[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

CramCycle · 02-10-2014 2:51pm

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Well that's not the cost to me! Since it's provided under LTI...but it is ridiculous.

I'd still be complaining, what if you took them on holiday or were away from home and the local pharmacist had not got them in stock.

They are charging us enough for them as the cost comes through taxation, I would definitely be complaining.

Alanstrainor · 02-10-2014 3:33pm

CramCycle wrote: »

I'd still be complaining, what if you took them on holiday or were away from home and the local pharmacist had not got them in stock.

They are charging us enough for them as the cost comes through taxation, I would definitely be complaining.

You're right. Just gave them a call, waiting for a call back from a support rep!

gctest50 · 02-10-2014 3:58pm

the Dexcom sensors are 7day ones

people get 2 - 3 weeks out of one of them

Alanstrainor · 02-10-2014 4:00pm

gctest50 wrote: »

the Dexcom sensors are 7day ones

people get 2 - 3 weeks out of one of them

Yeah these are 6 days. But don't last. Readings go haywire after around 24 hours i find. Which makes them completely useless.

gctest50 · 02-10-2014 4:07pm

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Yeah these are 6 days. But don't last. Readings go haywire after around 24 hours i find. Which makes them completely useless.

oh noes! they've been infected with HSE-itis

cocker5's OH uses dexcom - if you have a look back through this thread

gctest50 · 02-10-2014 4:12pm

esp. if you have a small kid with Type1

you can wire the Dexcom remote display to an Android phone and make it upload the cgm readings to the internets
then see them from anywhere

http://www.nightscout.info

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oplTY18697E

graflynn · 02-10-2014 4:16pm

Alanstrainor wrote: »

My Medtronic CGM has been a shambles recently. Using Enlight sensors, and generally I only get them to work for about 24hrs before my results go haywire and I have to remove it. Very disappointing. I think a lot of this is to do with me being quite slim, and the sensors getting moved around once inserted. But of late, things have been particularly bad, far worse than before. Almost makes them a waste of time.

Had to insert 3 sensors yesterday, on one, the electrode (or whatever you call the piece that stays inside you...) wasn't there at all, so there was no chance of it working. The other was giving mental numbers, and the last is working...for now. Very frustrating. And considering every enlight sensor costs about 70 quid, it's a bit ridiculous!

Hi Alan, I don't know how long you have been having this trouble but it might be worth discussing your suitability to the Medtronic system and considering one of the others, or rather the other one? Another option is to try different sites (but you've probably done that). I hope it gets sorted for you soon.

CathyMoran · 02-10-2014 7:36pm

Probably not the best time but I am going to see about getting the pump again - I would need cgm but I do feel that it would make a huge difference - I have changed consultant to someone that I have had the fortune of attending in the past who was and is brilliant - will see. I already carb count but other medical issues complicate things (my digestion is variable for a start).

Alanstrainor · 03-10-2014 9:39am

graflynn wrote: »

Hi Alan, I don't know how long you have been having this trouble but it might be worth discussing your suitability to the Medtronic system and considering one of the others, or rather the other one? Another option is to try different sites (but you've probably done that). I hope it gets sorted for you soon.

I've been on the CGM for about 6 months, and have been having issues for ~3. It worked well in the beginning and then became unusable. After speaking with the medtronic support rep, who were very good over the phone, they said that it is most likely the insertion sites that result in the sensor not sitting in the correct position, or too close to muscle resulting in the reading being off. Which makes sense. I have one on at the minute, which is actually working so I'm going to run with this for a while at least and see what my results are like.

For me the CGM is not something I want to wear at all times (even if it was reliable!), it's more something for me to wear 6 days a month to make sure my sugars are in check, and I'm not suddenly experiencing highs/lows over night, or gradual rises at certain times of the day.

graflynn · 03-10-2014 4:49pm

CathyMoran wrote: »

Probably not the best time but I am going to see about getting the pump again - I would need cgm but I do feel that it would make a huge difference - I have changed consultant to someone that I have had the fortune of attending in the past who was and is brilliant - will see. I already carb count but other medical issues complicate things (my digestion is variable for a start).

