[Marnie]

Hi, I have just found this chat room and have just finished reading some posts–it appears to be more active than the last chat forum I registered with. It seems very informative. I am 45 yrs old and have had diabetes (insulin dep) for the past 26 years. I have had a number of complications the past while and wonder if anyone shares the same. -seizures with low blood level--hypoglycemia unawareness--gastroparesis--loss of genital sensation and bowel incontinence. Not a great list but I would like to hear from others who share similar challenges and how they are coping. Thanks

[TAutry]

Hi Marnie,

Welcome to the forums!

I haven't had any of the complications you describe. I hope there are others who can and will share their experiences with you. I will look forward to reading your posts.

Travis

[Marnie]

Hi Travis
Thank you for responding. I felt a little awkward laying out my list like that however I feel pretty isolated re having the need to know of others who at least experience some of what I have been encountering. I have just gone on sick leave from work this week and awaiting a MRI in a couple of weeks--they have me on urgent and that takes a minimum of 4 weeks to get booked. Hopefully there will be more answers--bottom line is that if it comes back negative then the bowel and sensation difficulties are diabetes related and not some other problem. Part of me is in shock that I even made a post re these personal issues. Hope to hear from others soon.
Bye for now.
Marnie

[TAutry]

Marnie,

Don't be shocked or embarrassed by your post. We are all somewhat kindred souls here, linked by our disease. Any of us could experience the same things you have. Hopefully, we are developing a community here to learn from and support one another.

Travis

[Jon]

Last April my son had a seizure when his bg dropped too low. If you go back to April 16 posts, you will see where I wrote about it under the Parents topic. I was a little shaken when I wrote it, because I had just returned from the emergency room in the middle of the night. I had misjudged the Humalog he was taking, thinking it would not work as fast as it did, and had him take a shot when he was feeling low because he was about to eat dinner. We had just switched from Regular, which takes longer to start working. Fortunately it has only happened once, and it was an extreme low.

I had never heard of gastroparesis, but I am glad you mentioned it. I looked it up after reading your post, and I am going to have my son tested for it. He has occasional stomach problems, and alot of times will throw up for no reason. I thought he just had a weak stomach, but the article I read says that about 20% of type 1 diabetics develop gastroparesis.

[Marnie]

Hi Jon
It took a couple of years of tests (gall stones, ulcer etc.) before I was referred to a diabetic specialist on another matterand he immediately ordered the stomach emptying scan to be done and it was confirmed that my stomach was not emptying. I have since been on medication to help my stomach empty and most of the symptoms have subsided. I am so sorry your son had a seizure -- I know that it is harder on my loved ones who have witnessed mine. My new diabetic specialist and neurologist stress that for me I need to keep my sugars levels in a safe range that is well above typical.
I switched to Humalog and Humulin N five years ago and I had to test constantly to monitor the bg's during that time. I take five needle a day and monitor 6 to 8 times a day and sometime more. It really helps to keep me safe. We are lucky to have the ability to do that!! My daughter who is 26 now was diagnosed at 13 and is insulin dep.-- she is doing really well and has show no overt complications--great news! My other daughter is 21 and has tested neg to date. How old is your son?

[Jon]

My son is going to be 12 in another month or so. He was 8 when he was diagnosed. So far he has not had any serious problems other than the seizure, but that didn't seem to do any permanent damage. Aside from his occasional stomach problems and leg cramps, he seems to be in good shape.

[Gina]

Jon,

Thats so weird because i have leg cramps alot also...every since i was diagnosed...in the begining i had it so bad it kept me up at nite ....i couldnt sleep for the life of me and i would cry myself to bed because it hurt so bad at one point i had it in both legs at the same time....i tried everything nothing worked to help the cramps....is there anything that you do to help your sons cramps out?

[Jon]

There is not much I can do for him other than rub his legs, and tell him to stretch the muscles out. It only seems to happen after an extreme high. Sometimes I will fill the bathtub with warm water and baking soda, and have him take a long bath. Other than that, I don't know what to do.

I have heard in the past that too much calcium can cause cramping. I wonder if it is true.

[Gina]

i dont know i dont have that much calcium... i pretty much hate milk products....

[CherylAnne]

Marnie,

Thanks for sharing your complications with diabetes so honest and openly!

It is obvious by the number of hits on each thread, here in this forum, that many do not voice their opinions, or share their thoughts, experiences and knowledge on the topics given.

I have not yet entered a topic, that I have not learned something! I am greatful to those of you who are not embarrased to share. By 'laying it all out' we can all help each other! Let's face it, diabetes isn't a pretty disease and simply, it's not going to go away, we must deal with it!

I do not have diabetes, but my mate Bill (42), is type 1, over 10 years now. Lately, he has been experiencing lows and had a seizure as recent as last week. I believe, Bill experiences hypoglycemia unawareness. I think he shoots low, to keep from being high!

I came to this forum, reaching out to other diabetics, because I did not understand Bill's mood swings. It wasn't easy for me to 'hang my dirty laundry' here in cyberspace. Bill, was treating me with disrespect and embarrasing me in front of our friends.

Through the help of those of you here, who spoke up, I have come to realize that it is when Bill is low in blood sugar that he starts his rants. I have become so accute to his personality changes that 9.99 out of 10 times, when I think his sugar is low, it is!

There is comfort in knowing that others share the same experiences as Bill and myself. As a direct result of this forum, I am more understanding of Bill, and compassionate to the circumstances diabetes puts him in.

I challenge those of you who have not yet broken the barrier, to take a load off, to open up and share your experiences with diabetes.

Welcome to Diatebes Forums!

Cherylanne

[statdeac]

Cherylanne, I have the same problem about getting cranky when I'm low. One time I got so unreasonable upset about something in a restaurant that I had to excuse myself and go the restroom where I proceeded to pitch a total fit!

I was so upset that I couldn't seem to control my emotions at the time.

Once we connected the dots on the blood sugar, it was comforting to my wife to realize that there was at least an explanation.

Lately, I haven't had any of those episodes. They mainly occurred within the first year after diagnosis. Maybe my body has adjusted somehow. Maybe this could happen with Bill, too.

[Gina]

When im low i get like cranky and weird all at once...like i slur my words and dont exactly know whats going on ...i hear you but i cant understand what your saying kind of thing...im a little better with my lows also...but i think you never get used to it overall...you just have to learn to deal with your hubby and his mood swings...it cant be that bad!! unless he is low all the time then i would have seperate beds lol just joking

[Jon]

That is one of the things I have to tell my sons teachers to watch for. Personality changes. When he was younger, he was in afterschool daycare. The lady in charge of his group was new, and was not aware of his diabetes. He told her he was "low". She did not realize he was talking about bg, and just said ok. When he went inside to get a snack, she flipped out and chased after him. He ended up running all over the school yard and hopping a fence, before she finally caught him. Fortunately somebody finally figured out what was wrong and gave him a snack, but when I showed up to pick him up, she was still very mad at him. She didn't understand that when the sugar drops, the brain starves, and the personality will change.

I just can't figure out where he got all that energy to run from her while having a low!

[statdeac]

These stories are really funny AFTER the fact, aren't they!