My doctor called me yesterday and informed me that I have type 2 diabetes. I have high blood pressure, severe migranes & osteo arthritis. I have had high blood pressure going on 9 years. Sometimes when I wake up my face & lips tingle. I don't like to drive when I feel this way because when I turn my head while driving I feel light headed. I have always thought the reason I am feeling this way is because of my blood pressure, but now I am wondering if it is the diabetes that is causing me to feel this way, my feet have also started going to sleep even when I have them flat on the floor and not elevated. I have had severe migranes since 1987. I am adopted buy my mom has always know the health history of my birth family. My grandmother and aunts have diabetes, severe migranes and crippling arthritis. I didn't come on this forum to sound like I am falling apart:dizzy:,:) . I joined this forum so I could find some answers. My doctor is making me an appointment with a diabetes educator (that is what they called it) I am looking forward to learning more about this disease and how to try to control it. I am also concerned about my 10 year old son Shawn, he is very upset because his momma has diabetes, he is worried that I am going to die. I am going to bring him to the classes with my husband and I, hopefully that will ease his fears.
My doctor prescribed me metformin 500 mg, I took it early that day with food, around 8:00 last night I got sick at my stomach and I still felt that way when I woke up this morning., is that medicine suppose to make you feel that way?
I am looking forward to hearing back for someone on my posting. Please let me know if you think it is a good idea to bring Shawn to the classes.
Thanks,
Soni

Hi Soni. Sorry you had to join the Diabetes club, but at least now you know, you can start to take some steps to control it, and will probably feel much healthier when your glucose levels are in the normal range.
Metformin frequently causes gastro side-effects in the early days, but this should ease as your body becomes used to it. I suffered side-effects for about 5/6 days, some people have them for a few weeks,but it's well worth sticking with it if you can because of the benefits. If your not already on the slow release version, ask your Doc if you can change to that, the side-effects should be less severe.

An interesting point about the migraines. I used to suffer with them regularly, at least once a week, since being diagnosed with Diabetes and having my numbers under control, I have only suffered 2 in 6 months.The Doc says it's unlikely to be connected, but I believe it is.

You don't say if you are testing your own blood glucose, if not you need to start doing that immediately, it's the only way to show how you will react to some foods. Most people find it best to go with a low carb diet for keeping numbers in the normal range.

Try to keep reassuring your son that Diabetes is not a death sentence, in fact once diagnosed you can lead a much healthier life. At the education classes they will mention the complications that uncontrolled Diabetes can lead to, only you know your son well enough to know how he might react to that information. If he already knows about the complications, or you know you can reassure him, it would probably be a good idea to take him, a bit more knowledge might reduce his fears.

Hope this helps, Mandy. :)

Mandy,
Thank you so much for sending my that very helpful reply. No, I havent' started checking my blood glucose yet but I have an appointment this coming Tuesday afternoon with the nurse and they told me that she will show me how to do this. I had no idea that diabetes and migranes might be related (lol). Do you have any idea about the tingling on my lips and my face? I am going to get my husband, daughter and son to go with me on Tuesday, that is if my husband is not working. My daughter and son will go with me for sure.
Thanks again for posting a reply to my posting, I started to think maybe I was crazy and didn't get anyone to understand what I was asking, so you made me feel real good to hear from you.
Thanks so much,
Soni:wave:

Hi again Soni. Glad I was able to help. The tingling you are experiencing would be best mentioned to the Doctor. Diabetes can cause nerve problems and tingling symptoms, related I think to neuropathy, but I know very little about this, I thought it started first in the feet or hands. It may be something completely unconnected, so it would be best to ask the Doc about it.
The migraine thing is my own theory, I have not read about it being connected to Diabetes, and my own Doc didn't think it was, but I think it would be too much of a coincidence, given the drastic reduction in my attacks.
Good Luck with your appointment on Tuesday, let us know how you get on. Mandy :)

Hi

I was also recently diagnosed with type two diabetes, my docter put me on glucophage 500mg twice daily and on a low gi diet but i am realy battling to adjust to it all. so thanks for your messages they will help me too. Regarding the migraines i also had severe migraines frequenyly but since controlling my glucose levels they have improved although i tend to get a headache when my glucose levels are hi! I am testing my levels every day and they range from 3.2 - 17.0 when they are hi i feel drowsy and disorientated. how do your levels affect you?

Thanks
Jen

Jen,
I am not really sure since I haven't started checking my blood yet. I was mistaken and said that I have an appointment on Tuesday, infact my appointment is Wednesday at 2:30. I will make sure and let you know what I find out. It may affect my migranes, tingling in my lips and face and also I noticed my eye's have been getting blurry vision for about 6 months now, so it also may affect my eye's also. I have very bad vision, infact it is -2000 in my right eye and -1500 in my left eye. Well I will be sure to check back with you all after my appointment. Jen I am glad that these posting can also help you. One thing I didn't mention is I am battling depression and anixety-panic attacks, they have been really bad since I found out about the diabetes, I mean all I want to do is cry.
Well I will post as soon as I find out something or hear from you all.
Thank you everyone and good luck my friends.:angel:

Hi Soni!

