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Advice on diagnosis

James001

Member
Messages
15
Hi everyone,

I have recently had problems, some of which have been there for a while. Some are new. My blood test was normal. Nevertheless, I would be grateful if someone could read this and tell me if it sounds like anything, or if you have any thoughts, or if you are familiar with anything that has diabetes-like syptoms. Very grateful...

My urine smells of sugar (not currently taking antibiotics, no infections). First thing in the morning is the only time it smells like normal urine. Members of my family have been brave enough to smell it in a container, and they agree that it smells strongly of sugar, and only of sugar. This is not a one-off. It is the same pattern every day to a greater or lesser degree. Even my skin sometimes smells sweet, as does my breath on occasions.

I have slow healing wounds (up to two months for cuts to heal, two weeks for a light scratch).

I am a very diligent washer but get regular fungal infections in groin area. I have had no sexual contact of any kind. Currently I have what appears to be oral thrush. Recently had ringworm on my right hand.

Recurring ear infections requiring antibiotics and once even hospitalisation. Endless stye’s on my eyelids, often weekly or even more frequently.

Cracked lips, dry mouth, drink a fair bit, go to the bathroom a fair bit, often at night. Not to the point where I would consider it a huge problem. Just an annoyance.

Constant, serious urinary infections that don’t get cured by antibiotics. Lab tests have shown that the bacteria has no resistance to antibiotics. No prostate problems. It was because of these infections and the presence of sugar in my urine that my GP recommended I get tested for diabetes.

Reduced peripheral vision in right eye (machine-tested by an ophthalmologist). Drooping right upper eyelid. Right eye pupil smaller than left. Right eye pointing slightly wrong direction. Tiny veins growing over my right cornea. (Further tests pending).

Headaches after meals, almost every day, but not every single day.

Various neurological problems including a bad right shoulder which is taking more than a year to heal in spite of steroids (which helped).

Whole areas of tiny blood vessels under my skin can burst - anything from a quarter of an inch to several inches across. It looks as if I have a large blood red birth mark or as if I’ve stained my skin with strong red dye. (A doctor has confirmed that blood vessels are responsible). This can happen on my face, my hands or my legs. Apparently, this is sometimes an autoimmune disorder.

I am otherwise fit and healthy. I am of lean build and am the perfect weight for my height. Always have been. I eat healthily and always have done.

Even though my urine smells of sugar, my lab blood test show normal blood sugar. This was a generic lab blood test which included a wide range of tests and many vials of blood.

I obviously don’t have diabetes, so does anyone have any ideas? If not, then I’m tired of the whole thing and am inclined just to ignore it all as much as possible.

Very grateful.
James
 
Sorry1
It'sa bit of a mystery.
 
hanadr said:
Sorry1
It'sa bit of a mystery.

Yup. But thanks handr for reading it. I'm confused too.

Incidentally, I've just discovered that it is possible to have sugar in urine and still have normal blood sugar, if you have what's called a low renal threshold. I don't know if I have a low renal threshold, but at least I now know that sugary urine doesn't necessarily mean sugary blood. Perhaps the sugar is a complete diversion??
 
Hi James

Welcome to the forum

You have quite a few symptoms there, what did your doctor say, apart from telling you that you are not diabetic? It is worth going back and discussing everyone of your symptoms in details, I suggest that you arrange a double appointment so that the consultation is not rushed. Maybe you need more tests?
If you dont get the answers, then ask to be referred for a second opinion; with all these things that concern you I think you need to have an answer, they are obviously worrying you or else you would not have been writing about them, so no, do not ignore them, you need to know what you are up against, IF anything, maybe there is just no connection with the symptoms, maybe they are all just isolated, but you are not a doctor, I am not either besides it would be hard to diagnose without seeing you.

I hope that you feel better really soon, sorry that I am not able to help you, but like everyone else in this forum I care, please come back and let us know how you are getting on.

All the best

Karen
 
Hi Karen,

Thanks for your great reply.