This might help you fight your case; http://www.inputdiabetes.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/153070_Detailed_Leaflet_May_14_HR.pdf[/URL]

CathyMoran · 03-10-2014 7:38pm

graflynn wrote: »

This might help you fighhtt your case; http://www.inputdiabetes.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/153070_Detailed_Leaflet_May_14_HR.pdf[/URL]

Thanks for that - I would love for my husband to be able a good night's sleep instead of being worried about me and also I would love to be able to get a bus or drive. I know how lucky I am to be here but it makes my life even more complicated than just being an 8 year oesophageal cancer survivor (and that is hard enough). I am supposed to eat small amounts often with the later and that does not go with being a Type 1 diabetic or a mother to two wonderful young children.

Mars Bar · 03-10-2014 10:22pm

Before you guys were diagnosed, did you notice that you went to the toilet more when you were doing less? I've noticed an increase in the amount of times I use the loo in the last few weeks and a bit more thirst. I went three times in the space of an hour last night in bed (between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.). I've kept a log since midnight and I've been to the loo 12 times so far today.

The biggest break was when I was asleep and then a three hour break when I was busy at a workshop. When I can afford to, I will bring myself to the doctor.
I've noticed no weight loss. I did wake up one night with the worst dry mouth in the world and my lips cracked too.

Beano · 03-10-2014 10:31pm

repeated trips to the loo - Check
thirst - check

go get yourself checked out. it wont get better by itself.

Mars Bar · 03-10-2014 10:42pm

I'm finding the thirst one hard to gauge because I never drink the recommended daily amount of fluids so I don't know if it's a normal amount I'm drinking.

I'm gonna keep this log going for a bit anyway. I've been thinking about it a good bit the last two days and I think that might be making me worse. Almost like anxiety pees!

I was tested for diabetes when I was younger but sugar levels were fine and I had a blood test last year for leg pains and to make sure there was no arthritis and I remember her saying no diabetes.

How quickly can it come on?

CramCycle · 03-10-2014 11:28pm

Mars Bar wrote: »

How quickly can it come on?

Mine came on from nothing to full blown in 3 days, from experience, the older you are the slower the onset can seem or be IMO get it checked, GTT and a C peptide test should give a good idea

Beano · 03-10-2014 11:29pm

http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/frequent-urination-causes-and-treatments

go see a doctor

Mars Bar · 03-10-2014 11:34pm

Thanks guys. Got to find €45 out of somewhere over the weekend for the doctor next week I think.
My young cousin has type one and our great aunt had it also. My granny on the other side has type two.

Rucking_Fetard · 04-10-2014 1:12am

Viral infection may trigger childhood diabetes in utero

The researchers found a striking difference between women tested in different seasons, suggesting a link to winter epidemics. The concurrent presence of GAD65 antibodies in cord blood and their mothers indicated autoimmune damage to islet cells during gestation, possibly caused by cross-placental transmission of viral infections and/or antivirus antibodies. In other words, during viral epidemics of winter months, ten percent of the healthy pregnant women who had no family background of autoimmune diseases tested positive for damaging antibodies.

macnug · 04-10-2014 8:15am

Hi all. I've been recently diagnosed with type 2 after losing 4 st unintentionally. I've been put on 2 tabs a day of which the name escapes me. Since starting the tab I have gained a half pound a day. Its worrying as I am still 2 stone over weight and want to start an exercise regime. Anybody ever have this problem before? Does it stop after a while?

herisson · 05-10-2014 5:52pm

The past month ive just freaked out with being diabetic. Its just hitting me hard all of a sudden. Its the panic of not controlling it and becoming type 1.

The worst is ive finished my last pack of glucophage and wont be able to get another pack til tomorrow. I stress more then my sugars go up.

I have recently moved to dublin so i need to find a diabetic clinic i really need help with it.

PUMPINGPLUMBER · 05-10-2014 11:21pm

HI ALL
im on the pump 2 weeks but have type 1 25 year but still cant get me head around potatoes,every time i eat sugars always rise late after i stopped eating for a long time but since pump fitted tried agatn but having same problems,either im not counting the carbs from them correctly or just ................

