Diabetes Thread - Do you have it? In the family?

[ForcedTorque]

I'm 43 now, and have known I have type 2 Diabetes since I was 39. At that time, I drank about a 2-Liter and 4-5 20 oz. cokes a day, plus a fountain coke with my junk lunch. Imagine this, I was pissing quite a bit. It had gotten to where urgent pissing was a problem, and I actually pissed myself a time or two. I was cruising around life without a clue what diabetes even was, even though both my parents have it as well. At the footstep of 40, I thought this signaled that a prostate check was in order. Even though I was terrified of that test, I went anyway, believing that was my problem.

I got to the doctor visit, and they handed me a pee-cup, and had me then go to an observation room. They took vitals, and had me wait on the doctor. I waited with bit lip and white knuckles. The doctor walked through the door, and asked me, "Do you know that you have diabetes?". He referred me to a doctor, and I escaped the intrusion. My blood sugar that day was 458.

I saw the doctor, and he explained the disease, and made recommendations. He put me on insulin to get me to a manageable level. I gave myself injections two times a day. After a month, he saw great improvement, and took me off of the insulin. He started me on Actos and Januvia, and those kept me very regulated. I tested my blood twice a day. I had levels averaging in the mid 90's, with it never saying 100 or higher. I quickly started testing the system, and found that as long as I drink diet drinks or water, I can eat almost anything I want to eat. For 4 years now, things have stayed the same for me. My diabetes is very manageable.



What type do you have?
What problems do you have?
What do you take?
Do you have family members with it?
What is your weight/height?

 

[DsBetterHalf]

It can be quite a shock to find out you have it, especially at a later age.

I have Type 1 diabetes - juvenile insulin-dependent. I was diagnosed at 10 months old. I feel so incredibly sorry for my parents, not only did they have an infant, they had one who had to take shots twice a day. I think I was 6 when I gave myself my first injection. It's very predominant on my father's side of the family, and I think a large part of that is because obesity also runs strong on that side.

I had a lot of problems, especially during high school. Not checking my sugar, not taking my insulin, eating whatever I felt like and damning the consequences. Five hospital trips in 3 months sort of stopped that. Lately I have had very few problems, and what problems I have are from my own stupidity - forgetting to take my insulin, or not taking enough to cover what I'm eating.

I'm on Lantus, which is a 1x/day insulin...take my shot first thing in the AM, and it lasts for 24 hours. I'm also on a sliding scale with Humalog, which is really fast acting. I LOVE IT. My sugars have probably never been in better control since I've been on it. I can eat whatever I want now, so long as I take some Humalog to cover it.

I'm 24, I'll be 25 in October. I am a grand-whopping 5'1" tall. Because of some recent additions to my meds (I'm now taking Paxil for depression and anxiety issues) I am weighing in at 145 (I gained 10 pounds in 2 months from it), but am doing regular exercise to lose the excess weight. I want to be back down around 125 by the end of the year.

 

[SupraOfDoom]

I don't really know much about diabetes however it's possible I could have it. I definitely have some blood sugar problems but I've had some bad luck with jobs recently and never seem to have any insurance to get it checked out.

Basically I'm a soda addict. If I don't have a lot of food in my stomach and if I drank a lot of soda I start to feel weak, light headed, sweat, and start to shake. It's been going on for about 5 years now but it happens very rarely. I'd say 4 times a year give or take depending on things. I usually go buy a candy bar and feel better really quickly. So I know it has something to do with my blood sugar level. My mom gets hypoglycemic attacks so it could be this? I am getting some information from a friend about a free walk in clinic for blood tests because I'm getting over my macho I don't need that shit state.

I'm only 25, currently around 250 lbs @ 6ft. Started when I was 20.

 

[DsBetterHalf]

That doesn't really sound like a hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic episode, that sounds more like a reaction to caffeine on an empty stomach. You might have what is called "free-floating anxiety," which can be triggered by caffeine on an empty stomach. Sort of like a mini-panic attack.

