17 hours ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      Have you developed lipohypertrophy due to repeated injections/infusions of insulin? Lipohypertrophy is a term to describe hardened lumps of body fat just under the skin that resulted from repeated insulin injections/infusion sites. If so, share how you’ve handled lipohypertrophy in the comments!
      I use a pump and have had issues with insulin absorbtion. It seems I have a lot of them on the side I primarily use for infusion sets. I recently switched to the other side of my abdomen and dropped more than one point on my a1c.
    • 1 day, 18 hours ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      Does your T1D healthcare provider suggest new medications or devices that they think would be beneficial to your T1D management during your appointments?
      When I first started with my current Endo we would discuss the released and upcoming products and I would tell her about the 'off-market' applications and devices, we both learned from each other. But she was so good with helping me transition to the Dexcom and then the Tandem after Animas was pulled from the Market. She followed my Dex and even finer tuned my Basals and early this year I got an "unbeleivable" 5.4 A1c and we are both extremely happy!
    • 1 day, 18 hours ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      Does your T1D healthcare provider suggest new medications or devices that they think would be beneficial to your T1D management during your appointments?
      Yes. But then I self-selected when choosing an endocrinology clinic that pursues cutting-edge advances 40 years ago. Cutting-edge is a phrase that is also often called bleeding-edge because it is often experimental, hit or miss on results, and very expensive. I am convinced the “bleeding” refers to $$$.
    • 1 day, 18 hours ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      Does your T1D healthcare provider suggest new medications or devices that they think would be beneficial to your T1D management during your appointments?
      not anymore, and I am happy about it! Most of the time they were recommending things that had been recently pitched to them by a pharmaceutical salesperson or a durable medical supplier. The doctors would give patients the "free samples" and it was often not the best fit, then after the "free" supply ran out, the prices were exorbitant. Maybe it still happens, but I haven't seen it for a while.
    • 1 day, 18 hours ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      If you have never used an insulin pump with automated insulin delivery (also known as a hybrid closed-loop pump), what are some of the reasons you’re reluctant, or obstacles you’ve encountered? Please select all that apply.
      The need for better CGM accuracy is a big consideration for me. Also my control is pretty good right now (a1c in the low 6 range). Although I am tempted by the sleep and exercise modes which would be very helpful since I’m getting back in to exercise. So…I keep sitting on the fence…
    • 1 day, 18 hours ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      If you have never used an insulin pump with automated insulin delivery (also known as a hybrid closed-loop pump), what are some of the reasons you’re reluctant, or obstacles you’ve encountered? Please select all that apply.
      I don’t want to change from the Omnipod Dash to Omnipod 5 because the minimum target blood glucose is level is higher than where I like to keep it. My A1C is currently 5.0.
    • 1 day, 18 hours ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      If you have never used an insulin pump with automated insulin delivery (also known as a hybrid closed-loop pump), what are some of the reasons you’re reluctant, or obstacles you’ve encountered? Please select all that apply.
      For the last 5 years, the highest HbA1C I've had was 5.3. For the last 3 years the high, low, & average have been 5.2, 4.7, & 4.9. I'm not willing to go to an AID that sets a target of 6 to 7.
    • 1 day, 18 hours ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      If you have never used an insulin pump with automated insulin delivery (also known as a hybrid closed-loop pump), what are some of the reasons you’re reluctant, or obstacles you’ve encountered? Please select all that apply.
      I do MDI. For the last 7 years my A1C has averaged around 4.8. I have no reason to believe that a closed loop automated system could do that well.
    • 1 day, 19 hours ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      If you have never used an insulin pump with automated insulin delivery (also known as a hybrid closed-loop pump), what are some of the reasons you’re reluctant, or obstacles you’ve encountered? Please select all that apply.
      There are many reasons, as well as "something else." My arthritic fingers do not serve me well with a cell phone. I have trouble putting the needle covers back on to my insulin pen needles. If I had to take care of all the fine muscle issues associated with setting a pump up, I would probably require assistance. I am also not drawn to the issues I hear about tissue damage at the infusion sites, or knowing whether everything is seated properly and the insulin is actually flowing. Finally, I just have some kind of negative karma with electronics. I have worked as a lab biochemist. Somehow, I find the weaknesses of every machine in the lab. (the ideal industrial beta-tester) Having said that, what I hear about the numbers achieved with the tandem CIQ gives me pause to consider.
    • 1 day, 19 hours ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      If you have never used an insulin pump with automated insulin delivery (also known as a hybrid closed-loop pump), what are some of the reasons you’re reluctant, or obstacles you’ve encountered? Please select all that apply.
      Like others, the "closed loop" runs me too high - even the target bg is too high for me. I use the TandemX2 with BIQ integrated wqith my Dexcom G6. I also appreciate - and use - the temp basal function often. I would lose that with CIQ. L:ike Nilla Eckstrom (I think?) I like to be between 80-90, with maybe up to 120 after I eat.
    • 1 day, 19 hours ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      If you have never used an insulin pump with automated insulin delivery (also known as a hybrid closed-loop pump), what are some of the reasons you’re reluctant, or obstacles you’ve encountered? Please select all that apply.
      The constant refilling and site changes...doesn't seem worth it.
    • 1 day, 19 hours ago
      Wanacure likes your comment at
      If you have never used an insulin pump with automated insulin delivery (also known as a hybrid closed-loop pump), what are some of the reasons you’re reluctant, or obstacles you’ve encountered? Please select all that apply.
      Luddites just may be the most comfortable people on earth. 🙃 
    Clear All
Pages
    • T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
    • Articles
    • Community
      • About
      • Insights
      • Submit a Question
      • Donate
      • Join the Community
    • Quality Improvement
      • About
      • Collaborative
        • Leadership
        • Committees
      • Clinics
      • Resources
        • Change Packages
        • Sick Day Guide
        • Meet the Experts
      • Portal
      • Health Equity
        • Heal Advisors
      • Join Us
    • Registry
      • About
      • Recruit for the Registry
    • Research
      • About
      • Publications
      • COVID-19 Research
      • Work with us
    • Partners
      • About
      • Previous Work
      • Academic Partnerships
      • Industry Partnerships
    • About
      • Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Culture & Careers
      • Annual Report
    • Join / Login
    • Donate

