Unknown

[Kyle]

So there is a history of diabetes running on both sides of my family, but I never really payed attention to it until now. I am a very active hardworking almost 20 year old kid whose got a good job and about to be married life is good. Well, recently i have been noticing some weird things that frankly scare the **** out of me, and ever single thing is a warning sign for type 1. I have been peeing 5-8 times a day during my normal work day (8-10 hrs) regardless of how much i do or don't drink, needless to say all of the fluids i have going out of me have created an insatiable thirst (in the interest of not dehydrating i have begun to drink a gallon to 1.5 gallons of water a day just to keep hydrated), i have for the past 4 months been getting extremely bad headaches, also i am experiencing the feeling of always being hungry even if i had just ate a short while before as well as being abnormally tired and physically exhausted all of the time. The last thing, and perhaps the scariest is i have lost a significant amount of weight over the past month, i don't have a scale but i have dropped my waist size by 4 inches since the beginning of march. In a couple of weeks my health insurance will kick in and i can see a doctor about this, but in the mean time i guess there is not a lot that i can do.

Kyle

[Cyborg]

First off, welcome aboard...

Secondly, get to a doc. Sorry to tell you, but you do have all the classic signs. Hope you don't have the big D, but if you do come back here and make some friends. Lots of good people here to help.

[Dewey]

So there is a history of diabetes running on both sides of my family, but I never really payed attention to it until now. I am a very active hardworking almost 20 year old kid whose got a good job and about to be married life is good. Well, recently i have been noticing some weird things that frankly scare the **** out of me, and ever single thing is a warning sign for type 1. I have been peeing 5-8 times a day during my normal work day (8-10 hrs) regardless of how much i do or don't drink, needless to say all of the fluids i have going out of me have created an insatiable thirst (in the interest of not dehydrating i have begun to drink a gallon to 1.5 gallons of water a day just to keep hydrated), i have for the past 4 months been getting extremely bad headaches, also i am experiencing the feeling of always being hungry even if i had just ate a short while before as well as being abnormally tired and physically exhausted all of the time. The last thing, and perhaps the scariest is i have lost a significant amount of weight over the past month, i don't have a scale but i have dropped my waist size by 4 inches since the beginning of march. In a couple of weeks my health insurance will kick in and i can see a doctor about this, but in the mean time i guess there is not a lot that i can do.

Kyle
Hi Kyle and welcome. :shakehand I understand these symptoms may be scary for you, but there's something you can do (since you haven't yet been checked). If possible (not sure where you are located), you could run down to Wal-Mart or another store and pick up a blood glucose meter for a failry decent price: Reli-On meters are cheapest (i.e. the Ultima), and provide the same accurate results as higher priced meters. This way, you can at least personally check to see if something's up. It's not wise to wait, but having been in your position, I understand how hard it is to just run down to the doctor or ER without insurance coverage. Truthfully, per the symptoms you've described, it does sound like you have Diabetes (further testing will confirm/deny & provide details such as Type, if it is indeed Diabetes). The best bet is to get to a doctor ASAP, but if that's not immediately possible, at least get a meter to check your sugar.
If nothing else, you're only out $30 (for both meter & 50 strips)....and health is priceless!

Welcome, and hope you get things in check very soon. Please keep us posted!

[camjen1]

Welcome!!

If your family is all to familiar with this disease why not try testing on one of the family members glucose meter?

[Dewey]

Welcome!!

If your family is all to familiar with this disease why not try testing on one of the family members glucose meter?
Good point, Sandi (I missed that - my bad...:o ).

[Kyle]

i live nowhere near any of my family i moved out at 17 shortly after graduating from highschool and moved to columbus ohioand have been here for 2 years now, and also my family is a little wierd in that most of them are already gone and no one talks to eachother outside of their immediate family.

[lelggren]

I agree, you need to get checked as soon as possible. The effects can cause a lot more expense if you wait longer. I can certainly understand that you don't have ins, and that it is expensive to go to the dr though.

Dewey makes a good point. Get a meter and check your bg. At least that may give you some comfort for the next couple weeks until the insurance kicks in.

Good luck with it! Welcome! and congrats on your upcoming marriage! :D

[jeggeman31]

moved to columbus Ohio

Kyle, welcome to the Columbus Metro Area. I live in Grove City. If you want to talk get ahold off me via PM. I agree 100% with the others, you need to see a Dr and soon. The Columbus Metro area is sort on ENDO'S. So when you do get insurance, find a family DR to start out with. To see an ENDO is 4 to 6 months around here.


