A banker from Glasgow has told how he nearly died and lost a stone in weight in four days before being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Gary Paterson first raised concerns with his GP in 2013 after suffering typical symptoms like dehydration, feeling weak, and trembling limbs.
He was allegedly advised to eat more and ensure he had "three square meals a day" but continued experiencing energy crashes and always feared something else was wrong.
Issues came to a head in February 2019 when a bout of sickness left him lying and vomiting on the grounds of the Victoria Hospital in Glasgow having lost a stone in four days.
He was suffering from deadly diabetic ketoacidosis, where the body does not produce enough insulin.
Gary was then hooked up to insulin drips, tested, and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Now he's urging Scots to "push for tests" if they believe they may have the condition.
Gary, 33, told the Record: "When I was diagnosed I'm surprised at how relaxed I was. I was relieved to have confirmation and know I'm not a hypochondriac.
"I didn't ever complain to the NHS but I do worry about what damage being undiagnosed for so long could have done to my body."
Over the years Gary's symptoms varied but they were all linked to diabetes.
"I'd go through spells of feeling dizzy, weak, sick, have blurred vision - like I was craving sugar," he added.
"I would buy a load of rubbish from the shops and be fine after.
"This happened now and again and went on for years.
"When the doctor, at Practice B, Govanhill Health Centre, told me to eat more I wasn't eating breakfast but other than that there were no other issues. I didn't want to cause a fuss so left it."
In February 2019, Gary was en route to work and hit with sickness, extreme exhaustion, and dizziness.
After getting back home he 'couldn't keep anything down' so his parents, Mary and Jim, both 57, drove him to A&E at Glasgow's Victoria Hospital.
"I could barely get out the car," Gary added.
"I crawled then lay on the ground in the car park, vomiting everywhere."
A nurse ran to his aid and he was blue-lighted to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital when ambulance staff feared he would suffer a 'heart attack'.
"I'd lost around a stone in those four days due to severe dehydration and not keeping food down," he said.
"It was all a blur but looking back, it's scary,"
Gary was in fact suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis; a serious complication that, if not treated on time, can lead to a diabetic coma and death.
After a series of blood tests he was finally diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Now, Gary takes regular insulin injections and medication for blood sugar levels.
To mark his 'diaversary' - diagnosis anniversary - on February 28 he shared his story on TikTok which has racked up over 28,000 views in a few days.
"People need to be vigilant and keep pushing doctors for tests if they know something isn't right,"Gary added.
"Don't always sit back and take the doctor's word for it."
You can find more videos from Gary on his official TikTok page.
For more information on diabetes and the support available visit the NHS website.
