Possible diabetes?

[SuperBoof]

I work with a couple of lads who have diabetes, and whilst listening to them state 1 or 2 of the symptoms to someone else, it got me thinking that maybe I could have some form of diabetes?

Over the past 12 months, maybe longer, I've suffered from minor health problems which I haven't mentioned to the doctor due to having absolutely no idea where these problems occured from or what they could be caused by.

I googled diabetes symptoms and cross referenced them to the problems I am having. Here they are;

passing urine more often than usual, especially at night
I tend to be urinating, or at least feel as though I need to urinate, alot more frequently than I remember in the past. Also, sometimes when I go to the toilet before bed, it can take upto about 5 minutes before I feel confident that my body no longer feels that it needs to urinate.

increased thirst
I'm not too sure about this one. During my dinner break at work, I usually have 1 can of fizzy drink, but then have to have another can of fizzy drink shortly after because I'm still thirsty. I'm not 100% certain this is a medical problem, it could just be the drink (usually Coke) drying out my mouth thus making me need another drink.

extreme tiredness
At work, in the first 4 hours of my shift (before my dinner break), I tend to suffer from tiredness, but not on an extreme level. However there has been a few occassions where I have felt so tired that I just feel as though I'm floating around the workplace because I am just so tired and just cannot focus, and keeping my eyes open becomes a slight struggle.

unexplained weight loss
I've not noticed any weight loss. Since for as long as I can remember, I've been a fairly skinny lad which I've always put down to having a fast metabolism. Also as far as I'm aware, I've always naturally maintained a weight of around 10 and a half stone for as long as I can remember, so I'm almost certain I haven't suffered from unexplained weight loss.

genital itching or regular episodes of thrush
Not suffered from thrush, however I do have what can only be described as a spotty rash type thing around the base of my genitals and under the scrotum. It's been there for a year or more I believe.

slow healing of cuts and wounds
I tend to get a fair few cuts, scratches and scrapes at work but have never really noticed any prolonged healing, but looking over my arm, I can still see fairly old wounds from work which have healed but have a visible mark.

blurred vision
My eyesight is poor anyway, and I wear glasses, but for the last few weeks I've been of the belief that my eyesight is slightly worse than usual.



I do plan on visiting the doctor at some point, but as today is the first time I have ever considered diabetes as a possible explanation for the weird and unexplained problems I am having, I thought it might be a good idea to get some feedback from people who understand diabetes.

Truth be told, I don't believe my problem is diabetes, but right now it's the only thing I have that sort of explains my problems.

So what do you guys think?

 

[Northerner]

Hi Superboof, welcome to the forum 🙂 I would say that, given that you have identified that you have several of the symptoms of diabetes, then there is a strong possibility that you may be on your way to developing diabetes. All the symptoms you describe are associated with higher than normal blood sugar levels - when your levels are high your body will try to flush excess glucose out via urine, and this in turn will make you thirsty and prone to late night visits to the loo. The genital itching could be thrush - again, high blood sugar levels will make you more prone to infection.

Of course, it may not be diabetes - the only way to be sure is to see the doctor and get a blood test. It may be that your levels are high, but not yet in the diabetic range - something called 'IGT', or Impaired Glucose Tolerance, where you body is finding it difficult to use the glucose in your blood for energy.

Do get an appointment as soon as you can. Should it be diabetes, try not to worry - there is a great deal that can be done to manage it well, and many people find they become fitter and healthier than ever, with the impetus to start taking more care with their diet and lifestyle. Let us know how things go 🙂

 

[imtrying]

Hi Superboof

Welcome to the forum 🙂

With regards to your post, I'd say the most important thing is that you've identified that there is something wrong. We can agree that you have some of the symptoms, but as Northe said, these can also be signs for other medical conditions. So without any tests, you unfortunately are just guessing.

Glad to hear you've got a doctors appointment. And if it is diabetes, at least you know we're all here to help, advise and support you 🙂

Good luck.

