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Original poster

I was taken ill at the dentist this morning and was told I need tests for diabetes.

30 replies

ImFab · 31/01/2011 11:50

Can anyone give me any advice please especially as to if this is possible to develop it in your late 30's?

I am ringing the OOH doctors at 12 to see if I can see anyone.

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 31/01/2011 11:54

You can certainly develop diabetes in your 30s, I know 2 people who've had this happen.

What happened at the dentists?

PixieOnaLeaf · 31/01/2011 11:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
ImFab · 31/01/2011 12:08

Very dizzy and sick, went pale and felt not all there. Was given glucose. Have to go to doctors now. Thank you.

OP posts:
mummytime · 31/01/2011 12:10

Can happen at any age. You will have to have a test at the hospital, which isn't pleasant as it involves not eating before hand. If possible when it is arranged get someone to take you there and collect you (or bus or taxi), as you are likely to feel faint. Do also take a snack to eat quickly afterwards.

Look at the British Diabetic society website, and try to get to see a specialist diabetes nurse.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 31/01/2011 12:19

well, according to my GP if you have a low blood sugar attack you are more likely to have hypoglycaemia, not diabetes, which would make your sugar level HIGH, so i wouldn't worry too much!

CrosswordAddict · 31/01/2011 12:20

ImfAB More likely to be a panic attack. I often get them at the dentist's. Just anxiety really I suppose, though it hasn't stopped me having treatment. Usually passes off when I have a glass of water, sit/lie still until it passes. If you are diabetic then I'm surprised you haven't had mild symptoms before this.
Had you been given local anaesthetic? That is a trigger for me, so I know I need to be sitting down and stay in that position not get up or go into the waiting room to wait for it to act. It's just a management technique really, nothing to get scared about.

bobbityboo · 31/01/2011 12:24

It can be the injection. I felt really strange the other day after it and it was the adrenalin component that was affecting me..

monkeyflippers · 31/01/2011 12:58

Lots of people feel like that at the dentist and it doesn't mean it's diabetes. Best to get it checked of course!

Elibean · 31/01/2011 13:12

I felt awful after an anaesthetic jab at dentist's once, as you describe - was the adrenalin component. Did you have a jab?

Highlander · 31/01/2011 13:32

sounds like you had a vaso-vagal episode. In other words, you went a bit fainty in repsonse to pain/thinking about pain etc

When you see your doctor, describe what happened, not what your dentist thinks is wrong with you.

midtowner · 31/01/2011 13:34

Fanjo is right. Diabetes of either type presents with high blood sugars, not low as you describe.

Whatever it was, I hope you feel better soon!

Ephiny · 31/01/2011 13:39

Yes that sounds like the opposite of diabetes. Though I think hypoglycaemia can sometimes be a warning sign that you're at risk of developing diabetes (strange as it seems) so would be worth getting it checked out (as you are doing - hope it goes well).

Original poster
ImFab · 31/01/2011 14:21

No injection at the dentist and it was after I had seen him. I am not bothered by going to the dentist.

I waited until over an hour after my time and then saw a nurse, not a doctor. My blood pressure was fine. She pricked my finger and it was 3.6. She said I feel like this because I have been following a low carb diet.

She said if I feel like this again to see the doctor.

I don't feel any better having had something to eat.

OP posts:
mattellie · 01/02/2011 10:42

Hi, 3.6 is a normal reading not indicative of diabetes. If you're still feeling dizzy and nauseous you may be sickening for something, but it's not diabetes - take it from one who knows Smile

Original poster
ImFab · 01/02/2011 10:48

Thank you mattellie.

I have no idea what the nurse was saying as she seemed to have made no sense at all.

OP posts:
Dumbledoresgirl · 01/02/2011 10:53

Are you feeling any better today ImFab?

The symptoms you describe sound the same as those my dd sometimes gets, usually around lunchtime but recently she has also had the symptoms at night. I would be interested in knowing what it is.

Original poster
ImFab · 01/02/2011 11:41

I am still feeling sick and a bit cold.

OP posts:
Dumbledoresgirl · 01/02/2011 14:03

It sounds like you have some sort of virus then. Hey, that is better than possible diabetes though!

I guess you can only keep yourself as warm as possible, try drinking little and often, and hope you feel better soon. Smile

Original poster
ImFab · 01/02/2011 14:12

Thank you.

I have lovely warm socks on and are keeping warm until I have to go out in the rain to get the kids.

OP posts:
NanaNina · 01/02/2011 17:27

I have hypoglaecimic attacks (low blood glucose) and my sister is doing my blood test regularly (she is a nurse) and 3.6 is not normal for blood glucose - it is on the low side. The normal range is 5 - 7. These attacks are most unpleasant. I take glucose sweets with me now oaty cereal bars and they can sometimes ward off an attack. My GP wasn't very concerned. I would however go back to your GP because I have been told that 3 is a low reading and needs attention.

Don't want to worry you - I think if you are having hypoglaecimic attacks, the answer might be to see a nutrisionist, which is what I intend to do. I am confused about diet, because some say carbs are the cause of these attacks and you have a nurse telling you that low carb diet is the cause. I suppose the best thing to do is to eat a health normal diet.

Anyway hope you get things sorted. You can buy a blood glucose monitoring kit from most chemists (I got mine from Sainsburys) but I couldn't make head nor tail of the instructions but my sister came and had it sorted within minutes and it's quite simple to do once you know how.

Original poster
ImFab · 01/02/2011 19:11

That is a bit worrying. How can a nurse be so wrong?

OP posts:
stanausauruswrecks · 01/02/2011 20:15

Perhaps she was a dental nurse, who don't have the same training as Registered nurses?

Original poster
ImFab · 01/02/2011 20:30

The nurse I saw was at the hospital so I would hope she was a proper nurse, iyswim.

OP posts:
Ephiny · 01/02/2011 21:24

I thought that was a bit odd too, as I'd always thought low-carb diets were medically recommended for anyone with blood-sugar issues as it helps keep your glucose levels steady? Unless she just meant it's because you've been dieting, i.e. not eating enough calories overall?

I'd see how it goes, and make an appointment with a doctor if you don't feel better soon or it happens again.

Original poster
ImFab · 01/02/2011 21:43

She said she expected the number to be higher with what I had eaten. I don't understand how though as I had only eaten one thing with sugar in Confused.

OP posts: