To those who are in denial or not taking care of their diabetes; please read.
I was diagnosed in October of 2007. I took Metformin for a while, but just didn't want to accept the fact that I was diabetic at 34 (at the time). So, I stopped taking the medication. Everything was 'fine' until July 7, 2008.
A couple of weeks, prior to that, I ended up getting very sick. I literally could not stop vomitting and could barely get enough strength to walk. Worst part... I had hardly any idea of what was going on around me. Fortunately, my 3 year old was with my mom that weekend. A couple of days passed and I was feeling better and quickly dismissed it as a case of stomach flu.
Fast forward two weeks later... I awoke with the same symptoms that I had two weeks prior. I was resting on the couch, woke up and just KNEW I was going to be ill. So, I jumped up, ran to the bathroom and that's when everything started happening; one thing after another.
This continued for two days, on the 3rd day I started coughing up blood, and on the 4th day I couldn't barely walk. It took me 30 minutes just to get to the bathroom. Now, common sense would have told anyone else to get to the doctor or emergency room, but unfortunately common sense wasn't a factor in any of my decisions.
I did, however, manage to call my mom and ask her to come get my daughter as I couldn't even get up to take care of her. So, she left work. When she walked in the door, she took one look at me and said, "OMG I'm calling 911!". Apparently I was purple in color, breathing oddly, and completely out of it.
Upon ER response, they had come in and assesed the situation. They rushed me out to the ambulance, took my blood sugar (it was 538) and rushed me to the ER. Upon my arrival they started an EKG, fluids (I was severly dehydrated), and insulin. I was in the ER for 12 hours and admitted to the hospital for observation.
The next day I woke up, EXTREMELY thirsty and had a case of cotton-mouth like no other (I could scrape the skin off of the roof of my mouth), and had asked for something to drink. Of course that's when they advised me I couldn't have anything until I was seen by the doctor - pending possible tests he would order.
I decided I would out-smart them all and request a shower. After much disagreement, they finally caved in and I got in the shower. I stood in there for an hour; barely able to move and almost falling several times. By the time I had gotten out, put a robe on, opened the door I was beginning to pass out; fortunately there was a nurse in the room who caught me. She and the doctor I had been waiting on took me back to my bed. Within 30 minutes they were rushing me to ICU.
I was continually passing out, completely disoriented and just wanted to sleep and not be touched; I'm kinda cranky when I'm sick LOL
It was while I was in ICU that I was diagnosed:
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (the mortality rate of this particular disease is EXTREMELY high. If you get it, and survive, you're considered 'one of the lucky ones'
- Pneumonia (in both lungs; when I was vomitting, it had aspirated into my lungs)
- Piriformis Syndrome (it's a muscle right on your sciatic nerve that I had pulled from being dehydrated)
- Septic
- Kidney Disease
The amount of time that I wasn't taking care of myself had taken it's toll on my kidneys. Where 'normal' people produce 100/200mL of protein in the urine, I was producing 1200/mL
I now think of how dumb it was for me to avoid taking care of myself, with a simple pill, diet and excercise and instead of having one chronic disease... I have two. I KNOW, beyond a shadow of a doubt, how lucky I am to still be alive. The doctors are still baffled and so am I. It had gotten as far as asking me what my burial preferences were by my entire extended family.
I'm not sharing this to gain any sort of sympathy... I'm sharing this to encourage those in denial to please, please take care of yourselves. I know it's a pain, but at least you're still alive and able to enjoy life. I, for one, have an entirely NEW attitude about being diabetic...and for that matter - about being alive.
I hope that at least one person in denial will read this and learn from my experience opposed to having to go through it themselves.
i am glad you were finally able to realize the very serious nature of this chronic illness... unfortunate that it took that long BUT i am glad you are ok now and able to still be here for your lil' one ;)
So i am assuming that you are now a type 1? Thank you for sharing that w us... it could easily happen to any one of us if we are not careful! Please take care!
i was diagnosed with type two diabetes back in 2002, when i was rushed to the emergency room after suffering a seizure...my blood sugar readings were 1200,, and i was in a diabetic coma for three days...it was only thru the grace of God and many prayers that i made it thru...since that time, i have not been in control of my diabetes...my eating habits stink, i dont exercise, and i dont take my medicine...it is only thru God's grace that i have made it this far, with out any complications...after reading your story, i have taken it upon myself to reevaluate my condition...i cant make it this far with my current habits, and it is up to me to take better care of myself... i wish you the best, and i hope your health improves...as for me, i am going to make a promise to myself to take better care of myself...
monica lomax
i was diognosed with type 2 in March of 2000. I spent the first year in total denial of it and did not take care of myself. It was not until I ended up in the hospital due to a serious infection and a in need of my gall bladder being removed. After that I began to take my diabetes seriously and worked really hard to get control of it. Everything was good till we moved to where we are now and I spent 15 months with a doctor that did not take my diabetes seriously. After having blood sugar readings close to 500 I realized something had to be done. I now have a doctor who specializes in diabetes and a nitritionist and a primary doctor who hopefully with take my health issues seriously. I am now working really hard to gain control once again of my diabetes. Its one of the hardest things to do once its out of control it seems. I have improved greatly but still have a long road ahead of me.
