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New, worried and no help from docs

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Greeny1210

Member
Messages
5
Hi guys

Not sure where to start but been feeling pretty rotten for a few months now, been having some dizzy spells/feeling as though I am about to pass out (often pretty much feeling as though I am fighting to stay up against my body) and generally foggy headed, these started a while ago and was usually when I was probably due a meal, Oh and a big one sweating like crazy at the same time.

Also while this was happening approx 75% of the time after my main meal (lunch) I would generally get bad diahrea (sp) within 30-60 mins sometimes within about 10 mins (even though I would have had my regular bowel movement in the morning) apart from that I would generally feel better after food.
now though the last couple of weeks after my main meals I feel like ****, really sluggish,tired,foggy headed etc and cant do anything for about 2 hours

My diet is ok, not perfect but I make most of my own food, spag bol/lasagne/salads/cottage pie/omlettes etc etc very rarely eat ready meals etc, I am overweight (about 5-10 - 16 stone) exercise wise I walk perhaps 30-60 mins 5 times a week (bit less since feeling rubbish)

Have been to docs, told him I thought I might be hypoglycemic after googling symptoms, he pretty much laughed at me, said highly unlikely, sent me for some bloods, they asked for some more as they were borderline or something, but now say no need for anymore.

I would appreciate any advice, I cant carry on feeling so **** all the time, I have battled with anxiety and depression this last 4/5 years, and now this on top, I just want to know whats wrong with me and the docs are next to useless. :(
 
Hi Greeny, welcome to the forum, you've come to the right place. Sounds like you have had pretty poor treatment from your Doctor, such a shame but not uncommon I'm afraid. Many people on here have experienced similar treatment.

I think from the feelings you describe its unlikely that you are hypoglycemic which means you have low blood sugar, instead it sounds more like you are hyperglycemic, too much sugar in your blood. I'm shocked your doc didn't give you any dietary advice or support. Daisy will be along soon to give you the advice that is given to new members, particularly about the role of carbohydrates in your diet. Have a good read and come back to us with lots of questions we will do our best to help!
 
Hi freddy
thanks for the welcome and reply :)

I also forgot to add, My legs ache sometimes and feel heavy, also from time to time such as tonight I have pains in my right hand side, not sharp more of a dull ache, bit like stomach ache but in my right side.
 
Hello Greeny and welcome to the forum. You sound exactly like me. I was borderline for years, decades actually and got no advice whatsoever from my ex GP as to what to do about it. I felt like **** for two decades and various other illnesses kept arising but the diabetes was never diagnosed. If I had my time again, I wouldn't wait for the diagnoses, I'd act on the 'as if' principle and I'd start behaving as if I was diabetic and start making dietary changes straight away. I know where you're coming from with the anxiety and depression because I was also like that - but since changing my diet - that and a few other things have SIGNIFICANTLY improved.

If you're borderline and have been for a long time, then there's a problem and you can start doing something about it without waiting for diagnosis - simple carbs are usually the problem - bread, cereal, pasta, rice, cakes, biscuits - all give a quick rise in sugar - we get complex carbs which are slower to digest from our fruit and veggies.

This is my favourite website with regards to what I'm better off eating - it might work for you too - http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf

One more thing - keep going back to your doctor and ask for repeat tests even if you feel like a maniac. I know you're probably exhausted but if you're still feeling lousy all the time you need to be in his face and tell him that. If he's not prepared to listen - change your doctor.

Stick with the forum and you'll be OK. :thumbup:
 
Hi Greeny and welcome to the forum :)

Here is some information that we give to new members (mentioned by Fraddycat) and this should be useful to you. Ask all the questions you want and someone will be able to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find well over 30,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes ... rains.html

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
 
Thanks for the replies Guys

I have so far managed 3/4 glucose tests using an accu-chek thing

they seem pretty normal 6.4 an hour or so after a meal 4.2 when last meal was 6 hours ago so due another one, still having the symptoms, but been eating less carbs.

can you still have diabetes if your blood sugar appears normal like this (assuming it is normal) ?
 
Greeny1210 said:
Thanks for the replies Guys

I have so far managed 3/4 glucose tests using an accu-chek thing

they seem pretty normal 6.4 an hour or so after a meal 4.2 when last meal was 6 hours ago so due another one, still having the symptoms, but been eating less carbs.

can you still have diabetes if your blood sugar appears normal like this (assuming it is normal) ?
Click to expand...

Well, I'm no expert, but 6.4 an hour after eating sounds OK to me. Wish mine was 6.4 an hour after eating!!!

I can only speak for my own experience - when I was eating carbs, I felt chronically fatigued, my brain didn't work properly, I felt permanently hung over even though I only have a drink at Christmas, and I was having trouble just mustering up enough energy to get out of my chair and go to the bathroom. Within a couple of weeks of low carbing - the brain fog had gone, the energy began to return and 3 months later, I feel very, very much improved overall.

It's not the answer for everyone as you'll see from this forum, some people tolerate carbs well, others don't. But it's worth a try for a week or so and checking what it's doing to your blood sugars. :)
 
well have been eating low carbs for a few days now, but tbh I have felt as bad if not worse than ever, had a weird eposiode in morissons shopping yesterday, my legs ache liek mad and I just generally feel rough and worn out even though I have done nothing hardly strenuous
bloods have been normal 4.2-6.4 apart from 1 tonight that was 7.4 (had a pie for dinner/pizza (homemade) for tea and a beer

I am taking beta blockers, zopiclone and sertraline if they make any difference.

so utterly fed up of feeling rough almost all the time and its getting worse and more frequent
 
Hi Greeny - I'm no doctor but I am Googler :D , I would suggest that you google the meds that you are on and have a look to see what the side effects are , and then think about re-visiting your GP.
Good luck geezer
Hamish
Ipswich
 
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