PUMPINGPLUMBER · 05-10-2014 11:32pm

CathyMoran wrote: »

Probably not the best time but I am going to see about getting the pump again - I would need cgm but I do feel that it would make a huge difference - I have changed consultant to someone that I have had the fortune of attending in the past who was and is brilliant - will see. I already carb count but other medical issues complicate things (my digestion is variable for a start).

hi Cath,what type of digestion problems,ive had issues with digestion last few years but since pump it seems to have gotten much better[only 2 weeks in]

graflynn · 06-10-2014 10:51am

herisson wrote: »

The past month ive just freaked out with being diabetic. Its just hitting me hard all of a sudden. Its the panic of not controlling it and becoming type 1.

The worst is ive finished my last pack of glucophage and wont be able to get another pack til tomorrow. I stress more then my sugars go up.

I have recently moved to dublin so i need to find a diabetic clinic i really need help with it.

Hello, there is a diabetes support group in Dublin,
https://www.facebook.com/groups/169847736412651/ you can contact them on facebook, they meet once a month. Or you can email t1diabetic.dublin@gmail.com

They would all attend diabetes clinics in the Dublin area and give you some advice on that.

CramCycle · 06-10-2014 10:57am

herisson wrote: »

The past month ive just freaked out with being diabetic. Its just hitting me hard all of a sudden. Its the panic of not controlling it and becoming type 1.

The worst is ive finished my last pack of glucophage and wont be able to get another pack til tomorrow. I stress more then my sugars go up.

I have recently moved to dublin so i need to find a diabetic clinic i really need help with it.

Your current clinic should move your stuff over, contact them and ask can they facilitate a move to St. James or somewhere similar. Having talked to some of the specialists in Vincents for type 2, it strikes me as a good place to go as well.

Is there anything in particular making you freak out? Sometimes all the possibilities can hit you at once, happens to us all I think, hope you got sorted with your glucophage.

PUMPINGPLUMBER wrote: »

HI ALL
im on the pump 2 weeks but have type 1 25 year but still cant get me head around potatoes,every time i eat sugars always rise late after i stopped eating for a long time but since pump fitted tried agatn but having same problems,either im not counting the carbs from them correctly or just ................

Slow release, what pump are you on? You could try and set up a square wave or dual wave bolus to see does the slow release of the insulin help more, it certainly helps me with any rice based dishes.

Alanstrainor · 06-10-2014 4:58pm

PUMPINGPLUMBER wrote: »

HI ALL
im on the pump 2 weeks but have type 1 25 year but still cant get me head around potatoes,every time i eat sugars always rise late after i stopped eating for a long time but since pump fitted tried agatn but having same problems,either im not counting the carbs from them correctly or just ................

Eat a meal with potatoes, and bolus as normal and check bloods every hour after; to log the rise (and fall...). Check the active insulin on the pump at each blood test. If your sugars go up, and seem to stay up, I would wager you need to take more insulin. I've been pumping years and tend not to have this issue with any foods.

What I will typically see after a meal, is an increase from lets say 5.0 before meal, 11.0 after 1.5 hours, and then back down again to a base level of 5ish after 3 hours or so. You're very new to the pump, so I would also wager you have to iron out issues with your BASAL rates too.

PUMPINGPLUMBER · 06-10-2014 8:39pm

Paradigm 715

ebbsy · 06-10-2014 8:50pm

herisson wrote: »

The past month ive just freaked out with being diabetic. Its just hitting me hard all of a sudden. Its the panic of not controlling it and becoming type 1.

The worst is ive finished my last pack of glucophage and wont be able to get another pack til tomorrow. I stress more then my sugars go up.

I have recently moved to dublin so i need to find a diabetic clinic i really need help with it.

1) Get your eyes checked out. I had to get laser to sort mine out. They said I will be ok if I keep my sugars under control.
2) Eat lots of nuts, white meat,oily veg, fish. Broccoli, sprouts are great as well.
3) Avoid white bread and white rice completely. Brown rice is good, as is wholegrain breads.
4) Wear proper fitting shoes with loads of space.

Last time I was in the clinic they said my sugars were under control. A little treat every now and again is ok. Go for some exercise afterwards.

Good luck.

herisson · 06-10-2014 11:08pm

graflynn wrote: »

Hello, there is a diabetes support group in Dublin,
https://www.facebook.com/groups/169847736412651/ you can contact them on facebook, they meet once a month. Or you can email t1diabetic.dublin@gmail.com

They would all attend diabetes clinics in the Dublin area and give you some advice on that.