 

[trophywench]

Hiya

I should visit your doctor at some point SOON.

If it is D - a lot of damage can be done 'before diagnosis' - ie whilst you already have it but you aren't treating it.

If it isn't D, why worry that it is for longer than necessary?

 

[SuperBoof]

Cheers for the replies guys 🙂.

I just wanted to get some feedback from people that already have diabetes before I waste the doctor's time.

I'll go and book an appointment straight away.

Cheers again. 🙂

 

[imtrying]

Cheers for the replies guys 🙂.

I just wanted to get some feedback from people that already have diabetes before I waste the doctor's time.

I'll go and book an appointment straight away.

Cheers again. 🙂

let us know how you get on 🙂 Good luck!

 

[SuperBoof]

let us know how you get on 🙂 Good luck!

Will do. Booked an appointment for Monday.

Do I just go in and explain to my doctor that I may be suffering from similar symptoms to diabetes and ask him if I can be tested for diabetes?

 

[margie]

Will do. Booked an appointment for Monday.

Do I just go in and explain to my doctor that I may be suffering from similar symptoms to diabetes and ask him if I can be tested for diabetes?

Welcome to the forum.

Take a copy of your first post with you and show that to the Dr. That way you won't forget something. They may want to take a look at the rash irrespective of everything else - as you have had it for such a long time.

Good luck at the Doctors.

 

[Ellie Jones]

Good that you've booked an appointment, as some of your symptoms do need checking but whether they are actually diabetic related or not remains to be seen,

Your rash could easily be a sweat rash that needs some cream to help calm it,

Needing to pee,

It could be that your body is trying to flush out excess glucose from your system, or there again you could have a mild urine infection not all urine infections are immediately displaying strong symptoms, sometimes you have a lower level infection that doesn't give much bother..

Same as your thirst, could be that it's what you'll drinking rather than being diabetic related, Coke many other fizzy drinks contain caffine in them which is a diuretic which also could be the reason being the need to wee more often..

It would be a good idea to take a sample of urine with you from first wee when you get up, any small air-tight container, just ensure you give it a good washout, a rinse with boiling water so it's reasonable sterile

Your doc can do a dip stick test on this, and if there's any infection, glucose etc it will show up...

Oh eyes, when were these last tested?

T2 diabetes can often take anything up to 10 years before any symptoms really show themselves physically to an individual, but often a optician can detect diabetic changes within the eyes.. This is how my friend found out he was T1 diabetic, showed no particular symptoms to suggest diabetes apart from blurry vision so he booked in for a eye check, his optician took one look, wrote him a letter and sent him straight to his doctors..

 

[SuperBoof]

Good that you've booked an appointment, as some of your symptoms do need checking but whether they are actually diabetic related or not remains to be seen,

Your rash could easily be a sweat rash that needs some cream to help calm it,

Needing to pee,

It could be that your body is trying to flush out excess glucose from your system, or there again you could have a mild urine infection not all urine infections are immediately displaying strong symptoms, sometimes you have a lower level infection that doesn't give much bother..

Same as your thirst, could be that it's what you'll drinking rather than being diabetic related, Coke many other fizzy drinks contain caffine in them which is a diuretic which also could be the reason being the need to wee more often..

It would be a good idea to take a sample of urine with you from first wee when you get up, any small air-tight container, just ensure you give it a good washout, a rinse with boiling water so it's reasonable sterile

Your doc can do a dip stick test on this, and if there's any infection, glucose etc it will show up...

Oh eyes, when were these last tested?

T2 diabetes can often take anything up to 10 years before any symptoms really show themselves physically to an individual, but often a optician can detect diabetic changes within the eyes.. This is how my friend found out he was T1 diabetic, showed no particular symptoms to suggest diabetes apart from blurry vision so he booked in for a eye check, his optician took one look, wrote him a letter and sent him straight to his doctors..