Thanks for the reply, i also find it difficult cope and was really worried about how much my life span my shorten, but i did alot of research on the internet library and every where else i could find any info, the main thing seems to be to stick to healthy diet to control your glucose levels and then things should be fine and you can live a long happy life, but its easier said then done.

Jen,
I went to my 1st appointment today at 2:30 and didn't get out of there until 5:00. I found it VERY educational and helpful. I will start testing myself today before breakfast. They gave me one of the new machines the Assensia Contour, I like it because it has an alarm on it to remind me when it is time to test again. I actually understood what she was telling me about the diet. I had no idea that carbs turn into sugar. Then only thing I hate is reading label once again, but it will be well worth it, expecially if I want to try to live a healthy life, in which I do.
Well I will talk to you next time.
Thnaks,
Soni

Hi all,

Soni, what have your glucose / blood sugar readings been reading in the morning, before breakfast? I was wondering if you were extremely high or low, for the tingling to be present?

Remember, that all medicines have some adverse reaction, and some people are affected much more than others. I'm not saying the diabetes meds are affecting you, but some of your other meds could, including if taking a quantity of niacin (vitamin B3)

For example, when I went on Glucophage, it was terrible for me. I couldn't get away from the bathroom longer than an 1/2 - hour, so traveling anywhere, including the grocery store was an experience.

Another example about meds. The doctor prescribed niacin for me. It nearly drove me crazy. After 5 days, I was getting dizzy, fuzzy brain, and went to bed 3-4 times a day. I got off it, and the symptom went away. I tried the niacin, a week later, and the same symptoms appeared. The doctor took me off the niacin.

Jim

Jim,
I am so sorry I haven't posted a reply until today but my computer has been messed up.
My BS levels before breakfast have been running around a 156 and before bed time sometimes they run a 165 or a 180.
I am also having BP problems, I have had high BP for 5 years now and when the doctor changed my BP medication to a higher dose it then took a nose dive and went to low.
I want to know if this normal for diabetis patients - I was awaken this morning by my feet feeling numb and tingley and then 30 minutes later when I finally got out of bed my feet where asleep, both of my feet and also my hands, have any ideas what that might be.
If anyone out there can help me I would greatly appreciate some imput.
Soni:confused:

Hi, I hope someone can explain something to me. I am type 2 diabetic. I am over weight and I have bad cholostrol. Lately when I have tested my sugar they have been fairly good. There is an occational over 200 reading. But lately it has bee like 120,117 etc. When I fast. I just had an A1C done and my number came back 5.9 I must admit since I thought my readings have been good. I have half heartedly taken my glucophage med. My doctor is unaware of this. Plus I have not watched my diet and I have eaten tons of sugar. I seem to be craving it really bad. Yet my A1C came back this good. Does this mean I no longer have diabetes type 2 ? What is a normal undiabetic person's numbers? I was told I was a diabetic when my A1C was 6.1 I was considered a prediabetic at 6.0 but when I passed 6.0 my doctor put me on med's. Yes sometimes I hit over 200 but lately I have done well on my testing strips and I have been bad on my diet. I am suppose to take glucophage twice a day. I also use to be on actos but I was allergic to it. I am only now on the one med. I feel I can take myself off of this med. But first I am trying to figure out what a nondiabetic A1C is..thanks..mbelishqn

Hi Mbelishqn,

Not being a doctor, my information should be of little value. A type 2 diabetic taking medicine for a long time may be able to go off their medicine for a little while before the actual numbers start rising. I’ve done this, and was fine for about two weeks, but then everything started to rise once again.

An A1c blood test takes a two - three month average of your system, so I would expect if you changed your eating habits for the last week or less before your test (your quote of tons of sugar), it probably wouldn’t show on the A1c test much. The test for the immediate blood sugar level would show though.

A normal reading for both non-diabetics and diabetics should be in the 90-100 area, with diabetics perhaps stretching the higher number a bit. I had been around the 112 mark (diabetic), and have to get hold of the doc, as I’ve gone higher yet. The new meds he put me on aren’t as good as the old stuff.

Your 5.9 sounds like you have been doing a good job of controlling your diabetes. I would say that your “initial” number of 6.1, diagnosed by your doc, wasn’t high enough to warrant putting you on meds in the first place, unless she saw something else that warranted it. With a 6.1 number, either a small reduction of the nasty foods, a small weight reduction, or more exercise should have dropped you right back into the under “6” A1c range. Perhaps she thought the extra trouble and expense of taking the meds would get you to drop a little weight on your own? Remember, I'm only saying my opinion, and nothing else.

http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/33403.htm


What do the results of the A1c test mean?
The results of the A1c test are given percentages:
6% = an average blood sugar of 120 mg/dl.
7% = an average blood sugar of 150 mg/dl.
8% = an average blood sugar of 180 mg/dl.
9% = an average blood sugar of 210 mg/dl.