I am so glad that you got through that nightmare and are finally taking your diabetes and health seriously. Its hard work but a must for us to survive for our families sakes.
Hi my name is Susan and I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in Nov 2001 my A1C level was at 9.0 and when i was first diagnosed I cried my eyes out when my doctor told me the results. She first put me on Avandia a small dose at first then increased it and then added the Metformin and it still was not coming down then she had to put me on Lantus and that was the worst since I hated shots. After a while I got my A1C to normal and my doctor was very pleased with my results. After about 4 or 5 yrs I was having marriage problems and was suicidal and was also having insurance issues to where my insurance was not paying for the Avandia so I was taken off of that. Now I am taking the Metformin 1000mg x2 a day Lasonipril (medication for my kidneys and also helps with blood pressure), and the Lantus which I was taking about 15cc and then was increased to about 30cc and up I have decreased it to the 30 or 20 depending on how I feel and now my readings are getting off the charts a little like this morning it was 146 and for the past week it has been higher than that. My problem is sweets I love sugar and I have to realize that in order for me to stay healthy and be around for my son and my family I have got to take better care of myself. I am gonna try to get a medical card since I am working for a temp service and cant afford the insurance payment and hopefully I can get back on track of eating right and getting my diabetes under control again.
After finding out I was diabetic ( TYPE 2) , I didnt want to deal with it but unfornately you have no choice, I have been this way sine 9/06 and have been on metformin and actos and have lost over 30 pounds just by changing my eating habits and walking , I was hoping that it would go away by losing weight but so far it hasnt , I am having a harder time dealing with it lately but I will always take my medication and keep going day by day ... so I am glad I read your story and if you have any tips just let me know .
Thank you for sharing your story. I was in denial prior to my official diagnosis in March, 2008. Fortunately, other than some mild neuropathy, my disease is being treated with 2 pills a day. My father died from complications of diabetes & I don't want to follow in his foot steps.
It was nice to read all of the replies to this and having you all share your experiences. :)
I haven't been around much as I have been getting tested for even more stuff. Hypothyroidism (it came back positive) and Lupus (still waiting for the results).
I've been doing a ton of research in my spare time... and it's truly odd how connected all of these things are. For example, having hypothyroidism is connected to your diabetes. In fact, having both can cause complications; interesting! Even more so... hypothyroidism can affect your kidney's. Double whammy!
I have a truly wonderful doctor, now, and our inside joke is that I'm an involuntary hypochondriac LOL I don't want these things, but it's good for a person to take charge of their health as we know our bodies best and I want things working properly; gotta be here for my little girl. I basically uitilize the internet to not necessarily diagnosis, but to get more information, and then I'll request those tests. So far, I haven't been wrong. I wish all doctors were as compassionate as mine - I recommend her all the time!
I don't know if any of you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, but there are new ranges for normal levels of TSH (thyroid levels in your blood): Currently, the recommended reference range for TSH is from approximately 0.3 to 3.0.
A much wider range of approximately 0.5 to from 5.0 to 6.0 is being
used by labs and doctors who are not following the latest
recommendations by the American Association of Clinical
Endocrinologists. So if you have been checked lately be sure to ask what your exact result was - a LOT of doctors and/or endocrinologists don't take this stuff very seriously these days. Not sure why though. If your doctor isn't aware of these changes, or refuses to go off of anything other than what they lab is giving them... let me know and I'll send you the official report from the AMCE. They can't, or won't, argue with that.
Since our thyroid's are connected to the pituitary gland which is on the hypothalmus in our brains... I had my LSH and LH levels tested; those came back normal. However, we're still going to draw a further blood test to make certain that I don't have an off-set of anything else due to another symptom that I'm having that seems quite frankly... dead on. Albeit, if it does come back positive, I am facing a possible noncancerous tumor in my brain. I'm keeping my fingers crossed as you can probably imagine. :)
It goes without saying, but before I got so sick, I was going to college to be a nurse. Unfortunately I had to give that up, but the irony there is interesting. I suppose it also helps that with my background, in this field, that my doctor takes me so seriously.
