Sick kid at college

[OSUMom]

So when do you make that decision to send your kid to the doctor/clinic at college?

Talked to Dean early morning and he has a bad cold with sore throat for 3 days. Doesn't sound like his BG numbers are way out of line (under 200), but alittle elevated.

We haven't found a family doctor at OSU yet - last year had the local clinic plan so he went there. I do have a name of a practice close by that he'll call when he needs to go to a doctor. So we do have a plan. Thought was to see a family physician for a cold/strep throat type of situation (it's within walking distance too and he doesn't have a car).

Anyway, Dean and I were thinking of giving this another day but we'll talk again this afternoon. Just wondered how you all with kids away at college handle this type of situation. When do you say "go to the doctor"? :confused:

[Boo]

Well, my kid isn't really anywhere close to college age yet, but I'll still chime in :D (feel free to ignore what I say!).

Those numbers sound pretty good for him being sick. I am not a worrier mom when it comes to health issues, so my gut would be to let it go another day or two. However, something to consider is how his body usually reacts in these situations. Is he prone to strep? As far as I know, we've never had it on our house (or maybe I just never knew), but I know some kids get it all the time. If that's the case for your son, you might want to send him to see a doc sooner rather than later. Does he have a fever? (Does he even have a thermometer? I'm sure I didn't in college!!)
How is he acting? Is he still attending his classes? Did he before the illness:rolleyes:?

[OSUMom]

You have me laughing and you've asked good questions. You're a very wise mom - aha! you're from Pittsburgh that's why!! (me too!) ;)

I think he generally attends class - he hears me say "80% of success is showing up" - that's my mantra for him! Though it sounded like he was still in bed 40 minutes before class started this morning, he said he was going. :confused: I'm going to guess he does not have a fever - but I think we've had strep before without showing a fever.

He does have a tendency for strep... think I'll talk to him this afternoon and see how his throat is. I sent him with a thermometer in September - now it's whether he can find it or not. :rolleyes: LOL

Now I just have to ask is that a marijuana plant above your son's head? :D LOL

[Ellen]

I'd encourage him to call and go now. If he doesn't feel up to the walk, offer to pay for a cab? It it is strep, the sooner it's treated, the sooner he'll feel better.

BTW, I suggest going to the clinic asap. Does that mean he heeds my advice? Heck no.;-)

[Boo]

Now I just have to ask is that a marijuana plant above your son's head? :D LOL

Well, now you have me laughing, so I guess we're even. :D I'm not so much of a green thumb, I'll have to check with Phipps Conservatory to see if they grow pot there!

[OSUMom]

I'll have to check with Phipps Conservatory to see if they grow pot there!
:D

What an ordeal with this doctor stuff at college! We did not get the supplemental insurance this year for the health clinic, and our EPO insurance does not cover the on campus clinic. The practice down the street where we thought no problem he can go there... well come to find out is not taking new patients! Yikee!

Another close place for him actually is a Planned Parenthood when I call on the phone. :confused:

Finally, a suitable practice where he says he will call to make an appointment but he will have to borrow someone's car to get there.

I'll let y'all know if strep throat is involved.

[OSUMom]

I'd like to wring some roommates' necks!!! He's waiting another day because his roommates are making fun of him. :mad:

[Ellen]

Can you buy the on campus health plan now? Can one go and pay out of pocket to go there without the plan?

[OSUMom]

He recently called me back and did go ahead and make an appt (for tomorrow). He said his BG numbers are fine so that makes me feel good.

He could always have my brother take him anywhere as he works on campus. I'll text him to remind him of that too.

You know I'm not sure if they'd even see him at the clinic on campus. It says you can and they bill 3rd party insurance, but if your insurance won't pay - I'm not so sure. My husband said he can always go to the ER.

Sorry to be back and forth here today. Can I just delete this thread? haha

Moral of the story have your sick day plan all organized ahead of time - though we thought we did. :cool:

[PattyR]

OSU Mom - I am so sorry. There is not much worse than having them sick and away. When it happens to me, my mind goes crazy - what if, what if, etc.

I always err on the side of "go to the doctor" - even with my non-D child.

Hope he is feeling better soon.

[Ellen]

Sorry to be back and forth here today. Can I just delete this thread? haha


Uhhhhhh NO:D. We're here to support you.