    Were you experiencing DKA (diabetes-related ketoacidosis) when you were diagnosed with T1D?

    Home > LC Polls > Were you experiencing DKA (diabetes-related ketoacidosis) when you were diagnosed with T1D?
    Previous

    If you have ever used a CGM, in what year did you first begin using a CGM?

    Next

    How would you go about finding a new T1D healthcare provider if you moved to a new location? Select all that apply.

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange. Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.

    Related Stories

    Meet the Expert

    Meet the Expert: Improving Patient Care Systems to Increase CGM Use 

    Jewels Doskicz, 3 days ago 7 min read  
    Question of the Day

    How many low blood sugars do you have per week? 

    Samantha Robinson, 5 days ago 5 min read  
    Insulin & Meds

    Using GLP-1 Medications in Type 1 Diabetes 

    Cristina Jorge Schwarz, 6 days ago 9 min read  
    Meet the Expert

    Meet the Expert: Looking Beyond A1c at a Patient’s Quality of Life 

    Jewels Doskicz, 1 week ago 8 min read  
    Research

    Fear of Hypoglycemia: New Tool Helps Docs Identify “FoH” in People with Diabetes 

    Ginger Vieira, 2 weeks ago 5 min read  
    Meet the Expert

    Meet the Expert: Evaluating Telemedicine in T1D Patient Care 

    Jewels Doskicz, 2 weeks ago 9 min read  

    45 Comments

    1. sweet charlie

      ?? Did testing for that exist 70 years ago ??

      8
      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    2. Molly Jones

      I did not have any signs of ketoacidosis., my BG was not in that range. That’s why it was mistaken for type 2 for about two to three months until not responding to the medicines. I assume the GAD autoantibodies had just finished their job.

      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    3. Karen Taylor

      I put I don’t know because I was 3 years old and that was in 1960. I know I was very sickly and they finally put me in the hospital. Not sure if I was diagnosed prior to the hospitalization or if I was in ketoacidosis

      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    4. ryan griffn

      Yes I was in DKA I spent 3 days in the hospital

      6 months ago Log in to Reply
      1. Mark Schweim

        Only 3 days in the Hospital? My T1D diagnosis with the complications gave me a full week of R&R in the Hospital’s ICU. But the Hospital I was in, when diagnosed was overbooked to the point where when my status changed from ICU to standard inpatient care, I remained in the same room in the ICU with only the status flag over my room door getting changed to tell the staff that my room was no longer considered part of the ICU despite my having remained housed in a room designated as being in the ICU.