The hospital consultant didn't actually say that I'm not diabetic. He just said that it's very unlikely I'm diabetic. To be honest, I think they are at a loss too.

Regarding discussing my symptoms, he was pretty good already. I had an appointment a couple of weeks ago. He let it run on for over an hour. By the time I came out, the waiting room was full of annoyed people. I got the impression he would have stayed even longer if I had more questions to ask. When I asked what he thought it was, he said he needed more info from my impending eye appointment.

Test-wise, I am having more tests related to my eyes. I've got to see a hospital eye consultant quite soon. Apparently, what my eyes are doing "can be a sign of something very dangerous". It has occurred to me that they might suspect something and they don't want to mention it till they are more sure. Who knows? I guess it could conceivably be a tumour. Those can upset all kinds of hormones and your immune system.

Probably, I should be patient and wait for all my current appointments to clear. I just wondered if anyone knew of anything similar to diabetes.

You're so kind to respond Karen. Thanks so much.

James
 
Ok James it sounds as if you are establishing trust in your consultant, that is reassuring, esp seeing he is not rushing you and is happy to answer your questions.

So, yes I guess you have no choice but wait for the remaining test results and then hopefully you will be told what is wrong, hopefully its all good news for you.
I see you mention the possiblity of tumours, now James I know that this is a difficult time for you, but please do not worry ahead of things, chances are that you will find that things are totally different to what you imagine them to be.

Instead concentrate on supporting your body's immune system by getting all the nutrients it needs, vitamins/minerals/good oils/protein/exercise and relaxation, because IF there is anything wrong with you, whatever it is, this gives you the best chance of fighting back (and remember even if it is a tumour, most of them can be treated successfully, but dont even think about that scenario yet, worrying too much is not good for the immune system, so deal with issues when/if they present themselves!!!).

I hope and pray for you that all works out for you

Karen
 
Thanks again Karen. Good advice. I'm not easily frightened and am more perplexed than worried. The only thing that really bothers me is the possibility of something going wrong with my eyes. I'm a news photographer and losing my sight would be a huge bummer.

I'll put your advice into effect immediately. Thanks for your hope and prayers. I'll drop by and let you know how it went.

James
 
Type 2 very often starts with high postprandial BG (ie it goes up after eating but otherwise stays normal). When they only test fasting BG this is missed. (Common in the States where they don't generally do a Glucose Tolerance Test, also not uncommon in parts of this country)

http://www.bloodsugar101.com/

It's not impossible this is happening to you. Try eating and drinking something carby and sweet and dropping by your pharmacy for a post BG test about an hour later.

Gold Standard is to get your own meter

http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/NewlyDiagnosed.htm

take the numbers to see your doctor: this may then trigger a GTT

It's also possible that your numbers are well away from normal but "not diabetic yet" ie. prediabetes or impaired glucose tolerance and they will wait until you get significantly worse, to the point of no return. before diagnosing you.

Either way I'd suggest minimising your consumption of sugar and starch and testing as above. Eat plenty of veggies

http://www.diabetic-talk.org/freeveggies.htm

white meat and fish, nuts, eggs, cheese - some of us don't have problems with red meat and saturated fats while others may do.

In other words, act as if you are diabetic anyway and see if your symptoms improve
 
Hi James,

I was tested for years and it always came up neg, it wasn't until my new doctor sorted out a fasting blood test that i was diagnosed. I can't say what is wrong with you but all I will say is don't be fobbed off, if you feel something is wrong then something is wrong, i kept getting told it was prob a virus or my weight making me tired etc, but i KNEW that something in my body wasn't right.

I hope all goes ok for you, keep us updated :)

Becca
 
Hey, thanks so much Trinkwasser and Becca. What nice people you are, and your info was very interesting. I'll bear it in mind, but I've just posted a post on this forum called 'Update' and I've decided to give up the game of cat-and-mouse. I'm tired of it. All this can wait.

But sincerely... thank you.

James
 
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