My son has had to go to the ER while out of town on a University event, walking home from the ER in the dark, walking to the local pharmacy to pick up meds....Scary. Good thing we have this website to lean on others who have BTDT.

You're a wonderful mom. Keep us posted.

[Boo]

Let's hope he wakes up tomorrow feeling all better! Can you tell I'm an optimist?

Good to know his Uncle is nearby in case of emergency!

[OSUMom]

Good news - no strep from the office test! My son was surprised based on how much his throat hurts. Oh well - I'm glad, and now he has a plan for every illness thereafter. He was given a scrip for Entex PSE for congestion. Now he's off to an exam shortly. No rest for the weary - hope he feels better soon.

Thanks Beth, Ellen and Patty for being there for a frazzled mom. :cwds:

[Boo]

Good news - no strep from the office test! My son was surprised based on how much his throat hurts. Oh well - I'm glad, and now he has a plan for every illness thereafter. He was given a scrip for Entex PSE for congestion. Now he's off to an exam shortly. No rest for the weary - hope he feels better soon.

Thanks Beth, Ellen and Patty for being there for a frazzled mom. :cwds:

Which "office" did he end up going to?

I'm glad he now has a plan for the next time this happens!

I just have to remember all of these tips for the next 6 years. My son says he wants to go to Hawaii for college :eek:

[OSUMom]

Which "office" did he end up going to?

The office was a practice on our insurance list of in-network providers. I went in order of proximity to his house. The first couple ended up being "planned parenthood" ?. The next 15 :eek: or so where we had planned on going were not taking new patients until March. This office where he went came around on page 2 of the directory. He borrowed a roommate's car since it was about a mile and a half away. It's really not a problem for him to borrow the car.

Last year we bought supplemental health insurance ($160ish) so he went to the clinic on campus. Some insurance companies may let you go to the clinic on campus - not ours. There is also the big OSU hospital/medical center - this, in fact, is not close to where my son lives. There also is a bus system on campus. Lots of good health care around - just have to get it figured out.

Yikee - Hawaii! I think mom needs to go too!! :)

[susanH]

poor dean! i'm glad it's not strep.

this thread has me wanting to call his school now to see what the deal is with their clinic visits. last year he walked into the 'infirmary' and they found both ears infected. they gave him an antibiotic which cleared it in 10 days. he paid out of pocket for the clinic visit and meds ($30) and saw an MD in the process. there was never any mention of insurance or anything.

he felt terrible for 3 days, i told him to go. they found nothing so he took an otc decongestant. he continued to feel bad, no real fever but felt horrible so he went back in and saw the MD this time. by now, he had the ear thing happening.

i say go as soon as he thinks it's not a normal cold...it's difficult cuz if you rush in there on monday, you could be fine..but by wednesday, the infection could be showing. i remember that being the case when my kids were infants...i'd always jump the gun on doctor visits.

i'm glad he's got an answer and a way to handle it next time.
feel better college guy!

isn't it the most helpless feeling in the world? that phone call. :(

[PattyR]

Wonderful news. I hope he is feeling better soon:o

[Margaret O]

Laurie,

So glad to hear Dean is feeling better. I have been lurking mostly this month as Pat is home and life has been a bit hectic. I had to laugh: "Planned Parenthood", sorry but that was too crazy!!!

I guess this is part of the life lesson thing. Our endo was kind enough to supply us with a list of good endos near Pat's school. I wonder if Dean could get the same thing and then use their office as back up for "sick day" check ups?

[MamaC]

Laurie,

Did they test for mono? I remember my throat being so sore and swollen for almost a week before I finally went to the ER. If the sore throat persists, he may want to do the mono test.

Not to be a wet blanket - and I am really glad that the strep was negative and he has a plan in place now!

Becky

[OSUMom]

Excellent point, Becky. They did not do a mono test. He's only been ill for 4 days. Hopefully he'll get better not worse in the days ahead.

[Kim Clark]

US News & World Report is preparing an article about college health insurance. I understand you've had some difficulty getting reimbursement for your child's care. If you would like to share your experiences and views with us, please contact
Kim Clark
Senior Writer
US News & World Report
KClark@USNews.com
Thanks! And good luck!

