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Dianne2801

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Hello everyone.

In need a bit of advise. I suffer from CFS/ME and because of it over the years have developed hypertention, orthostatic tachycardia, neuropathic pain in my feet (which has stopped after 6 years only to develop in my hands), chest and heart pain (perfusion scan showed moderate left ventricular ischema but angiogram was clear), severe shortness of breath on exertion which leaves me house and chair bound. Last year I had new symptoms of thirst and blurry eyes so my Dr ordered routine bloods which resulted in a high ESR and fasting glucose of 7.9. He sent me for a GTT which showed fasting of 7.2 and 9.9 2hrs after the sugary drink. Hb1AC was 6.1 He and diabetic nurse both agreed with these readings I was not diabetic but probably glucose intolerant. In the meantime, because of the fatigue of my CFS/ME I had private blood test which shows I have a mitochondrial dysfunction (at cellular level I cant covert ADP to ATP or roundabouts :lol: sorry have memory probs and cant remember, only know I have a problem making energy and it is rapidly depleted) and my free cell DNA (how well I feel) was poorer than someone undergoing cancer chemo :shock: .

If your still with me, thanks for that :lol: I bought a home monitoring system and have been taking my own readings. These range from 6.2 to 8.7 before meals to 9.1 and 12.9 2 hrs after meals. I took my monitor to my Dr and showed him but he wasn't a bit worried. He asked me to go for another GTT but I have been particularly under the weather with fatigue and heart symptoms so cant get out.

My question to you is from these figures do you think I am diabetic or just glucose intolerant? There is no history of diabetes in my family but there is of mitochondrial disorders. Oh I take an ACE inhibitor, beta-blocker, diuretic and aspirin daily. I was advised to take CoQ10 for my mito problem but Dr only gave me 1 months supply on prescription and wont prescribe it again. At 300mg a day it is too expensive for me to buy as I am unable to work anymore. Any advice more than welcome and thanks for listening.

Di

PS visit to optician has resulted in a referral to specialist as she thinks I have the start of Glaucoma :shock:
 
Welcome to the forum Dianne.I hate to add to your problems but with readings like that I would say that you are diabetic.Some of your fatigue may also be put down to the high blood sugar levels you have been getting as well.I wonder what sort of levels your GP and nurse class as diabetic!
 
There's a progression between normal to "impaired" glucose handling to "diabetes" proper and the cutoff point is somewhat academic, IMO the earlier you start trying to control it the less likely you are to progress.

There's some highly interesting stuff about glucose and fats competing at the cellular level and affecting ATP and AMPK, you may find an improvement in this as well as the diabetes from a reduced carb approach
 
Thank you Sue aand Trinkwasser for your replies :)

I managed to arrange a lift to the blood clinic yesterday (I cant do mornings because of nausea and diaorrhea :oops: ). The only problem was that is the last time I had eaten was 16 hrs before and when I got home I took my BG level and it showed 6.2 only. No doubt my Dr will say at this level you are not diabetic and leave me alone for another year. So in the meantime I will arm myself with all the good info on this site and get started on the low GI diet. I have a book called the Schwarbein principle that someone recommended so will make a start reading that too.

Incidently the only time I have felt a bit better was when I went on the Atkins diet about 3 years ago. I dropped 43lb and my energy levels were increased, but the best bit was the neuropathic pain disappeared from my feet. This quickly returned as soon as I started eating carbs again.

Guess I will need to get going and fast :lol:

Once again thanks for you help.

Di
 
Hi newby
I too would call those results "Diabetic". JHowever it is just possible it hasn't got too far to reverse it.
Try eating a low carbohydrate diet for a week or two and see how you get on with it. It's just possible you might improve yourenergy too.
Since it costs nothing, but a slight increase in the grocery bill( slight, because you don't need to buy crisps, biscuits andthe like) and there's no danger of side effects. It's worth a try.
 
Hi Diane

Sorry to hear you are unwell. Your levels sound diabetic to me and I certainly get fatigued and brain-fogged with a glucose reading of 12.9.

Do persist with the issue. For about 6 months before I finally got my diabetes diagnosed, my symptoms of fatigue and tiredness were fobbed off with 'post-viral syndrome' and 'CFS' type diagnoses. My levels were quite borderline but starting on insulin made all the difference to my tiredness.

With these hormonal issues, I think that the boundaries for blood tests are a bit arbitrary as people can feel symptomatic at different levels. What's normal for you might not be normal for someone else. Unfortunately most doctors find that idea difficult to grasp.

Take care
Goji xx
 
Dianne2801 said:
Incidently the only time I have felt a bit better was when I went on the Atkins diet about 3 years ago. I dropped 43lb and my energy levels were increased, but the best bit was the neuropathic pain disappeared from my feet. This quickly returned as soon as I started eating carbs again.
Click to expand...

Well there's a good piece of research you need to follow up! <G>

With these hormonal issues, I think that the boundaries for blood tests are a bit arbitrary as people can feel symptomatic at different levels. What's normal for you might not be normal for someone else. Unfortunately most doctors find that idea difficult to grasp.
Click to expand...

That's very true, I start to notice a drop off in energy and concentration starting around 7 and by 8 my feet and fingers are starting to twinge again. Some people notice huge differences in symptoms with only relatively small changes in thyroid levels.
 
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