Dx yesterday

[rusalka]

I was initially diagnosed with Pre-D about 6 years ago. I was on a perfect diet then, at a good weight for me, so both the dr. and I didn't think I need to do anything besides staying on my diet and continuing to stay active.

I went to a new dr. this May and 2 days later had an episode of shortness of breath and chest pain, which ended me in a hospital for 3 days. The blood tests in the hospital all had my fasting BG at over 100, so did my dr's blood test. She sent me for GTT and A1C. Here're my results: fasting 96, 1 hr 200, 2 hrs 124, A1C 6.0.

Not bad when I read this forum. But the dr. said she's going to treat me as a diabetic. She's putting me on metformin 500, simvastatin 40 and lisinopril 2.5 mg. She's also sending me to a nutritionist. I'm also getting a BG meter.

In the meantime, I have headaches a lot and hot flashes and yes, I'm thirsty all the time. Yesterday at an outdoor concert, I danced, which I love doing, but after 5 minutes I was out of breath and sweating profusely.

Could hot flashes be related to Pre-D? I'm 47 and have been dealing with Menopause symptoms for a long time now, but never had hot flashes till 2 weeks ago. Now I have them at least once an hr.

Also, someone on another forum asked if I was diagnosed as Type 1 or 2. Can you be Pre-D type 1? The dr. didn't say and I just assumed that I was Type 2.

I'm pretty overwhelmed with all this at the moment and I still don't know what caused the shortness of breath and chest pain. But also glad that I'm catching the D/Pre-D pretty early.

Thank you!

Marina

[Ronin]

Hi Marina!

You asked an important question: "Can you be a Pre-D type 1?" Actually that is either LADA or Type-1.5, but yes you can. The critial test is to check your C-Peptide levels (the C-Peptide is a molecule that begins as part of insulin but breaks off and is an indicator of insulin production.)

Most MD's assume that all adults are headed towards Type-2 and are therefore "insulin resistant" (IR). However, a lot of people, particularly people who are otherwise fit and not overweight, can be either LADA (which is an autoimune problem) or Type-1.5 (which means your pancreas is failing). In both cases all you get is the nasty side effects of the Type-2 drugs and none of the benefits.

If you ask me -- demand a C-Peptide test (should have been done with the OGTT but it is expensive so many MD's don't order it). This makes for an ironclad diagnosis versus the traditional try this, then try that until they finally figure out what is going on, actually spending more than the C-Peptide test would cost in the first place.

[Subby]

Hi Marina, regardless of your other questions (and regardless of what type you might be/be developing), if you are thirsty, feel strange with exertion, and not feeling that great, it is a great idea to get that BG tester ASAP! Put other things aside to do it. You really need to start to get a handle on what BG level you are at, and whether you are too high. Thirstiness may imply you really are getting up towards damaging/dangerous levels, and you're doing yourself no favours by being up there. All sorts of other side effects can occur at those levels too. I typically get out of breath and easily feel physically "overwhelmed" if I push myself when my BG is too high. The kind of high where there needs to be some real action and monitoring to get it down.

Good luck in sorting it all out.

[rusalka]

Thank you both for your replies!

I received my BG monitor and used it this morning and have q's about how to use it.

First, it doesn't say in the instructions to wipe the site with alcohol before testing, just to wash your hands. If I'm not at home when testing, it would be more convinient to use an alcohol swipe. Would alcohol affect the reading?

Second, are all fingers OK to test from? Can you use different parts of the same fingertip consecutively? Sorry if these are stupid questions. I'm brand new to all this and don't want to waist expensive strips.

The monitor I'm using is Accucheck Ultra 2.

Thanks in advance!

Marina

[rusalka]

Ronin,

I forgot to say that I'm also an avid bicyclist. I haven't been riding as much lately with all the medical stuff going on, but I'm riding to my freelance job every day this week so far...slowly. Hoping to get back into more biking, dancing, swimming soon.

Marina

[princesslinda]

Marina, just make sure your hands are clean and dry before you test. Alcohol can actually make them dry out more. I generally don't use it.

Test on the sides of your fingers rather than the pad. Your ring fingers are generally your least calloused. I use all my fingers (even thumbs), generally preferring the thumb or smallest finger. They'll all toughen up quickly if you test often enough.

I stick myself, wipe the first drop of blood, then use put blood on the test strip.

Make sure your hands are clean, as food, lotion, etc, can give you false results. If your hands are soft, use a lower number on the lancing device (higher the number, deeper the stick). I use the One-Touch Mini, and test on #1 or #2.

[genie86333]

Also, yes, alcohol wipes *can* affect your bs readings...but so can some types of soap! Best thing to do is make sure your hands are clean (by whatever means is best for you) and totally dry after cleaning them.

[DCaplinger]

I agree with Genie. I wash my hands with water, no soap, then dry them thoroughly with a clean towel. Then I test.

:)

Regards,

D

[Ronin]

Hi Marina!

I'm glad to meet another bicyclist. I'm in the exercise/recreation branch of the bicycling world. Primarially a tandemist but off the tandem while my stoker heals from a dislocated/broken elbow cause by a fall. So the single bike gets a lot of road time right now.

Keep those pedals turning and for goodness sakes - stay upright!