        6 months ago Log in to Reply
    5. M C

      I was diagnosed back in the mid-1970’s – Told only of my high blood glucose levels…. nothing else… So, I have no idea if I was experiencing ketoacidosis or not.

      1
      6 months ago Log in to Reply
      1. Lawrence S.

        I had the same experience. I said “I don’t know” to the question. But, I remember feeling completely exhausted, and drinking water non-stop. I could only guess that I had DKA. We’ll never know.

        1
        6 months ago Log in to Reply
    6. Mark Schweim

      I said “I don’t know” because I generally felt like crap most of the year before my T1D diagnosis, but going by Hospital Lab test results, the lab test results would probably change my “I don’t know” to a “DEFINITE YES!!!” since when admitted into the ER, my Blood Acetone level was almost 0.5% HIGHER than what all the Hospital’s available literature was telling them was a “100% FATAL Blood Acetone level meaning my survival should have been medically impossible, yet I never even lost consciousness.

      When checked into the Hospital’s ER, they said I’d done the “IMPOSSIBLE” by having WALKED into the ER with a blood glucose too high for their lab equipment to give a numeric reading, but when they tested my blood gasses, they said that my blood acetone level was high enough that even if my BG was in the “IDEAL” range, my Blood Acetone level alone should have resulted in my having been transported to the MORGUE instead of the Hospital since everything the Hospital had available said that a blood Acetone level of 2.5% was “100% FATAL with survivability nearly impossible” and when aditted my blood Acetone level was just barely below 3%. They said they didn’t believe the results so tested my blood acetone level three times and my test results were consistently ranging between 2.98 and 3% so according to the information they had available to reference, it should have been more than 100% impossible for me to have remained alive, much less remaining fully alert and conscious!!!

      2
      6 months ago Log in to Reply
      1. Ms Cris

        Similar to my story! “How are you not in a coma?”

        6 months ago Log in to Reply
      2. Mark Schweim

        Prior to my T1D diagnosis, when I went to the Doctor feeling just as sick the previous month, my weight about 3 weeks prior to T1D diagnosis was still 160 pounds, but when my T1D was diagnosed, my weight had dropped in less than 4 weeks to less than 112 pounds!!!

        2
        6 months ago Log in to Reply
      3. KarenM6

        Wow! You and Ms Cris should be written up in a medical journal! It’s amazing what the human body can tolerate.

        1
        6 months ago Log in to Reply
    7. Ms Cris

      Yes, not knowing it. My physician sent me to the ER because of “unexpected, very odd blood test results” at my annual physical.

      At the ER, they re-ran the tests THREE TIMES because they couldn’t believe the results were from me and that I was “awake and coherent.”

      In the ICU, the Dr quickly ran my antibodies: antiGAD through the roof, diagnosed me on the spot as T1D. The ICU nurse was startled all night by me, not comprehending how I was not in a coma! But, he was glad to have someone to talk to. So was I.

      2
      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    8. Ahh Life

      I dunno. I have trouble remembering what I did 30 minutes ago. And I’m supposed to remember 72 years ago???

      6
      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    9. Sherolyn Newell

      I have no idea. I didn’t have any symptoms. My A1C was 14 at (mis)diagnosis. I was diagnosed as Type 2 at first. By the time I got an endo appointment, I had starved myself down to an A1C in the 8’s. The endo said it would be interesting to know if I had experienced DKA.

      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    10. Richard Vaughn

      I was diagnosed in 1945, when I was 6. I had lost so much weight! Three doctors could not make a diagnosis. A fourth doctor had my blood sugar tested. A diagnosis was made in the nick of time. Another few days and I might have died. Pork insulin saved my life.

      4
      6 months ago Log in to Reply
      1. Amanda Barras

        Half you’re still here!

        1
        6 months ago Log in to Reply
      2. KarenM6

        I’m with Amanda and glad you’re still here! 🙂

        6 months ago Log in to Reply
    11. Amanda Barras

      I know I was spilling ketones but I don’t know if I was in DKA. I had just barely turned 4 so the details are fuzzy.

