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Original poster

Think I may be diabetic... Help please

24 replies

Vworried2015 · 27/03/2015 17:48

I think I might be diabetic! Help!

Sorry if this sounds a bit gabbled, I am typing while feeling rather panicked.
I am seriously concerned that I might be diabetic. My sugar levels have been slightly elevated the past few years but nothing seriously high or that anyone seemed worried with. I was urinating a lot but that was about it.

Recently, I have lost some weight (still big though and need to lose a load more) and have been wearing much less and in what one might consider the normal range for iron sting rather than excessively.

I have been waking up in the morning feeling shaky (everyday the past week) and having to try and eat and drink something to feel better again. Internet said orange juice was best but I didn't have any of this so had to opt for cherry cola. I had a glass of this and then ate breakfast but still didn't stop feeling shaky for about hour or so. I have a fairly active job (just normal on the go - not sit at a desk style) and within three hours of eating lunch I was feeling shaky again. Yet more Pepsi required and then all I count find food wise was chocolate yogurt.

I was under the impression that someone with type 2 diabetes had problems getting blood sugar
down not getting it up.

Earliest GP appointment I can get is Monday which I have done.

In the mean time I am concerned for the weekend. Diabetes runs in my family so chances of me getting it plus being overweight are high.

I talked to a member of my family who has diabetes and their theory (no way medical just diabetic for 30 years) is that when I was at my heaviest, my blood was high and my body got used to this. It became normal. Now I have lost some weight, I am ruminating less and my new normal is lower and my body is reacting to this and not used to this new 'normal'. Anyone medical know if this is possible?

What can I do to keep my blood sugar up over the weekend?

It's mainly my legs that feel shaky and my upper arms.. not my whole body... Could it be unrelated?

Thanks for any advice. I have name changed as some people I work with know my MN name and I don't want to discuss it with anyone at work.

OP posts:
TarkaTheOtter · 27/03/2015 17:56

What your relative said might be true, it sounds plausible. But none of this really sounds indicative of diabetes to me (massive caveat - not medically trained).
Could it be your iron levels are low and the sugary food gives you a temporary boost (+ placebo effect).

Original poster
Vworried2015 · 27/03/2015 18:02

I realised the second paragraph reads:

"Recently , I have lost some weight (still big though and need to lose a load more) and have been wearing much less and in what one might consider the normal range for iron sting rather than excessively."

It should say "ecently, I have lost some weight (still big though and need to lose a load more) and have been urinating much less and in what one might consider the normal range for urinating rather than excessively."
Nothing about iron, sorry! Blush

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 27/03/2015 18:05

Do you actually know what your blood sugar levels are? Have you tested your blood sugar in the morning before eating?

Original poster
Vworried2015 · 27/03/2015 18:08

They have previously sat between 8 and 13. When feeling shaky they can be anything between 5 and 8.

OP posts:
TarkaTheOtter · 27/03/2015 18:08

It's ok, I know you didn't mention iron in your post - it just struck me that it could be a reason you are feeling wobbly.

TarkaTheOtter · 27/03/2015 18:11

Fasting levels of 8+ would be indicative of diabetes though.

Yddraigoldragon · 27/03/2015 18:17

Diabetic type 2 here. 5-8 would be normal for me, the other reading is too high, would make me feel awful.

It seems to me that you are on a bit of a roller coaster, you have something sugary, you feel better for a bit and then crash again. Are you sleeping heavily in the day, e.g. A few hours after eating sugary food?

I would say you need to get off the roller coaster if you can, have protein not carbs e.g. Scrambled egg for breakfast... Have a look at the low carb diet boards on here and on diabetes uk forums, it works to provide control which seems needed.

If you are testing your sugar levels, do it before eating then half hour, and mebbe two hours after eating and keep a diary of what you had, it will help the doctor.

Original poster
Vworried2015 · 27/03/2015 18:24

I haven't been no as this shakiness has only been going on the past week!

