Diabetic and don't know it?

[MTmama]

I think I'm in trouble. I have a family history of type 2 diabetes. I'm Native American. I'm morbidly obese. I had gestational diabetes that required insulin with my last pregnancy. Lately, I've been thirsty, peeing a lot, sweaty, waking up panicky and feeling anxious and sweaty, nauseated. Today I went to Wal-Mart and when I was walking around, I felt really hungry because I hadn't eaten in a few hours and then started feeling jittery, shaky, sweaty, like my blood sugar was wayyyyy low. I thought I was going to pass out. I bought a Snickers and ate it in my car before pulling out of the parking lot. By the time I got to the first stop light, I felt fine. Now I have a headache. I get skin candida (yeast) infections and have had a tooth infection that will not go away. I'm on my fourth round of antibiotics for it. Right now I have no health insurance so it's hard for me to go to the doctor but I'm really worried I'm diabetic. I've also been drop-dead tired all the time with no energy or motivation and while it's easy to chalk that up to depression, sometimes I wonder if part of it is glucose related too.

Can anyone shed light on diabetes symptoms or let me know what this sounds like? I know nobody is a doctor (that we know of) around here but I just wanted some input if anyone has it.

[ant hill]

First of all welcome to DF MTmama. :)
Have you seen a doctor about your condition? You do have a concern here so see your doctor.
Being a native american, Is there a peace pipe that I can share with you? :)

[notme]

MTmama, I don't think anyone here can put your mind at ease. Your symptoms are more of a hypoglycemic than they are of someone with diabetes. The jittery feeling of being low is usually associated with someone on insulin or medication for diabetes. If you are truly a type two, your symptoms probably would not include low blood sugar.

Your best bet is to go to a doctor. If you can't afford a office visit, you can go to Wal-Mart and buy a meter. You can get one for in the $30.00 range and it will include a few strips to test your blood sugar.

You really need to see a doctor and get all of the other issues addressed as well as a fasting blood test. Some of your symptoms are definitely that of diabetes.

[HelenM]

I really feel you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. I hope that some of your fellow Americans can suggest ways to do this.
I'm staggered that you are able to take 4 courses of antibiotics (which would, for good reasons, be prescription only here) without the supervision of a doctor or dentist. If it is diabetes (and you do need a doctor to diagnose ) surely it might be cheaper to address the cause of the problems rather than spending lots of money on self medication which isn't working.
(I admit I don't have any experience of your health care system but when I read stories like this I get very angry about it )
Good luck.

[Emm]

Absolutely see a doctor - and in the mean time, learn about carbohydrates and their effect on blood sugar. If you can avoid some of the higher carb foods (bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, sweet foods & drinks, etc) then you're a good few steps ahead and may be able to balance out your blood sugar. Exercise helps too - even just a little bit.

Obviously I can't say for sure but it does sound likely that you could be a type 2 diabetic... so please don't leave it, you'll need to see a doctor soon.

[Evermont]

Welcome. Maybe you're wrong about having diabetes. I think it best to know.

If I wanted an answer and I couldn't access a doctor, I might go to a private medical testing lab for and HbA1C test. In the mean time, there are many things you could do to help yourself regardless of whether you have diabetes or not. It makes sense to learn about these things and do them.

Isn't it common for a T2 with elevated BG to "feel low" even when higher than normal?

I've also read that diabetes can lead to depression (aside from knowing how much diabetes sucks), so depression may not just be an alternative cause of low motivation, depression may be another symptom of diabetes. Twisted huh?

[Stuboy]

go to wal mart, buy a glucose mater and some test strips... and test your blood sugars before you eat, 2 hours after your lunch and when you're feeling tired.

If you dont have a doctor, you can do your own initial tests with a simple daily tests.

As a non diabetic you should see number between 72 and 126. much higher than these then you are likely to be diabetic (but remember it depends on when you test. leave it at least 2 hours after a meal)

[fgummett]

Hi MTmama! Welcome to DF... glad you found us :)

...family history of type 2 diabetes. I'm Native American. I'm morbidly obese. I had gestational diabetes that required insulin with my last pregnancy... I'm guessing that you already know; all these are risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes. I gotta say the US health care system sucks in cases like yours. You really do need to see a doctor, are there any free clinics in your area. Buying a meter and attempting self-diagnosis is not really the best option. I assume you don't live in a Native American community... if you did, I assume there would be a medical clinic? Is there a Native American organisation that could help you? Up here in Canada the Assembly of First Nations (http://www.afn.ca/) are a pretty organised and vocal group... I'd be surprised if there was nothing similar in the USA?

[princesslinda]

Welcome MTmama! Before being diagnosed with T2, I was waking up at night all sweaty, with my heart racing and feeling very anxious and shaky. I went to the doctor because I thought I was having perimenopausal symptoms and wanted something for anxiety. He told me that with my family history he expected diabetes....a quick A1C blood test later, I was diabetic, with a 90 day average blood sugar of 264.