      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    12. Kristine Warmecke

      I had lost a lot of weight in a very short time, 10 plus pounds in 1.5 weeks at 11 years old. I had the tell tale signs and symptoms thirsty, peeing, hungry but couldn’t eat without becoming nausea and/or vomiting. The oldest of my 3 niece’s had the same symptoms when she was diagnosed at 23 months old. My brother (nieces Dad) was in a coma when once one of the many pediatricians finally figured out he wasn’t gaining weight at 7 months old. He was not much more than his birth weight.

      6 months ago Log in to Reply
      1. KarenM6

        You and your family have certainly gone through the T1D ringer/wrangler!

        1
        6 months ago Log in to Reply
    13. cynthia jaworski

      As a ten-year old, I was only aware of the constant unquenchable thirst and never-ending trips to the bathroom literally all day long. I was convinced that I was dying because I could not imagine my body continuing like that.This lasted about 2 months before my sainted mother was able to convince the GP to check my urine (rather than give his usual suggestion that she was being neurotic). My positive urine test was followed by a blood test, and I started a bizarre protocol of insulin administration the day after that, all from home. I guess my mother would have noticed ketones, but the doctor never looked into it.

      2
      6 months ago Log in to Reply
      1. KarenM6

        My doctors also told my Mom she was being neurotic! My normally positive and not-yelly Mom actually yelled at the last doctor to get me some help. And that’s what it took for the last doctor to be called who immediately put me in an ambulance for the hospital!
        So, I’d like to add my Mom to the “Sainted Mother Club”. 😀
        (Although, we might need a new name for it… that one I just made up sounds like it could go a different way.) ;p

        1
        6 months ago Log in to Reply
      2. Kristine Warmecke

        My symptoms really kicked in on Christmas Eve. My parents were too busy with Christmas stuff to make too much of it. Our tradition of going to my Aunt’s house in Central Kanas the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day stayed on. My Aunt had just moved into her brand new house Thanksgiving week, her new fridge had ice and water in the door and I was forever getting yelled at by my Mom for playing with it (even though I couldn’t get enough to drink). My parent’s realized on our way home, I wasn’t playing with the fridge I was truly thirsty, as I had drank the whole gallon water thermos by myself in a half hour. That usually only 7.5 hour trip, turned into the longest drive home from there, ever. They did an urine test on me at one if the stops (using my brothers kit) and it was bright orange.

        1
        6 months ago Log in to Reply
    14. Anthony Harder

      I was diagnosed in 1966 when I was a 7 years old. I had the usual symptoms, thirst, drinking, peeing. After a little while of this, my mother took me to the doctor thinking there was something wrong with my bladder. The doctors did a urine test and it showed up right away I was diabetic. I do not recall if they tested for keytones, but they probably did.

      1
      6 months ago Log in to Reply
      1. eherban1

        15 years later, I had almost the identical experience. I did drink so much water that my urine test was high but not off the charts.

        6 months ago Log in to Reply
    15. Trina Blake

      I’m gonna say yes – I was in DKA. But I don’t really remember – I was found by a neighbor in a coma. I had been Dx’d with T2D because I was 30 years old. Didn’t know enough to challenege that initial Dx. Do D of any kind in my family (which should have been a clue to the first doctor I saw), weight went from 110 lbs (I was a ballet dancer at the time) to 95 lbs, plus the classic symptoms. It was my good fortune to have a “day job” with a large city fire dept. When the neighbor called to say I wasn’t coming in to work (that was nice of her, she didn’t think to call 911) they knew of my recent (although incorrect) Dx of D and dispatched paramedics from HQ. Having that job saved my life!

      1
      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    16. Becky Hertz

      I don’t think so but don’t really know. I wasnt throwing up or feeling sick. I don’t remember hearing anything about DKA.

      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    17. Mary Ann Sayers

      I was 7 years old at that time. All I know knew I was put in the hospital and GOT SHOTS!!! I was NOT HAPPY!😥!

      5
      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    18. Janis Senungetuk

      No, I was fully conscious and actually not feeling sick at all. I have no idea what my bg level was when my pediatrician took a urine test at his office and told my mother to take me to the hospital. It was 1955 and I was 8. Once at the hospital I remember never ending urine tests, not many blood tests.

      1
      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    19. Carol Meares

      Idk, I was dxd as an adult in the early 90’s. I was thought to be T2 because I was 39. I had lost 20 pounds and could barely make it up a flight of stairs. I was not sent to the hospital but was sent home with glucophage. I think I was on it for 6mos to 9mos., I don’t remember exactly. I might have gone through a bit of honeymoon. The doc said then that I had to go on insulin. He said I was of 10% of type 2s that can’t achieve control without insulin. I think I was on NPH and regular. I was never sent to the hospital until I started insulin. I went to a diabetes educator at the hospital to learn how to stick a lemon with a needle and do exchanges in diet.