I have noticed that my blood sugars have been slightly higher lately, as well. So, I'm keeping a daily log, for the next week, to see if I need to take more. It doesn't bother me as I'd rather take shots than be dead any day of the week.
More information for you to absorb: I was put on a triglyceride medication a few months back because my Tri's were high. I'm on Simvastatin. Cholesterol ranges were all normal and well within range. I was completely stumped as to why so when we found out that I had gained 100 more Tri's points... I finally asked. Basically, what I was told is that I have 'sticky blood'. Fat isn't an issue, just the sugar. However, what does sugar turn into? Fat. Hmm. So, I have to cut out all white products... starches, breads, pasta, etc. Off to wheat I go. Yet, even with that, I have to be cautious as wheat (due to gluten) can upset a thyroid even more. With that being said, they have thrown me on Omega-3's and Niacin. I've also been told no more sugar, what-so-ever, and not even aritificial sweeteners; Splenda, Nutra-sweet, Sweet-n-Low, etc. No more diet coke for me or Splenda sweetetened iced-tea. However, they did inform me of a natural sweetener that is safe to take, found at GNC, called Stevia (don't quote me on the name spelling as I have yet to look it up and get more information).
Now, to add icing to the proverbial cake? I had gallbladder about 3 1/2 years ago. The surgeon told me that they had to open me up, as opposed to laprascopic surgery, because my liver was enlarged. I had been taking so much Tylenol to compensate for the pain that I was enduring due to the gallbladder attacks (if you've ever had one, you know what I mean and if you haven't... they are best described to being extremely similiar to having a heart attack). So, I faulted it on that. Yet, my liver has never gone down in size and I'm careful on taking any products like Tylenol or the active ingredient Acetaminophen; those are straight poisons to your liver if you aren't very careful in your dosage. Again - found that out a little too late. Yet, Omega-3 and Niacin and the Simivistatin ALL are equally as difficult on your liver.
Anyone else see a future problem with this one? LOL Although, I've got to take one step at a time here and adjust the best I can. Not to mention, keep a close eye on my liver enzymes.
Hopefully this is helping you all and not boring you to tears. I just feel it's so much better to educated on stuff than be in the dark and not doing what we could be to literally save our lives.
Moral of the story is simply this... if we don't care, our doctor's certainly won't. They make the same money irregardless of our committment to our health.
I'm 27 and i'v been a diabetic since i was 3. But because of poor control i now have neopathy and hyperthyroidism plus high chlesterol, protien spilage in kidney, acid reflux disese and so on. I still can't bring myself to do the things i should be doing i'm in and out of the hospital with kedoasidosis(sorry for spelling) I want to do better but to tired and sick to do anything whats wrong with me?
I am stubborn & one of the ones in Denial.. All your stories want to make me cry.. I just want to reach out and hug all of you..
When my doctor told me I was type 2 it was in January of this year. My A1C number (the only one I ever had taken) was 5. something. I cant remember what the point was.. (well not the point of the A1C number but the point AFTER the 5... lol. )
I cried.. I hid it from my mom for a good few weeks.. to her.. it was horrible. I didnt want her to know her fears came true..
Now.. I am holding on to my docs words that once my thyroid is removed I will be able to lose weight & it will go away.. (which is what he said MIGHT happen)
I have the following...
Hyper thyroid
Type 2
Neuropathy of the legs (& hands I think but never tested them)
Of course I am over weight.. which sucks.
I also have PCOS...
My mom thinks I have Fybromyalgia (sp) but my doctor wont test me.. I had to BEG him to give me info on Diabetes.. They have no classes for me to go to.. Heck they wont even send me to a specialist & my Endo for my thyroid doesnt "Do" Diabetes..
I am on 2 Metaformin a day.. I havent taken them in about 2 weeks or so though.. I Just keep forgetting.. My memory is totally shot lately. Honestly I cant remember what I did yesterday for most of the day never the less what other people tell me.
I am also on 2 of they Hyperthyroid meds too.. they are going to remove my thyroid if my levels ever come down to 0 (from what I understand) But it has been 4 years & so far they are NOT going down.. I ask for my results & I get the run around. I missed my last appointment because I didnt have a ride (it is 2 hours away & hubby has to take off work to take me to watch the youngest.. )
My BS levels every morning (fasting) is about 120 or so. if it gets below 100 I get really sick. Like headache, nauseated all that. I have never had it higher then 160 & that was after eating bad stuff & not sleeping..
Sorry to ramble.. I just wanted to say that we are listening to you guys.. * hugs * to all.
Diabetic ?
- AlexisPaigesMom
on Nov. 20, 2008 at 5:10 PM