New Guy, Questions, Please Help, Thanks!

[Blink]

Hello everyone, just found this forum and joined. I am a 21 year old male, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 2.5 years ago. My doctor at the moment has not been very helpful throughout the entire situation, basically gave me medicine to take and such after I was first released and I have been going off that ever since. I have gotten my control a lot better and changed a few things here and there myself. I will be seeking a new doctor once I get home from school this spring, as I am currently in college 3 hours from home. I am a big car guy and I am usually on Mustang forums all the time, so it finally dawned on me to see if there were any diabetes forums out there the other day. So hopefully you guys can help me with a few questions that I'll be posting as I think of them.

My current one is a pain I get in my legs at times. When I am running late to class, I will walk super hard to make it there quickly. The day after my legs are usually in pain and it seems like a muscle ache, in both legs, below the knees, same on both sides. Also I have noticed in recent months that when I cross one of my legs while sitting in class, I can only keep it up for about a minute or two before it starts bothering me. Before I had diabetes I could keep my leg crossed, either one for a long time no problems. Now it seems as if maybe my blood is not circulating correctly. I take my medications in my legs, at the side in the fat in my thigh. I take Novolog on one side for meals, and Lantus on the other leg once a day. I have always taken my medicine in my legs, so hard spots have developed in those areas. I was wondering if this could have something to do with the blood flow in my legs or be related to it. What do you guys suspect to be the problem? And is there some type of test I can take to measure the blood circulation in my legs, at a doctor, what would the test be called? Also, is it bad that I always take my medicine in my legs? I just cannot see myself doing it anywhere else, what do you guys do?

Thank you very much for your help! This has been really bothering me, and happens every few months when I over work my legs, I usually get the pain for a few days before it goes away. Such as now I have had it for about 3 days.

Thanks again!

[gettingby]

Hi Blink and Welcome.
I just absolutely love Mustangs!!! Are you more into the newer ones or the classics???
Ok, back on topic. I'm sorry that you are currently seeing a doc that is of no help. Believe me, I've been there in my 20+ years with this. Hopefully we can answer your questions and give you some good advice. Hang in there and post often.
Oh yeah. It's a good idea to rotate your injections. I use my legs, abdomen, and arms.

[Cinnabon]

Welcome Blink..
We will all help you out as much as possible, but we would need a little more info if thats ok.
Have you had an A1c done?
If you have, what was the result?
How often do you check you BS daily?

[Ailsa]

Hi Blink,
If you don't like your Dr get a new one. it's important to have one who is giving you the best advice. at the same time I assume this is your GP? it is important to realise that most GPs only have a basic knowledge of T1 so if you want to know more you may be better to see a specialist.

regarding the pain in legs, I have never heard of that. It could be something else. doctors will always blame everything on D, but don't always agree with that.
It won't be that fact you are doing your shots there. I did mine there for years when I was first diagnosed, but the problem as you are discovering is that you get hard tissue. You need to rotate them. I mark on myself with a laundry marker (takes a few days to come off in the wash) to keep track of where I'm up to & move along a bit at a time. Otherwise it's tempting to do it in the same place all the time. You can basically use anywhere on the body there is fatty tissue. Medics recommend the stomach, but arms & butt are easy too.

Ailsa

[duck]

Rotate your sites, man. It sounds like you need to give your legs a good break, as it were. Do you have enough fat anywhere else to shoot up? (Luckily for me) I can pinch an inch on my stomach, so I had the "luxury" of legs and stomach when I was on MDI, but it is easy to get into a rut and keep shooting up in the same spot(s).

[Blink]

Hi Blink and Welcome.
I just absolutely love Mustangs!!! Are you more into the newer ones or the classics???
Ok, back on topic. I'm sorry that you are currently seeing a doc that is of no help. Believe me, I've been there in my 20+ years with this. Hopefully we can answer your questions and give you some good advice. Hang in there and post often.
Oh yeah. It's a good idea to rotate your injections. I use my legs, abdomen, and arms.

