Any diabetics in the house (long)

whisky'sdad · Jul 2, 2008

Originally Posted by fastnoc

I've been sick for quite some time. I don't talk about it but it's to the point that I'm really getting concerned.

About a year ago I went to the ER. while there (it wasn't anything life threatening) they did blood work. They asked me if I had diabetes. I said no, they said "Well you do now". My blood sugar was over 400.

They didn't say another word about it, so I kind of blew it off. But after about 5 months I started noticing 3 or 4 times a week I would wake up feeling hungover, and feel awful that whole day. I stopped drinking years ago. Not because I was an alcoholic or anything, I just hated the way I felt the next day after drinking (ironic isn't it?).

Now, there's been a lot of stress for me lately. I was suddenly laid off at work along with my entire department. I had no idea it was coming. Thankfully I'm a consultant. So i'm use to not being on contract and financially OK for the time being (it's been a couple months). In fact I think I just picked up another big contract that will last a couple years.

Anyway, I was at Wal-mart and for some reason I just thought I'd pick up a glucose meter and test strips. I've never done this before so it's all new to me. For instance, setting the lancet at the deepest level then using the side of my finger was an education in itself. yikes! Then of course I grab my finger from the base and start squishing upward. How was I to know how much you need? Well after a day of this I now know how simple it really is. BUT, I've got a problem. Check out my glucose numbers and tell me what you think?

Waking up: 285
two hours later 335
Before lunch 345
right before dinner 385
hour after dinner 443

Now, this is pretty alarming, no?

Can someone tell me how far those numbers are off? And sometimes when I test i get this blinking message that says 'ketones?' so I assume it's asking if I want to test that, but I don't know how. Think I need different test strips.

Thoughts?

Diagnosed with diabetes and you didn't do anything for 5 months?? I'm surprised you're still alive! Of course you are going to have high levels! Those are VERY dangerous levels to be at!! I was diagnosed in Dec 2003 and put on medication from then on that regulates your levels. SHAME on those doctors for not following up!

Thank god I no longer have diabetes...

whisky'sdad · Jul 2, 2008

Wow, I feel like a dolt! I responded without looking at those other posts!

misty8723 · Jul 2, 2008

I'm just reading this thread now, and I'd like to add to everyone's concern and hopefully you've been to see a doctor by now. When I was diagnosed a year and a half ago, my a1C was 380. I felt horrible for a long time before that, like I was in a fog, fuzzy headed, etc. I don't have it under control yet and I'm not doing as good as I should be, but at least I'm on medication and keeping it reasonably low.

I'd like to add that you never have to buy one of those meters. I probaby have about 10 of them now, and haven't paid for any of them. The companies are glad to give them to you free, because it's the strips where they make their money.

that you get on track soon and get your numbers under control. Keep us updated please.

zissou'smom · Jul 3, 2008

Sadly, your situation isn't that unusual... my sister is a diabetes educator and a lot of her patients never had their diabetes properly explained to them, or how to test/treat it either.

You should have been told to go directly to a doctor from the ER, and have been given a treatment plan, with your levels probably including testing very often and insulin as well as a diet low in sugars. It's a good thing you quit drinking, as alcohol is a sugar as well and you well might be worse off!

Please do let us know how it goes at the doctor-- untreated diabetes especially for this long is very dangerous, and you're lucky that all that's happened so far is feeling rotten in the morning.

Don't make us all worry about you! Please go to the doctor!

laureen227 · Jul 3, 2008

Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

Please do let us know how it goes at the doctor-- untreated diabetes especially for this long is very dangerous, and you're lucky that all that's happened so far is feeling rotten in the morning.

Don't make us all worry about you! Please go to the doctor!

& def come back & update us!

kittymonsters · Jul 3, 2008

Originally Posted by laureen227

& def come back & update us!

I third this sentiment. I am hoping you are getting medical attention as I type. When I read your first post I was seriously frightened for you.

going out that you are able to get under control quickly.

momofmany · Jul 3, 2008

Originally Posted by fastnoc

Well, due to the responses here I think it's settled. I'm going to get some sleep (been awake all night working on some side jobs) but when i get up I think I'm just going to go to the ER.

Did you make it into the doctor or ER today? I'm not diabetic but have a close friend who is so know what the numbers should be. Like others, I got really concerned when I heard your numbers.

Sending and

your way!

cococat · Jul 3, 2008

I am thinking of you too, please update us! That is scary!

caprice · Jul 3, 2008

Have you gone to the doctor? Any news? We are all hoping and praying for you! Let us know soon!

laureen227 · Jul 3, 2008

Originally Posted by caprice

Have you gone to the doctor? Any news? We are all hoping and praying for you! Let us know soon!

i checked - you were here today @ around 6pm - what's w/the no updating!!!

fastnoc · Jul 4, 2008

Hello, yes I'm here

.