Glad to have you on board with us. Contact me anytime.

[am1977]

Kyle...

Please see your doctor ASAP... even if that means going to the ER. It sounds like there is something up... and from the symptoms you described, it could very well be Diabetes. Whenever you have weight loss like that, for no reason, that definitely is a tell tale sign of illness. Not trying to scare you, but I think I should be honest.

Diabetes isn't an easy disease, but with doing all you can to manage it, you will be ok. Plus, you have a great support system here, should you need us.

Please keep us posted :)

Take care.

[poodlebone]

Kyle,

I would also try to see a doctor if at all possible. The thing that really sucks, though, is if you DO have diabetes, it could cause problems with your upcoming insurance. They'll say you have a pre-existing condition and might/can refuse coverage for anything diabetes related for a year. That shouldn't stop you from going if you continue to feel these symptoms, though. Maybe you could find a walk in clinic and get an unofficial diagnosis.

Also, many of the big drugstore chains now sell a cheap little meter/strip combo for around $35. It's a vial of 50 strips with a little meter built right in. You could pick up one of those in the meantime, and it won't involve any big expenses.

[Cinnabon]

Welcome and I wish I didnt have to say that, but Im glad u found us, no matter what.
I agree w/ everyone here. It is very true, the fastest way for u to handle this, if u dont want to buy a meter, is the ER. You can get a lot of info and help, and peace of mind till u solve ur problem w/ the insurance. By no means, whatever u have, it will NOT prevent ALL your plans from happening; the marriage, the good life, and all that u had planned to do, will and can happen, no matter what.

Please keep us posted

[corwin]

Sorry buddy but you have diabetes, it's pretty obvious. All the maybe and probably wouldn't amount to 5% chance that it's something else. Read about it online if you like, I was having the exact same symptoms, after a while I did my research and pretty much went to my doc telling him I have diabetes. Your body is burning fat because it gets nothing from carbs, it also very badly trying to flush out sugar that is 5 times the normal numbers running through your blood.

Yes it sucks that you have no insurance but my guess is that you'll end up in the ER way before the couple of weeks untill you get it pass. It's just money, you have the rest of your life to earn it back, don't risk your health.

If you don't take my advice just do me a favor untill you get checked out, stay very attentive to breathing issues, if you find yourself out of breath for no reason you will really be in trouble if you don't get tested. Also stay away from carbs like it's fire, i'm talking everything sweet, potatos, rice, pasta, bread, since you have untreated diabetes these will badly aggrevate your condition.

I wish you the best of luck,

Corwin.

[vrocco1]

The heck with the meter, get some ketone test strips. You could be in very serious trouble if you're not treated for ketones immediately. If you end up with DKA, you will get one huge hospital bill (as in a week in intensive care.. maybe $10K). DKA is where your blood turns to acid because of the ketones. Believe me, you've never felt pain like that before.

Do yourself a favor. Look for a local free clinic if you have to. Untreated, T1 can kill you in very short order.

[Cyborg]

The heck with the meter, get some ketone test strips. You could be in very serious trouble if you're not treated for ketones immediately. If you end up with DKA, you will get one huge hospital bill (as in a week in intensive care.. maybe $10K). DKA is where your blood turns to acid because of the ketones. Believe me, you've never felt pain like that before.

Do yourself a favor. Look for a local free clinic if you have to. Untreated, T1 can kill you in very short order.

That is a good idea. They actually sell ketostix without a prescription. You can get them with a glucose strip on them also for an extra 2$. So for about 15$ you get 50 test strips. You simply urinate on them and they change color to indicate your glucose and ketone levels. You can take action based on the outcome. DKA is a very serious condition that does need to be addressed immediately.

[Aftiel]

Hey Kyle,

Your symptoms are classic Type 1 symptoms, but listen - don't freak out.

Having Diabetes is NOT the end of life as you know it. I have been type 1 for almost 30 years, work more than full time and have a very active lifestyle.

You have an advantage in that diabetes information and treatment now is SO much further ahead than what it was 30 years ago.

Priority 1 - get a diiagnosis.

Priority 2 - find a good endocronoligist.

Priority 3 - make sure your soon to be Wife is educated on the subject.

After that - test your BG, take your insulin, eat right, exercise, and have a wonderful looooooong life.