[OSUMom]

Me again! Dean is still sick and plans to go back to the doctor on Monday. I had him check for ketones and he said it was negative. He's at work this evening so he's functioning okay, but he tells me he has stomach pains. As long as he checks for ketones and it's negative, it's okay right? :confused: His blood glucose numbers have been okay he tells me through all this so I haven't been overly concerned, but now with the abdominal pain, I'm concerned again.

[Ellen]

Sorry to hear he's not feeling well. Does he check for ketones with blood or urine? Is he eating and staying hydrated with the stomach pains? Keep us posted.

[OSUMom]

Negative urine ketones today. Whew! He's been eating normally all along, and I tell him to drink lots of water. Today maybe he turned a corner and is feeling slightly better. Could it be so? Or is he just tired of mom bugging him. :cwds:

[susanH]

sorry he's not feeling 100% yet OSUMom. :(

i think we've been fighting the germs at this house since Christmas, in one form or another. colds, sore throats, coughs, and we had a stomach thing that was short-lived but caused stomach aches, no nausea but just stomach pain. that's gone but we're back to head colds now.

hope dean feels much better soon. no ketones is a plus!!!

[Hollyb]

How's he doing today? Poor guy -- now he has ten moms fussing over him!!

[OSUMom]

Thanks you all for caring. :cwds: I'm so frustrated. Yesterday he was slightly better and he didn't think he'd go to the dr today. Today he was thinking maybe he should. It's been a couple weeks of constant coughing, and now his BG IS being affected! Of course I can't make him go to the doctor, and I'm just so tired of repeating the same thing. This having an adult child with diabetes at college is so difficult.

I give up -- (not really just venting). :o

[PattyR]

I am so sorry and totally understand. I hope he will just go back to the doctor - he will feel better and we all know how much better that will make you feel. You do know, part of it is just being a guy!

Hope he gets better soon (with or without the doctor visit).

[MamaC]

Hey Laurie,

My dear sweet (watch out for dripping sarcasm) daughter is away at school and has been under the weather for hmmm, 2 weeks now? Finally decided to address it today (throat and cough, mostly) to the tune of "should I go to the campus clinic ($20)? to the team doctor ($50)?" Of course nothing out of network is covered so I take the $$$ hit for anything short of an ER visit. Grrr. Doc says maybe upper respiratory, come back in 2 days if you don't feel better, no flu test because no fever. Here's Mucinex D (another $10).

Just grumbling so you know it isn't just Dean and diabetes. It's Jenn and celiac too. It's college kids and their perceived invincibility.

I hope he goes to the doc and gets a relatively clean bill of health. Seems like he is at least taking care of the diabetes aspect.

Becky

[Margaret O]

Laurie,

Just sending wishes that Dean is feeling better. :cwds::cwds:
Is he still feeling bad since the last episode? What does his endo think? We too have had a lot of undefined bugs running through our town too. I know you wish you could mail him some hot chicken noodle soup. (((Hugs)))

[Lee]

Ok, ok - how is he now??? Oh yeah- love the piggy!

[OSUMom]

I just texted Dean. I've had to let this go a bit because it was driving me to the deep end. At this stage of parenting there is only so much you can do. :rolleyes: He was not listening to me and going back to the doctor. For today he says his throat is better but his cough is still there. This has gone on for what 3 weeks?? Now I know this stuff is hanging on because at home my other son and I have been sick for a week with little improvement.

I talked to the CDE on Tuesday and the endo called me back yesterday. Basically all is covered. Dean has increased his basal rate per dad on Saturday night. Numbers are okay. I just don't want to mask anything that really should be cleared up in the way of a doctor visit.

So I guess he is okay - but could be better. He is not healthy healthy - let's just put it that way, but maybe he's on the upswing since the sore throat is improving. :cool: If one is a control freak, just wait until your kids are in college the experience will set you free - there is no other option!!! It's a cold turkey kind of experience.

I'd like to thank Ellen here - who has helped me out on more than one occassion in D emergency situations and her support with the college aged son has lifted me and sustained me. Ellen what would I do without you - two simple words my sweet friend. Thank you!!! And thanks to all of you during this long cruddy illness Dean has had when this old mom is away and helpless. Thanks my CWD friends!!! I'm just going to take the little glimmer here that Dean is improving - whether he is or not. :p

[OSUMom]

P.S. Since the Living Cells Technology transplants, I love pigs!!! :D

[PattyR]

OSU Mom - you said it about the control freak and the cold turkey aspect of it. It is sooo hard.