I kept coming in to update the thread then would get called away.

I know i should have gone to the ER by now, but I haven't. I don't really know why.

I'll go soon though, thanks for all the well wishes!

addiebee · Jul 4, 2008

Originally Posted by fastnoc

Hello, yes I'm here

.

I kept coming in to update the thread then would get called away.

I know i should have gone to the ER by now, but I haven't. I don't really know why.

I'll go soon though, thanks for all the well wishes!

It's scary to face this. Trust me, I know. I was in denial for the longest time, but my sugars never went as high as yours. I see how the disease is destroying my mom and she is VERY compliant with testing, diet, etc. And I STILL was turning a blind eye to it ( no pun since D can take your eyesight.)

But you have to. It's as bad as ignoring chest pain... IMHO.

Your fellow cat lovers on this site, especially those with some first-hand experience with the disease, are here for you.

Besides, you have two little ones to worry about now! So be well for Wil and Sissy!

misty8723 · Jul 4, 2008

Originally Posted by fastnoc

Hello, yes I'm here

.

I kept coming in to update the thread then would get called away.

I know i should have gone to the ER by now, but I haven't. I don't really know why.

I'll go soon though, thanks for all the well wishes!

I'm not someone to give advice because a year and a half later, I still haven't come to grips completely with my diabetes. But just trust me when I say that when you get some medication and get you're numbers down to manageable levels, you will feel a million times better.

If you don't want to go to the er (and I can understand that), get an appointment as soon as you can after the holiday is over. In the meantime, watch what you're eating and restrict the carbs. And keep checking your numbers. If they get higher or stay consistently high, you might want to reconsider the ER.

clixpix · Jul 8, 2008

Did you get to the doctor? Unfortunately this is not going to go away, and the more you delay treatment, the more damage that is done to your body.

fastnoc · Jul 9, 2008

Ugh, i know you're right. I honestly don't have an answer as to why i'm not going.

I think this whole thing is just overwhelming. Everything was perfect.

rosiemac · Jul 9, 2008

GO! Everyone hates the doctors. I have to go for a mammogram and i hate the thought but i'm still going.

Honestly it's something that can be controlled with either insulin or pills, or even better diet.

paulena · Jul 9, 2008

Diabetes is definitely a KILLER. I lost my brother in February due to diabetes over the years. He was on dialysis for over 7 years and even lost limbs due to it. So it should be taken very seriously.

I was diagnosed w/diabetes over a year ago and was able to control it w/diet. Now, I am full blown and taking 5 insulin shots a day. Sometimes the levels are still high in the morning (250-350), but am scheduled to see a endo specialist the first of August. I have even lost some sight due to the high levels. I ended up in the er the middle of May w/levels over 500.

Yes, it is overwhelming. So please, please get it seen about immediately!!

zissou'smom · Jul 9, 2008

Well, the scare-you-straight fact my sister always uses in her classes with the particularly recalcitrant patients is: You won't be able to have sex if you don't treat your diabetes! Uncontrolled diabetes (which is what you are volunteering for by not going to the doctor) often results in ED. http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabe...ual-health.jsp
And there are always a few in the class who stand right up and tell you from firsthand experience that that's true and all the things they've had to do to fix it.

Not that that should be more important than massive heart disease, loss of limb, or death, but for some reason that particular symptom seems to get through when the others don't.

addiebee · Jul 9, 2008

Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

Well, the scare-you-straight fact my sister always uses in her classes with the particularly recalcitrant patients is: You won't be able to have sex if you don't treat your diabetes! Uncontrolled diabetes (which is what you are volunteering for by not going to the doctor) often results in ED. http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabe...ual-health.jsp
And there are always a few in the class who stand right up and tell you from firsthand experience that that's true and all the things they've had to do to fix it.

Not that that should be more important than massive heart disease, loss of limb, or death, but for some reason that particular symptom seems to get through when the others don't.

Yeah, that hits guys where they are vulnerable! Sorry!

zissou'smom · Jul 9, 2008

Originally Posted by AddieBee

Yeah, that hits guys where they are vulnerable! Sorry!

It's not meant to be inappropriate; that's really the last resort my sister uses with her patients, and it works like nothing else. She will tell someone, your blood sugar has been an uncontrolled 500 for a week, you might die, and they don't care, they think oh, it won't happen to me, I'll be fine. She tells them that, and suddenly the statistics are a lot more real and they finally do something about it. Not sure why it's scarier than death, but it really worries me, and I thought I should pull it out of the arsenal.

Any diabetics in the house (long)

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