Another HT member health issue

[LikaNui]

Re: Another HT member health issue

Normal blood sugar is around 100. Two months ago mine was 399, four times normal. Last week it had gone *up* to 411.
Dead man walking.
Last week they also ran a test on my A1c, which gives your average blood glucose control for the past 2 to 3 months. It’s determined by measuring the percentage of glycated hemoglobin, or HbA1c, in the blood. For people without diabetes, normal range for A1c is 4% to 6%. The goal for people *with* diabetes is 6.5% to 7%. Mine was 14%, twice normal.
Dead man walking.
And yes, I’ve been eating well, exercising, etc.



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[Hellbent]

Re: Another HT member health issue

Hi,
Just 2 weeks ago my doctor declared that I have diabetes. He also put me on high chloresterol medicine as my triglicerides were at 1000 but I brought it down to 500, which is still too high (150 is the target).
My gluclose was around 377. Aside from a few very rare incidents where my chest hurt I feel fine. It was funny that after I drank a monster energy drink I'd want to take a nap.
I'm a 39 year old asian male. I love, love, love meat and cheese. I also like veggies. (see my thread about aquaponics). I love sweets and ice cream is my krytonite.

In the last week I've gottem my glucose level down to around 200 with an adjustment to my diet (even more salad and veggies) and differnt snacks. (almonds, those brown rice chilli chips from costco)

I started walk/jogging and biking again, previously I was just doing some heavy chores, building chicken coops and stuff.

2 of my co-workers, both older males also recently were diagnosed with diabetes type 2.


I saw an interesting article about 'curing diabetes': check it out.
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun...-diet-06252011

Could this be real?

[Kaonohi]

Re: Another HT member health issue

Pardon me, my brain ha been avoiding war issues.

Were you a VN-combat era veteran? Nam vets are being compensated for type 2 diabetes subsequent to Agent Orange exposure. It nailed a friend of mine.

Somehow I don't think you are a VN vet, so - whatever - a chance for compensation.

[PapaleKea]

Re: Another HT member health issue

>>He changed me from Type 2 up to a full-on Type 1 diabetes, and changed my medications. Still not having to do daily insulin shots, but that may be coming if the medications don't work. <<

Type 1 Diabetic does not need daily insulin shots? Several friends who work closely with Hawaiian health issues, diabetes in particular, define Type 1 as ZERO insulin production by the body. Injectable insulin, and possibly other supplemental forms, are required to sustain life.

Mayo Clinic confirms:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/typ...ents-and-drugs

You might want to get a second opinion.

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Another HT member health issue

you may be suffering from Diabetic Ketacidosis or DKA, this can be a potentially life threatening event which can lead you into the ER. You could also be having the onset of a Diabetic coma. Both require immediate attention.

At 399 you are a candidate for Dead Man Walking. I've been there at 380 and like you never thought I had type I Diabetes. The symptoms were very much there and a good friend told me I may have diabetes. He was right.

Before going to a doctor to confirm it, I did some research on it and started a regiment of a healthier diet consisting of no starches and eliminating sodas, (including diet). I was able to bring my sugar levels down to 180 but was still too high so I sought medical treatment with my doctor. With a combination of Metformin and Onglyza and a good diet, I've been able to bring my blood sugar levels down to 101 and keep it there.

If your blood sugar levels are still elevated be aware of cuts to your legs. Your blood circulation is affected mostly down there (and can be the cause of your dizziness). If you get a cut, you will be prone to infection more readily than without diabetes. Working in the yard and having a cut can be risky to you as it was for me. With Type I Diabetes I managed to get a cut and it turned into a major infection with a bacteria called MRSA. I almost lost my leg if not my life had I not listened to others and gone in for treatment.

Diabetes will make you more at risk for infection due to poor blood circulation in your lower extremities.

[Amati]

Re: Another HT member health issue

Yes, dizziness can be caused by many things. But it is reasonable to assume that it might be caused by the diabetes.

http://www.medicinenet.com/dizziness_dizzy/page3.htm

• Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar occurs because of an inadequate amount of glucose in the blood. A person with diabetes can develop hypoglycemia from an inadequate amount of food intake, or from taking too much medication (insulin or oral tablets), which results in low blood sugar levels. In this situation the person experiences dizziness or lightheadedness because the brain lacks glucose to function properly. Persons with diabetes and their families need to recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia, including dizziness, sweating, confusion, and coma as treatment needs to be given immediately. Oral sugar-containing foods or a glucagon injection may be life-saving for the patient.
• Hyperglycemia also causes dizziness. High blood sugar levels occur because there is not enough insulin available to allow cells to use glucose for energy metabolism. (Interestingly, brain cells do not need insulin to use glucose.) High blood sugars cause a variety of metabolic responses in the body leading to dehydration, anaerobic metabolism, and changes in the acid-based balance. This may result in a life-threatening condition referred to as diabetic ketoacidosis.