      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    20. Bob Durstenfeld

      I was Dx’ed at age 18 months due to chronic diaper rushing 1956.

      1
      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    21. Christine Ward

      I was diagnosed with Graves the year before after a 9 month battle after the birth of my first son and this was my quarterly Endo visit following my thyroidectomy. The doctor had good news/bad news. Bad news was I was T1D. Good news was I was pregnant with my second child. So we caught both early. Fast-forward 17 years later and unknowingly using bad insulin which was not past its expiration, I found myself in the hospital for a week with DKA. Numbers were running in the mid-200s and could not get them down with aggressive injections. Thought I was having a heart attack. Am on a pump now and no issues.

      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    22. Marty

      I was very lucky to be diagnosed by a diabetic co-worker using his own BG monitor after I complained to him about blurry vision, thirst, weight loss, etc. He hooked me up right away with his CDE in the endo clinic in the medical center where we both worked. Especially during that first year after diagnosis, I felt especially lucky to have a great example of a person with diabetes performing well at a demanding job.

      2
      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    23. Kim J

      Now that I have learned more, I’m pretty sure I was in DKA but they treated me as Type 2. My blood sugar was high, I had a bladder infection and I went to Urgent Care but sent to the ER because I was throwing up and was sick.

      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    24. KarenM6

      I was 5 and remember most of what happened.
      I had most of DKA signs and symptoms:
      very thirsty, urinating a lot, fast and deep breathing, fruity breath, utter fatigue, nausea and vomiting, achy muscles, flushed face, dry skin and mouth (hence the thirstiness). I was nearly in a coma, but I’m not sure if I went there. I don’t think so. I think that, once I was in the hospital and was finally allowed to sleep, I slept deeply. (My Mom was instructed to keep me awake for the hour and 15 minute ambulance ride to the hospital.) As an aside, I also remember it taking both hands and both feet for the nurses to find a vein to put an IV in.

      It was 1971 and it took 3 or 4 doctors to make a diagnosis. I was in the hospital for a month. (I wish I knew why I was in for so long! I was in at American Thanksgiving and released Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve in my own bed was blissful!!!)
      I also wonder if the doctors who called me a liar and said I was faking being sick found out that I’d been rushed to the hospital. But, that’s a thought that goes nowhere, so I will have to let it go!

      2
      6 months ago Log in to Reply
      1. AnitaS

        I understand how the dehydration caused the nurses to have a hard time finding a vein to put an IV in. My doctors had to cut me open to stick an IV in me.

        1
        6 months ago Log in to Reply
      2. KarenM6

        Yes, dehydration makes getting an IV in difficult (and my veins like to hide anyway).
        But… O, AnitaS! Ouch! I’m sorry they had to cut you open!
        I was lucky that they eventually succeeded. I applaud the determined nurses for that.

        6 months ago Log in to Reply
    25. Randy Campbell

      Even though the tests showed Type 1, the Endocrinologist said he didn’t think that I was because I was 67. The type 2 drugs weren’t working & he would give me a rough time for not controlling my blood sugar levels. I was eating 30 carbs per day & he would say that I wasn’t controlling my diet. My wife confirmed what I ate. It turned out that I had Lyme disease which attacked my pancreas. After seeing 9 different physicians, one finally diagnosed it. At that point I almost couldn’t walk from fatigue. One infectious disease doctor said I was just getting older & needed to slow down. That taught me to seek better physicians. I’ve been through 9 different Endocrinologist. I would love to find one that is a type 1 and understands what we go through.

      3
      6 months ago Log in to Reply
      1. Ms Cris

        Your story is heartbreaking and infuriating. I’m sorry you went through this. My mentor was diagnosed at 50 and had a similar experience. I was 42.

        So many people don’t believe me when I tell them how many endocrinologists fail us as T1Ds because they don’t understand it as an autoimmune disease that can strike at any age.

