Diabetes - how did you know you had a problem?

SexyGreyFox

SexyGreyFox

SexyGreyFox

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Obviously this question is only for those who have diabetes or know a family member.

So, what were your symptoms when you knew you needed to go and get help?
 
Yes this will sound disgusting, but, anyway...

Diabetics eject a lot of unprocessed sugars through their urine. If you were to taste a drop and it was sweet, you would know you "may" have a problem.

Either way, checking is simply a matter of a blood test.

If you are worried, why not just get a blood test at the doctors?

My granny and dad are diabetic, so I get checked up with a blood test every so often.

TM
 
My symptoms were typical. last March I had lost 10Kg since Christmas and I was constantly thirsty (and had a dry mouth). A quick urine dip strip test went all the way to the top of the scale :)
 
Firstly, you get unexplained weight loss. This is because you can't metabolise sugar any more, and the only energy your body can process is fat that's already there. When that's gone, things get worse.

In my case, I suffered severe dehydration. It didn't matter how much water I drank, it would just come out the other end half an hour later without giving me any of its watery goodness. I would frequently wake up at night with my tongue swollen and cracked from dehydration and needing to go to the loo. I was also tired all the time and developed a rash on my back, possibly due to a build up of ketones turning my blood into acid.

If you're worried, go see a doctor for a blood test that takes 10 seconds. Or if you know anyone who is diabetic, they might let you use their testing kit.
 
SlyReaper said:
Firstly, you get unexplained weight loss. This is because you can't metabolise sugar any more, and the only energy your body can process is fat that's already there. When that's gone, things get worse.

In my case, I suffered severe dehydration. It didn't matter how much water I drank, it would just come out the other end half an hour later without giving me any of its watery goodness. I would frequently wake up at night with my tongue swollen and cracked from dehydration and needing to go to the loo. I was also tired all the time and developed a rash on my back, possibly due to a build up of ketones turning my blood into acid.

If you're worried, go see a doctor for a blood test that takes 10 seconds. Or if you know anyone who is diabetic, they might let you use their testing kit.
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That's crazy. I've lost a stone recently and I'm now down to just under 8st and can't seem to put it back on. I also drink 2 pints of water during the night but still wake up thirsty. :(
 
OzyOly said:
That's crazy. I've lost a stone recently and I'm now down to just under 8st and can't seem to put it back on. I also drink 2 pints of water during the night but still wake up thirsty. :(
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Being thirsty in the morning might happen if your mouth hangs open while you sleep. Still, if you're worried, it takes literally 10 seconds to do a blood test. Ideally, you want a reading around the 5 to 8 mark if you haven't eaten for a few hours. If it's around 20 (like my first test was), then you need to start worrying. :p
 
My mum was diagnosed a few years ago after noticing an increase in thirst, quite a common condition among her side of the family. Several aunts and 2 of my cousins have it as well, one of them was first diagnosed when she was 4 years old.
 
Yu don't even need a blood test, your GP will simply use a glucose strip dipped in your urine and it's instant. You will then be referred to the walk in centre for a more accurate blood test, they will also check your cholesterol level as that has habit of going up when you are diabetic, mine went from 3.9 to 6.9 without any change in diet so, like a lot of people diagnosed,I have to take Statins as well as cardiac asprin daily.
 
Bill101 said:
Yu don't even need a blood test, your GP will simply use a glucose strip dipped in your urine and it's instant. You will then be referred to the walk in centre for a more accurate blood test, they will also check your cholesterol level as that has habit of going up when you are diabetic, mine went from 3.9 to 6.9 without any change in diet so, like a lot of people diagnosed,I have to take Statins as well as cardiac asprin daily.
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Are you type 2? I'm type 1 and have never heard of this.
 
Urine test strips are avalible form your GP.

Diabetes can affect your organs severly. It can cause blindless! If you have family history of it - get yourself checked out every now and then.
 
Well, I don't have history of diabetes in my family, but I've been suffering from monocular dipolar for some time now. I''m not exactly blind, but my doc doesn't know how to fix it.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;12817588 said:
Nope.

As far as I know it's not the diabetes that makes you go blind, but it is an associated condition. Mate of mine is type 1 and she lost her night vision completely by 25.
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Ah right, thanks.

So getting Type 2 is a matter of eating too much sugary things, or am I mistaken?
 
My brother who has had it for about 7-8 years now was always thirsty and kept going to the toilet straight after drinking anything. Also, he needed to go a lot during the night and actually being woken up by the need to go.
 
Unexplained weight loss, red hot to the touch, drinking gallons of water, no energy then she nearly dropped dead. Told she had 2 hours to live if we hadn't got her there when we did then spent 2 weeks in intensive care trying to stabilise blood sugars over 30. Round of applause to the NHS for spotting that after she'd been to them complaining about the symptoms for nearly a year previously. Bunch of idiots, lucky she's not gone blind because of that.
 
Looks like I'm off to Lloyds Pharmacy ASAP.
Over the last 6 months 3 different people have commented on different things about me and looking at a checklist I tick a lot of boxes.

Always thirsty
Tired
Lots of wee'ing
I get up out of bed around 3 times a night for a wee
Skin conditions
and other stuff.

Ta
 
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