Diabetes can kill you - or you can die of old age.

That is your choice. So please don't think the sky is falling - it isn't.

Come back and let us know what you find out.

- Aftiel

[sbuff28@charter]

Get the Keytone strips at any pharmacy. Thats the cheapest sure fire way to know if your in danger our not. If they are present and high, go to the emergency room immerdiatly. If not.... then if cash is low buy a meter and REMMEMBER THE REBATE RECEIPT.

You can basicly get any meter for free these days. They all have rebates, just look for it on the box.

The faster you do this, the longer or better chance you have to preserve your panc....so do it, plus not dieing is an added benifit

[Cyborg]

Get the Keytone strips at any pharmacy. Thats the cheapest sure fire way to know if your in danger our not. If they are present and high, go to the emergency room immerdiatly. If not.... then if cash is low buy a meter and REMMEMBER THE REBATE RECEIPT.

You can basicly get any meter for free these days. They all have rebates, just look for it.

Hey, that's right... Someone posted a coupon for a free meter just recently. If no one can find, I'll look later after work.

[Kyle]

some good news for the moment is I will able to get my health insurance activated in 24 hrs. I also need help finding a doctor in columbus preferably near the campus area that i could possibly see this weekend if not i am going to an urgent care as soon as possible. As far as buying a meter or test strips i am not going to be able to as i am completely tapped until may 12 but i should know what the verdict is long before that.

[psilocybin]

So there is a history of diabetes running on both sides of my family, but I never really payed attention to it until now. I am a very active hardworking almost 20 year old kid whose got a good job and about to be married life is good. Well, recently i have been noticing some weird things that frankly scare the **** out of me, and ever single thing is a warning sign for type 1. I have been peeing 5-8 times a day during my normal work day (8-10 hrs) regardless of how much i do or don't drink, needless to say all of the fluids i have going out of me have created an insatiable thirst (in the interest of not dehydrating i have begun to drink a gallon to 1.5 gallons of water a day just to keep hydrated), i have for the past 4 months been getting extremely bad headaches, also i am experiencing the feeling of always being hungry even if i had just ate a short while before as well as being abnormally tired and physically exhausted all of the time. The last thing, and perhaps the scariest is i have lost a significant amount of weight over the past month, i don't have a scale but i have dropped my waist size by 4 inches since the beginning of march. In a couple of weeks my health insurance will kick in and i can see a doctor about this, but in the mean time i guess there is not a lot that i can do.

Kyle

welcome aboard..and good luck

[Cyborg]

some good news for the moment is I will able to get my health insurance activated in 24 hrs. I also need help finding a doctor in columbus preferably near the campus area that i could possibly see this weekend if not i am going to an urgent care as soon as possible. As far as buying a meter or test strips i am not going to be able to as i am completely tapped until may 12 but i should know what the verdict is long before that.

If you go to urgent care as soon as your insurance is activated they will take care of you. The ketostix are only 15$, but I understand how student life can be, been there, done that... Like other posters have suggested, try to avoid carbs for now as it will help. Also try to drink alot of water, but no more than a gallon a day max. Hang in there and good luck.

[lelggren]

some good news for the moment is I will able to get my health insurance activated in 24 hrs. I also need help finding a doctor in columbus preferably near the campus area that i could possibly see this weekend if not i am going to an urgent care as soon as possible. As far as buying a meter or test strips i am not going to be able to as i am completely tapped until may 12 but i should know what the verdict is long before that.
Great to hear that it will be kicking in early!!!! How did you get them to do that? That's really great. So, when you get back from the dr, please post and let us know what's up. We're all pulling for you, no matter what the outcome!

Now, get over to that dr's office! Um, Please. (I forgot, good manners ;) )

[lelggren]

If you go to urgent care as soon as your insurance is activated they will take care of you. The ketostix are only 15$, but I understand how student life can be, been there, done that... Like other posters have suggested, try to avoid carbs for now as it will help. Also try to drink alot of water, but no more than a gallon a day max. Hang in there and good luck.
Actually, you can get a box of 20 ketostix for only like $3.99. They sell them at my work. Are you thinking of the boxes of 50 or 100?

[jeggeman31]

some good news for the moment is I will able to get my health insurance activated in 24 hrs. I also need help finding a doctor in columbus preferably near the campus area that i could possibly see this weekend if not i am going to an urgent care as soon as possible. As far as buying a meter or test strips i am not going to be able to as i am completely tapped until may 12 but i should know what the verdict is long before that.


