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Need Some Wholehearted Advice! (Please)

Josh321

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4
Hi, I'm Josh

I am not efficient with this sort of thing but I've read a few of the other posts and the people here on average and with respect to culture seem rather forthcoming.

I'm 23(male), and presently suffer from various forms of anxiety - of which the nature of is, I imagine, primarily derived from my isolation. I study PHD economics, undergraduate psychology (henceforth my academic integrity or dignity is, I say with objectivity, being partially wounded here), and do a third specialization in business mathematics. I study, on average, around 12 hours a day; and thereby sit on average for at least 12 hours a day. When I am not studying the activities I undertake are also rather sedentary - under watching Netflix, or writing (non-serious) essays - of various kinds (academic, letters, persuasive/comedic e.t.c). I am not overweight (83kg, 6ft2). I have insomnia and likely mild forms of depression; yet at the same time, I love what I do.
My presence would probably not have extended to this site (as I am quite stubborn) as an extension of my anxiety if there had been no physical symptoms. I am fatigued, incredibly inactive, and have headaches. The big one, however, is that I get and have been getting over the past 3 or so months some intense "pins and needles" sensations. Often they are triggered by a hot shower, and at other times when I (occasionally) do squats or pushups in my room. They are frightening (although not painful and temporary) and are sometimes isolated to my legs or feet (especially so when I'm in bed at night or do squats), or very often begin at my upper back and extend down to my shoulders and arms(especially when I'm in the shower or do pushups). It is to my attention that many of these symptoms are representative of diabetes, but they are also hard to differentiate between my anxiety symptoms (for example, the pins and needles) and lifestyle characteristics. I do not presently seek clarity as I do some general comfort and social reassurance that I am, indeed, overreacting; although I would prefer an honest assessment through peoples experience if possible, relative to one that would ignorantly lift my spirits. I'd rather avoid a visit to the doctor at this stage, for if I do indeed possess it, the information will likely interfere with my immediate studies.

Thank you, Forum.

Josh.
 
How does any of that relate to diabetes if you have no idea whether you have it and nor do you wish to entertain having a blood test to at least find out?
 
How does any of that relate to diabetes if you have no idea whether you have it and nor do you wish to entertain having a blood test to at least find out?

With all due respect Mike that's rather ignorant, considering that all the symptoms I mentioned are key factors of diabetes, as are the factors that could have caused them. I will definitely get a blood test, but I don't want to presently burden myself with the information if I have it(or anything else detectable by a blood test), because the added stress will interfere with my upcoming assignments/exams.
 
I'd rather avoid a visit to the doctor at this stage, for if I do indeed possess it, the information will likely interfere with my immediate studies.

Well, if you do have diabetes then you need to know about it as soon as possible. Untreated T1 kills (quite quickly, so ignoring it till later is not an option) while if you don't treat T2 (diet is an option) then you're going to continue to feel sick and ill till you do.

Visiting a doctor would allow you to rule out various things (eg vitamin deficiencies) which may be treatable very easily (eg pop a vitamin D pill once a month).

Look, I was like you at your age, naturally very sedentary and spending a lot of time seated while I studied (PhD in maths/theoretical Physics :)). I only recently (last ten years) started to take more serious exercise and I honestly wish I'd done it earlier. Just go for regular walks, in the sunlight, this may well help your depression and your insomnia.

But.... please go see a doctor and get those blood tests. If it's diabetes you need to know (it's truly not the end of the world) and if it isn't then you still need to know. Would it stress you to just take some vitamin D or B12 tablets? You're obviously worried about your symptoms, seeing a doctor is likely to relieve that worry.

TLDR : see a doctor. If it's serious, it needs treating sooner rather than later. If it isn't serious, the diagnosis will relieve your health worries.

Good luck.
 
With all due respect Mike that's rather ignorant, considering that all the symptoms I mentioned are key factors of diabetes, as are the factors that could have caused them. I will definitely get a blood test, but I don't want to presently burden myself with the information if I have it(or anything else detectable by a blood test), because the added stress will interfere with my upcoming assignments/exams.

