Anyone want to share their story

[thefairlaneman]

I would like to know if anyone here with diabetes would share how they first found out they had it and how they managed it at first...? thanks

 

[eaglejim]

Re: Anyone want to share their story

I will share,how I found out was waking up every hour thinking I had to go to the bathroom---wife went to her mothers and got the blood sugar machine I was off the charts went to the hospital and they would not let me go home until it started to come down I was 40 years old and weighed 230lbs.
Came home got on the internet and started to learn saw a doctor he gave me some pills and they bottomed me out not good while drivingStarted walking every night watch and read everything I eat,I take a boat load of vitamins (no little pills from the Doc)and now I am vegetarian and weigh 177 and I am 50 years old sugars are great and I am walking 5 to 6 miles a day and on poor weather days I am in the gym on the treadmill. one of the big things if you like to eat say at 7:00am,12, and 6pm stay consistent it is very important and nothing after 7pm,I watched a friend of mine do the complete opposite of what I was doing and well he was gone at the age of 52 left behind a wife and 12 year old son.Remember it is a on going battle but it can be beat I am proof good luck ej

 

[Laddies]

Re: Anyone want to share their story

I was 42 when I first started treatment and am 69 now have always had problems with close control and over the years been on several type of insulin. If you have the real deal, there is no sense fooling around with the pills get on insulin ASP the pills will make you hate yourself and everyone close to you. The reason I said real deal is MDs tend to tell people with marginal problems they are diabetic and tinker with your diet so they can self inflate them selves and heal you. Many years ago I was told by a diabetic specialist that the treatment flusters MDs as it is must more you learning to take care of your self with the MDs help, than them take total control of your problem. It will be a long haul and a lot of adjustments to your life style and diet. I have to test 5 times a day and use 66 units of lantis once each day and R before every meal, after 27 years of it and a few problems I have developed some problems and in the last couple years have had some sight problems. Just take as good of care of yourself as possibly and hang in there.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Anyone want to share their story

A very good friend of mine is on 'the brink' of discovering he has type II diabetes. His family has a history of it and he at 49+ yrs old, 5'-8" and 245lbs is the smallest one in his family. Every one of his siblings that has been checked has it. I didn't know his dad but I guess they all had a similar stature and profile and he died of a heart attack in his early 50's.
He pretty much knows he has it but has been hesitant to go to the doctor, get it confirmed and then start treatment. He is a chef and has a pretty serious appetite and he says he doesn't want the doctor to spoil his fun. I try to encourage him as much as possible to start to get some treatment for this but he just kind of smiles and acknowledges that he guesses it has to be done at some point.....just not today.
I did get him to the local pharmacy and we both tried out those blood pressure checking units that will give you a print-out. Mine came out 130-ish over 80 and his was something like 230/140....right off the charts. He re-checked it at his sisters and the same thing and now they too are all after him to get something done about it.
It is something well worth looking into and starting on as early as possible particularly if you have people you care about and that care about you.
Its good to be alive and to stay alive
BP

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Anyone want to share their story

Thanks friends for the candid and honest answers. Nothing can beat what someone who has been there can tell you.

 

[mike243]

Re: Anyone want to share their story

3 -4 years ago i noticed my feet would get numb sometimes,i just blamed it on sqauting so much,when they got numb & stayed that way i went to the doctor,after fasting for 12 hrs my sugar was mid 200's still,trigly were over 1000,i was in sad shape,doc said no exercise .i got it down quickly & lost some weight,i thought my feet would get better but they havent,i also found out i had rocky mtn spotted fever,it might have damaged the blood vesels in my feet also,no telling how long i had it & what damage has been done to my long term health,i take 1-2 500mg of metformin a day with meals,my score has been staying below 6 even though my daily rate is high a lot of days,its not a life ending problem unless you let it be but it is a life changing one,good luck & listen to the doc's ,mike243

 

[cbavier]