Hello, thanks for the welcome. I love both the classics and present Mustangs out there, I own a 2002 GT and spend a lot of my time on my car. When I am older I would love to own an old 60's Fastback or something similar to work on.

Welcome Blink..
We will all help you out as much as possible, but we would need a little more info if thats ok.
Have you had an A1c done?
If you have, what was the result?
How often do you check you BS daily?

I know I have had an A1c test done, probably twice since being diagnosed. Each time before I start the school year. I do not know what the numbers are, as I never knew what they meant, my doctor just told me they were normal and exactly where I should be. I use to not check my blood as often as I should, but now I am checking it all the time, and do it before I go to bed, when I wake up, and 2 hours after every meal. I should check it before I eat my meal as well, right?

Hi Blink,
If you don't like your Dr get a new one. it's important to have one who is giving you the best advice. at the same time I assume this is your GP? it is important to realise that most GPs only have a basic knowledge of T1 so if you want to know more you may be better to see a specialist.

regarding the pain in legs, I have never heard of that. It could be something else. doctors will always blame everything on D, but don't always agree with that.
It won't be that fact you are doing your shots there. I did mine there for years when I was first diagnosed, but the problem as you are discovering is that you get hard tissue. You need to rotate them. I mark on myself with a laundry marker (takes a few days to come off in the wash) to keep track of where I'm up to & move along a bit at a time. Otherwise it's tempting to do it in the same place all the time. You can basically use anywhere on the body there is fatty tissue. Medics recommend the stomach, but arms & butt are easy too.

Yes this is my GP, I did see a speacialist when I was first diagnosed. Whenever I try to make appointments with her now though, I have to get on a 3 or more month list! And its hard to get a good time since I go to school away from home. I will be done with school in the spring, graduating, so I will definetly be looking for a new doctor. Also I have student insurance here at my university, so I will also be looking to see a specialist here that I can talk to for the next couple of months.

I have a lot to learn, as I was reading through these forums, I realized there is much I do not know. Such as the ratio many mention when dealing with carb counting, like how many units of insulin for each carb. I have never had a ratio like that, and most of the time just take what I think is appropriate and what has worked before, and have been doing pretty good with that. But I would like to do it the right way, and be on top of this as much as I can be.

I will have to look into why my legs get this muscle pain at times, when I overwork them. I assumed it was related to my diabetes, but now see that it may be something else.

Thanks again for all the welcomes and help with my questions!

[Blink]

Rotate your sites, man. It sounds like you need to give your legs a good break, as it were. Do you have enough fat anywhere else to shoot up? (Luckily for me) I can pinch an inch on my stomach, so I had the "luxury" of legs and stomach when I was on MDI, but it is easy to get into a rut and keep shooting up in the same spot(s).

I am a pretty skinny person, but will definetly try rotating my sites. Where exactly in other areas is the best? Such as the stomach, is it best right up front, or on the side, like your love handles? I think my arms would be very hard as I can hardly pinch much on them.

[MarkMunday]

I am also fairly thin. But I have no difficulty using the the love-handle areas of the stomach and the upper-butt, about three inches below the waistline. I don't use the legs or arms because of the lack of fatty tissue.

Cheers,

Mark

[gettingby]

I used to date a guy who owned a sky blue 68 and baby, what a car !!!!!!!!
I used to have an 81 Mustang with a straight 6 that I rebuilt myself. The body wasn't much to look at but that engine would just purr!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, off topic but I can't resist talking about Mustangs !!!:laugh:

[Blink]

I used to date a guy who owned a sky blue 68 and baby, what a car !!!!!!!!
I used to have an 81 Mustang with a straight 6 that I rebuilt myself. The body wasn't much to look at but that engine would just purr!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, off topic but I can't resist talking about Mustangs !!!:laugh:

Yeah I can go on talking about Mustangs forever too, haha. I love the sound of an opened up v8, thats why my first job was to replace the exhaust on this car from the engine back; Longtube headers, O/R Midpipe, Catback, etc... And I love manual, wouldnt drive it any other way.