Those symptoms you mentioned could point to anything. You have no proof whatsoever to support your statements.

But I'm just wasting my time
 
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Hello, It's very hard to say until you see your doctor and get some tests done. I know that if it is type 1 diabetes, it'll happen very quickly. So don't wait and I hope you feel better soon.
 
Hi, I'm Josh

I am not efficient with this sort of thing but I've read a few of the other posts and the people here on average and with respect to culture seem rather forthcoming.

I'm 23(male), and presently suffer from various forms of anxiety - of which the nature of is, I imagine, primarily derived from my isolation. I study PHD economics, undergraduate psychology (henceforth my academic integrity or dignity is, I say with objectivity, being partially wounded here), and do a third specialization in business mathematics. I study, on average, around 12 hours a day; and thereby sit on average for at least 12 hours a day. When I am not studying the activities I undertake are also rather sedentary - under watching Netflix, or writing (non-serious) essays - of various kinds (academic, letters, persuasive/comedic e.t.c). I am not overweight (83kg, 6ft2). I have insomnia and likely mild forms of depression; yet at the same time, I love what I do.
My presence would probably not have extended to this site (as I am quite stubborn) as an extension of my anxiety if there had been no physical symptoms. I am fatigued, incredibly inactive, and have headaches. The big one, however, is that I get and have been getting over the past 3 or so months some intense "pins and needles" sensations. Often they are triggered by a hot shower, and at other times when I (occasionally) do squats or pushups in my room. They are frightening (although not painful and temporary) and are sometimes isolated to my legs or feet (especially so when I'm in bed at night or do squats), or very often begin at my upper back and extend down to my shoulders and arms(especially when I'm in the shower or do pushups). It is to my attention that many of these symptoms are representative of diabetes, but they are also hard to differentiate between my anxiety symptoms (for example, the pins and needles) and lifestyle characteristics. I do not presently seek clarity as I do some general comfort and social reassurance that I am, indeed, overreacting; although I would prefer an honest assessment through peoples experience if possible, relative to one that would ignorantly lift my spirits. I'd rather avoid a visit to the doctor at this stage, for if I do indeed possess it, the information will likely interfere with my immediate studies.

Thank you, Forum.

Josh.
Hey there Josh, welcome to this corner of the internet!

Take it from someone else who suffers from anxiety, hit up the doctors and get the blood tests done because your mind will spiral in any case of all the possibilities and if it's shown to not be Diabetes? Fantastic! Back to stressing about exams again wholeheartedly but if it is? You have an explaination that you can act on and help to push back before it gets any worse which gives you peace of mind too.

All in all, look after yourself and do all the tests if you are so worried because otherwise it'll just weigh on you too much.
 
Well, if you do have diabetes then you need to know about it as soon as possible. Untreated T1 kills (quite quickly, so ignoring it till later is not an option) while if you don't treat T2 (diet is an option) then you're going to continue to feel sick and ill till you do.

Visiting a doctor would allow you to rule out various things (eg vitamin deficiencies) which may be treatable very easily (eg pop a vitamin D pill once a month).

Look, I was like you at your age, naturally very sedentary and spending a lot of time seated while I studied (PhD in maths/theoretical Physics :)). I only recently (last ten years) started to take more serious exercise and I honestly wish I'd done it earlier. Just go for regular walks, in the sunlight, this may well help your depression and your insomnia.

But.... please go see a doctor and get those blood tests. If it's diabetes you need to know (it's truly not the end of the world) and if it isn't then you still need to know. Would it stress you to just take some vitamin D or B12 tablets? You're obviously worried about your symptoms, seeing a doctor is likely to relieve that worry.

TLDR : see a doctor. If it's serious, it needs treating sooner rather than later. If it isn't serious, the diagnosis will relieve your health worries.

Good luck.

Thank you this was really comforting. I'll get the blood test when I can.
 
all the symptoms I mentioned
Which ones? Apart from psychological symptoms (depression and anxiety, for which it would be a good idea to seek help, as it may well make you feel better), the only symptom you mention seems to be pins and needles, sometimes in one part of the body, sometimes in another.
That is not a symptom of diabetes.