Again, make sure you've discussed your symptom of dizziness with your doctor. With knowledge, your diabetes can be well managed.

[Kaonohi]

Re: Another HT member health issue

Dizziness is usually a blood pressure issue, and BP is tied in with diabetes 1 & 2 as well as other thngs.

I get it on occasion, but my BP is OK and my EKG scans are OK, so it's likely medication or inner-ear disturbance.

Meclazine helps a lot if it's an inner-ear thing, which can be onset by flu or even colds! Or even out of the blue, as it happened to me. But then I got so many issues I can't tell which is what.

Keep a good record to give your doctor. He/she will likely ignore half of it, as mine did, bit it helps them decide what to do next:

"Nurse? Krystallnigcht for this patient, please!"

[Amati]

Re: Another HT member health issue

Just a quick update. The past few months have included occasional bouts of dizziness and other times bouts of nausea, neither of which had ever been a problem before. (There are other problems, but not ones you want to hear about.) The occasional nausea still happens, but the bouts of dizziness have slowly been increasing. Today was the worst. I woke up very dizzy and it lasted most of the day. Really really weird.
Anyone know where that dizziness comes from? I'll talk to my doctor, of course, but curious what any of you think.

http://www.medicinenet.com/dizziness_dizzy/page3.htm

Diabetes: Dizziness is a common complaint in persons with diabetes, and may be caused by low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), or autonomic dysfunction (see previously).

The article explains that dizziness can be a symptom of a diabetic condition that needs immediate attention. You've mentioned your dizziness to your doctor, yes?

A concern would be that if you learn to "overlook" dizziness, it could put you at risk if you actually go into an insulin emergency - you might not pay attention to the symptoms. Ask your doctor how to differentiate between "non-emergency" dizziness, and a medical emergency.

Good luck, you will do fine once you have it all figured out.

[tutusue]

Re: Another HT member health issue

[...]
Another good point, though I've been on the same meds for a long time and the dizziness is fairly new.[...]

The reason I thought of meds is 'cuz of personal experience. I'd been on a med for 5 1/2 years...one I was told I'd be on the rest of my life and tolerated very well...before it turned on me with side effects. Had to say bye-bye to it. Delving into the issue of side effects has been a real eye opener for me.

[LikaNui]

Re: Another HT member health issue

I don't know anything diabetes specific, but I'll throw this out for consideration: hydration levels? My wife gets dizziness when she has too little or too much water in her system.

I've always been a good water drinker, but yes, dehydration has been a factor recently. My doctor told me to increase drinking water during the day; not so much at night, for obvious reasons. Hydration levels is one of the things I'll ask my doctor about vis a vis the dizziness.

Stopping smoking may help with erections and lessen the risk of blindness and amputations.

Fortunately none of those are a current or pending problem. Especially the first one!

Has your doc suggested peering thru your brain, x-rays/cats/?, to check for possible problems?

Yes, there are several tests they want to run, but there's a couple of specialists they want me to see first.

Have you checked the (always lengthy) list of side effects of the meds you're taking?

Another good point, though I've been on the same meds for a long time and the dizziness is fairly new.

Specialists, tests, more and more meds and/or insulin... growing older sucks! Especially for someone who's always been overly healthy.

[tutusue]

Re: Another HT member health issue

Have you checked the (always lengthy) list of side effects of the meds you're taking?

[Ron Whitfield]

Re: Another HT member health issue

Has your doc suggested peering thru your brain, x-rays/cats/?, to check for possible problems? I'm having increasing ocular migraines and my MD is mentioning this for me, which I'm resisting, but there may be serious reasons to get that done for you, and time can be crucial.

[SusieMisajon]

Re: Another HT member health issue

From anecdotal experience, lack of hydration is an important factor.



What if you don't smoke and are deaf, among other things?

You'd at least be able to walk around on your own two legs.

[matapule]

Re: Another HT member health issue

but I'll throw this out for consideration: hydration levels? My wife gets dizziness when she has too little or too much water in her system.

From anecdotal experience, lack of hydration is an important factor.

Stopping smoking may help with erections and lessen the risk of blindness and amputations.

What if you don't smoke and are deaf, among other things?

[SusieMisajon]

Re: Another HT member health issue

Stopping smoking may help with erections and lessen the risk of blindness and amputations.