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Are Diabetic complications inevitable?

Alisonjane10

Well-Known Member
I was diagnosed with Diabetes in late January this year. My HBA1c at that time was 123 or 18.7%. With hindsight, I'm aware that I'd been experiencing extreme fatigue & poor vision for at least 18 months prior to diagnosis. Since getting good control of my blood glucose, my eyesight has massively improved & I only need to wear glasses when reading. I don't need them for driving etc. the only other physical changes I'm aware of are pretty weird, but I suspect are related to my diabetes.
  • Bladder can hold way more urine before my brain gets the signal that I need to void.
  • Lack of sensation in some of my fingertips, especially on the fingers I test with the most.
  • Very dry skin on my body, but not on my face.
  • Sores / broken areas on my scalp which have not responded to Polytar, Nizoral or ketoconazole shampoos. Nor to Betnovate scalp lotion.
  • Hair is thinner than before diagnosis. Has improved significantly with better BG control though. No-one notices but me, due to a very good hairdresser giving me an amazing body-boosting cut, colour & style. But I know!!
I know many diabetics have dreadful complications which cause major health problems. So mine seem pretty lame in comparison. But I'm worried that this is just the start of an inevitable downward spiral. Can any other diabetics offer me some advice & share their experience of how to prevent or minimise the risks of complications. It's very frightening to me. Thank you.
 
It's possible that some of those symptoms are not diabetes-related. Has your thyroid function been checked? (I am thinking of the dry skin).

If ketoconazole shampoo has not helped the sores on your head, maybe you need this drug in tablet form?

Overall I don't think you need to worry about major complications if your BG levels are now under control. But I could be wrong. What does your doctor say?
 

Hi @CatLadyNZ. Thank you for responding to my thread. I too thought I may have a thyroid problem, but all tests have come back showing it is functioning fine. I think my GP doesn't really take my scabby, sore scalp seriously. He is happy to prescribe shampoos & lotions, but then says "Diabetics do have skin problems." Well, I've had this problem for over 7 months. I've tried prescribed & homeopathic remedies as well as tea tree oil. I'm seeing my DNS on Friday morning, so I think I'll raise it with her.

My main worry now is for the future. I don't want to suffer the terrible complications some people on here do. I don't want to live like that.

Once again, thank you for replying to my question. It is appreciated.

AJ. X
 
Dr Bernstein's experience with many patients is that the stricter your BG level control within the normal range, the more chance you have of improving your complications. But like anything else, symptoms can take considerable time to improve, especially if nerves are involved. I think the Doc who had advanced kidney disease and many other complications managed to reverse all of his, except for some anatomical foot changes (from memory he calls it intrinsic minus foot) and smaller stature that happened in his earlier years. I still notice incremental improvements with my feet even 3 years into the journey.
 
I also can hold a lot in my bladder! Didn't telate this to diabetes at all..

My hubby has very odd scalp at times. His skin seems to matt over his hair and then his hair can come out in clumps (when I used to pick at it!!). He isn't diabetic but the only shampoo that keeps his scalp good is neutrogaena t/gel. This was recommended by a GP years ago and he has only had one occurance of it now in 10 years and that was when he thought he would try other shampoo like Polytar.

I don't consider that I have complications but I do have slow colonic transit. However, non diabetics get this as well so thats why I don't count it as part of diabetes.

I would advise eating lower carbs and as much natural food (non ready meals etc) as possible. My only gripe is that I wasn't told of aspartame intolerance years ago so I have suffered chronic pain unecessarily for nigh on 20 years. Of course, As a diabetic if offered a cocacola -I went for diet coke.. And this and sugar free gum was literally killing me.

I would only advise trying to live as healthy as you can with plenty of laughter and fun..
 

Neem shampoo and also neem oil might help the scalp, i have had problems for years, if things dont improve in a year of so, maybe get your thyroid profile checked again? my scalp always worsens when my thyroid levels destabilise.
 
I just accepted mine as I've been like it since a child. Way before my diabetes.