You may have read of diabetic neuropathy, which may present with pins and needles, but those pins and needles are confined to the body parts where there is serious nerve damage and they do not move from place to place. Usually it only occurs after years and years of diabetes.

Pins and needles in different body parts are however strongly associated with spending lots of time in the same position.
With 12 hours of studying and a couple of hours writing or watching Netflix it seems you spend most of your waking time behind a screen. ..

I agree with other posters it would be wise to see a doctor, as not all is well with you. But I do not think diabetes is a very likely health issue you have.

Hope things'll change for the better for you soon!
 
Hey Josh,

Pins & needles, when associated with diabetic neuropathy, well... That takes time to develop. You would've noticed increased urination and a very sweet smell to your urine long before that would crop up. Pins & needles that travel around, sound more like the kind you get from hyperventilating. Headaches too, or tension headaches... (Anxiety, panic attacks, isolation, depression, added stress due to exams, put all those together and it's more than likely that that is the cause. I live with much the same things.). HOWEVER. That said, if you do have sweet smelling urine, that's not something you can put off till a more "convenient" time. With T1, keeling over quite dead would be a real concern. With T2, the sooner you change your diet, the sooner you'll feel better. Low carb/high fat would be the way forward. Loath to see a doctor? Get yourself a bloodglucose meter and test around meals. Right before, and 2 hours after first bite. If your bloods are hitting double digits on a mmol/l meter, get yourself to a GP. No excuses. Considering your age, T1'd be the most likely, if it is diabetes at all. (And I really don't think that's your problem, but better safe than sorry!).

Good luck!
Jo
Hi, I'm Josh

I am not efficient with this sort of thing but I've read a few of the other posts and the people here on average and with respect to culture seem rather forthcoming.

I'm 23(male), and presently suffer from various forms of anxiety - of which the nature of is, I imagine, primarily derived from my isolation. I study PHD economics, undergraduate psychology (henceforth my academic integrity or dignity is, I say with objectivity, being partially wounded here), and do a third specialization in business mathematics. I study, on average, around 12 hours a day; and thereby sit on average for at least 12 hours a day. When I am not studying the activities I undertake are also rather sedentary - under watching Netflix, or writing (non-serious) essays - of various kinds (academic, letters, persuasive/comedic e.t.c). I am not overweight (83kg, 6ft2). I have insomnia and likely mild forms of depression; yet at the same time, I love what I do.
My presence would probably not have extended to this site (as I am quite stubborn) as an extension of my anxiety if there had been no physical symptoms. I am fatigued, incredibly inactive, and have headaches. The big one, however, is that I get and have been getting over the past 3 or so months some intense "pins and needles" sensations. Often they are triggered by a hot shower, and at other times when I (occasionally) do squats or pushups in my room. They are frightening (although not painful and temporary) and are sometimes isolated to my legs or feet (especially so when I'm in bed at night or do squats), or very often begin at my upper back and extend down to my shoulders and arms(especially when I'm in the shower or do pushups). It is to my attention that many of these symptoms are representative of diabetes, but they are also hard to differentiate between my anxiety symptoms (for example, the pins and needles) and lifestyle characteristics. I do not presently seek clarity as I do some general comfort and social reassurance that I am, indeed, overreacting; although I would prefer an honest assessment through peoples experience if possible, relative to one that would ignorantly lift my spirits. I'd rather avoid a visit to the doctor at this stage, for if I do indeed possess it, the information will likely interfere with my immediate studies.

Thank you, Forum.

Josh.
 
The simplest way to find out if you are having a sugar problem is to buy a meter to check. A cheap investment really. Test in the morning, 2-3 hours after you eat and before bed. That's probably the fastest way to tell if something is going on.

Pins and needles could also be a pinched nerve in your neck or back besides probably a few other things and to know what that is you would need to see a doctor.

Good luck and I hope you're okay!
 
Some pharmacy will check your blood glucose levels for you I think Lloyds is one a quick Google or phone call would help you find out if your levels are within diabetes range .Then you can take it from there
Carol
 
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