HI and in need of help

[ianrobo]

Hi there,

This is a very long introduction I am afraid but I need to explain my situation !!

I am 50, I cycle a lot (do 300km bike rides) and considered myself very fit. I was slightly overweight but nothing major and not affecting myself. However in March 2020 I got covid. I recovered fine exercise was fine and good then in august got appendicitis (of course blood sugars were fine !! and also had to be given oxygen then as O2 at 92%).

After this I felt very fatigued after exercise and at times barely could get out of bed. I thought this was long covid and after 2 weeks of no exercise, I felt fine then. However after rides I just felt awful at times when I never used to, especially very thirsty, but again felt it was long covid.

However before Covid I used to be one of the Keto/LCHF people but with lockdown and a change of job meaning more days away my diet went very carb etc.

Now I don't want to go down the discussion on Keto etc but the last 5 weeks I have felt awful. A number of conditions

- Fatigue (two weeks was in bed for 3 days and off work)
- Headaches (mainly front and behind the eyes)
- Resting HR has increased this week by 15BPM (70 average when normally 55 so very fit)
- BP is fine 125/75 a few mins ago
- Blood oxygen at times using an oximeter has been often below 95% when feeling very fatigued.
- some muscle aching
- sleep disrupted but never feel like even after 10 hours I have slept well
- this week a couple of night sweats
- dry mouth upon waking

I am very anal about my health etc (though do smoke !!) and measure what I can and always have after being very overweight when mid 20's and lost all that weight and don't want to go back.

So thinking the current situation was Long covid, I went to the doctors and had a blood test and he has called me back next week has something has appeared. He would not tell me over the phone.

So talking to someone this week they have said is it my blood sugar, I used to measure this when Keto and was fine at 4-6 most times no issues. However I thought, well for 20 quid, buy a monitor and check, started yesterday ... The readings

Yesterday
14:00 - 13
19:00 - 90 mins post Prandial 11.5

Today
07:00 - fasted - 10.5
14:00 - 90 mins after lunch, eggs, Bacon, cheese - 8.8
19:00 - 90 mins after tea - Cheese, Salmon peppers - 11.9

Blood Oxygen - today all under 96, lowest 91 average 93

I am just wondering if this is familiar to anyone and have they had covid start anything like this ?

If you were very fit (I did average 15 hours a week exercise) did this occur ?

Anything you can help me with would much appreciate.

Cheers,
Ian

 

[Alan S]

I am very anal about my health etc (though do smoke !!)

G'day. You don't see that qualifier as a contradiction in terms 🙂?

So talking to someone this week they have said is it my blood sugar, I used to measure this when Keto and was fine at 4-6 most times no issues. However I thought, well for 20 quid, buy a monitor and check, started yesterday ... The readings

Yesterday
14:00 - 13
19:00 - 90 mins post Prandial 11.5

Today
07:00 - fasted - 10.5
14:00 - 90 mins after lunch, eggs, Bacon, cheese - 8.8
19:00 - 90 mins after tea - Cheese, Salmon peppers - 11.9

I cannot say whether covid had anything to do with it; the research into covid and diabetes is in its infancy. What I can say is that if your meter is accurate you need to see your doctor ASAP for proper diagnostic testing. Those results are well into the diabetes range.

Your background suggests you should ask the doctor to add tests, including at least c-peptide and antibodies, to be sure of your type in addition to the standard diagnostic blood tests.

 

[ianrobo]

G'day. You don't see that qualifier as a contradiction in terms 🙂?

I cannot say whether covid had anything to do with it; the research into covid and diabetes is in its infancy. What I can say is that if your meter is accurate you need to see your doctor ASAP for proper diagnostic testing. Those results are well into the diabetes range.

Your background suggests you should ask the doctor to add tests, including at least c-peptide and antibodies, to be sure of your type in addition to the standard diagnostic blood tests.

Thanks Alan and got an appointment on Wednesday with GP as he wants to discuss my results.

To check the meter, measured my wife at 6.2 … I had antibody yesterday last November and was clear which was to be expected.

One theory was that long covid can cause stress and thus raise blood sugars but of course no test for that at all.

 

[Alan S]

Thanks Alan and got an appointment on Wednesday with GP as he wants to discuss my results.

To check the meter, measured my wife at 6.2 … I had antibody yesterday last November and was clear which was to be expected.

One theory was that long covid can cause stress and thus raise blood sugars but of course no test for that at all.

To be honest the cause of the condition is unchangeable history; the important thing now is what to do next. If, and only if, the doctor diagnoses you with type 2 diabetes I wrote this to help beginners: Getting Started. But if you are diagnosed type 1 I suggest you ask for advice from the T1s on this forum.

 

[ianrobo]

Thanks Alan and very useful and yes I have to deal with this not least for my cycling performance!!

I think likely to be T2 but obviously have to wait to confirm that !!