Kyle any Dr in the Campus area will be months waiting to get in. You can click on the link in my signature and call my ENDO. She may be able to get you in soon, she see's people on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. She is in the Sawmill/270 area. From what I have seen at urgent cares in our area is they may ship you off to an emergency room via squad if you are that bad off. You may want to go to OSU ER. And you may be able to get into an ENDO faster via the ER than urgent care. I will have to look around but I may have an old meter and a few box's of strips I can give you until you can buy some. You may also be able to get a free meter if you go to the ER. I am not sure how they do that.

Let me know if you me to start digging for my old meter.

[jeggeman31]

On another note, I may have one more Home A1C test laying around, and it will give you a good idea what your blood work is going to come out to be. Again let me know. I work at 1030am tomorrow so I could meet you someplace early in the morning.

[Kyle]

i don't know how early you would be willing to go, i work from 730 to 6ish m-f. And right now is the busiest time of the year where if i take a day off from work (i know work is not a matter of life or death) i will be hurting alot of people. At this point i am doing ok just staying away from carbs and drinking alot of water, even though i have already hit my gallon today and really need more. Jeggeman i am going to pm you my phone number since you are the only person here from cbus, give me a call and we can try to work something out. but for now i have to go i have a bible study i am leading that starts in a little bit.

[Cyborg]

Actually, you can get a box of 20 ketostix for only like $3.99. They sell them at my work. Are you thinking of the boxes of 50 or 100?

I usually get the boxes of 50. I thought they were closer to 11$ or 12$, but I know they are a little more with the glucose strip on them. And I usually get the Bayer brand, rather than the pharmacy or off-brand.

[Cyborg]

i don't know how early you would be willing to go, i work from 730 to 6ish m-f. And right now is the busiest time of the year where if i take a day off from work (i know work is not a matter of life or death) i will be hurting alot of people. At this point i am doing ok just staying away from carbs and drinking alot of water, even though i have already hit my gallon today and really need more. Jeggeman i am going to pm you my phone number since you are the only person here from cbus, give me a call and we can try to work something out. but for now i have to go i have a bible study i am leading that starts in a little bit.

I only said to drink no more than a gallon because I know you can get water poisoning by drinking too much water. I'm not really sure what the limit is. Perhaps someone else knows. I'll try to find out myself also...

[jeggeman31]

I only said to drink no more than a gallon because I know you can get water poisening by drinking too much water.


That is the first I have heard of that, learn something new every day

[Cyborg]

That is the first I have heard of that, learn something new every day

It seems to only be a problem when you drink large amounts of water in a very short amount of time. For example, 3 quarts within an hour. Sorry, didn't mean to scare anyone.

It's called hyponatremia.

[jeggeman31]

Well I found a brand new still in the box BD Logic meter I am going to give him, and if I take it to hom tonight, I am going to swing by Walmart first to see if they still have that one Home A1C test left. That way we can do the A1C test on him and I can give him this meter to tide him over until he can get his insurance and to a DR.

[Cyborg]

Well I found a brand new still in the box BD Logic meter I am going to give him, and if I take it to hom tonight, I am going to swing by Walmart first to see if they still have that one Home A1C test left. That way we can do the A1C test on him and I can give him this meter to tide him over until he can get his insurance and to a DR.

You da man! :top:

[Cinnabon]

WOW... u GUYS REALLY PULLED 2GETHER ON THIS. It makes me, even more proud, to be a member of this forum. Please keep us updated...

[jeggeman31]

Well I just got home from sitting down and talking with Kyle and had a bottle of water :cheers: . Man can he suck down a bottle of water :whistling Great meeting you Kyle:shakehand . Walmart did have one home A1C left and I snagged it up for him. We did it and it came back as 5.4 or 5.6 I can't remember now :nurse: Also tested his Blood Sugar and it came back at 90, however he said he had nothing but water all day long :captain:

[Cyborg]

Well I just got home from sitting down and talking with Kyle and had a bottle of water :cheers: . Man can he suck down a bottle of water :whistling Great meeting you Kyle:shakehand . Walmart did have one home A1C left and I snagged it up for him. We did it and it came back as 5.4 or 5.6 I can't remember now :nurse: Also tested his Blood Sugar and it came back at 90, however he said he had nothing but water all day long :captain:

Maybe he won't be joining our happy club after all!