Thank you very much. I am going to look into these!

herisson · 06-10-2014 11:24pm

CramCycle wrote: »

Your current clinic should move your stuff over, contact them and ask can they facilitate a move to St. James or somewhere similar. Having talked to some of the specialists in Vincents for type 2, it strikes me as a good place to go as well.

Is there anything in particular making you freak out? Sometimes all the possibilities can hit you at once, happens to us all I think, hope you got sorted with your glucophage.

Slow release, what pump are you on? You could try and set up a square wave or dual wave bolus to see does the slow release of the insulin help more, it certainly helps me with any rice based dishes.

Im actually living in Beaumont and found out today from my housemate that they also have a diabetic clinic.

I was never reffered to a diabetic clinic. I had been trying for a year and a half they said they would. But didnt, instead they kept making appointments with a fiabetic nurse when i was working and only gave me 3 days notice. So id have to go get my doctor to send whatevee info he has on it.

I was just denyinf it again. I fell out of a routine. Saturday night was the worst. My housemates were talking about diabetes and the complications that go wrong with it and then i had an image of myself twice the size that i am now, in a wheel chair, one leg cut off and being blind. And i panicked.

I feel silly for thinking that tbh.

I did i got a generic version, its something bluefish.

Im so sick after it though. I always get bad side effects when i stop taking them for a short bit. But it only lasts a day or two.

herisson · 06-10-2014 11:34pm

ebbsy wrote: »

1) Get your eyes checked out. I had to get laser to sort mine out. They said I will be ok if I keep my sugars under control.
2) Eat lots of nuts, white meat,oily veg, fish. Broccoli, sprouts are great as well.
3) Avoid white bread and white rice completely. Brown rice is good, as is wholegrain breads.
4) Wear proper fitting shoes with loads of space.

Last time I was in the clinic they said my sugars were under control. A little treat every now and again is ok. Go for some exercise afterwards.

Good luck.

Ive slowly gone off meat at the moment. Ive been mainly eating a lot of veg. Mainly broccoli, mangetout, baby corn and spinach.

I do eat raw cashews when i can.

I dont eat white bread or rice. I found that mccambridges do a low gi wholegrain bread so ive been eating that. And my sugars dont go up by much.

White rice i dont eat at all. I eat basmati. Little to no effect on my sugars.

Im lucky that i dont eat chocolate at all anymore, i went off it a few years ago.

The shoes i need to sort out.

I have found a park near work so on my lunch break i go walking there. And a guy i work with goes to thw gym down the road from work so he said i can go with him when i join it.

I think ive been over thinking it far too much.

Alanstrainor · 07-10-2014 9:37am

PUMPINGPLUMBER wrote: »

Paradigm 715

Just in addition, to best figure out your Basal rates, you should pick one meal a day, and skip it entirely and do this for a week or so. In an ideal world, you skipping lunch should not result in a low blood sugar, you should stay relatively level. If you dip at lunch you will have to reduce your basal level around 1 to 1.5 hours before this, by a small amount (say 0.1units per hour). And the opposite goes for your blood sugars climbing after skipping a meal. You should also check each hour (if possible!!) 2 hours prior to the meal, and 2/3 after.

Now, on paper this sounds nice and easy, but there are a lot of other factors that will come into play, for instance, any exercise around the time of the skipped meal. But it is a great way to iron things out.

And just something else to note...your basal rates should be fairly fluid, and not jump around too much. I'll give my Basal settings (on a minimed paradigm 530 here), just as an example:

12:00am 0.75U/H
10:00am 0.80U/H
01:00pm 0.65U/H
05:30pm 1.10U/H
10:00pm 0.90U/H

Now these figures are purely to give you an idea, they should not be used as they are! But there aren't too many, and they are at least somewhat smooth (bit of a jump at 5:30!). But the main point being, that you shouldn't really expect to have 10 basal entries, jumping around the place, you should be able to draw them on a graph against U/H and time and see a smooth curve.

CramCycle · 07-10-2014 10:28am

herisson wrote: »

Im actually living in Beaumont and found out today from my housemate that they also have a diabetic clinic.

I was never reffered to a diabetic clinic. I had been trying for a year and a half they said they would. But didnt, instead they kept making appointments with a fiabetic nurse when i was working and only gave me 3 days notice. So id have to go get my doctor to send whatever info he has on it.