Just took a measure .. 00.30 here in UK and 11.1 and not eaten since half 5 …

 

[trophywench]

Yeah well that follows, because one way or the other you have diabetes. Covid being a virus can actually instigate an auto immune attack causing the onset of Type 1 diabetes - hence why Alan said to ask your GP to test your properly and soon for Type 1 diabetes, not assume it's T2. The C-peptide and GAD antibody tests should settle which Type you are.

 

[ianrobo]

Thanks will ask for them on Wednesday

 

[ianrobo]

Has anyone else seen their resting HR zoom up at all ? Remeber mine was a very healthy 57 but this week averaging nearly 70

 

[Alan S]

I am very anal about my health etc (though do smoke !!)

Your immediate concern is making sure you are diagnosed correctly and learning what will need to be done as a consequence.

In a couple of months time when you are settled in your new way of life please think about the cancer-sticks again. I wrote this many years ago but I have seen no research since to change my opinion; in fact more recent research is more dire.

Smoking and Diabetes

 

[ianrobo]

Thanks Alan and this issue has brought this into focus for me …

I have discussed this with some people I know working In The NHS etc. and they all say the same …

 

[Drummer]

Thanks Alan and this issue has brought this into focus for me …

I have discussed this with some people I know working In The NHS etc. and they all say the same …

I am pretty sure I had the Omicron version this last week - despite the negative test the day after I started to feel better - just checked my pulse and it is 68 rather than 60, and slightly feeble too, took a minute to find which is unusual.
I would be doubtful about claiming Covid, but my sense of smell and taste is decidedly odd.
Today I could not taste the crystalized ginger I was weighing out to put in the Christmas cake.

 

[ianrobo]

Pretty sure this is not covid as regular LFT not positive. My RHR has reduced since stopping exercise … so a complicated mess really. But as I type a headache, a deep thirst and dry mouth suggest sadly diabetes doesn’t it ?

 

[Drummer]

Pretty sure this is not covid as regular LFT not positive. My RHR has reduced since stopping exercise … so a complicated mess really. But as I type a headache, a deep thirst and dry mouth suggest sadly diabetes doesn’t it ?

Not something I was experiencing even when diagnosed with Hba1c of 91 - but recently had a headache and dry mouth and throat which I thought were down to Omicron.

 

[ianrobo]

The RHR issue is the most confusing as attached, that rise hapoened during normal exercise, the drop as I stopped, rising again as restarted exercise … the big one at the start was when doing 300km ride !!

 

[ianrobo]

Over the year this is it and gradual rise can be seen. Only sugar reading I have is 8 from March so does a gradual rise cause resting hR to go up .. I have not decreased fitness over time

 

[ianrobo]

Another worrying trend

 

[Leadinglights]

I think this is something you should probably show your GP, you don't mention any medication that you are taking for blood pressure or other conditions and you haven't had a particularly recent HbA1C which could all have an impact on what might be going on.
People here are not able to give medical advice as such and make comment on diabetes from their own experience.

 

[ianrobo]

Oh sure but asking for generalities and others experiences., basically I have been fit and healthy until the appendicitis and since then they fatigue, thought it had gone but as described. Wondering if anyone has had similar measurements etc as so many of us can now track our own markers etc.

Nope no medication, BP last reading yesterday 125/75 and about to take another today.

Yesterday was a good example,

Fasting 10.2
Lunch Post Prandial 11.2
Tea Post Prandial - 10.8

But did exercise in the afternoon and felt dreadful, stopped after 30 mins of basically nothing but all I did was sweat. then after 8 could barely stay awake.

Today a bit better, did exercise for 70 mins (low level for me) and feel OK but headache still there but fasting was 10 and post prandial lunch 10.8.

 

[Leadinglights]

Oh sure but asking for generalities and others experiences., basically I have been fit and healthy until the appendicitis and since then they fatigue, thought it had gone but as described. Wondering if anyone has had similar measurements etc as so many of us can now track our own markers etc.

Nope no medication, BP last reading yesterday 125/75 and about to take another today.

Yesterday was a good example,

Fasting 10.2
Lunch Post Prandial 11.2
Tea Post Prandial - 10.8

But did exercise in the afternoon and felt dreadful, stopped after 30 mins of basically nothing but all I did was sweat. then after 8 could barely stay awake.

Today a bit better, did exercise for 70 mins (low level for me) and feel OK but headache still there but fasting was 10 and post prandial lunch 10.8.

You describe yourself as being prediabetic but those fasting and postprandial levels would translate to being in the diabetic zone unless there is some other explanation. They are outside the range that one would expect for someone in the at Risk category
You really need to ask your GP for an HbA1C blood test which is used to diagnose diabetes.

 

[ianrobo]

indeed and had that test and awaiting result on Wednesday for my consultation, they would not tell me the result over the phone, grrrr

because the real problem is I feel so terrible and the worry increases it all. I spoke to a friend who is a nurse and he said the same as you.