        6 months ago Log in to Reply
    26. Kim Davis

      I was diagnosed at age 21. My glucose was 226 at the hospital. They didn’t admit me because I was in nursing school. At first they didn’t know if I was a MODY, but, then they decided I was a T1D. (1979)

      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    27. ELYSSE HELLER

      I was a kid away at summer sleep away camp and they offered unlimited bug juice (kool aid). I caught a stomach virus and after that passed I drank, and drank, and drank the bug juice. The camp had to tell my parents to send me more clothes because I lost so much weight. I had cramps, open sores, and all the usual symptoms of DKA. The camp nurse obviously didn’t know anything about TID because the counselor sent me to see her because of all the bug juice I was drinking. I am very fortunate to have survived those 8 weeks away. I was home for less than an hour when my mother (a nurse) observed me drinking anything liquid in the refrigerator and then going to the bathroom for my polyuria. She put me in the car and drove me to the hospital where I was rapidly diagnosed with T1D. ( think that my BG was over 1200. Lucky to be alive.

      2
      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    28. AnitaS

      Yes, I had DKA and lapsed into a coma for a day at the hospital.

      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    29. BOB FISK

      When I was diagnosed in 1963, I was admitted to the hospital that evening. I was unbelievably thirsty and peed almost continuously. At some point that night I went into a hyperglycemic coma and woke up the next day when they had brought my glucose level down and reversed the DKA.

      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    30. T1D4LongTime

      BG 742, lots of urination but no nausea or chest pains. Not sure they could/knew to test for ketoacidosis in 1966.

      6 months ago Log in to Reply
    31. PamK

      I was very young, so I don’t know for sure. I don’t think I was though, because my mother recognized the signs – – excessive thirst and urination – – and took me to the doctor’s office to get checked.

      5 months ago Log in to Reply

    Were you experiencing DKA (diabetes-related ketoacidosis) when you were diagnosed with T1D? Cancel reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.




    101 Federal Street, Suite 440
    Boston, MA 02110
    Phone: 617-892-6100
    Email: admin@t1dexchange.org

    Privacy Policy

    Terms of Use

    Follow Us

    • facebook
    • twitter
    • linkedin
    • instagram

    © 2023 T1D Exchange.
    All Rights Reserved.

    © 2023 T1D Exchange. All Rights Reserved.
    • Login
    • Register

    Forgot Password

    Registration confirmation will be emailed to you.

    Skip Next Finish

    Account successfully created.

    Please check your inbox and verify your email in the next 24 hours.

    Your Account Type

    Please select all that apply.

    I have type 1 diabetes

    I'm a parent/guardian of a person with type 1 diabetes

    I'm interested in the diabetes community or industry

    Select Topics

    We will customize your stories feed based on what you select here.

    2019 Publications

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ADA

    9 Stories Related

    2020 ADCES

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ATTD

    0 Stories Related

    2020 EASD

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ISPAD

    7 Stories Related

    2020 Publications

    0 Stories Related

    2021 ADA

    11 Stories Related

    2021 ADCES

    0 Stories Related

    2021 ATTD

    4 Stories Related

    2021 ISPAD

    8 Stories Related

    2021 Publications

    22 Stories Related

    2022 ADA

    11 Stories Related

    2022 ADCES

    4 Stories Related

    2022 ATTD

    10 Stories Related

    2022 ISPAD

    0 Stories Related

    2023 ATTD

    6 Stories Related

    ADA

    5 Stories Related

    ADCES

    0 Stories Related

    Advocacy

    21 Stories Related

    ATTD

    16 Stories Related

    Blood Sugar

    0 Stories Related

    Conditions

    7 Stories Related

    COVID-19

    14 Stories Related

    EASD

    0 Stories Related

    General Publications

    73 Stories Related

    Get Involved

    11 Stories Related

    Insulin & Meds

    16 Stories Related

    ISPAD

    1 Stories Related

    Journal of Diabetes

    21 Stories Related

    Lifestyle

    12 Stories Related

    Lifestyles

    0 Stories Related

    Meet the Expert

    18 Stories Related

    Mental Health

    11 Stories Related

    News

    35 Stories Related

    Our team

    25 Stories Related

    Partner Content

    7 Stories Related

    Press Release

    6 Stories Related

    Question of the Day

    25 Stories Related

    Research

    66 Stories Related

    Stories

    18 Stories Related

    T2D

    1 Stories Related

    Technology

    23 Stories Related

    Uncategorized

    2 Stories Related

    We're preparing your personalized page.

    This will only take a second...

    Search and filter

    • Clear All
    • Sort By

    • Select Category