Thats quite shocking, I usually get a month if not three months notice as they are so busy in mine. Generally I only see a nurse, consultant visits are more rare, it should be once every 6 months on average, once every 2 months if control is not great, once every 6 months if your OK and once a year if your the greatest diabetic ever. This said while my current consultant is good, the nurses in general are far better, life in the trenches I suppose.

I was just denyinf it again. I fell out of a routine. Saturday night was the worst. My housemates were talking about diabetes and the complications that go wrong with it and then i had an image of myself twice the size that i am now, in a wheel chair, one leg cut off and being blind. And i panicked.

I remember watching an A&E style documentary on channel 4 and there was a guy with no control and not one iota did he care, gave a speech about how all the bad things could happen anyway, I went off the wagon for a couple of years, I have no doubt my eyesight is poorer and I look older because of it, but you will find that if you can pull yourself back, you can get back on track to where you should be fairly quick, despite one bad eye (which could have happened anyway due to age), I am getting metabolically younger the longer I keep myself on track.

I feel silly for thinking that tbh.

You really shouldn't, you hear alot from people with either no experience or who only hear the worst, statistically insignificant scenarios, and they relay this as if it is what happens to everyone. Even if you know better it is hard not to get weighed down by it.

I did i got a generic version, its something bluefish.

Never heard of it but it is a far cooler name

Im so sick after it though. I always get bad side effects when i stop taking them for a short bit. But it only lasts a day or two.

If my bloods are off for a day now that my control is better it feels horrendous, headaches, tiredness, upset stomach. The longer you are on the wagon the better for you but unfortunately the bumpoer it feels when you come off.

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Just in addition, to best figure out your Basal rates, you should pick one meal a week, and skip it entirely. In an ideal world, you skipping lunch should not result in a low blood sugar, you should stay relatively level. If you dip at lunch you will have to reduce your basal level around 1 to 1.5 hours before this, by a small amount (say 0.1units per hour). And the opposite goes for your blood sugars climbing after skipping a meal. You should also check each hour (if possible!!) 2 hours prior to the meal, and 2/3 after.

+1 your basal should just keep you ticking over nicely, if your bloods are rising with no food in your system, then your basal is off. I found the overnight the hardest but most important to get right first. I had my last meal at 6pm and then checked sugars at 8pm, 10pm, and then everytime I got up, I think 2am, 5am and 8am. Like most, I have a spike in the very early morning but I was also having lows earlier in the night.

ebbsy · 07-10-2014 2:51pm

herisson wrote: »

Ive slowly gone off meat at the moment. Ive been mainly eating a lot of veg. Mainly broccoli, mangetout, baby corn and spinach.

I do eat raw cashews when i can.

I dont eat white bread or rice. I found that mccambridges do a low gi wholegrain bread so ive been eating that. And my sugars dont go up by much.

White rice i dont eat at all. I eat basmati. Little to no effect on my sugars.

Im lucky that i dont eat chocolate at all anymore, i went off it a few years ago.

The shoes i need to sort out.

I have found a park near work so on my lunch break i go walking there. And a guy i work with goes to thw gym down the road from work so he said i can go with him when i join it.

I think ive been over thinking it far too much.

If you do eat chocolate go for 85% cocoa dark.

They have a good selection of nuts in aldi /lidl. Cheap also.

Meat is ok - white meat such as chicken is better than beef.

Mars Bar · 07-10-2014 7:33pm

I've made an appointment with the doctor for tomorrow morning. I should be able to skip breakfast as it's an early appointment so it's essentially a fasting reading. (Pricked) fingers crossed it's nothing!

Rucking_Fetard · 07-10-2014 8:53pm

Mars Bar wrote: »

I've made an appointment with the doctor for tomorrow morning. I should be able to skip breakfast as it's an early appointment so it's essentially a fasting reading. (Pricked) fingers crossed it's nothing!

Get a whole blood checkup while your in there!

PUMPINGPLUMBER · 07-10-2014 9:13pm

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Just in addition, to best figure out your Basal rates, you should pick one meal a day, and skip it entirely and do this for a week or so. In an ideal world, you skipping lunch should not result in a low blood sugar, you should stay relatively level. If you dip at lunch you will have to reduce your basal level around 1 to 1.5 hours before this, by a small amount (say 0.1units per hour). And the opposite goes for your blood sugars climbing after skipping a meal. You should also check each hour (if possible!!) 2 hours prior to the meal, and 2/3 after.