Hypoglycemia is a chronic case of low blood sugar. Low blood sugar symptoms would be dizziness, sweating, shaking, inability to concentrate or focus, or other similar symptoms. It varies from person to person.

Hyperglycemia is the same, but for high blood sugars. High blood sugar symptoms would be a frequent need to pee, constant thirst, rapid weight loss, loss of appetite, and numbness or tingling in hands and/or feet, if the sugar level is high enough. Once again, this varies from person to person.

 

[ForcedTorque]

Matt, Laura is correct. Your symptoms are similar to a low sugar situation. A soda should not trigger that. In fact, the soda is a liquid, so it would raise sugars quicker than the candy bar. I don't remember you being close to 250 at CHI2K7.

I stay close to about 225 on a 5'9" body. I'm pretty thick through the shoulders/chest area, but I have a belly too. My arms and legs are not those of a fat guy, and I'm fairly athletic. My current weight is down to about 210. I didn't mention weight before.

 

[savannahashlee]

I am borderline Hypoglycemia.. When I was 9 months (almost full term pregnant), my highest blood sugar count was 95.. I average around 70-80.. When I was in college, my blood sugar got as low as 50 one time, when I passed out on the soccer field in Tacoma, Wa.. Though, they dont actually consider hypoglycemia as diabetes, I have to be very careful. I have to eat 3 times a day, with snacks.. I also watch what I eat too.. Junk food makes me extremely sick.. I am trying to cut back on pop too, so now if I feel my blood sugar is getting low, I drink a bottle of juice..

Its strange that I have hypoglycemia, when my mother was diabetic.. My father's levels were getting a little high last year (at 59).. but with diet and exercise, it brought it down... My brother is a very big guy, and doesnt have any inclination at this time of diabetes and he's 35.. Thats not saying that it cant change.. He's doing the same stuff I am, but without the daily bottle of juice.. I've noticed with natural sugars (like in fruit), I actually control my Blood Sugar levels, and have a lot less of a crash after.. I cant tolerate high amounts of sugar, like in energy drinks or mountain dew .. that crap is disgusting..

 

[ForcedTorque]

I try not to drink very many of the energy drinks, but when I do, I drink the sugar free. I have actually monitored my sugar while using them, and seen a drop in blood sugar when I drink them. I would assume that that is caused by the extra activity, caused by the extra energy.

 

[savannahashlee]

Yes, but unfortunately, my generation of people are getting diabetes at a rapid rate from those energy drinks.. they are also developing heart disease.. I knew a 24 year old young man.. He'd been drinking energy drinks since he was 16 years old.. I am talking 3-4 a day.. he developed diabetes and had a heart attack a few months ago..

 

[SupaMan]

my dad has it im not real sure on type and stuff but i know he does so does my uncle and aunt so i prolly have it right now and dont know it.

 

[ForcedTorque]

If your Dad has it, you could use one of his test strips to check your blood. Just be sure to not have eaten within the last couple of hours.

 

[SupraOfDoom]

Matt, Laura is correct. Your symptoms are similar to a low sugar situation. A soda should not trigger that. In fact, the soda is a liquid, so it would raise sugars quicker than the candy bar. I don't remember you being close to 250 at CHI2K7.

I stay close to about 225 on a 5'9" body. I'm pretty thick through the shoulders/chest area, but I have a belly too. My arms and legs are not those of a fat guy, and I'm fairly athletic. My current weight is down to about 210. I didn't mention weight before.

I put on some weight since then. Hopefully not for that long though .

 

[trucker]

Type 2. 6-1 280 (down from 310 when I drove over the road). Lots of family history, it wasn't really a suprise. I found out when I failed a life insurance physical in spectacular fashion. (Lol. Hiv and hep were the only parts I "passed")was on metaformin for a couple of months, then taken off of it. I just watch what I eat, and stay as active as I can. Local DOT office even told me not to declare it on my physicals, said as I am there was no point in going through the paperwork every year. Only thing my dr was worried about was my weight, said if I got to the 200lb range it wouldn't be an issue for me again till I'm in my 50's.