With your history of gestational diabetes with the above symptoms, i'm thinking you may have progressed to T2 diabetes. I'd STRONGLY suggest you see a doctor. Is there a local Health Dept. that would see you for free or for a rate based on income?

You don't want to ignore these symptoms, as complications can arise from too high blood sugars.

I've had a couple of hypo (low) episodes and to me, they felt somewhat similar to the high episodes as well...I was jittery and sweaty and anxious with both.

Until you see your doctor, i'd encourage you to drink plenty of water and watch your carb intake (breads, pasta, rice, potatoes).

[davef]

MTmama,

Welcome to the forums, I really can't add anything more to what has been suggested, but I would like to add voice to those advocating you see a Doctor.

Do let us now how you get on.

[patricia52]

Welcome. So sorry you are not feeling well.
Have you called the County Health Department? They may be able to help you find a cheap or free clinic. Also call a few doctors offices. Explain your symptoms and your situation about no insurance, etc. Some doctors offer a reduced rate for people with no insurance. You definitely need to know what is going on with your body.
Keep us posted.

[mortis505]

Your states Bureau of Indian Affairs should be able to provide info and assistance on medical aide. Check and see what they can do for you. And please get to a doctor as soon as possible to get checked out.

[fgummett]

I did some searching... I hope there is something here to help you:

Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center... (http://www.miwrc.org/resources.html)

Minnesota State Profile and Resources... (http://nnlm.gov/gmr/regional/states/mn/statepage.html#A9)

Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers... (http://mnachc.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7BA64C0C9D-77D8-4E18-85E9-D5175EBB3883%7D)

[Dewey]

Hi MTmama and glad you've found us. I wish I could put your mind at ease, but I think the others are right in that you may have Type 2 Diabetes.

As Stuboy mentioned, getting a meter and some strips will help you see where your blood sugars are. Wal-Mart offers Reli-On meters for $8.88, and strips cost $21.95 (for 50 strips).

Though you may have felt symptoms of a low when you were shaky and hungry, it's very possible that your body is used to running at higher blood sugar levels & reacted that way when your blood sugar was coming down.

Here's hoping you get the help needed there & please let us know if there's anything we can do along the way. Once again, welcome.

[slipperyelm]

Well, I'll just be blunt and say that from this end of the internet, it looks to me as if you have diabetes. Your symptoms are certainly consistent with diabetes and you do have several risk factors.

I also just want to speak against this idea that a type 1 said early in the thread: "Your symptoms are more of a hypoglycemic than they are of someone with diabetes. The jittery feeling of being low is usually associated with someone on insulin or medication for diabetes. If you are truly a type two, your symptoms probably would not include low blood sugar."

Type two diabetics can experience the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) at actual blood levels that could only be described as hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Regardless of the levels of glucose in the blood, if the cells are not getting the glucose they need, the body does not function properly. The brain, muscles, and other organ tissues are trying to work without being able to use all that glucose floating freely in the blood stream. If you are very insulin resistant you might have the same symptoms of hypoglycemia--like an adrenaline surge-- that a type 1 or a normal person might not have until in the 40/ mg/L. So an uncontrolled type 2 may have those symptoms at, say, 180 instead of 40. Yes type two can get that adrenaline surge with the pounding heart, sweating, pallor, jitteriness, shakeiness.

MTmama, that same Walmart where this happened will have metformin, the most commonly used medicine for type 2 diabetes for just $4 for a month's supply. If you have Type 2 and can get control of it, you can save having to buy this Snickers rescue bars and the antibiotics as well.

I could have written you post before I was diagnosed. I experienced all those things you've told us about and more. I even remember having problems while being in Walmart. Back in those days I carried candy in my pocket, which of course helped make me feel better momentarily, but in reality it was only adding to my problems. I never was feeling actually good before getting diagnosed and getting my blood glucose down. Tell me, does this happen to you? You pee before leaving home, then whenever you get to Walmart or wherever you go to the toilet there right away, then when before you leave the store you go to the toilet again, when you get home you dash inside to go pee once more? I don't know, maybe you aren't as bad off as I was before diagnosis, but believe me, I knew where every public toilet was! :)

Oh and that headache? Does that sometimes take hours to go away after you've had an episode like the Walmart one?