Now, on paper this sounds nice and easy, but there are a lot of other factors that will come into play, for instance, any exercise around the time of the skipped meal. But it is a great way to iron things out.

And just something else to note...your basal rates should be fairly fluid, and not jump around too much. I'll give my Basal settings (on a minimed paradigm 530 here), just as an example:

12:00am 0.75U/H
10:00am 0.80U/H
01:00pm 0.65U/H
05:30pm 1.10U/H
10:00pm 0.90U/H

Now these figures are purely to give you an idea, they should not be used as they are! But there aren't too many, and they are at least somewhat smooth (bit of a jump at 5:30!). But the main point being, that you shouldn't really expect to have 10 basal entries, jumping around the place, you should be able to draw them on a graph against U/H and time and see a smooth curve.

still getting the head around these Basal but Bolus as you know is easy but im a slow starter with the Basal rates but will get me head around it soon.Have a quick question about Life Assurance as from day 1 ive been paying 130 euro a month for me and missus ,no frills just covers morgage if die,never got a medical,they just seen Diabetes and hit me.I taught thats what happens,anybody know who best to go to as im going to shop around.cheers

CramCycle · 07-10-2014 10:54pm

I have never been loaded for my type 1, just had to get a letter confirming my control was good, I would ring them to query that. Other than that try the Diabetes federation as they usually have good recommendations.

Mars Bar · 08-10-2014 11:36am

Well it's not diabetes, thank feck! Blood sugar was 4.5. Just a bacterial infection it seems.

Preset No.3 · 08-10-2014 2:34pm

Some teasing bastard coming into a diabetes thread with that user name!!!!!!! :P :P

Mars Bar · 08-10-2014 3:12pm

Preset No.3 wrote: »

Some teasing bastard coming into a diabetes thread with that user name!!!!!!! :P :P

:pac:

Never even dawned on me. Have this username since the beginning!

CathyMoran · 08-10-2014 6:52pm

Meeting with the endo went well - I am glad that I am seeing her again - she is not suggesting the pump at the moment but I understand her reasons and agree with her, it is also that I do not really like the idea of in a way as I like to pretend that I can forget about it for a while. I am going to try to take her suggestions on board. Next year I will be a type 1 diabetic 30 years:eek:

Rucking_Fetard · 10-10-2014 10:31am

A real breakthrough cure this time, stem cells that make insulin.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/10/09/354708628/scientists-coax-human-embryonic-stem-cells-into-making-insulin

C-Shore · 10-10-2014 10:41am

Rucking_Fetard wrote: »

A real breakthrough cure this time, stem cells that make insulin.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/10/09/354708628/scientists-coax-human-embryonic-stem-cells-into-making-insulin

This is really great to hear. It's what I've always felt was the only way that it would be solved but my knowledge is far from high.

Is there a risk of the cells failing over time though?

fr336 · 10-10-2014 11:48am

Hi guys,

I'm quite fearful I may have diabetes at this point - Tbh I have been wrong in the past but the past few years I really have pushed things too far with my lifestyle. Lots and lots of weight put on in a really short space of time, short bursts of exercise but then heading straight back to the junk food and way too much of it, appalling sleep hygeine to the point of severe anxiety issues, I've basically not taken care of myself at all. I don't want to sound like I'm laying the blame for anyone having diabetes, not at all, I know it can come for all sorts of reasons with many different people but just pointing out how stupid, reckless and in a way selfish to others the past few years. I've had blurred vision and eye strain for a while now but it down to both the anxiety and sleep issues, which you might say is fair enough. But the past few weeks it's really been getting worse and seemingly worse every day - distance vision going downhill fast, reading print at even a slight distance harder and harder. It may be heightened anxiety, but I am pretty worried. Whereas the blurred vision before felt temporary for some reason, this feels like I've actually lost the vision rather than it being blurred. I am also exhausted all the time but again put that down to the sleep/anxiety issues which is a dangerous thing to do really isn't it. However as recent as a month ago simply getting more quality sleep helped a little bit so not sure I can directly correlate anything there.

I am going to an optician shortly and probably doc's very soon after but just need to talk to someone about it first really. Any insights good or bad or indifferent would be much appreciated. I am 25 years of age nearing 26 but I'm aware that this can strike at almost any time, especially when not taking good care of yourself.