OP posts:
EssexMummy123 · 27/03/2015 21:57

Sounds like hypoglycemia - try eating normal slow release carb meals over the weekend - no cherry coke for breakfast, no starving yourself or atkins type thing.

chipsandpeas · 27/03/2015 22:03

some chemists/pharmacys do diabetes blood tests maybe see if theres one in your area, then if they rule it out you can approach your GP

Original poster
Vworried2015 · 27/03/2015 22:21

Bizarrely I've eaten loads tonight as felt funny and my blood hasn't got above 9 which isn't normal for me where as after previously eating the same meal last year my blood shot up to 12/13.
Dp thinks it's good but I am worried incase it means sugar isn't getting into my blood properly. Is that even a thing?!Hmm

OP posts:
SaltySeaBird · 27/03/2015 22:29

I'm not medical but I'm diabetic.

How are you taking your readings, are you using a proper blood monitor. I would ask your GP to arrange a GTT test for your as soon as possible.

Between meals my blood sugar is normally between 4-5. After eating it goes up, but within an hour is generally below 6.5. I might get a double digit reading once in six months ...

How long after eating are you getting readings of 12 or 13 - that seems quite high to me. It could be that what is actually a normal blood sugar level feels low to you as you are so used to having high blood sugar (again, I'm not medical, I'm just surmising).

Avoid high, sugary drinks and over the weekend eat sensibly - eat low GI meals. If you can avoid the high peaks you won't get the crash which is possibly making you feel bad. Are you very thirsty? Drink plenty of water.

And make an appointment as soon as possible.

BIWI · 27/03/2015 22:30

Stop eating sugar to compensate for low sugar levels! You are only making things worse. And fruit juice is actually the worst thing you could be eating.

You need to cut right back on the carbs - bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, sugar, fruit - and start eating more fat and protein. This will help to keep your blood sugar levels stable.

So for breakfast, eat something like eggs.

For lunch - something like chicken/tuna and salad - with an oily dressing and mayonnaise

For dinner - another protein (preferably a fatty cut), with veg (but no potatoes). With lots of butter on the veg.

No sugary soft drinks and avoid alcohol.

Original poster
Vworried2015 · 27/03/2015 23:01

Thank you. No I'm not thirsty (I probably don't drink enough to be honest).
What do you advise for the morning? Assuming I wake up feeling shaky, what do I take to raise my blood sugar if fruit juice and sugar are not advisable.

OP posts:
BIWI · 27/03/2015 23:22

Fat and protein. Eggs are perfect!

BIWI · 27/03/2015 23:23

(and also quick, which is important)

BIWI · 27/03/2015 23:23

While you're cooking your eggs you could always have a quick chunk of cheese.

SaltySeaBird · 28/03/2015 08:04

Also, if you have a testing kit (which it sounds like you do, if not you can buy them) then don't just assume your blood sugar is low. It's only low if you have a reading below 4, it sounds like you are consuming a lot of sugar and saying you need to raise it when in reality your blood sugar isn't low at all.

Original poster
Vworried2015 · 28/03/2015 08:10

Thanks to all for the advice.

Could it be I am so used to my BS being higher than normal, that now it is coming down to lower levels, I am experiencing the feelings of a low as my body isn't used to functioning on that level?

OP posts:
gamerchick · 28/03/2015 08:16

I was thinking that... The husband has to act when his levels go under 4.

Tell someone to take your testing kit away from you and concentrate on changing the foods you're eating.

KiaOraOAotearoa · 28/03/2015 08:23

Where do you get your readings from? Please go to a pharmacy this morning and describe the above to a pharmacist (since it is the weekend). They won't dismiss you.

ivykaty44 · 28/03/2015 09:54

Make yourself a soft boiled egg in the evening and shell the egg and eat in the morning - this will not take anytime to cook.

Midori1999 · 29/03/2015 23:02

There's no point in 'treating' yourself for low blood sugar, your blood sugar isn't low at the readings you've given. You'd only need to treat it if it was below 4.

However, as someone who does get severe hypoglycemia ) not diabetic, another medical condition) then BIWI's advice would be ridiculous and potentially life threatening if you were having hypos, as the only way to treat them is with sugar/carbs. Eating protein and fat would do sod all the raise them.

BIWI · 30/03/2015 07:29

Yes, Midori, you're quite right. Apologies. I should have read the OP more carefully.

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