Test at the weekend..... :(

[melody]

Hi, well i am pretty new to this and am just after a friendly chat really!!!

My all knowing mum has thought i have got diabetes for some time now, so i am going to be tested on Saturday. i am actually quite nervous and a little scared, although i have no idea why i feel that way!!

Whats made me decide to get tested was i went to my pharmacist to see about a skin complaint on my arms, but they said they suspected it to be something called acanthosis nigricans, which apparently is commonly linked to diabetes? So therefore i had a massive lecture off my mum, bless her, and am booked in for my test at my local Lloyds pharmacy!! has anyone had any experience of this skin condition and its relation to diabetes??

The symptoms that have concerned my mum for quite some time now, are the following: and to behonest, when i list them and think about it, she could well be right?!

Excessive drinking, god knows how much i actually drink but i can easily drink anywhere from 1 or 2 right upto 4 or 5 bottles (750ml) in 1 working day, 9-5!!!
Excessive trips to the toilet, you wouldnt believe the looks i get at work and my other half moans at me for constantly getting up the night
When i get cuts and sores, they take days, weeks to heal and i even have been and got some steroid cream to help with that
i lack concentration, not quite blurry eyes, but its like a tired kind of feeling at random times in the day!?!

 

[sugarless sue]

Really you need to go to your GP to get the full range of blood tests done to properly diagnose if you are diabetic.

A test at the Pharmacy will not be so accurate as it depends on the time of day taken, what you have eaten before hand and various other factors.

If it is high at the Pharmacy then they will also tell you to go to your GP.

 

[jopar]

The test is a simple finger prick test, it will give you the glucose levels as that moment only, It is actually the same test I do regularly through out the day, to check my levels and adjust my insulin as required...

IN your case it can only give a indicator to what might be going on, and even if it returns a normal reading (non-diabetic) you should still visit your GP as you really need a proper dignoises on your arm so that a relevant treatment can be sorted, and also a look into your other symptons you've mentioned...

Surely a visit to your GP is well worth it, as it will not only put your own mind at rest, but also your mum's who seems very concerned indeed hence all the nagging...

 

[melody]

A test at the Pharmacy will not be so accurate as it depends on the time of day taken, what you have eaten before hand and various other factors..

Hey, thanks guys

They have told me to "fast" for 4 hours before i go for this test, i can only drink water!! i am booked in with my doctor anyway, because either way i'll need to be seen.

I'll post an update on Monday xx

 

[k9kitty]

Hi Melody,

I had a skin infection for months before I was diagnosed as diabetic last April. It is a red rash that can become purple raw. The itching and soreness drove me mad. I couldn't wear deodorants or anything like that. My doc has prescribed steroid cream which I put a thin layer on and with reducing my bg level and the diabetes now being better controlled the skin problem has lessened. I can use both aqueous cream and sudocreme but little else. Your GP may be able to prescribe a stronger cream than you buy over the counter.

I also had the excessive thirst, blurry eyes, etc. The diagnosis for me came as a huge relief because I could actually give these symptoms a name and focus on controlling my diabetes.

You might have to have a further blood test after the initial one to confirm diagnosis. Do have a look around the other forum topics and at on the home page for website for useful info.

Don't forget to give mum an extra hug, if she was right all along.