Thanks for your time and feel free to ignore this post, even if I do have this as I mentioned I have been reckless and deserve it really.

C-Shore · 10-10-2014 11:58am

fr336 wrote: »

Hi guys,

I'm quite fearful I may have diabetes at this point - Tbh I have been wrong in the past but the past few years I really have pushed things too far with my lifestyle. Lots and lots of weight put on in a really short space of time, short bursts of exercise but then heading straight back to the junk food and way too much of it, appalling sleep hygeine to the point of severe anxiety issues, I've basically not taken care of myself at all. I don't want to sound like I'm laying the blame for anyone having diabetes, not at all, I know it can come for all sorts of reasons with many different people but just pointing out how stupid, reckless and in a way selfish to others the past few years. I've had blurred vision and eye strain for a while now but it down to both the anxiety and sleep issues, which you might say is fair enough. But the past few weeks it's really been getting worse and seemingly worse every day - distance vision going downhill fast, reading print at even a slight distance harder and harder. It may be heightened anxiety, but I am pretty worried. Whereas the blurred vision before felt temporary for some reason, this feels like I've actually lost the vision rather than it being blurred. I am also exhausted all the time but again put that down to the sleep/anxiety issues which is a dangerous thing to do really isn't it. However as recent as a month ago simply getting more quality sleep helped a little bit so not sure I can directly correlate anything there.

I am going to an optician shortly and probably doc's very soon after but just need to talk to someone about it first really. Any insights good or bad or indifferent would be much appreciated. I am 25 years of age nearing 26 but I'm aware that this can strike at almost any time, especially when not taking good care of yourself.

Thanks for your time and feel free to ignore this post, even if I do have this as I mentioned I have been reckless and deserve it really.

I would go to a doctor before you go to an optician - a much better way to spend your money.

A doctor will check you for diabetes, and if you are diagnosed, then you will get access to the diabetes retinopathy program which will help you with your eyes.

In the long term, you're going to need to have better health management to improve your vision - which is where a doctor will be more helpful than an optician.

It's not too late anyway, you're young enough to be able to get yourself back to fitness and a healthy lifestyle - but going to a doctor and explaining your symptoms is the first thing you should do.

If you are going to the doctor, be prepared to give a urine sample, and possibly a blood test.

5live · 10-10-2014 11:59am

fr336 wrote: »

Hi guys,

I'm quite fearful I may have diabetes at this point - Tbh I have been wrong in the past but the past few years I really have pushed things too far with my lifestyle. Lots and lots of weight put on in a really short space of time, short bursts of exercise but then heading straight back to the junk food and way too much of it, appalling sleep hygeine to the point of severe anxiety issues, I've basically not taken care of myself at all. I don't want to sound like I'm laying the blame for anyone having diabetes, not at all, I know it can come for all sorts of reasons with many different people but just pointing out how stupid, reckless and in a way selfish to others the past few years. I've had blurred vision and eye strain for a while now but it down to both the anxiety and sleep issues, which you might say is fair enough. But the past few weeks it's really been getting worse and seemingly worse every day - distance vision going downhill fast, reading print at even a slight distance harder and harder. It may be heightened anxiety, but I am pretty worried. Whereas the blurred vision before felt temporary for some reason, this feels like I've actually lost the vision rather than it being blurred. I am also exhausted all the time but again put that down to the sleep/anxiety issues which is a dangerous thing to do really isn't it. However as recent as a month ago simply getting more quality sleep helped a little bit so not sure I can directly correlate anything there.

I am going to an optician shortly and probably doc's very soon after but just need to talk to someone about it first really. Any insights good or bad or indifferent would be much appreciated. I am 25 years of age nearing 26 but I'm aware that this can strike at almost any time, especially when not taking good care of yourself.

Thanks for your time and feel free to ignore this post, even if I do have this as I mentioned I have been reckless and deserve it really.

Are you going to the toilet more often? Frequent uribation, weight loss and sleeping for long periods are the most common signs.

fr336 · 10-10-2014 12:06pm

C-Shore wrote: »

I would go to a doctor before you go to an optician - a much better way to spend your money.

A doctor will check you for diabetes, and if you are diagnosed, then you will get access to the diabetes retinopathy program which will help you with your eyes.

