OK first I would like to say that there is a history of diabetes in my family. Second I would like to say that I recently had some tests done for a doctor's exam and the one thing that worried me on it was that my glucose levels alarmingly high.
One day about two months ago after not being able to sleep I was suddenly hit by a feeling of sickness that basically disabled me. I thought it was the flu, but I had no sneeze, cold or fever. I couldn't eat, I felt nausous, my hands started to tingle, exhausted and I felt awful.
It took about 2 weeks to overcome the most disabling feeling that I had.
After that, I constantly felt tired during the day, hands and feet would easily be tingling, I would wake in the early morning at the same time and could not fall back asleep and feel awful for about 15-20 minutes. Things were however getting better because at least I could eat again.
Now about 2 months later I have getting more energy and less tired. My feet and hands tingle less or not at all, I can sleep until later, but the only problem like today I woke and felt completely awful for about 15-20 minutes.
There are some facts that I was examining about myself before I really got sick. The first was that if I went out and drank alcohol the next day all day I would feel awful, even if I didn't drink that much. My body could recover from any abuse of a weekend that I would put it through and my Sundays I couldn't sleep at all and feel awful.
I guess my I am looking for answers to see if this could be diabetes, some stage and what other symptoms should I be looking for. Thanks.

What were your glucose levels? And if they were high did they not put you on medication?
Anyway, this very much sounds like diabetes. I have type 2 and also have hypothyroidism and they are so similar in symptoms at times it would be hard to say. Maybe when you post more on your glucose we could be able to help you better. Have you had a fasting sugar? Or have acess to a glucometer to check it first thing in the morning after fasting 8 hours before hand?

I must find that info and post but could you maybe tell me what glucose levels may be considered diabetic on the high end and what medications are used for people with high glucose levels.

if you have ever had your blood tested and have fasted (meaning no food or drink for 8 hours prior) and your reading is 125 or above you are considered diabetic. The higher the number the worse it is. A normal persons glucose can range from 70-120. Depending on what you ate or drank before the test would be a factor. Like I said you should of fasted. There are oral diabetes drugs like Glyburide and Metformin etc.. and there is insulin.
If you are not under a doctors care or not on medication then you must not of had a high reading or you would know more.

My glucose levels were 115. I was pretty much fasting because I was too sick to eat before the lab. Could you please give me some feed back on this number please? I am also going to try a sugar free diet for this week to see how I feel. I also was curious on alcohol, which I basically gave up because I was getting really sick the following day no matter how much I drank and my body couldn't recover, is this something that could be a indicator?

Your levels are 100% non diabetic. That is not a high reading at all. Normal is 70-125 so you were defintely in that range. You do not have diabetes. Be happy you do not it is a terrible disease with no cure.
So diabetes can probably be ruled out but have you ever had your thyroid checked? I have thyroid and diabetes so I know that both have some same symptoms but since your glucose is NOT high then it has to be something else. Good luck.

[This message has been edited by Chaos247 (edited 06-22-2003).]

115 is not a great fasting number. You may be insulin intolerant. A perfectly normal fasting number is between 70 and 90. My doctor says that, if he sees a number 110 or higher on a fasting glucose, he investigates further. Also, alcohol can be bad for a diabetic for two reasons. First of all, it has a lot of sugar in it. Secondly, excessive amounts slow down and inhibit your liver function. If the liver is busy processing alcohol, it cannot release glucose when needed to prevent hypoglycemia. I learned that from a diabetes educator. Talk to your doctor about your concerns. If he or she does not listen, get another doctor. Believe it or not, many doctors do not understand diabetes and overlook it. You may not be diabetic, you may not even be insulin intolerant, but you need to put your mind at ease. No matter what, try to take better care of yourself.
Jody

They had said they were "practically" fasting when had the 115. So must of meant they ate something. So that was good. They had in the 90s when they indeed DID fast so that is why I told them they more than likely were NOT diabetic. I also think a second opinion would ease their mind. They were too concerned with having 160-170 5 out of 15 times 2 hrs after eating and that is normal for a non diabetic. Also the doctor had not even told them to do that. And that is why those numbers tell nothing. I was trying to explain that the fasting and the hbaic (which was 5.7 good number) were both well in the normal ranges so that is why I told them they were not.

gonumb,
Chaos seems to be to have become confused and combined our 2 posts, and responded to partially mine and partially yours. I posted a question on the same day. So please do not be confused with his comment, since it doesn't seem to accurately apply to you or me. By the way, horsejody gives great advice! I hope you do find out what is wrong, be persistent! I also have hypothyroidism, underactive thyroid, and agree that the symptoms are very similar to diabetes. I would keep asking for more tests, for both conditions.
qsusieq

I want to address the confusing comment left by Chaos,
To Chaos: gonumb did not write about a fasting glucose in the 90s, a fasting glucose of 125, or about 5 out of 15 blood glucose readings of 170 to 180. I did. I did not write that I was practically fasting, gonumb did, (well gonumb did not say write that exactly). gonumb wrote about a fasting blood sugar of 115. Both my fasting blood glucose levels of 97 and 125 were taken when I was fasting, nothing but water, for 12 hours. Again, sorry for the confusion gonumb.

