I think I may be diabetic =(

Phantom240 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 07:54 PM

So I'm 19 years old, male, and weigh about 270lbs (yeah, im a fatty lol). My grandfather on my dad's side of the family had diabetes.

Lately I've been having really bad crashes at work, to the point where I feel I'm about to pass out. It really didn't bother me, as I thought it was just my blood sugar getting low, seeing as I didn't eat much at work most of the time because I work from 10am to 9pm, and don't eat breakfast. What really scared me was this last friday, I was hanging with my friends and we were about to go have an airsoft war late at night because we all work in the daytime, so I got pumped up on sugary stuff. About an hour after that (yeah, I know it could have been a sugar crash), I began to cramp up really bad, loose my coordination, get dizzy, disoriented, and almost nauseated to the point where I had to have a friend bring me home because in my confusion I lost my key, and the ability to drive... It was like I was really drunk. That didn't bother me much, as I attributed it to a sugar crash. That sunday when I worked, I worked from 12pm to 6pm (mall hours) and so I brought my lunch, which consisted of 2 pb&j sandwiches (carbs and sugars), a small bag of cheetos (carbs and sugars again), and a 16oz can of my favorite energy drink, Rockstar. I like Rockstar, because I found it kept me awake better till the end of the workday. Well about an hour (again) after eating, I started once again feeling really lethargic, disoriented, etc. to the point where I couldn't work the computer or even a calculator. Once again I left my car, and had a friend pick me up.

So I started worrying and asked my parents what they thought of it and suggested that I may be developing Type II Diabetes due to my weight, lifestyle, and genetic history.

So for the last two days (Monday and today) I went on an experimental diet, cutting out as many carbs and sugars as possible.

The result: I feel great. This is a good thing and a bad thing. Its good that I'm cutting out things that keep my weight high, but also bad in that it may indicate that I may possibly be developing diabetes.

What does everyone think about this? Should I be worried that it may be diabetes and see a doctor, or is it just my body telling me I need to diet now that I'm out of high school?

EDIT: Also, this has been happening during the school year as well. And since I've noticed some of these symptoms (about a year now) I've also noticed that I sleep MUCH more than I used to.

I also have some of the other symptoms commonly associated with diabetes such as:
-->Excessive thirst
-->Excessive urination
-->Excessive hunger
-->Fatigue
-->Blurred vision (at times)
-->Frequent respiratory infections, and some finger and toe infections sometimes after I cut them.

barko · #2 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 08:15 PM

Phantom240 ...

Welcome!

In a nut shell:

see a Dr. ASAP. - tell them everything you said here.

ladytaz · #3 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 09:47 PM

what barko said!

Tho I don't believe it has anything to do with your weight, or your eating habits (that's a media fueled "crock" in my book) but your family history, is more likely the cause! As well as, at your age especially, you could very well be T1. That's a generalization I know, but it is a possibility, in that case, you REALLY need to get to the doc ASAP!!!

caswellhb · #4 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 01:52 AM

Yep, see a doctor. The symptoms you describe could ascribed to many things. Best to get it checked out.
Let us know how you get on.

Heather.

Penny · #5 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caswellhb

Yep, see a doctor. The symptoms you describe could ascribed to many things. Best to get it checked out.
Let us know how you get on.

Heather.

If you have Diabetics in your family, then someone surely has a meter and can let you test. Do this, and then see a doctor, no matter what the results, 19 is too young for these things to be happening for no reason.

VinceF · #6 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 06:06 AM

Get to a doctor asap. Your experiments could be doing long term damage to your body.

ubergeek · #7 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 07:21 AM

Go to the Dr. I'm not sure how you managed to put up with those symptoms for a year..... I only lasted about 3 months. The final straw was when my skin started falling off.

So, I say again....GO TO THE DOCTOR!

marchez · #8 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 01:05 PM

I would suggest going to a walk-in clinic ASAP and getting blood work done to test your blood sugar.

Also you can buy sticks from the pharmacy to check if there are elevated levels of glucose in your urine.

You should stop drinking sugared drinks and limit your carb intake until you are seen by a doctor. Try walking for 30 minutes a day to help bring down your sugar.

andypoo · #9 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 01:19 PM

Yes,I definetly would ckeck my blood for a reading,anything below 120 and above 70 is normal. You can go to the doctor and they'll check it for you. If it is follow up on that. Those are definetly the symptoms for diabetes. Come back and let us know,please,what's going on,would you? It'd be cool to hear from you again.