[hodgsonsurvivor]

When I was diagnosed, diabetes was so far from my parent's minds, they were caught off guard when the diagnosis came in. It was just before my tenth birthday. I weighed about 40 lbs. and was complaining about stomach aches everyday at school. My mom thought I was trying to evade a bully! I felt sick at approximately the same time EVERY day. It wasn't unusual for me to drink lots of water as it was encouraged in our household. The water lead to the frequent urination. I don't really remember any other symptoms, as I was very young, but my mother says that hindsight was so much clearer.

[Tori]

Help, I'm new to this forum and my boyfriend is a Type 2 diabetic and has chronic bad breath...is it worse at times, but it seems to be really bad when he exerts energy

[patricia42256]

Originally Posted by Harold

Not Symptoms, but something you may have noticed, I did before a type 2 Dx.

Minor wounds, scrapes and scratches, that use to take days to a week to heal and disappear now take weeks to months to disappear.

Colds, not the annoying type of cold that goes away in two weeks. That you can ignore as long as you keep moving and keep your mind off of it. Talking about the cold you would describe as the "Cold From ****." The kind that involves the entire respiratory system. The kind that keeps coming back every month, or will start in the Fall and last well into Winter no matter what you do for it. You will or have called it the flu, a respiratory flu, but antibiotics will not touch it.

Weight Gain and Loss, that is not normal or usual going into the Winter months. Not talking about the several or a few pounds you normally see gaining or loosing with the season changes. What I am talking about is dozens of pounds that you gained, and lost only part of it with the seasons change. The number 1 reason weight is blamed for type 2. The medical community treats it as a cause rather than a symptom. Because they see it after the fact. Just MHO!

Good Idea Deus and timely.

Hi, I have the thirst.I have been known to drink so much water that my stomach is swollen and I feel ill and go to bed.I always thought it was the things I eat.I thought I had just eaten something salty or such.I crave water every time I eat anything. I go to the bathroom sometimes 7 times at night ,but at least 3 time but hardly ever that few times.I get sleepy after I eat especially after I drink soda.I feel better before I eat than after.I used to weigh 172 Not good for me 5'1".I felt so shocked I did not weigh for months.Then one day my kids were weighing so i did to.I was shocked to see I had lost like 15 lbs.I have since lost 27 lbs and I eat whatever i want.I weigh now 145 fully dressed.But thoses are the only symptoms I have.I have no insurance so i have not been tested. My daughter does have a kit to test but I hate needles so bad i can not bring myself to test.

[patricia42256]

Originally Posted by DeusXM

Mods, sticky this if you wish.

Do you think you might have diabetes?

First, see if you suffer from some of the following symptoms:

*Raging thirst
*Frequent need to urinate
*Rapid weight loss
*Blurry vision
*Fatigue

One of these on their own doesn't really mean anything. Several all at the same time might.

I have all the symptoms! Does that mean I have diabetes?

No-one here on this forum can answer this question for you. As a group we might know a thing or two about diabetes but there is only ONE group of people on the whole planet that can tell you whether you have diabetes or not - doctors.

If you think you have diabetes, don't umm and ahh about it. Don't bother getting some blood or urine testing kit from a pharmacy - at the most they'll point you in the right direction but they're by no means definitive. Don't kid yourself that you don't like doctors or hospitals. No-one does. But they're here to help.

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE DIABETES BUT AREN'T SURE, GO AND SEE A DOCTOR.

Then we'll be able to help you with all the rest.

Do you mean we can buy a test at a drug store to test like using urine?

[kalakida]

Hi everyone. I had pretty much the same sypmtoms with hodgsonsurvivor, only I was 37. Before I ended up to the hospital I happened to browse a magazine and found out about diabetes symptoms. Suddenly I realised that I had them all
As it was Saturday I decided to go to the hospital first thing Monday morning. Well, in less than 2 days I had lost 13 pounds. Monday morning found me at the hospital with BG 627 mg/dl!!!
So everyone reading this thread PLEASE, PLEASE do not wait until something bad happens to you. Try reading the signs and help yourself. All the forums of the world are here to help people like as, but for God's sake do not depend on them..... run a test once in a while.

Thanks for reading

[Ponykid]

Hello,
I just met the criteria for pre-diabetic. Lucky me! I went to the doctor complaining of fatigue, migraines, and dull chest pain because I needed to see her in person to get a refill on the migraine medication.

The doc didn't seem concerned and didn't refill the migraine med (yikes!) because she suspects "rebound headaches" and wants me to take a "headache class" (as if I haven't read every article I could find.) She did order bloodwork. Most tests were within normal range except a vitamin D deficiency (???) and a fasting glucose of 101.

So now I have pre-diabetes. She seems to think it is because I am overweight (BMI 30) wants me to lose weight I gained this last year. The thing is, I wouldn't have gained weight if I hadn't felt so awful these past few months. I have gained a 30 pounds since Sept. not by eating more, but by moving less due to fatigue. It is REALLY hard to get up some mornings. I feel so tired in my arms and legs. I don't quite know how to describe it.

It seems counterintuitive, but does high blood sugar make you feel tired?

Since my dad and uncle were both diabetic, I'm wondering if this pre-diabetes might be to blame for my recent health issues.

Another symptom I forgot to mention to the doctor is numbness/tingling in hands/arms that wakes me up when I am asleep. It that worth telling her? I get the feeling this doctor just thinks I'm a whiny drug seeker. I don't like taking medication but I have to work and can't teach a group of children with a raging migraine!

Ponykid

[foxl]

Just to interject another symptom ... FURRY TEETH!

