Couple of questions

Is the thirst supposed to go away? I had a hell of a thirst before diagnosis and for a bit after where my mouth was so dry. That really bad dryness has gone but I'm still very thirsty. I go through 2 Litres a day but am trying to cut back and am currently drinking 6 cans of zero sugar drinks a day and even that's not enough, that's me cutting back. It keeps the hunger at bay while I'm dieting especially at night and the evenings when I used to snack so that's good but I just wondered if it's normal or maybe it's just habit for me? I feel thirsty a lot.

Second question is about itchy legs and feet. They were intensely itchy before diagnosis and before the tingling pins and needles started. So much so I still have scars on my feet from where I scratched so much I took the skin off. I used to also get really itchy legs in a hot bath. Now the itchy legs are coming back where if I'm in the bath I'm really scratching at them. I've got marks from itching so hard! Is that a diabetes thing?

Thanks

Thanks, and that's me cutting back having six cans. My BG has been a bit high a few times recently over the last two weeks at 9.8 one time and in the 8's other times. I only test now after my main meal. Breakfast and lunch are always the same. I've never checked after me evening snack of 80g of berries though as I thought that would be fine.

Maybe I'm just used to drinking a lot? I'm finding myself getting up to pee at 4 in the morning most nights which is annoying.

Hi Ally how are you doing? I've been following your story, poor you with such high BG, you must feel dreadful. The itching is annoying isn't it. I've got marks on my feet from when I itched so much months ago! Do you find it worse in a hot bath? That's when my legs are itching.

pavlosn said:

Hi

What are your current glucose levels like?

If high, the thirst may be your body's way of getting you to take on more fluids thus diluting the concentration of glucose or flush it out of your system through your kidneys.

Six can of diet soft drinks a day is just under two liters in volume, which does seem a bid excessive. The jury is probably out on how safe they really are, so limiting your intake is probably a good idea,

Pavlos

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When you say safe what do you mean? Are diet drinks bad in general or just for diabetics? They have no sugar or carbs. I thought they were ok? Been drinking pop for years since I was little but changed to the diet about 5 years ago.

pavlosn said:

Most diet drinks contain aspartame. A search on the net or even this forum will tell you that there are studies that this is not very good for anybody's health. Other studies show that it is safe to consume, at least in sensible amounts. That is why it is approved to be used in drinks.

Despite the fact that I probably consume too many cans of such drinks myself, it seems to me that the prudent thing to do is to try and cut back.

A recent article on this site was even mentioning that one recent study suggested that artificial sweeteners (saccharine) may actually cause blood glucose levels to rise.

Pavlos

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Thanks, didn't know that. I'll try going back to more water in between

pavlosn said:

I find sparkling water with some fresh lemon juice a good substitute.

Also trying to drink more green and herbal teas.

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Thanks never though of that I love lemons and limes. I've been drinking zero lemonde. Will give the water and juice a try

Andrew Colvin said:

The itching is caused by your high BG levels. I also bet your skin is hot as well. You need to bring your levels down further. Try and cut your carbs further. Do you really need a snack of berries. That is a lot of fructose. Try something non-carby if you really must eat (something high fibre will take away hunger - try raw carrots maybe or nuts).

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it's not high anymore normally just when I have too many carbs. I assumed the berries were good for me that's why I eat them every evening. I don't need the snack.