Hello from me

[OldIronsides]

I was diagnosed as Type 2 in May this year. I noticed a gradual decline in my energy levels as well as thirst and a dry mouth. The diabetes nurse at my GP surgery said that I should have been referred 6 months previously. In May my levels had increased to plus 33 and I was admitted to hospital overnight. I have been told that they suspect that mine is steroid induced diabetes as I have been taking Hydrocortisone and Thyroxene for 18 years for a hormone deficiency.

I was discharged on insulin (lantis) temporarily and I have been slowly weened off of this and onto Metformin. Now taking 4 500mg tablets a day and no insulin. My levels are between 5 and 6 usually each day. What is puzzling and slightly alarming me, is that I still have episodes when I feel unwell. Tired but more often weakness in my arms and legs and I feel I am dragging my feet along. I feel I have lost my energy and sense of vitality. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[Leadinglights]

I was diagnosed as Type 2 in May this year. I noticed a gradual decline in my energy levels as well as thirst and a dry mouth. The diabetes nurse at my GP surgery said that I should have been referred 6 months previously. In May my levels had increased to plus 33 and I was admitted to hospital overnight. I have been told that they suspect that mine is steroid induced diabetes as I have been taking Hydrocortisone and Thyroxene for 18 years for a hormone deficiency.

I was discharged on insulin (lantis) temporarily and I have been slowly weened off of this and onto Metformin. Now taking 4 500mg tablets a day and no insulin. My levels are between 5 and 6 usually each day. What is puzzling and slightly alarming me, is that I still have episodes when I feel unwell. Tired but more often weakness in my arms and legs and I feel I am dragging my feet along. I feel I have lost my energy and sense of vitality. Has anyone else experienced this?

Those levels look pretty normal but there could be some residual effect from having had high blood glucose levels for the months before you were officially diagnosed. If your levels have dropped pretty quickly, it could just be your body adapting to lower levels.
There are other things which may cause your symptoms such as Vitamin B12 deficiency so have you had that checked recently, also anaemia. A word with your GP or nurse would be a good idea.

 

[EmmaL76]

I was diagnosed as Type 2 in May this year. I noticed a gradual decline in my energy levels as well as thirst and a dry mouth. The diabetes nurse at my GP surgery said that I should have been referred 6 months previously. In May my levels had increased to plus 33 and I was admitted to hospital overnight. I have been told that they suspect that mine is steroid induced diabetes as I have been taking Hydrocortisone and Thyroxene for 18 years for a hormone deficiency.

I was discharged on insulin (lantis) temporarily and I have been slowly weened off of this and onto Metformin. Now taking 4 500mg tablets a day and no insulin. My levels are between 5 and 6 usually each day. What is puzzling and slightly alarming me, is that I still have episodes when I feel unwell. Tired but more often weakness in my arms and legs and I feel I am dragging my feet along. I feel I have lost my energy and sense of vitality. Has anyone else experienced this?

Walking through treacle I used to call it. I never did find out what was causing it. Still get it from time to time but nowhere near as much as I used to after I’d initially brought my sugars down. Your numbers look great by the way.

 

[Drummer]

Since getting my glucose levels under control my thyroid has recovered - I have been able to reduce my dose even though it was stable for decades.
Perhaps your thyroid was affected by the high glucose levels and has reduced activity now, though hopefully it will return to something more normal before long. In my case the recovery did take some years - but my glucose was high for a long time before the diagnosis of type 2.

 

[OldIronsides]

Thank you so much all of you for your replies. Emma I love the phrase 'walking through treacle' because that is just what it feels like. I am due to see the nurse on the 29th of September and further blood samples are being taken so that I can check my Thyroid and B12 levels in particular. I guess it is a matter before my body settles down.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thank you so much all of you for your replies. Emma I love the phrase 'walking through treacle' because that is just what it feels like. I am due to see the nurse on the 29th of September and further blood samples are being taken so that I can check my Thyroid and B12 levels in particular. I guess it is a matter before my body settles down.

Welcome to the forum @OldIronsides

Have to been able to check your glucose levels when these feelings are occuring? Fatigue is a potential symptom of both high glucose levels, and low glucose levels(!), and can can also be triggered by a rapid change to average levels, where the body has adjusted to expect high levels as ‘normal’ and sees healthy in-range levels as being lower than expected.

As you suggest, it can take a while for the body to adjust and adapt, and for the ‘glucose thermostat’ to reset itself 🙂

On the other hand, it may not be being triggered by blood glucose at all! Hope your additional checks shed some extra light on things.

 

[OldIronsides]

Welcome to the forum @OldIronsides

Have to been able to check your glucose levels when these feelings are occuring? Fatigue is a potential symptom of both high glucose levels, and low glucose levels(!), and can can also be triggered by a rapid change to average levels, where the body has adjusted to expect high levels as ‘normal’ and sees healthy in-range levels as being lower than expected.

As you suggest, it can take a while for the body to adjust and adapt, and for the ‘glucose thermostat’ to reset itself 🙂

On the other hand, it may not be being triggered by blood glucose at all! Hope your additional checks shed some extra light on things.

This is the odd thing. When my levels were high I felt the same way. The day before I was admitted to hospital I could barely function. Now my levels are below 6.5 I get the same thing. Maybe you are right in that my body hasn't got used to the sudden change. My levels were above 7 and rising for a good 6 months without me being aware. I guess it is just a matter of time.