Originally posted by Chaos247:
They had said they were "practically" fasting when had the 115. So must of meant they ate something. So that was good. They had in the 90s when they indeed DID fast so that is why I told them they more than likely were NOT diabetic. I also think a second opinion would ease their mind. They were too concerned with having 160-170 5 out of 15 times 2 hrs after eating and that is normal for a non diabetic. Also the doctor had not even told them to do that. And that is why those numbers tell nothing. I was trying to explain that the fasting and the hbaic (which was 5.7 good number) were both well in the normal ranges so that is why I told them they were not.

Q
You need not apologize for me I can do it myself. (Sorry Gonumb if you got confused.) Thank you for pointing out my mistake. I do admit I did a doozie.
OK he/she said pretty much instead of practically, you are right. I think thats the same jist of it. I am not going to split hairs but I still do not think this person is diabetic. I also posted under the other topic you replied to me on and put some things there that should of been addressed here but it was an afterthought. I too am hypothyroid (Hasimotos actually) and have Type 2 diabetes for 7 years and Add so sometimes my memory is not too good or I get confused. I am sorry I upset you.When I was diagnosed, there was no doubt to that I was a diabetic. My fasting was 240 and my Hbaic was 326. I personally have not dealt with such low levels so you can imagine how good they must look to me! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif On your health issue, you seem to of been caught very early which is really good especially having half of your pancreas. I would give the doctor a second chance even though his office seems to of made a mistake and that is not good, especially in their profession. People do make mistakes just as I did. Once again, sorry you were offended. Good luck to you. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
Sorry to for all the editing.
[This message has been edited by Chaos247 (edited 06-23-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Chaos247 (edited 06-23-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Chaos247 (edited 06-23-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Chaos247 (edited 06-23-2003).]

Its ok mistakes happen. Listen though, I did fast because when I was sick, I went to the doctor's office at 3pm, I recall because it was about to close and I didn't eat all day. So I went to sleep at around 11 the night before so that is pretty much fasting and to be included that I was eating like 3 to 4 nutrition bars a day, so my glucose intake wasn't high. Now what has happened is I have some bacterial growth on my feet and hands, is this something that diabetics or people have glucose problems have? Sort of looks like athletes foot and have never had this before.

So you did not eat at all between 11 pm the night before and 3 pm the next afternoon? Or did you eat the 3-4 nutrition bars because if you did then yes it will raise your blood sugar significantly. But if you did not eat at all then you could have the beginnings of glucose intolerance. 115 is on the border meaning some docs might investigate further as someone else said or they may have a wait and see attitude. 125 is definitely the cut off for normal. Most doctors treat at that level or take some other affirmative action.
As for the bacteria on feet and hands that could be anything. It could be possible in diabetes since we do have trouble with infections etc... but I do not know if your problem could be related. I have never experienced that myself but does not mean its not possible to be related to diabetes. Sorry. I do hope you get the right care and find out what is wrong with you so you get to feeling better soon. Good luck!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Do you still have the tingling in your feet? I know this much for myself. My blood sugars are from 125 to 375. I'm still working on control. But when my blood sugar is 125 to 175 (Low) my feet go numb and I seem to get a lot of blisters on my feet and dry skin. When they are above 175 for a length of time my feet are back to normal with the numbness and the blisters. They tell me to be under 125, but then my sugar is too low. The Dr's seem to not take in account that I'm 6'9' tall. When I 1st started to notice problems my sugar was low. 125-135 consistent. But I could not sleep or when I did fall asleep I could not wake up. Then when I did I felt terrible. I was a pretty big partier when this started about 5 years ago. I cut out the partying and took a little more control on the diet, but condition got worse. I'm on oral meds, but still working on it. I know that jumping to say you have diabetes is not something you want, but I'd say to keep an eye on it. Keep track as to what makes you tired, sick, feet and skin problems. Like I said, myself, I noticed those same things. I'd like to feel like I am the exception to the diabetes rule, but I know I'm not. But I'd say to keep an eye on it. Good luck, I do hope the best for you.