Re: Anyone want to share their story

I had been borderline for about 20 years. Last year I found out I had multiple kidney stones. After suffering almost unbearable with Back aches for six months. I Couldn't hardly walk, and seeing a Nuerosurgeon and Nuerologist with no relief. 8 Months on Oxycodone 80 Mg twice a day. They discovered Kidney stones. I had one 2.7 MM and one 1.5 MM plus about 15 ...1/2 - 3/4 mm. I was sent to a Urologist. 8 Cystoscopies and 4 Lithotripsies and three stents over 6 months later and $300,000 I was pronounced clear of stones. During the time before seeing the Urologist my Dr. found I was Type II Diabetic. It was a rough road for me last year and hard on my Wife. I could do absolutely nothing but survive. My Dr actually thought I was dying before the Kidney stones were found. Now Blue cross has ordered that I be x-rayed and checked every six months for stones. A simple cat scan is all it takes to see if a person has kidney stones. Needless to say The Hospital suggested a New MD after the stones were discovered. Before I had the same Dr for seven years and his idea of a Physical was a Blood Test. My new Dr an Internest ran every test one can imagine including Stress and Chest x-rays. My old Dr never even did a chest x-ray on me. When I would question him about anything he would always say OH that's not necessary. A blood test will tell me everything. $150 please....POO!! P.S. I'm 63 and have had a history of Kidney stone trouble as well as two Lamenectopies.

 

[JB]

Re: Anyone want to share their story

Well, I can't say I've been there. That is because I am right in the middle of it and I don't like it one bit. . . as though I had a choice or something.

I am 73 years old, 6', 165LB. I have had 4 heart "events". The first when I was 55, resulting in three stents and a double bypass. The most recent stent was installed last October. I say "events" because none actually resulted in an infarct and damaged heart tissue.

It has taken most of the last 18 years to get my LDL under control, but the annual lipids assay has shown slightly elevated glucose and elevated triglycerides for about 5 years now. My Docs have been telling me for that time that I had borderline type II.

Then, last month, the glucose suddenly jumped to near 300 and the A1C to 11.

Diet? Not likely. The Dietician gave me a diet with more calories and more carbs than I was already doing.

Smoking? I was smoking 1-3 miniature cigars a day. I stopped that.

Exercise? I was nearing the end of a 12 week cardiac rehab program when this broke. Because I also have acute osteoporosis I am limited to low impact stuff like walking (I use a staff when walking). I walk 1-2 hours a day.

Drugs? Started on 500mg metformin 2X. Glucose came down to 150-200. Went to 1000mg 2X. No change. Added 4MG Avandia and reduced the metformin to 500, both 2X. Got worse. didn't test below 200 for a week.

As of today it is 1000mg metformin 2X plus 8mg avandia 1X. Don't expect much change.

My appetite for munchies has exploded, probably because of the loss of the smoking break and the nicotine. So far in 3 weeks I have only gained a couple pounds because I am munching carrots and other critter food.

I really expect to be on insulin pretty soon.

I have had no symptoms from the diabetes at all, except for the mental injury of knowing. Without the regular tests for cholesterol I wouldn't know I have it.

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Anyone want to share their story

I believe my story is fairly unigue. I've had annual checkups for the past 30 years and eventually was diagnosed with mild hypertension and elevated cholesterols. Oral medications have kept both problems at bay.

I retired in Jan 2008 and had a checkup in March of 2008 and all was well. Had a follow up for another blood test in late April to recheck fasting glucose levels. The nurse called several days later to inform me that I needed to have another glucose level performed. I asked her why and what were my readings. She then said my fasting glucose was 949!! No way in heck I replied as a normal level is between 80-90. Yep I was 10 times over the max normal. When I asked her what my triglycerides were she couldn't answer me. I just figured she had made a mistake and wasn't reading the numbers correctly. That was my first mistake.

Second mistake was me informing them that I had a fishing trip planned and couldn't return for testing as soon as the MD wanted me to. Two days into the trip I was waking every hour on the hour with intense need to urinate. Increased thirst, dry mouth, and a craving for overly sweet food and drink items. I'm a pharmacist and knew right then that I was in trouble.

