I may be diabetic

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

I went to the doctor on Tuesday. I should find out next week.

This has been in the back of my mind for the last couple of months. I finally brought it up to a guy I work with who has type-2 diabetes. He said I'm going through everything he went through before he was diagnosed a year or so ago.

I do have the symptoms:

I've lost 10lbs in the last 6 months without trying (I actually eat like a horse because...)
I'm constantly hungry
I'm always thirsty
I pee a lot
I'm exhausted most of the time
I'm irritable (well, MORE irritable)
My vision gets blurry (especially after a long day)

At first I thought it was just the crazy hours I was working (60-70 hours/week proofreading). The symptoms come and go. I'm actually feeling pretty good, but I felt LOUSY for the last few weeks.

I don't know for sure yet, but I keep flip-flopping from "acceptance" to "denial" and back again.

I'm trying to look at the positive side of it all. This is a kick in the ass for me to take better care of myself. I've lost weight (32lbs since 2005; moderate changes in eating habits, and, perhaps, DIABEETUS!) so now I can continue to lose weight in a healthy way.

It's sort of funny-- my company prints a lot of things for Sanofi-Aventis. I kept getting diabetes info (the Apidra pen, a calorie/fat/carb guide) to proofread. I was just thinking, "I should REALLY get this checked out!"

Anyone have type-2 diabetes? What advice can you give me? I'm worried about having to take my blood sugar every day (I'm SUCH a wuss!). How do I eat? Is it like Weight Watchers with "exchanges?" :help:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k203/petrina_02/diabeetus.jpg

[west milly Tom]

i found a great fuzzybutt doggy grooming business card I've been meaning to show you fo months now. coming soon.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

i found a great fuzzybutt doggy grooming business card I've been meaning to show you fo months now. coming soon.

Sounds great!

I LOVE Coach McGuirk! My favorite episode is when he was trying to become a life guard. :clap:

[HBox]

Checking your blood sugar is usually painless. Just keep to the edges around your fingers and NOT right in the middle of your finger. There are less nerve endings on the sides of your fingers. There are some blood sugar meters that require very little blood and allow you to use your forearm which are completely painless but in my experience it is very difficult to get enough blood from your forearms.

I have type 1 so I can't help you further other than that to say the obvious: keep the calories and carbs low. But doing it and saying it are very different things.

[boosterp]

Awe Petrina. :wub:

It has been crazy here but I will try to call you tomorrow.

[Stankfoot]

Working 60-70 hours a week could explain all those symptoms!

[KatPw]

Hugs to you Alice. I'm not diabetic, but my mom was type 2 and it runs on both sides of my family.
Diabetes is very manageable, but it must be monitored carefully. The new home testing kits have come along way and are pretty painless. If you are diagnosed, talk to your doctor about the kind that allows you to take blood from your forearm (it's less painful than the finger-stick method). Many companies actually give the testing machines away now, along with a sample of the testing sticks. Diet is particularly important. Small meals several times a day will help you maintain a proper blood sugar level. Being diabetic does not automatically mean that you have to give yourself insulin, my mom managed her's through oral medication and diet. I would also suggest you see your Dentist for cleanings and exams three times a year instead of two, because Diabetes is considered a connective tissue disease (blood is a connective tissue) and Diabetics tend to have more periodontal problems because of this. Keep an eye on any cuts and bruises you may get, particularly on your extremities. Since Diabetics heal slower this opens you up to infections. If you are maintaining your blood sugar at a good level it will help you immensely in preventing infections.
If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

Thank you SO SO MUCH katpw!!!!!! You've given me a gold mind of info.

I think I could adhere to the diet. Grazing though the day on smaller meals makes sense. I do actually like veggies and low-fat food.

Thanks so much again!!!

[A.J.]

I think all you need is some Ringer's Lactate from this guy:

http://www.nndb.com/people/686/000024614/jsmirkbysquad.jpg

I hope it's nothing serious P.

[silks]

Hang in there, Alice. I know that it must be nerve-wracking waiting for those results. My father and grandfather are both diabetic, so I have been around it my whole life. Kat's info is right on the mark. I get checked often and do my best to try to eat right (easier said than done). A few years back, there was a time where I was sure I had it because, like you said, all the symptoms were there. Turns out the tests came back negative.

My father used to follow an 'exchange' type diet, but for whatever reason ended up straying from it. I guess he got a handle on what he can and cannot eat, because even without following a strict regimen, he always gets a thumbs up from his endocrinologist. He is especially careful with carbs. My grandfather is pushing 90 and still sneaks a bowl of ice cream in once in a while...

It is an extremely manageable, and there are constant advances that make it even easier. The blood tests aren't nearly as bad as you would think, and my father uses a jet injector, which instead of needles, injects insulin using pressure.

There are many great support groups, for diabetics and non-diabetics alike, so you definitely don't have to feel like you're alone!

Hope you're feeling better soon. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out.

[silks]

I think all you need is some Ringer's Lactate from this guy:

http://www.nndb.com/people/686/000024614/jsmirkbysquad.jpg


That Randolph Mantooth is the dreamiest!

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

All this orgy talke made me forget the exciting news:

I'M NOT DIABETIC!!!!!!!!!!! :clap:

She ran all sorts of tests (glucose, thyroid level, iron levels, cholesterol, liver functions, everything) and they're all in normal range.

But this has indeed been a kick in the pants to really take care of myself and keep losing weight in a healthy way.

[Gvac]

Congratulations!

Hot fudge sundaes all around!

Extra sugar, please!

[silks]

Glad to hear!

[Death Metal Moe]

Glad to hear it Fuzzy. It's just easier without it, but if I were you I'd keep up on the healthier food idea anyway.

[A.J.]

Excellent!

[El Mudo]

Hooray!!! :clap::clap: