I think I might be a diabetic. Can someone read this please?

Question

Yes, I know I need to see a doctor and I will book an appt. asap. Until then, I would like some knowledge. First of all, I am NOT overweight. I am 35, 5.10" and a very normal weight. I had a child in 1995 and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I was told that later in life this could result in type II Diabetes. My "symptoms" are: I am having a very hard time controlling my blood sugar. I get so low at times that I come close to passing out. Other times I crave sugar as if if were the only food source on the planet. It seems like I cannot get enough sugar (I try NOT to indulge). I am thirsty ALL of the time. My b/f complains that when we buy groceries we only come out with beverages. I get up like 3-4 times a night to pee and my ankles are always swollen. I exercise fairly regularly, but I'm still always very very tired. I sleep a lot. My grandmother had a mild case, but no other relatives that I know of (she took some kind of pill).
Can anyone out there identify with me?

Also, I told my GYN two years ago that I thought I might have diabetes and asked her advice. Her words to me were, "don't come into my office and TELL me what you have or don't have"

What kind of advice is that?

I forgot to add that sometimes during exercise I have to stop and eat a protein bar because I get very lightheaded. Sometimes I can't even finish a workout because I get shaky and dizzy. This usually doesn't get better until I eat something with protein then sleep.

Answer 1

I'm always a bit curious when I see people saying they have low blood sugar. First of all, you need to actually measure your blood sugar to find out whether it is low. Secondly, you don't get low blood sugar (except under very unusual circumstances) unless you take something to lower it, like insulin or an oral hypoglycemic agent. Diabetes does not cause hypoglycemia.

So - your symptoms don't suggest diabetes, but you may well still have it. High blood sugar (which is what you will get with untreated diabetes) does not cause symptoms unless it is very high, or associated with the metabolic abnormalities seen in untreated type 1 diabetes. To find out if you have it you will have to see your doctor and have your blood glucose measured. Its a simple procedure - if its high, you have diabetes. If you don't, then you don't have diabetes.

I suspect I will get a lot of flack for this answer, but there is a great deal of misinformation floating around on the internet, and everyone seems to be an expert on diabetes.

I hope this helps

Answer 2

What kind of a doctor is that! She can't listen to her patient who knows her body better than anyone. She must be an egotistical doctor with a god complex. I wouldn't go back to her. She is only interested in her opinions not getting to the bottom of your problem. Now, to you problems, gosh it could be any number of things but the fact that you had gestational diabetes put you at a higher risk. And there is no mild case of diabetes. If you have it, then you are in the same class as everyone, only you are either a type 1 or 2. As for you, you need to make that appointment and have a very good check up. Could also have a thyroid problem but go see and I hope this doctor is willing to listen.

Answer 3

You just might have diabetes. Like the doctors told you back in 1995 when you developed gestational diatbetes that it could lead to Type 2 diabetes. It sounds like your body is producing too much insulin. That would explain why your blood glucose levels are so low, and why you crave sugar all the time. Its your body telling you that it needs sugar to counteract the high insulin levels in your blood. The same reason why you are so thristy is because your body is trying to dilute the insulin in you blood that way it doesn't affect you as bad, and when you drink that much, then you are going to go to the bathroom a whole lot more. Insulin levels also control the smooth muscles that line the lumens of your blood vessels. It can cause them to constrict, which in turn, leads poor blood circulation. This is just my opinion on what you might have, only a doctor can test just to be sure.

Answer 4

Im a nurse and I think you should fire your gynecologist. She is a doozey! Some of them are that way. They think they own the world.
You need to check your blood glucose using an accucheck machine in the morning after not eating or drinking anything all nite. If your blood sugar is below 117, you are not a diabetic.
Usually this is done in a doctors office.

Answer 5

The classic symptoms of diabetes mellitus are increased thirst, increased urination and increased hunger. Without proper lab testing, no one can diagnose you.

Most Gyn doctors don't know much about medicine and many have poor bedside manners. Sounds like you need to find a new one.

Answer 6

A blood/sugar test only takes a minute. Swollen ankles could be a sign your kidneys are not working good. Diabetes does this. Stay away from sugar. Eat whole grain snacks.

Answer 7

My uncle was the same way and he had type 2 diabetes. You have all of the symptoms of diabetes. I would get some advice and probably some prescriptions from the doctor quickly.

Answer 8

Your GYN sounds like a creep- I'd find a new one.

It could be diabetes, it could also be thyroid disease. Your symptoms are similar to mine....so I went and got the full work up....which you say you're doing. Good!

At 35, and a normal weight, it's probably NOT diabetes.

Answer 9

Hi
This could be diabetes. Anyway just try a blood glucose test using a glucometer. Get the result and find out whether you have diabetes or not.

Answer 10

You already know what to do, so I'm not going to add to it. But you might want to remind your GYN that in spite of her diploma, she is working for you, not the other way around.