I feel like I shouldn't be posting. I've been around, but not as active as of late. I went full-time at my job and that has kept me very busy. But, as many of you know, I am still struggling with health issues -- most currently, it has been my diabetes (Type II diagnosed earlier this year). And, I'll be honest when I say I am a bit scared this evening...
About 3 weeks ago, I developed a widespread rash all over my body. It was terrible -- raised, bright red, itchy. After 14 days, it was biopsied and diagnosed as a severe outbreak of eczema. It's gone now, but it left me with more than itchy skin before it was through. Early on, I was given an injected steroid to help ease the itching and burning. The med was Solumedrol. I had been on the fence about taking a steroid (after all, they have a tendency to raise blood glucose levels). Well, the doctor talked me into it and within 12 hours I was in the hospital's emergency room. And, in 14 hours, in the ICU being treated for diabetic ketoacidosis. It was, by far, the most frightening thing I've ever dealt with medically. But, the hospital staff was wonderful and I received excellent treatment. And, in 48 hours, I was back home and maintaining normal(ish) blood sugar levels.
Well, fast forward to this week. Since Wednesday, I've felt a little off. Maybe a bit dehydrated (despite drinking fluids), a little nauseated, and tired. I thought I was just stressed and over tired. But, yesterday was worse and I vomited once. I felt a bit more tired and a little achy and sore. No biggie -- I'm on my feet all the time and have been putting in long hours at work. Today, I woke up feeling shaky. And, I had a terrible headache this morning. I ate breakfast at work, drank lots of fluids, but then dealt with some GI issues this afternoon. And, when I got home from work, I ate dinner and crashed on the sofa. I've been nauseous, tired, shaky, hot/cold, and achy. I have a steady mild headache and I just don't feel like myself. Well, I check my blood sugar levels regularly and am high, but not dramatically so. I'm sitting at about 240. And, that is down from 257 an hour or so ago. However, since I also test my urine ketones, I've discovered that I am spilling ketones into my urine. I've been testing since Wednesday and am always negative. I've always been negative aside from my own experience with ketoacidosis (the episode above). I started at a trace level around midnight and am now at a small amount. It's a stick test and the levels are as follows: negative, trace, small, moderate, large. It's a shock since I am always negative. But, at the same time, I'm not critical...or, at least I don't think so.
I have called my doctor's office and spoken with the nurse on call. They said I could wait 4 hours or so and go from there. If it's diabetic ketoacidosis, I won't improve and will only decline. If it's a virus or infection, well, I think I should stay steady. I don't feel bad, but I still don't feel good. And, I'm afraid. The ICU is a scary place and one I don't want to frequent. And, past experiences have left me jaded where medicine and doctors are concerned -- I've been made to feel as though I was exaggerating or making my symptoms up way too many times. It's true I have a lot of health issues, but they're documented. And, I certainly don't want to be hospitalized or taking loads of medications! But, they see one thing and pass judgement. Not all doctors, but far too many. I'm rambling now...
So, the plan is that I wait and see. I am okay right now. I know when to go to the ER if need be. I'm hoping this will just pass over. But, my prior experience with diabetic ketoacidosis has me pretty scared. Type II's aren't supposed to be as prone to DKA. And, there are no steroids in my system to explain away the diagnosis this time. I take all of my meds and eat healthily, exercise, and the like. Why is it so hard sometimes? I'm sorry to be complaining and I don't mean to whine...I am just a bit overwhelmed and needed to share. Thank you all for being here to listen.
About 3 weeks ago, I developed a widespread rash all over my body. It was terrible -- raised, bright red, itchy. After 14 days, it was biopsied and diagnosed as a severe outbreak of eczema. It's gone now, but it left me with more than itchy skin before it was through. Early on, I was given an injected steroid to help ease the itching and burning. The med was Solumedrol. I had been on the fence about taking a steroid (after all, they have a tendency to raise blood glucose levels). Well, the doctor talked me into it and within 12 hours I was in the hospital's emergency room. And, in 14 hours, in the ICU being treated for diabetic ketoacidosis. It was, by far, the most frightening thing I've ever dealt with medically. But, the hospital staff was wonderful and I received excellent treatment. And, in 48 hours, I was back home and maintaining normal(ish) blood sugar levels.
Well, fast forward to this week. Since Wednesday, I've felt a little off. Maybe a bit dehydrated (despite drinking fluids), a little nauseated, and tired. I thought I was just stressed and over tired. But, yesterday was worse and I vomited once. I felt a bit more tired and a little achy and sore. No biggie -- I'm on my feet all the time and have been putting in long hours at work. Today, I woke up feeling shaky. And, I had a terrible headache this morning. I ate breakfast at work, drank lots of fluids, but then dealt with some GI issues this afternoon. And, when I got home from work, I ate dinner and crashed on the sofa. I've been nauseous, tired, shaky, hot/cold, and achy. I have a steady mild headache and I just don't feel like myself. Well, I check my blood sugar levels regularly and am high, but not dramatically so. I'm sitting at about 240. And, that is down from 257 an hour or so ago. However, since I also test my urine ketones, I've discovered that I am spilling ketones into my urine. I've been testing since Wednesday and am always negative. I've always been negative aside from my own experience with ketoacidosis (the episode above). I started at a trace level around midnight and am now at a small amount. It's a stick test and the levels are as follows: negative, trace, small, moderate, large. It's a shock since I am always negative. But, at the same time, I'm not critical...or, at least I don't think so.
I have called my doctor's office and spoken with the nurse on call. They said I could wait 4 hours or so and go from there. If it's diabetic ketoacidosis, I won't improve and will only decline. If it's a virus or infection, well, I think I should stay steady. I don't feel bad, but I still don't feel good. And, I'm afraid. The ICU is a scary place and one I don't want to frequent. And, past experiences have left me jaded where medicine and doctors are concerned -- I've been made to feel as though I was exaggerating or making my symptoms up way too many times. It's true I have a lot of health issues, but they're documented. And, I certainly don't want to be hospitalized or taking loads of medications! But, they see one thing and pass judgement. Not all doctors, but far too many. I'm rambling now...
So, the plan is that I wait and see. I am okay right now. I know when to go to the ER if need be. I'm hoping this will just pass over. But, my prior experience with diabetic ketoacidosis has me pretty scared. Type II's aren't supposed to be as prone to DKA. And, there are no steroids in my system to explain away the diagnosis this time. I take all of my meds and eat healthily, exercise, and the like. Why is it so hard sometimes? I'm sorry to be complaining and I don't mean to whine...I am just a bit overwhelmed and needed to share. Thank you all for being here to listen.