I had noted that early on ... my teeth would just get filthy, no matter what I did or ate!!!

I can tell my BG on "high days," by the amount of plaque. YUCK. GROSS.

Back to regularly scheduled conversation ...

[Ohana]

Originally Posted by foxl

Just to interject another symptom ... FURRY TEETH!

I had noted that early on ... my teeth would just get filthy, no matter what I did or ate!!!

Foxl,

I too notice this - when I go high after a meal, and need a nap to sleep off the high, after I wake up I am extremely thirsty and always feel like I haven't brushed my teeth in days!!!! It IS gross! Good think I am obsessive about collecting new toothbrushes and toothpaste!

[missymew101]

My doctor had me take my annual blood tests just a few weeks ago. When he called me to come into his office (I'd not gotten around to booking an appointment with him after my blood tests), I was apprehensive.

He told me straight out that my blood sugar reading was 6.8 I said that it had to be a fluke. There is no history in my family (both sides) of diabetes. My parents are a very healthy 82 years of age, and other relatives have lived to a ripe old age with no diabetes.

I eat a healthy diet - mostly raw fruits, vegetables and whole grain breads and muffins. I don't drink juice - just unsweetened coffee, milk and water. I eat very simple foods - no sauces - and very seldom eat any meat.

I have gained some weight over the past few years. I've also tested myself with a One Touch Monitor occasionally as I've had diabetic cats for over 14 years. I've always tested in the 4's - and once was a 5.0 It has blown me away with surprise.

The doctor has given me the monitor for 2 weeks and then I'm to go back to see him. He wants to see my readings over this two week period. I also think he knows I need to see for myself. And, yes, I'm seeing the truth.

I've always been a huge water drinker - so it never made me think that there was another reason for my huge thirst. I mostly eat salt free as well - I don't have high blood pressure - just have always avoided too much salt. I occasionally have blurry vision - but I suffer from migraines.

Thank you for listening.

I now see I've got a huge learning curve in front of me. I'm so glad that I've found this forum for information, support, and, hopefully some friendships.

-Susanne

[rj13]

Hello,
I had the same symptoms (except for the weight loss), but my doctor didn't diagnose me with diabetes until a few weeks after my wife was diagnosed.

RJ

[rj13]

Hello,
I'm new here, and I NEVER thought that I would say this, but ... my wife is smarter than me. Almost 2 years ago my wife bought a diabetes book about super foods and lost 27 pounds. More importantly, her average BS went down to 87.4 and a1c to 5.1% and her doctor took her off the diabetic medication. But, he says she'll be back on medication in a year or so.

Anyhow, I felt that I had nothing to lose, so, I tried this man's super foods and raw food diet program. My BS average went down to 85.6, my a1c to 4.9%, and I LOST 37 POUNDS [my wife is jealous )]

The author almost DIED from a diabetic coma, his book is well-written and very thorough -- he believes in raw food dieting, juicing, etc., and explains step by step what to do. It's so simple!

I was a little afraid of raw foods, I think because of the "bland" taste. But this author provides a lot of cool tips about how to make Brussel sprouts and broccoli taste sweet but still healthy for you! And, it works! I always hated Brussel sprouts because they're so BITTER, but not anymore! )

The author is an engineer. He breaks down the medical jargon and explains how diabetes really works, and why some diets won't work, and why certain foods are necessary for blood glucose stabilization. He also explains all the myths about diabetes.

p.s. I am so happy to be off the diabetic drugs! AND I FEEL GREAT! So does my wife.

p.s. It's been more than a year now, and my wife's docotr is surprised that she hasn't had to go back on medication. He's trying to convince her to take a low dose to be on safe side.
(Does that make sense to anyone? -- doesn't to me or my wife).


Sincerely,
Richard

[Dollia]

I have been to the doctor and it was a humilitating experience. I have another appt on Friday with another doctor who hopefully will refer me t oan Endocrinologist.

My symptoms
dry eyes slow to focus
dry mouth/thirst
frequent pee breaks,
headaches
EXTREME fatigue 1-2 hours after meals often but not always accompanied by nausea.
6 early Miscarriages after 2 easy uneventful pregnancies and births.

I am in excellent shape. I run 6-7 miles several times a week, not overweight at all.

I just turned 32, and don't smoke or drink (it makes me sleepy).

I finally bought a glucose monitor and my levels range from 74-161 1-2 hours after meals. I feel BAD over 120 however, from what I've read that's not that high, and rarely, do people have such symptoms with pre diabetes. I always feel great first thing in the morning and had one reading of a 112. I only feel bad after I eat, so I often either avoid (when I know i'm past my mealtime) eating or I graze all day. Only symptoms I can find with pre-diabetes are being overweight, which I'm not. Exercise doesn't always make me feel better either.

I guess I was wondering if anyone has anything helpful to bring up at my doctor's appt.

I DON"T have a diagnosis, but I was hoping that I might be prepared for my second appt, as I know my post prandial glucose levels don't seem to correlate with how badly I feel.

[youngmiki13]

wow..this is a very informative thread. Sometimes people just ignore these symptoms because they thought that it was no big deal. For example, when they are always thirsty they blame it on the weather. And the blurry vision, they blame of lack of sleep or something like that. They also associate their fatigue with the lack of sleep. My friend has ignored these symptoms for the longest time and now she is diagnosed with diabetes.

[rravindranath]

diabetic treatment is lifelong
otherwise life wont be long
so get it all along
knowing where you belong

[ofatmarine]

Since diabetes affects every organ and system in our body, I can sure see why the forum will wisely not diagnose it. The symptoms can be the usual plus a lot of others.

We need a professional diagnosis, I agree.