[duck]

I am a pretty skinny person, but will definetly try rotating my sites. Where exactly in other areas is the best? Such as the stomach, is it best right up front, or on the side, like your love handles? I think my arms would be very hard as I can hardly pinch much on them.

If it tickles, don't use it. :biggrin:

I use my upper legs and stomach, trying not to get anywhere near the belly-button, which is a nerve-packed area. Most people can use all the way around their love handles to the area above their kidneys, etc. Also, upper arms are an option for some, though I think I did maybe three times in 16 years of having this ****.

Some people can use their butt...BUTT NOTT mee...:whistling

[gettingby]

Yeah I can go on talking about Mustangs forever too, haha. I love the sound of an opened up v8, thats why my first job was to replace the exhaust on this car from the engine back; Longtube headers, O/R Midpipe, Catback, etc... And I love manual, wouldnt drive it any other way.
Oh, don't get me started tonight. LOL. I may never shut up !!!!!:laugh:

[SugaryOne]

The muscle pain you're feeling afterward is a normal muscle strain. I take a PE class and if I overstretch that day or walk too fast going to classes, I get the same type of pain the next day. It's called DOMS (or Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) and while once thought to be caused by lactic acid buildup, is now said to be from tiny tears in the muscles from overstretching or straining yourself.

I've had diabetes for 11 years (I just turned 15) but yes, I do get the same type of circulation problem where my legs start to fall asleep and tingle if they are left stationary for too long. Enjoy the pains of diabetes my friend. :P

Welcome to the forum. I have a 24 year-old brother who loves Mustangs as well. :)

[alilpita]

This could be a sign of poorly controlled diabetes taking it's toll on you or just a warning . Changing doctors is a really good idea as you already feel this one is a problem it's time to change. You are really young and shouldn't be having problems like this unless you've really been uncontrolled for a long time. It's critical for you to gain control and try to keep control as this has caused me problems as having a heart attack before I was even in my 40's, yes at 39, too young. But this was from being a little hard headed when younger.
The first step you've already taken and that's realizing that there is a problem with your doctor and with knowing you need some changes.
Here's some things that I have had: first there's something of an ultrasound called a Doppler study where they can check your circulation in your legs and feet. It's not painful just requires about an hour of your time and staying still. They check results with Dr and he talks to you right then I had this done because when I went to the foot specialist just for a check-up, he felt my feet were extremely cold when it wasn't really that cold in the room.
Second, here's just some info for you that may, not saying this is what is happening to you but may be something to consider.
Poor circulation in the leg arteries, called peripheral artery disease, also causes pain in the leg or buttock during walking. It is caused by atherosclerosis, a disease in which fatty deposits of cholesterol build up inside arteries.
Since you are so young and recently diagnosed I doubt this is your problem but I would get with a doctor who shows more concern about your diabetes.
Good Luck

[stella117]

Hmmm--I know prior to being diagnosed I used to be awakened at 5 am with excruciating cramps in my calves. I thought it was from my workout, but in actuality the dehydration I was suffering as a result of my kidneys trying to rid my body of the excess glucose caused a potassium inbalance. Are you urinating frequently?

[sydneya]

Welcome, Blink!! I hope you enjoy the forum as much as I have. In diabetes, knowledge is worth a lot. There is a lot of knowledge on this forum. I have had many a question answered. Please post often with questions and answers as well as just plain old fashion fun.
I would suggest (as many probably already have) that you give your thighs a break for awhile. I have a tendency to use my stomach area.They say to stay away from your belly button since there are a lot of nerves there. But you can use your upper arm or buttocks, too. I was told when I was using my thighs a lot to be cautious about walking or running right after injecting. But since you have the hard spots, you probably don't want to use them right now anyway. Just be sure to rotate often.
I'm sure that there is a way to measure circulation in your legs. I do not know the name of it though. I know they do a filament test on my feet to see about feeling or circulation in my feet.
Again I hope you enjoy the forum and please post often.