Could I have diabetes?

[woodworker5280]

So over the past year or so, I've noticed some things going on that were different than normal (my body was changing, lol). What I noticed was that, although I'd always been a skinny kid, that I was actually losing weight during times I thought I was eating well. I also noticed frequent urination and how I was always remarking on the fact that I was ALWAYS thirsty, no matter how much water I drank. Couple all this with constant fatigue/lack of energy, and I started getting paranoid. SO, as any uninformed "jump to the nearest conclusion" American would do, I looked up the symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes, and voila, it's a match.

With all the blood thats been taken from me over the past 6 months, could it be possible to miss diabetes? Is it something that needs to be tested for specifically? Am I a paranoid crazy man that needs to eat more fruit?

-aaron

 

[woodworker5280]

oh and add to those symptoms the occasional numbness/tingling in the hands and fingers

 

[Ross]

Definately have symptoms, but you'll need to be tested for it. I thought the same because I've been having a lot of neuropathy in my feet, but Doc said nope. I'm anemic from my dental excursion, kidneys haven't worked well since my aneurysm rupture and everything else just goes hand in hand.

 

[geebee]

Even those with diabetes can have normal blood glucose levels. The only way to find out for sure is with a Glucose tolerance test. Talk to your doctor and ask if it can be done. There are other things that could cause such symptoms but best to put your mind at ease about diabetes (or get you treated if that is what it turns out to be).

 

[Eva]

Aaron,

You are in love...that's why you are losing weight!...just kidding.

To have peace of mind, you can ask your GP to do the A1g diabetes testing which is more accurate and gives the results based on the sugar in your blood for the last three months!

My numbness in my hand, mainly during the night, is caused from extra salt in my food which since I avoided I do not feel it. But who knows!

If you have a very sweet tooth, try to eat less sweets...avoid juices and colas which are loaded with sugar and eat fresh fruits which have good fiber!

 

[sue943]

I am not sure why you think it is type 1 rather than type 2 but you need to get tested sooner rather than later.

 

[Nupur]

Hmm, now you are making other extremely paranoid people think they might have it too : ) Just kidding. But I didn't know tingling of fingers is related. My fingers always tingle but I assumed it's because of bad circulation. There's a relationship with salty food as well? Where does that come from? Aaron, when in doubt, always get checked, even if your doctor thinks you are annoying. It's your heath.

 

[BigOwl]

Ask for an A1C test with your regular blood work. It'll give your doc a number to work with. Type 2 is usually late-onset, associated with overweight and a complex of problems that begin with being not-so-young. I've got controlled type-2, and only have to make sure I eat at regular intervals (and don't wallow in simple carbs) to control it. Type 1 is different and has different symptoms. Just get yourself tested ASAP.

 

[lilteach3234]

I was asked after surgery if I had ever been told I have diabetes. My blood sugar went wacky after surgery. I've never been told I have it so they were kind of concerned. All of my vitamins (B-6, B-12, calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.) went totally haywire after OHS.

 

[Tbone]

It is always better to eat 5 small meals a day than 3 big ones. All the latest research shows that this is a good way to control your blood sugers. Also, if you need quick energy that will last eat peanut m&ms or a snickers. You have all the suger & more importantly a protien that allows the suger absorption to be steady.

 

[Cozycat]

Woodworker, sounds like you have alot of symptoms, but only blood work will tell for sure. My 14 yr old grandson was diagnosed with Type 1 at 2 1/2 yrs. Life can be a roller coaster living with diabetes, but it is doable and with the pumps they now have, it becomes a lot easier to control the blood sugars. There is very little you can't eat if you learn to handle it correctly. After about the first year, you know the carb content of almost any food you care to eat. But, hopefully, tests will show that it is not diabetes.

Note to lilteach: when I was stepped down to the cardiac surgery unit, a nurse comes in with a syringe and prepares to give me a shot. Since I knew most medicine was oral, I asked what it was for. She said it was a shot of insulin and I told her that I had never had problems with my blood sugar in any blood test I had taken--every one was right where it should be. She said my blood sugar was raised while I was in the intensive cardiac unit but she said she would ask the surgeon and left without giving me a shot.
Never saw her again. So in addition to tearing your body apart for OHS, it also screws up alot of the chemistry in your body also.

I just saw a picture of the device they use to open up your rib cage so they can get to your heart. No wonder we all feel so sore for so long. I'm glad I saw it after surgery and not before!

Midge

 

[pamela]

The drugs used during the on-pump portion of your surgery, to help your blood chemistry remain relatively stable, produce a lot of sugary byproducts. Even though my pancreas was fully functional and healthy, I still needed a bit of help to metabolize all the extra glucose. For about 3 days post op I was insulin dependent and on a strict monitoring schedule along with a diabetic diet.

Woodworker, the doctors also explained that sometimes normal function is indeed effected and recommended that I have my glucose tolerance tested at 1, 3, and 6 months post op. It sounds like asking your regular doctor to order the labwork wouldn't be out of normal and should be easy enough to plan for your own ease of mind.

To everyone, there's just not enough insulin produced post-pump by a normal gland to take care of those artificially induced high blood glucose levels so be assured that OHS patients are monitored in ICU and many come out of it with the need for a metabolic boost.

Take Heart,
Pamela.

 

[DavesMom]

Hi

Sure does sound like you may need further testing - even if just to put your mind at rest.

My yearly fasting blood glucose level is always normal but I also have a lot of the symptoms you mention, so I always wonder if they're missing something. I tend to crash immediately after a carb-heavy meal. I barely have time to put the dishes in the sink before I'm comatose.

I'm thinking of getting myself one of those home glucose monitors at Wal Mart and see what the results are.

In any case, get yourself checked out. A friend of mine just had the 2-hour glucose tolerance test and said it wasn't too bad.

Cheers,
Michelle

 

[Superbob]

Tell your doctor about the symptoms, and he/she will surely order a fasting blood test. You eat nothing after 9 or 10 in evening (as per instructions), go in the next morning, and they will test for your morning glucose, and for A1C (average over past three months). Generally, if fasting glucose is above 126, they will look at the possibility of it being pre-diabetes. If so, this is not a death sentence or anything --- with exercise, proper nutrition, and (when needed) meds, it can be controlled very well.