[Cinnabon]

Jegg.. that was truly incredible that u were able to help out so much. It doesnt sounds too bad, but he must still see a doc.

[jeggeman31]

Kyle,

I told you that I could not remember the A1C values, well I found them. So if you click on this link it will take you to the chart (I hope )http://www.geocities.com/diabeteschart/bloodsugarchart.html

[Kyle]

I figured I would let you all know how I am doing since thursday when jegg came to my rescue. Friday was unable to eat all day again until about 9 pm (thank you huntington bank) when my fiance got off work and was able to take me out to Bob Evans where i had a glass of water 2 eggs and a piece of toast before i felt like i was completely full (thats not much for me, i am a big boy). Before eating my bg was at 78 after a little over 2 days of fasting, about an hour later it was at 130 an hour after it was at 120 when i went to bed. Woke up around 9 am and tested and was at 109 and was at 101 right before lunch where i had more water and a grilled chicken breast and only jumped up to 111. i had only fell to a 106 and then had my first real carbs in about 3-4 days and had 2 pieces of pizza. 1 hour later i was a 160 and over the past 4 hours have dropped to a 111 again. so for now it looks like i am not yet a member of the happy little misfits but am still going to see a doctor asap as my ketostick came out positive but thankfully it was low and i still feel like ****, and it is getting worse the more i am getting back to eating every day. I will keep you all posted if anything happens but for now all i can say is that you all have been a God send and thank you very much. If i do end up with the D i will be proud to be amoung you all that jumped up to help me.

[Cinnabon]

Kyle that sounds great. It sounds like your OK , but Im glad u r still seeing a doctor. Keep us posted though. Good luck!

[jeggeman31]

my ketostick came out positive but thankfully it was low

Well I am glad I remembered to give that to you before I left. Keep my number around, call if you need anything.

[Kyle]

Just wanted to tell about what happened today. Today i went back to acting normal and just checking my bg 1 hour after meals then again an hour later. Woke up this morning at a 106 and had nothing for breakfast, for lunch had pasta and a grilled pork chop 1 hour later i was at 189 next hour was at 121. for dinner i was dangerous and has a wendy's bacon cheese burger small fries and a medium coke an hour later was at 284 and right now i am at a 180 and will check again right before bed. But it really seems to me that as i get back into the habbit of eating regular i am starting to feel worse and worse. The best that i have felt in the past few weeks was this last friday before i had eaten and had not had anything for over 2 days besides water. at the moment i kinda feel like the poor guy on the left here :boxing:

[poodlebone]

Just wanted to tell about what happened today. Today i went back to acting normal and just checking my bg 1 hour after meals then again an hour later. Woke up this morning at a 106 and had nothing for breakfast, for lunch had pasta and a grilled pork chop 1 hour later i was at 189 next hour was at 121. for dinner i was dangerous and has a wendy's bacon cheese burger small fries and a medium coke an hour later was at 284 and right now i am at a 180 and will check again right before bed. But it really seems to me that as i get back into the habbit of eating regular i am starting to feel worse and worse. The best that i have felt in the past few weeks was this last friday before i had eaten and had not had anything for over 2 days besides water. at the moment i kinda feel like the poor guy on the left here :boxing:

Kyle,

Those post-meal numbers, especially after your dinner, are not good. Were you able to get your health insurance started? Have you found a doctor? I'm worried about what a doctor will say based on just a FBG test. Some of them would blow off a 106 as being nothing. Make sure you keep a lof of all of your own BG tests, and keep a record of what you ate to get those readings. Bring that info with you when you do get to see a doctor.

[Kyle]

Insurance starts in 1.5 hours and then i will start the process of finding a doctor that i can trust or just going to the Ohio State University hospital as it is in walking distance. But i have resolved to stay away from all carbs and keep drinking lots of water until i am able to get into after i see a doc.

[jeggeman31]

Insurance starts in 1.5 hours and then i will start the process of finding a doctor that i can trust or just going to the Ohio State University hospital as it is in walking distance. But i have resolved to stay away from all carbs and keep drinking lots of water until i am able to get into after i see a doc.

Kyle click on the link in my signature and call her. She is wonderful Endo and is in the Sawmill/270 area as I told you when we met. It took me years to find an ENDO I trusted and her and her staff are wonderful. They will do all the checking to see if your insurance is one she takes.