Hi everyone!

I'm usually sick alot (although not so much lately), so I'm worried that if I tell my family/dr that I think I might have diabetes they might just think I'm a hypochondriac.

Here is what worries me:
I am thirsty alot and I urinate alot (even if I haven't had much to drink). I get a lot of yeast infections (and I've had thrush once). I have something called Tinea versicolor on my arms (dry, white spots basically). Recently I went to the Dr for some red bumps on my legs and was told it was Folliculitis. As far as eating goes, there have been periods (days, weeks, months) when I couldn't go 2 hours without eating because I'd feel like I'd pass out.

My aunt is the only person in my family (that I know of) who has diabetes.

Should I be concerned at all? I have always thought I've just had a crummy immune system.

As far as other info:
I'm 20 yr old female (almost 21); diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety, and recently Endometriosis.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

if you dont want your dr to know maybe you can go to a health clinic and be tested here we have like a hopsital testing place for diabetes in the mall perheaps you have that too

Hello,

I think that you should go and have yourself tested just to be on the safe side. You are 20 now, you dont have to tell your parents that you are going to the doctor to be tested for diabetes. Just go and discuss it with your doctor. Its better to catch it early. . .than to wait. . . Just my opinion, Good Luck, Lisa

If I get tested and have diabetes, is there anything I can do to get my immune system back up?

What kind of test is it? Is it a big deal? I'm not worried, just curious.

The fasting blood test is easy. You go in first thing in the morning and have a blood test. Do not eat anything before going in. Do not have any drinks with creamer or sugar in them either. I used to get sick easy too. When I would get the flu, it would hit me hard. High sugar can also make you feel tired and depressed. Once I was diagnosed and my sugar was brought under control, I was better. I was miraculously cured. I am no longer tired, I have more energy, less aches and pains, etc. You may or may not have a problem with diabetes, but if you truly believe that your metabolism is out of whack, see the doctor. If the doctor won't listen to you, get another one. I had headaches for years and it was misdiagnosed as sinus problems. I finally went to a specialist and found out it was migraines. I went through years of pain because my doctor did not take me seriously. A few years ago I started being overly tired and having other trouble. My doctor (not the same one that misdiagnosed my migraines) knew about my symptoms. She did not notice or did not understand my blood glucose numbers on my annual physicals and I went undiagnosed. The last time I got sick, I went to another doctor. Five minutes after he started the exam he told me I had type 2 diabetes. Since I got my sugar down, I have not been sick. If you have chronic problems there may be an underlying reason. You might just be a hypochondriac, but maybe not. Don't be afraid to change doctors. If I had done that years ago, I would have been better off. I used to think my doctors were OK. I trusted them. They came highly reccommended. They seemed intelligent, friendly and qualified. They are human. They make mistakes. Some doctors get so used to hearing people moan and gripe about aches and pains that they start to tune it out and assume that we are all hypochondriacs. I am sure they thought I was one. But I feel great now. When I go to the doctor now, it is just for follow ups. When he asks how I have been, I say, "I feel fine, no complaints." What a great feeling that is.
Good Luck,
Jody

[This message has been edited by horsejody (edited 07-16-2003).]

I made an appt for tomorrow morning to get tested.

I asked if I needed to fast, and the lady I spoke to said no, that they would do a random test first (meaning I can eat what I normally do). If the random test comes back abnormal they will do a fasting test the next day.

Is this normal procedure? I just figured I'd do a fasting test both days?

I guess that procedure is fine but it seems pointless. They might as well tell you to fast so that you don't have to mess with it again at a later date. Weird.

I got tested today..I will find out tomorrow if I actually have diabetes or not. They did the 3-hour fasting test on me..I got there and they took my blood, made me drink some orange drink with LOTS of sugar, took my blood 30 minutes after that, then an hour after that, and another hour later one more blood test..4 in all. It wasn't too bad, but worth seeing if I have diabetes. I am like you, I am only 17..almost 18..we seem too young to have diabetes. Better safe then sorry.