In the long term, you're going to need to have better health management to improve your vision - which is where a doctor will be more helpful than an optician.

It's not too late anyway, you're young enough to be able to get yourself back to fitness and a healthy lifestyle - but going to a doctor and explaining your symptoms is the first thing you should do.

If you are going to the doctor, be prepared to give a urine sample, and possibly a blood test.

Many thanks for the speedy and detailed reply

I was worried to a far lesser degree 3 years ago and all they did was a blood test and said I was fine - no diabetes or anything else. No urine test. But now I really am too far overweight in too short a time - not sure on specifics as to the rate of climb but it's broadly been 2-3 stone in three years :eek: I will go to the optician first I think as the rates are free at my local currently - I basically want to see if I get the all clear there before then going to the doctors and possibly finding out the worst :eek: Very silly right? I'm shaking just typing this, I'm not a strong person at all and the last few years have really crept up on me like a whirlwind in all sorts of ways

May I ask your personal opinion on the gravity of diabetes of any type and the very worst case scenario? I feel like I've only fully matured the last year or two and have so much I want to start in my life...yet now is the one time I've been more depressed / anxious than ever and taking care of myself has completely gone out of the window (not that it was high in the first place). Would worse case scenario be living a basic life, with constant limitations on ambitions, doing things differently etc? Always tired to a degree, never able to push to the full extent of life? Or would this even be the case in the best case scenario?

Sigh I'm in a very beating myself up / sorry for myself kind of mood..apologies and good wishes to you. I'm very sorry you guys have to go through this.

fr336 · 10-10-2014 12:12pm

5live wrote: »

Are you going to the toilet more often? Frequent uribation, weight loss and sleeping for long periods are the most common signs.

Ah see this is my issue...anxiety / sleep issues are very similar in symptoms to diabetes it would appear. However I would say I only go to the toilet more often when the anxiety is up and down moreso. When that occasionally clears a lot, it is far more settled.

I've mostly just had weight gain. This is my overriding fear - I'm putting more and more on and in a very fast period of time. I've cut back dramatically on the junk but it was awful at one stage - putting it away like nobody's business. My body wasn't used to putting on that much weight so fast and my breathing became far harder. The anxiety didn't help with this. I cut back completely for just three days and lost a heap of weight that I haven't put back on, even though I still am liable to a junk fest daily (albeit to a far lesser extent and asap I will be doing it away completely once and for all). That weight loss has correlated with the eyesight becoming worse I suppose but then it could just be a coincidence as I was actively losing weight too..sigh I'm not being much help am I :O I guess I just wanted to talk, needed to talk.

I'm definitely not sleeping for long periods...constantly waking up and disturbed sleep. I can occasionally go on for a long time but this is when I have sleep to catch up on (all the friggin' time).

5live · 10-10-2014 1:08pm

fr336 wrote: »

Ah see this is my issue...anxiety / sleep issues are very similar in symptoms to diabetes it would appear. However I would say I only go to the toilet more often when the anxiety is up and down moreso. When that occasionally clears a lot, it is far more settled.

I've mostly just had weight gain. This is my overriding fear - I'm putting more and more on and in a very fast period of time. I've cut back dramatically on the junk but it was awful at one stage - putting it away like nobody's business. My body wasn't used to putting on that much weight so fast and my breathing became far harder. The anxiety didn't help with this. I cut back completely for just three days and lost a heap of weight that I haven't put back on, even though I still am liable to a junk fest daily (albeit to a far lesser extent and asap I will be doing it away completely once and for all). That weight loss has correlated with the eyesight becoming worse I suppose but then it could just be a coincidence as I was actively losing weight too..sigh I'm not being much help am I :O I guess I just wanted to talk, needed to talk.

I'm definitely not sleeping for long periods...constantly waking up and disturbed sleep. I can occasionally go on for a long time but this is when I have sleep to catch up on (all the friggin' time).

No problem, talking about a problem helps reduce anxiety. We have all been caught trying to deal with a problem on our own when a quick question would ease a lot of the anxiety.:)

Best of luck, anyway.

CramCycle · 10-10-2014 1:20pm

Just to be clear, you don't want an optician, you want an opthamologist or even an optometrist. An optician really can do nothing for you except try and give you glasses.

[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

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