And, I believe you have one still at home. Just you wait :D Talk about losing control for good.

[OSUMom]

And, I believe you have one still at home. Just you wait :D Talk about losing control for good.

Oh Patty, you took my breath away!! I hadn't thought of that - I'm still holding on! hahaha ha! ;)

[momto2]

We've had mixed luck with doctors at college. When my daughter broke her leg studying in Chile (but doctors couldn't find the break when she first got back...and we eventually had to find her a doctor at school in Virginia). That doctor was FABULOUS!

But...she had to go see an internist (who "specialized in diabetes") because she couldn't get in to her endocrinologist over Christmas break. That was a total disaster. He gave her a hard time for not considering the pump (she had considered it, but decided at this time, it was not for her). The nurse, who was supposedly diabetic, told her that her A1C of 5.5 was too high! The whole experience was bad - poor bedside manner.

He prescribed the insulin pens which, it turns out, she dislikes. (Does anyone else have problems with them not releasing all their insulin and not doing small enough increments?)

[OSUMom]

Gail, my son just is starting pens today for a week while going to spring break. We forgot he needed the needles and didn't have a prescription - I just had to pay out of pocket because he leaves shortly. Ugh. Anyway, I can let you know if he has problems, but he usually doesn't use small increments of insulin.

Hopefully your daughter has enough self-confidence to know that her A1C was excellent - to knock down a 5.5 is ridiculous and actually irresponsible in my opinion!!!!!!

My son because of circumstance will not have seen his endo for 6 months by the time he returns in June. It is tricky, and I wonder if it would not be better for him to switch and set up his endo in the city where he goes to college since he's there more than at home. It all makes for a tough transition though doesn't it?

[bgallini]

My son because of circumstance will not have seen his endo for 6 months by the time he returns in June. It is tricky, and I wonder if it would not be better for him to switch and set up his endo in the city where he goes to college since he's there more than at home. It all makes for a tough transition though doesn't it?

This is a big question for us....should we find an endo in Alex's college town or one here. We are going to switch to someone new no matter what b/c I don't like the pediatric group here. I guess part of it will depend on where he ends up going. Most of the schools he's applied to are w/in 2 hours of here (1 1/2 hrs even) so having an endo here might make sense. If he ends up going to Montana:eek:, it would probably make sense to get an endo there.

But I'm learning a lot about what to consider about doctors in general once he gets to school from this discussion.

Barbie, mom to Alex, 17 yrs, dx 10/05 pump since 10/06

[OSUMom]

This is a big question for us....should we find an endo in Alex's college town or one here. We are going to switch to someone new no matter what b/c I don't like the pediatric group here. I guess part of it will depend on where he ends up going. Most of the schools he's applied to are w/in 2 hours of here (1 1/2 hrs even) so having an endo here might make sense. If he ends up going to Montana:eek:, it would probably make sense to get an endo there.

But I'm learning a lot about what to consider about doctors in general once he gets to school from this discussion.

Barbie, mom to Alex, 17 yrs, dx 10/05 pump since 10/06

Our son's school is close to 2 hours away. It can work having the endo at home. Appointments can be at Christmas/Holiday break, spring break, early start of summer (exactly when they return) and very end of summer (just before they go back). Our snag came in when he is not home for spring break. If you do this, set up the appointments ahead of time, our endo is hard to get into - between our schedule and hers it's very frustrating!

This Glucomon (check in with your endo from home) idea which is found on other threads on another forum could be a wave of the future for college students I'm thinking.

[Ellen]

Our son has an endo in the same town as his school. He has the emergency on call number in his cell phone. We met the endo before school started and our son goes for regular appointments through the school year. It works out well.

[bgallini]

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately this is one of those things I tend to obsess over. We don't even know where he's going to school and I find myself trying to find names of endos in all the dif cities! The one thing is we have a couple endos that people have suggested to us here in town. I don't know how to go about deciding about an endo in another town. I'm thinking we'll have to come up with a list of questions and hope they are willing to talk with us.

I've already checked out the pharmacy situation in some of the towns!

Barbie