what do i do? - Diabetes Message Board

Jonistyle2 · 11-20-2005, 12:50 PM

so this is a little bit of a weird post, but i'm worried and wondering how this all works if you have diabetes.

my history: i'm recovery from anorexia and i'm starting to worry that i might be pre-diabetic or have diabetes. here's the stats: i'm female, 24 years old, 6 feet tall, 125 lbs (underweight for my height), i run 3 miles 4 times a week and i work a desk job 8 hours a day (ie: although i'm exercising regularly, i really don't think i'm burning that many calories daily because i'm sitting on my butt all day long).

so here's why i'm worried: i am having a VERY difficult time gaining weight. for the past month or so, i've been eating 2400-2500 calories daily (which i'm pretty hungry for, despite my low level of activity) and i haven't gained ONE pound. i know i'm tall and i run a little, but geez! my therapist just upped me to 2800-2900 daily, which seems like a TON for a girl who doesn't exercise that much.

anyway, i know weight loss can be a symptom of diabetes, so i wonder if that could be related. also, i'm super thirsty all day long and i drink (and pee) a ton, but still, my pee is often pretty yellow (as if i was dehydrated) and i'm still thirsty all the time. i've been having constipation problems, my "feminine area" has been really dry and itchy (sorry this is kind of gross), and i get ultra weak and fainty if i'm hungry at all (even though i eat so much)! i've been super tired and kind of crabby lately, plus i'm having this bizarre swelling of my legs that happens almost daily.

i don't know, does anyone have any advice? i plan on making an appt. with my doc tomorrow, but i'm just worried. i DO eat a lot of sugar and simple carbs (yummy 350 calorie dessert every night!), but i also eat VERY healthy and balanced for all my other meals (i figure i can have big desserts since i eat tons of fruits, veggies, whole grains, proteins, etc. for all my other meals!). i'm underweight, young and exercise regularly . . . shouldn't that make my risk of diabetes very low? i'm confused . . .

plus, if i have diabetes, will i no longer be able to eat sweets? they're my favorite thing (i'm not a big fan of salty, greasy food) and i feel like life would suck if i had to get my calories from crap like cheese and fatty meats rather than sweet, yummy chocolate. any advice? what is a diabetic diet like? is it hard to adjust to eating that way?

Linda1629 · 11-20-2005, 04:12 PM

If anything, you would have type 1 diabetes and it wouldn't matter what you ate. Type 1 is an auto-immune disease and it's basically the body attacking its own cells, destroying the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. It's type 2 diabetes that is often associated with overweight people and unhealthy lifestyles.
It does sound like you could have some symptoms of type 1. Dehydration, weight loss, frequent urination, excessive thirst...these are all signs of diabetes. The itchy, dry skin concerns me a bit. If you are dehydrated then you could end up with some stomach cramps and vomiting (assuming you are diabetic). Please, do go in very soon to see your doctor but, if for any reason, you start with stomach cramping or vomiting then go to the ER or call for an ambulance. If you are type 1 and your blood sugar keeps rising then you could end up with a condition called ketoacidosis and it's life-threatening. Until you see the doctor, stay away from carbohydrates...they'll only make your blood sugar go up even more.

If you are diabetic then you can still have sweets. Type 1 diabetics inject insulin and you just take an amount of insulin to cover the amount of carbohydrates that you're eating. If you eat a piece of cake, you just put more insulin in your syringe. It takes time to learn how to do everything but they have good educators to help you through it. You won't really have to worry about any diabetic diet. And injecting insulin isn't as bad as it sounds. Type 1's usually take multiple injections each day (4) but that gives them more freedom in what they eat. The needles are very thin and very small. The older method of injecting once or twice a day isn't used as much anymore, especially with more recently diagnosed people.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

mustangsally65 · 11-20-2005, 06:57 PM

I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) last week, and am going to my doctor tomorrow to discuss options.

The reason I mention this is that I have done a lot of reading this weekend about hormones and the endocrine system, and if you were anorexic I'm sure this has wreaked havoc on your hormones. In my case, lack of estrogen often causes lack of ovulation, menstruation, and it can also contribute to insulin resistence. I'm tired all the time, I drink a lot/urinate a lot, I have had a recent problem with acne, and I get shaky if it's been a few hours since I ate.

If you are having diabetes-like symptoms, it's probably because of a hormone imbalance resulting from your previous anorexia, which puts a huge strain on your body. But definitely discuss it with your doctor. And let us know what happens!

pipermac · 11-21-2005, 06:54 AM

Most important thing is to go see your doctor and have him Test for diabetes. Linda is right about Type I. I have been Type I for 25 years. Taking Insulin Shots is no big deal at all. It definatley gives me more flexability with what I eat. Personally I think More Doctors should be Perscribing insulin to more type II diabetics.

It like this phobia of Insulin.....People Suffer altering their diet greatly and trying desprately to avoid having to take insulin......But Why? Insulin is the BEST treatment for diabetes......yet so many diabetic want to avoid it at all cost.

Jonistyle2 · 11-21-2005, 11:15 AM

thanks for the replys! i'm definitely going in to the doctor soon (calling to set up an appt. right now, actually), so i'll let you all know what the outcome is. even though i realize i have a lot of the "diabetic symptoms," i also realize it's kind of vague and it could be a million other things, you know? i guess i was just feeling pretty worried and curious about what the lifestyle changes are. the insulin shot thing sounds a little freaky to me now, but i'm sure i'd get used to it if i had to do it. anyway, thanks and i'll keep you posted.