A good A1c reading is below 6.5%.* Studies show that blood sugar levels under 150 mg/dl and A1c readings under 6.5%* reduce the risk of health problems related to poorly controlled diabetes, such as kidney, eye, heart, blood vessel, and nerve damage.

Soni, I wouldn't think the blood sugars you posted would be high enough to cause tingly hands and feet. Being that there are so many causes for the tingles, I would see a doctor about it, and have a blood test taken if you haven't had one recently.

I could find at least 50 different reasons for tingly hands and feet on ******, and would suggest the doctor route. As long as it is "both hands and both feet", you should certainly see a doctor, as it is more than a part of your body "falling asleep" due to resting on it.

Please let us know how it works out with your doctor, as we are interested in their tests and conclusions. From what I read, it goes from anything from stress to many more conditions, so there is no real answer other than definitely getting checked out with the doctor.

Don't take it lightly, see your friendly doc.

Jim

Hi Jemac,thank you for your comment. I am just really confused not understanding why I am on med when I got my a1c down to 5.9. All I was told was to keep up the good work. My bs has been known to get close to 200. But on the norm it has been 110 or 156 or120 I think that is pretty good. I seem to have more good than bad. I am never like 90-100 like they want. I know it suppose to be 140 and under when you eat and take it one hour later. I usually am that. I am going to talk to my doctor. I feel I should be able to stop taking my med...thanks for your imput...mbelishqn

Soni, I wouldn't think the blood sugars you posted would be high enough to cause tingly hands and feet. Being that there are so many causes for the tingles, I would see a doctor about it, and have a blood test taken if you haven't had one recently.

I could find at least 50 different reasons for tingly hands and feet on ******, and would suggest the doctor route. As long as it is "both hands and both feet", you should certainly see a doctor, as it is more than a part of your body "falling asleep" due to resting on it.

Please let us know how it works out with your doctor, as we are interested in their tests and conclusions. From what I read, it goes from anything from stress to many more conditions, so there is no real answer other than definitely getting checked out with the doctor.

Don't take it lightly, see your friendly doc.

Jim

Hi Jemac,thank you for your comment. I am just really confused not understanding why I am on med when I got my a1c down to 5.9. All I was told was to keep up the good work. My bs has been known to get close to 200. But on the norm it has been 110 or 156 or120 I think that is pretty good. I seem to have more good than bad. I am never like 90-100 like they want. I know it suppose to be 140 and under when you eat and take it one hour later. I usually am that. I am going to talk to my doctor. I feel I should be able to stop taking my med...thanks for your imput...mbelishqn

Anything over 200 is diabetic. Unfortunately you cannot cure it at this time you can only hope to control it. My A1C was 6.3 when the doctor put me on metformin. Really the any a1c 5.8 (129) or up is higher than 'normal'. Diabetes likes to work differently from person to person and even differently day to day in you. If you really feel you should stop taking medication talk it over with your diabetes team. Discover exactly what you need to do (diet and exercise would be key and need to be stickly followed). I did that path for a while until it was no longer enough. I wish you success in whatever method you choose.

Hi
was diagnois with type 2 few months ago. My numbers when dx was 561. My sight was blurry and had very bad unquenshable thirst. Went to the docs and sure enough.
The reason I'm writing is that i'm totally confused. My sugar is all over the place at times as i'm also on prednisone for PMR. My dietician has put me on a different kind when I take my pred. I also take Lantus, and have the Novolog pen. Me, that hates needles, have quickly become accustom to the needle.lol
Now my question: this morning my Blood sugar was 75. Is that not a bit low and would that have cause my legs to ache and have a headache? I try to stay on a low carb. I eat no sugar. Still the sugar tends to go up. Before breakfast it was up to 121, which I consider a good range. I will take my blood again soon to see what it is. I am so confused about all this stuff. Course maybe if my body was not fighting all these weird diseases, it would be easier.
any advice would help.
Can't call doc as he is off today. Still waiting for him to call me on my thyroid, as it is low. SCARY.lol
take care everyone
Anna

Hi Anna, ( remember, I’m NO doctor). Being that your numbers were so high before (561), a 75 could possibly cause you to ache and have a headache. A person that normally has a 90 reading in the morning wouldn’t have any aches with a reading of 75. I know I’ve had 75’s before and didn’t worry about it, “as long” as I monitored myself carefully, to make sure I’m doing the right thing, and not susceptible to getting extreme lows.
It also takes a while for your numbers to stabilize out (a few months), being that you started on the meds a couple of months ago. Your morning numbers will be higher, if you are eating or snacking too late at night, before you go to bed. Some diabetic meds can cause lows, and some generally don’t cause any lows, so it depends on what you’re taking, as to whether you have to watch extra close to make sure you don’t go too low.

Remember, that generally a diabetic won’t bounce back to “normal” numbers as quick as a non-diabetic will. We have to watch the foods that raise our sugar, and for different people, different foods can react differently.

Remember that stress (from your other problems) can help raise your sugar levels. Check some of those diabetic sites to see everything you can do to keep your sugars down. Simple foods like yogurt and bagels can really raise your sugars a lot.

Keep us informed as to how you are doing.

Jim