In delaying treatment I incurred ketoacidosis and then suffered bouts of nausea and vomiting. I was one sick puppy dog.

Once I got back home, I checked in with the MD and was then admitted to the hospital for treatment. For whatever reason, my body had quit producing insulin. Two nights in the hospital and my glucose and ketone levels were back under control with only 26 units of Lantus Insulin daily and 8 units of Humalog after meals.

The guidelines for diabetes control is to maintain blood levels between 80-160. Mine are never higher than about 137. In fact, I have to be careful of too low readings. I have now learned to "read" my body and realize when my levels are below 80.

In summary: I went off the charts over night and am now controled via insulin to an excellent degree.

Sticking my fingers 4 to 6 times a day is a pain but I am maintaining acceptable glucose readings. I also want to add that I do watch what I eat and maintain limits on carbohydrate intake. Also, every soft drink is now "diet" and very limited cookies or sweets on the rare occasion.

Stick with your MD's recommendations and I hope all will be well with you.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Anyone want to share their story

I found out 8 years ago when I was 19 that I'm diabetic. Was sicker then a dog for 2 weeks and went from 300lbs to 260lbs. Ex dragged me in to see a Dr and he said I either had MS, Cancer or Diabetes. After the blood tests and such, found out my sugar was at 1170mg/dl (65mmol). I still remember being mad that my mom parked so far away from the hospital when I went to see the diabetic clinic people. She was walking normal speed and after walking past just 5 cars I was panting and she was 15 cars ahead of me lol

To this day there isn't a single doctor or nurse that doesn't understand why I wasn't admitted to the hospital, how I was even still upright and they question the course of action my family doctor took. 2 weeks later I quit my job (was starting post secondary a month later anyways), went camping and experienced my first low while driving home.

4 years ago I switched from pills to insulin... my choice and had not ever regretted it. Much easier to control and whole lot more freedom.

2 years ago during Canadian Thanksgiving I got to spend 6 days in ICU because of an infection and me not paying attention to my sugars. Ended up with ketoacidosis and if my mom didn't convince me to go to ER then I was just hours away from not being here anymore.

Recently got a tattoo of the medical alert symbol with 'Diabetic' in a banner written in it... on my wrist. Was a birthday present from my girlfriend. I hate jewelry so it made sense to get it done. Ended up infected. Started antibiotics right away and then one morning out of the blue 3 days after I was finished them, woke up really sick. Back to ER. Spent 9 hours in a bed with IV antibiotics, benedryl and steroids. Turns out I was allergic to the antibiotics I was taking but I wasn't taking a chance of being in ICU again.

Can be tough living with the disease in the beginning but after a while (and especially with some close calls) it just becomes a part of your life and part of your daily routine. Make sure if you're on insulin though, be respectful of people that are very squeamish of needles. In a group setting I always ask people that have never seen me inject before if needles bother them or not. If someone is, I get out of sight to do what I have to do.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Anyone want to share their story

Here is an ironic update to my previous thread regarding my buddies 'possible but yet undetermined diabetic' condition.
This past week he had a serious coughing fit that left him with a lot of chest pain and dizziness. Well, I guess it got him worried (finally!!) and went and saw his Doc. We had talked about this in the past and I had told him I really want him to look into this stuff. This is sometimes strange stuff to broach with a friend.....ie: 'their' health, but he is a good friend and we, luckily, can be pretty direct and honest with one another.
Anyways, just by looking at him the Doc knew he probably had issues and a few tests confirmed his thoughts. He has type II diabetes, very high cholesterol and very high blood pressure (..maybe a few other things?). He is now on some blood thinners and cholesterol fighting stuff as well as some other meds...so finally he facing the proper music. He also has had a chest/heart x-ray that he is waiting to hear back on. I'm really glad he finally went in and did this. I've been calling him every couple of days and checking in on him and encouraging him a lot. All in all I think the diet end of things, which is going to be his biggest challenge given his relentless appetite.
But better late than never and...hey, hopefully he will be around for a long time.
BP