[fgummett]

Agree 100% that someone with uncontrolled type 2 can have the symptoms of low sugar (hypo) when in fact their blood stream is just swimming with excess sugar (hyper) which can't get into the cells to be used... or maybe the low feeling results from going down from hyper to nearer normal..? In my experience this never gets to the stage where you lose all bodily control or pass out as can happen all too quickly when the body truly is low on sugar... as experienced by many with type 1... but it is pretty overwhelming just the same :o And yes I have also been in that Wal-Mart, searching for a washroom while speed-eating a Snickers bar :)

[Phonelady61]

I think I'm in trouble. I have a family history of type 2 diabetes. I'm Native American. I'm morbidly obese. I had gestational diabetes that required insulin with my last pregnancy. Lately, I've been thirsty, peeing a lot, sweaty, waking up panicky and feeling anxious and sweaty, nauseated. Today I went to Wal-Mart and when I was walking around, I felt really hungry because I hadn't eaten in a few hours and then started feeling jittery, shaky, sweaty, like my blood sugar was wayyyyy low. I thought I was going to pass out. I bought a Snickers and ate it in my car before pulling out of the parking lot. By the time I got to the first stop light, I felt fine. Now I have a headache. I get skin candida (yeast) infections and have had a tooth infection that will not go away. I'm on my fourth round of antibiotics for it. Right now I have no health insurance so it's hard for me to go to the doctor but I'm really worried I'm diabetic. I've also been drop-dead tired all the time with no energy or motivation and while it's easy to chalk that up to depression, sometimes I wonder if part of it is glucose related too.

Can anyone shed light on diabetes symptoms or let me know what this sounds like? I know nobody is a doctor (that we know of) around here but I just wanted some input if anyone has it.
hi do you have any opportunity to go to a state medical assistance clinic ? if you do that would probably be your best option because you are in the same boat as alot of us are . I used to work almost 70 hrs a week as a waitress in a restaraunt and guess what no health insurance benefits . I had to go to the state assisted clinic . they said they would only help me one time . it seems i did not qualify because I owned a car . maybe your state medical program will be a little kinder to you . But I think that will be your best option . good luck dear and I hope I helped .

[Janlaton]

Do you live on a res? As a native american do you not have federal health benefits available? If you can not afford a doctor go to your local health department. Get help anyway you can. You definately need to see a doctor.

Yatahay

[Achilles]

MTmama. Sorry to hear about your health. Your family history and your symptoms you describe puts you at a higher risk of diabetes. There have been many great suggestions here for you. The sooner you can get to the doctor to properly diagnose what you have the sooner you are on your way to feeling better. A lot better we all hope.

Just summarizing the advice in the interim prior to seeing a Dr. Avoid high carb foods like breads, white rice, and sugars. If you can afford it, go to Walmart and purchase that glucose monitor and strips so that you can get familiar with how different foods affect your blood glucose levels. Try to get some exercise each day even it means starting off with walking for 10 - 20 minutes / day.

Best of luck to you.

[Janlaton]

Forgot to add I am Cherokee heritage. Just a sideline. I am always being asked if I am "Full Blood" cause I am lite skinned. I always say "No I'm a pint low from sticking my finger to ck my blood sugar.":D

[UpNorth]

You definitely need to go see a doctor as soon as possible! If you can't see one VERY soon, then at least get yourself a meter so you can check at home.

And on another note. it is fully possible to feel low when in fact being high. I experienced a bit of that before i was diagnosed with Type 1. My blood was loaded with sugar, but my cells couldn't use it because i was lacking insulin.

[Tinki]

I can tell you my experiance. Since a teenager I've been hypogloceimic. My sugar would go into the 50's easily. Then around 35 it went away for a year. A year later, I'd eat a meal, have desert, drink a sugar soda and feel hypo. Then I craved water with lemon in it. I mean I was drinking it by the quart jars. My big toe started going numb and my eyes hurt. With both partents diabetic I knew what was proberly happening. So, one day I'm at my moms, feeling like ****. (Tired, joints hurting, horrible feeling) I asked to test on her machine...it was 485!!! Another tip I had was lung infections that would not go away. Wal Mart has very inexpensive meters to test with and their meds are very inexpensive. BUT GET TESTED!!! I understand lack of funds and lack of health insureance. But please, run, do not walk to a doctors office or emergancy room and get your blood sugar tested.

[jerryn]

Do you know anyone with a Blood Glucose meter? You should test! Go to a Dr. You've got many symtoms of someone with Diabetes out of control! Hypoglycemeic. I'm type 2 or 1.5.. the jury is still out and I don't have those symptoms. If your skin is and teeth are gettig infected then your bg levels must be consistently high.. like over 340, and that's bad. This can damage your eyes, liver, kidneys and more. I don't want to scare you but you have to get to a Dr. and get this under control. If it's as high as I think it is you are probably going to be on insulin for a little while and possibly wheen over to oral meds. Again I don't want to scare you but you have all the symptoms of type 2 out of control. You need to get it under control. You need to drink lots of water.. like 8 glasses/day no alchohol at all, low carbs. just have scrambled eggs or a hard boiled egg for breakfast with a little fruit. A wheat muffin or no brad at all. steak, fish ok.. 1/8 rice.. not a lot. not a lot of potatoes.. and no sweets at all. You have to do it. After a while you get used to what you have to do to stay healthy. Good luck! And get to a Dr. Go for a walk if you can. Good Luck!

[Janlaton]

You are aware I assume that being Native American does put you in a higher percentage of people likely to become diabetic. So pleaseeeee get to a doctor or clinic now if you have not already.

Your sister