My last eye check was about 4 years ago I think. I need to book in with them at some point to switch back to contact lenses, just haven't had the money to do so yet unfortunately. It could just be my eyes getting worse.

But like I say, I've had some of these problems for quite some time so at least now I have a reason to give the doctor a visit. I'm not really a fan of the doctor. I'm the kind of person that prefers to give it a year or 2 and see if it clears up lol.

 

[Northerner]

...But like I say, I've had some of these problems for quite some time so at least now I have a reason to give the doctor a visit. I'm not really a fan of the doctor. I'm the kind of person that prefers to give it a year or 2 and see if it clears up lol.

I was the same - put up with quite pronounced symptoms for about two years before I was suddenly laid low with a virus that landed me up in hospital. I've since learned that it's better to get things checked out sooner rather than later because often the treatments are simpler and there's little point in living with problems that can be treated 🙂 Good luck on Monday!

 

[SuperBoof]

DOH! Just did something I wish I hadn't now. I read up on "hypo's". I've been seeing the word used on this forum quite alot so I decided to research...

I've recently been suffering from sweating in bed whilst feeling warm and cold, and what could possibly be palpitations. And possibly a couple of other symptoms.

I'm not thinking too positively now.

 

[Northerner]

DOH! Just did something I wish I hadn't now. I read up on "hypo's". I've been seeing the word used on this forum quite alot so I decided to research...

I've recently been suffering from sweating in bed whilst feeling warm and cold, and what could possibly be palpitations. And possibly a couple of other symptoms.

I'm not thinking too positively now.

It's highly unlikely you will be having hypos SB, as you are not on any medication that might trigger such a situation (such as insulin, or drugs called sulphonylureas that make the pancreas produce more insulin). Stop reading the internet! 😉 It's much more likely that those symptoms are due to higher than normal blood sugar levels - diabetes can be a very confusing condition - or it may be due to something else entirely, another thing to ask your GP.

 

[SuperBoof]

It's highly unlikely you will be having hypos SB, as you are not on any medication that might trigger such a situation (such as insulin, or drugs called sulphonylureas that make the pancreas produce more insulin). Stop reading the internet! 😉 It's much more likely that those symptoms are due to higher than normal blood sugar levels - diabetes can be a very confusing condition - or it may be due to something else entirely, another thing to ask your GP.

Awesome, good news!

Cheers everyone.

 

[Robster65]

A belated welcome Superboof.🙂

WHat they all said !

Good luck, and if you get the news you're half expecting, come back and tell us what was said and we can maybe give you some helpful background info.

I was going to suggest that you could maybe ask one of your colleagues to use their test meter on you, assuming they are type 1 and have them (following hygeine precautions of course).🙂

You would at least be able to get an idea before going to the doc's.

Rob

 

[imtrying]

I was going to suggest that you could maybe ask one of your colleagues to use their test meter on you, assuming they are type 1 and have them (following hygeine precautions of course).🙂

You would at least be able to get an idea before going to the doc's.

Rob

great idea Rob!!

Yep, do that! 🙂 (make sure they change the lancet in the finger pricker first!)

 

[eeyore]

Only just saw your thread today. Even though its scary definately get a doc appointment. My symptoms slowly built up over a month. Needed to wee lots, then the thirst. By week 3 I found I was crawling up the stairs after work, exhausted. I do a physical job but was never that tired! Went to the docs on a Friday, end of week 4. Couldnt get bloods done for 10 days. Asked to drop a urine sample in on the Monday. Spent the wknd eating sweets (!!!) and suking ice cubes cause mouth dry. Monday pm got a call from GP and was in hospital by 5.30pm. BG 28.8. Discharged Tue pm on insulin and in 2 weeks felt so much better. You may be ok but if not although D is an arse, once treated you will feel better and there is support.

 

[trophywench]

Mmmm - palpitations ... haven't had them since the months leading up to July 1972 .......