About Type 2 symptoms

Jack51 · 11-13-2004, 12:30 AM

I have been reading this section for about 2 hours. I am really impressed with all the knowledge and support here. As with most, I am impatient and haven't read far enough back to find my answers. They're probably posted.

I have been diagnosed with hyperlipidemia for ~8 years. I cannot tolerate statin medication. I can take tricor to keep my triglycerides <1000, but only for very short periods (a week at the most). My tg's have been higher than 2000. Today they were 732 and total C was 320.

My 12 hour fasting blood glucose was 118 today, checked at the doc's office. The appointment was to go over my lipid/liver function test. I also had much to complain about healthwise. I had a heart attack and a stroke in May of 03. Lately I have been extremely fatigued. My tmill exercise seems to be hurting me intsead of helping. My first 2 hours of the morning are my worst of the day. My weight has been fluctuating as much as 5 lbs. per day, and a minimum of 3.

I have swelling in my face, hands, feet and ankles. My hands have been aching, stiff, and numb (not like arthritis, I have that occasionally in my knuckles). The pain and stiffness goes up to my elbows. My palms actually hurt. I have had peripheral neuropathy in my legs for about 3 years, and I have been taking neurontin. I have headaches much of the day. My BP has been going low for 5-6 days (average is low) and then back up to normal. I take all the routine heart and BP medication (ace inhibitor, beta blocker, timed released nitro, plavix).

My fasting glucose has been on the increase for the last 2 years. It has been above 110 for two years. I have totally stayed away from sugar except for tea and coffee. I am sorry to meander on and I know this is boring, but my GP told me today that he thought a lot of my symptoms were being caused by my glucose level. Do any of my symptoms sound familar to you guys? Thanks so much in advance.

SamQKitty · 11-13-2004, 01:20 AM

It's hard to say, Jack, with just the fasting blood gluocse levels to go by. Have you tested your blood sugars at other times of the day? And, has your doctor run an HbA1c on you? That's a test that measures your average blood glucose level over a period (the period prior to the test) of 8-12 weeks.

It's quite possible that you have impaired glucose tolerance/insulin resistance, which is a precursor to Type 2 diabetes, but you may, in fact, actually be diabetic. As I said, fastings just aren't enough to go on.

Also, you mention staying away from sugar except in coffee and tea. First of all...how much coffee and tea do you drink a day? More than one cup (and possibly even one) could raise your blood sugar significantly. Second, it's not just sugars that you need to watch...it's all carbohydrates, whether they come from simple sugars, grains, fruits, vegetables, etc. Not to say you can't have ANY carbs, but you need to space them out over the day and not have too many (a registered dietician could help you figure out what's right for you.)

Another question that occurred to me...are you male or female? If female, with those problems I would suspect polycystic ovary disease, but obvoiusly that wouldn't apply if you're a male, lol.

And yes, all those symptoms could be from diabetes. They could also be from fibromyalgia, but if it turns out that you are diabetic, I would more suspect that you have some peripheral neuropathy.

I would recommend that you start testing your bg levels in the am (before breakfast), and then scatter some tests throughout the week as follows:
2 hours after lunch (counted from when you first start eating)
immediately before dinner
2 hours after dinner
right before bedtime.

Also, ask your doctor to run an HbA1c.

Ruth

jtu91952 · 11-13-2004, 02:42 AM

Hi Jack, i have suffered some of the pains you mentioned but mine were due to my bp meds and lipitor. Like Ruth has stated, it could be from alot of things. I also suggest further testing.

Keep in mine that beta blocker can mask low glucose readings.

Jack51 · 11-13-2004, 10:40 AM

Good morning and thanks to both of you. Ruth I am an ole geezer, lol.

I see that I need to do more reading here, and maybe google some terms or tests that I am not familar with. I am going to try to get the HbA1c testing done. I don't know why my GP didn't suggest this, if he thought diabetes was part of my problem.

jtu91952, I believe that tricor caused me to have PN. Statins have almost put me in the hospital. Thank G-d most can take them w/o problems.

Ruth you have reminded me that most everything is changed to sugar to be used by the body. Heck, what am I going to eat, lol. I think that my question is to try to figure what not to eat. Lose weight and try to back out of this deal. My bmi is <30. I am going to get a glucose meter, and start testing after meals.

Thanks again,
Jack

jtu91952 · 11-13-2004, 04:11 PM

Hi Jack, i think you're the one that helped me with ?? s on the Heart disorder board, so I know you know your stuff. Its not so much what not to eat as it is how much of what to eat. When first dxd with diabetes, i also thought only sugar. Since then i've learned carbs perior. I have worked with a great dietician and she helped me with my meal plan. I eat alot of veggies and very little fruit (don't like too many fruits) lean mean, whole grains.

Im kinda on a special diet only bcuz i have other health issues. I also have high cholesterol and tried the statins for a few yrs. Im allergic to them as well.Zetia caused me back pain.

Have you been referred to a dietician yet?