My sis in laws brain doesn't tell her that her bladder is full. She now has a permanent self catherisation thing... (Don't know what her "illness" was diagnosed as though. I know she was rushed in to hospital with cancer at 20 whilst on honeymoon and has had scans on kidney ever since. That was a good 35 years ago though.
 


I thought all nurses had ginagerous bladders, as an occupational hazard?

One of the reasons I was keen to be removed from the diabetic register was because I didn't want every ache, pain or oddity attributed as "diabetics get that", or "that'll be your diabetes", in the way that having had several non-diabetic HbA1cs, I was told I needed help with my lipids. "We" soon got over that one!
 
I have the T3 test once a year for thyroid levels and always ok. But I have dry patches of skin on my arms,and quite alarge patch on my right leg above my ankle.neither doctor,nurse,pharmacist knew what it was but now my BS levels are lower,always around5.0 or less the patch on my leg has all but dissapeared. Could be a coincidence I don't know.
 

Hi @AndBreathe. You're right. Nurses do indeed have to have a cast iron bladder. This skill obviously appears on my CV. But in all seriousness, since diagnosis, my bladder can hold way more.(double) And my brain doesn't get the cues that I need to void until I start getting pains in my kidneys. Something to raise with my DSN on Friday. X
 
As you know @Alisonjane10, I'm not diabetic.
However I do have a metabolic syndrome condition where instead of insulin resistance, I over produce insulin, when eating carbs and sugars!
I very low carb to keep in control!

I was in a very bad place with my blood glucose levels bouncing around up and down, and I was really ill, I was hurtling headlong down the path of uncontrolled diabetes, where the complications were certainly showing their true colours.
I had so many different symptoms, that I was in a fog, most of the day, if I knew which day it was!

My life signs were deteriorating, BP was high, fatty liver, liver function, kidney function, my weight was gradually increasing, etc!

In October 2012, my weight was 16st 5lb.
Today I had slimmed down to 11and a half stone.
All my life signs are great!

In essence, I've learned to live a lot healthier for me, it has been a rough and interesting journey and it ain't over yet!

I believe if you can really control the condition, you won't necessarily get the complications, you'll have ups and downs and setbacks, but if you can, and I have there is no reason why you should get diabetic complications!

I also believe that diabetes isn't a progressive disease.

It isn't fatal if you are in control.
 

Hi @nosher8355.

Thank you for your comprehensive & reassuring message. It was very kind of you to respond to my question. The ups & downs of having Diabetes can be scary. I guess having it put into perspective, as you have done, makes it easier. Best wishes & good health. AJ. X
 
ann34+ said:
Neem shampoo and also neem oil might help the scalp, i have had problems for years, if things dont improve in a year of so, maybe get your thyroid profile checked again? my scalp always worsens when my thyroid levels destabilise.
Click to expand...

Thanks @ann34+ Decided to take your advice & sent off for some Neem oil shampoo from Amazon. I've spent a small fortune on other shampoos & scalp tonics, so I thought I might as well give this a go. It's all natural, so if nothing, at least it's gonna make my hair nice n shiny. I'll let you know how I do. Thanks for the tip. X
 
ann34+ said:
Neem shampoo and also neem oil might help the scalp, i have had problems for years, if things dont improve in a year of so, maybe get your thyroid profile checked again? my scalp always worsens when my thyroid levels destabilise.
Click to expand...

Hi @ann34. Thank you SO much for telling me about Neem oil shampoo. I've been using it for about a week now & i really can't believe the difference in the condition of my scalp as well as my hair. There was instant relief after the first use. My hair is glossier than it's been in years & its lying beautifully. No more bad hair days for me. Even my hubby noticed, & considering I didn't have my Newcastle United shirt on, that's pretty **** good for him. Lol. Good call hun. X
 
The damage is nerve damage remember and nerves if looked after can regrow and reroute.
Looking after them entails being below 8 on your meter.
Below 6 if possible.
That's my understanding and my approach.
 
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