When I was 29, about three years ago, I began to have the constant urge to urinate. It was almost like a UTI, but without the burning. The urge and frequency got worse and worse. My husband took me to the ER and they put me on antibiotics, assuming I had a UTI. The antibiotics did not help at all. I had to start wearing diapers because I just could not make it to the restroom on time. I was thirsty ALL the time. I drank and drank and drank and drank. Simultaneously, I urinated, urinated, and urinated. I felt tired with a lack of appetite. Finally my husband took me back to the ER and within twenty minutes, the doctor came back and said I had diabetic ketoacidosis. My husband and I were completely and utterly shocked. I had no signs of diabetes up to this point. My blood sugar was 797. They rushed me to ICU and I slipped into a coma. I was in a diabetic coma for five days and thereafter, in the hospital for three more weeks until the doctors could figure out what kind of insulin I needed and how much. It was a frustrating process for everyone involved. I eventually was referred out to an endocrinologist and they finally were able to figure out the puzzle, which was what insulin, how much, and how often. It was difficult and took great patience, but three years later, I am hear and my blood sugar levels are being controlled with the right insulin, exercise, diet, good doctors, and a lot of hard work. Do not ignore the signs. Do not wait until you are in diabetic ketoacidosis to get help. Follow your gut instincts and listen to those around you who know you the best. DO NOT be stubborn. It could be the difference between life and death. I NEVER suspected diabetes, especially type 1 diabetes, at 29 years of age. I always assumed that was a childhood disease. That is such a common, yet untrue understanding people have. I now depend on two types of insulin every day of my life to live. I'm okay with that, as long as I am alive. The best advice I can give you overall is, do not ignore the warning signs. You know your body. When things don't feel right, they probably aren't. Catch diabetes early, before it turns into diabetic ketoacidosis.

With diabetic ketoacidosis, I had extreme thirst and fatigue and I was shaking nervously.

I have lost at least 100 pounds and have a problem with having a really dry mouth. I stay extremely thirsty and am up a lot during the night with going to the restroom and getting water. My urine has a funny odor to it and I am so tired lately. The last few days I have had a lot of pain in my back.

I have only had diabetes for 9 years, and to be honest never treated it as seriously as I should, taking insulin here and there, not worrying if I forgot it. However, at Christmastime last year I began losing a lot of weight, losing my appetite and going to the toilet more. I had almost forgot I had diabetes altogether and I was loving the weight loss, until 5 weeks ago. My legs were aching and I was so tired. I felt really frail, had terrible heartburn and a severe pain in my back that I could hardly breathe. My husband took 1 look at me and rushed me straight to the hospital. I had diabetic ketoacidosis. I was in hospital for a few days having to be totally hydrated again, as all I was skin and bones. I had drips everywhere ad my veins had collapsed so the nurses were taking blood from my feet. I am fine now but still recovering, and it has given me the biggest scare of my life. My husband now makes sure I take at least 5 blood readings a day and all insulin and tablets are taken at correct times. I will never take my diabetes i such a nonchalant way again.

I had a very dry mouth and I woke up in the night to drink water. I started vomiting and I thought I caught the flu from my kids. Oops. Three days in ICU.

I tend to be very sensitive to diabetic ketoacidosis. I have been hospitalized 9 times for this. The past 3 ER visits, my BS were only 250-350. Both the ambulance attendants and ER staff shrugged off my concerns of DKA stating that my sugar was not high enough to put me in DKA. I was vomiting so violently that I had ripped my stomach and throwing up blood. After blood work at the ER it was diagnosed as DKA and showed a high level of acetones.