cattyann

Besides the regular problems a diabetic may have, nueropathy sometimes rears its ugly head and hits when you least expect it. After abnormally high sugar readings, I am finally getting it under control, or am I? For the past week, my numbers have been great. So why, am I having tingling and numbness in my fingers? After asking several people who are diabetics, I find it is common, but how long should it go on?
My doctor says it will come and go, if it continues, we will do more testing.
Along with diabetes are numerous problems, one being, depression. Yes, I am down in the dumps. I guess you can say, I feel old. Not that 47 is old mind you, I can run circles around the younger girls where I work (as a server). The doctor noticed, I don’t seem as “spunky” as usual. You wouldn’t either, if your fingers lost feeling in them and all you can feel in them are tingling that seems to hurt sometimes, not just one hand, but both. His solution? To put me on an anti-depressant, that’s fine, but what he never mentioned was what is in the fine print. You know, the reasons behind the prescription. Lo and behold, after depression, diabetic neuropathy. After calling him, I asked if he knew that it was also for this problem, he stated “no, I didn’t.” If it works, I will be one happy person, if not, how do you deal with it? Especially, if you blood sugar seems to be getting under control. Diabetes is nothing to be underestimated, I am just now finding this out. Perhaps, I thought it was something that didn’t have any reprocussions, but sadly, it does.
Diabetes is a disease that has to be controlled, if not, it controls you and it does not have to. Stress plays a very important part to a diabetic, the less stress, the better, another fact I am finding out. I thought I handled stress well, as a diabetic though, I don’t. Remember, if your sugars are high, see a doctor, talk to him about everything. Something that seems small, isn’t for the diabetic. No question is stupid, it just may save your life.

Being a diabetic is time consuming, not to mention, costly. Fortunately, I have insurance, but still, it is expensive. After trying meter after meter to test my sugar, I have settled on a generic brand from a local supercenter, and of course, insurance does not cover it. Recently, I underwent several tests, including blood work. Another costly thing to have done, but seemed to be well worth it.
I have encountered some type of thyroid problem, as the doctor told me my tsh level was .030, whatever that means. I am curious to know whether or not, most diabetics have these problems with their thyroid, as I was told that a good majority of diabetics do. Being a diabetic who has never really had a handle on things, I don’t have a endo doctor to go to, just my family doctor. Now, I am told, I will have to find an endo doctor who can handle my problem.
Perhaps if someone out there has a problem such as this, please contact me. Some of these things can be overwhelming. As I have no knowledge of what tsh levels are, I am clueless. The next question I have been asked by some is, what is my T3 & T4. For all I know, they are talking about my third and forth toes. My doctor has only given me my tsh level and said nothing else about it. I am assuming this is important information, as I have been asked this question more than once.
Like I said, if anyone out there has information that might help inform me, I would greatly appreciate the help

Like I said before….I suck at being diabetic. I always have. It seems now I have a new found respect for the disease. After many times of my sugar being well at 385 and over, and ignoring it, I can no longer do so. It seems, I had a moment. You know….when you get it. It was the night before last and my sugar had been high all day. Yes, I take glipizide and I do so 4 times a day. I have metformin, but it upsets my stomach. Anyhow, here I am at 1:30 am, and my husband calls me, to see how I am doing. Now…he works third shift and I am use to his calls at this time. However, I didn’t seem to want to talk, and was pretty much unable to talk. I did tell him to call later and I then got up to find my meter, found it and preceeded to get very, very angry. To the point of crying. I could not seem to find all I need to check my sugar and when I did, it just flashed, “check ketones.” I then did what any sane diabetic does, threw the meter across the room and began to cry.
I was sooo out of it, I could barely walk, think or move. I felt that my arms and legs weighed thousands of pounds. I have since been told I am an idiot to let this go. I am not a big girl, 5′1″ and 140 lbs, and am quite active. I want to give up, and for the record, I hate being a diabetic. Control is not my game, but is going to have to be and I will have to be on top of it.
Knowing there are many, many other people out there going through the same, let’s talk. I am scared and uninformed. If anyone can be of help, let me know, it would be greatly appreciated, as I was told, I could have easily gone into a coma that night.

Okay, I’ll admit it. I am a horrible diabetic. Being a type 2 is not nearly as bad as type 1. I do not have to take insulin, only when I get stressed or very sick, has that ever happened. Hospitalization was required. Pity is not something I want when it comes to this disease, just knowledge.
I got it when I was pregnant with my third son, gestational diabetes is what is was called and I was told I would get rid of it after his birth. I did. Two years later, I developed type 2 and was having problems and had to go on medication. Still taking the meds has helped, but to be truthful, I don’t think I really understand the complications of not taking care of myself. I love to cook, not only for myself, but others. Others, do not have the disease, so I cook for them. The choices I make are not so good, I eat right along with them, even desserts. Of course, still taking my medications. I should be throwing them out the window for all the good I am doing. I really haven’t learned how to cook diabetic style, nor have I cared to learn. I am 5″1″ and 135-140 lbs. My sugar pretty much stays up over 225 most of the time, even fasting. I write this because, I do have complications beginning. Tingling fingers, no feeling in my feet, eyesight not so good. Perhaps, if you are a diabetic also, take stock, some of these things can be corrected, some cannot. I am the only diabetic in the family, so I have no one who could be a support person for me. They can’t make me try harder, I have to do that for myself.
It’s a new year and yes, I have insurance. I will try harder and even possibly call my local hospital to find out about classes for diet and excerise. Yes, I suck at being a diabetic and will slowly try to turn it around before I have things falling off of me or I go blind. If you have any great recipes or ideas. Email me. I would love any help someone has.