Tired, Painful Joints, Lethargic, Weak, Memory Going

[fats1964]

Well at 47 and my diabetes is not controlled well at all, I weighh 22 stone and still manage to work, just,,thats about all i can do.

What I am after knowing having had tests for all sorts of things including coeliac disease, is

if i am not taking my metformin, ramipril, gliclizade etc, is the lack of medication causing all these other problems along with my bad diet? what do i do i just want to curl up and disappear
no will power some would say bad attitude but i say as it is, but i just cant seem to help myself and i need to and to prove to others im not a waste of space

I have neuropathy, bad memory, arthritis since about 19, really bad fluctuations on hunger, i am so tired and worn out i have had enough and cant see my way through, will power gone, aches and pains all over, burning pains in thighs and nerves etc, struggling to work but even worse trying to read and learn anything, i am on the verge of exhaustion

I feel a bit better when i lay down, but getting back up is painful and my knees are so weak, i know i cant explain things here completely but i think i need support i cant get from the nhs, and my part time partner isnt much use

I am scared
maybe scared of myself not being able to be able to face tings and come out better than i was

if i have food i usually feel bit better, i need to be fitter stronger healthier, but i cant move from where i am

 

[Fraddycat]

Welcome to the forum, you have come to the right place. Uncontrolled diabetes is going to make you feel lousy. Anything you can do to bring it under control will help you to feel better. I recommend that you read as much as you can on the forum and try to make healthier choices, it will certainly make you feel better. Don't be scared, we will all try to help you. You are with friends here on the forum!!

 

[SouthernGeneral6512]

I'm sure you realise that your only real problem is between your ears ... let your doctor know how difficult things are and ask them for some professional help before it's too late :thumbup:

 

[fats1964]

I'm sure you realise that your only real problem is between your ears ... let your doctor know how difficult things are and ask them for some professional help before it's too late :thumbup:

yes i suppose its all between peoples ears and if we were all more sensible, etc etc

recently having found emotional problems lead people like me on a path of no return, with mental issues such as autism and aspergers, and now realising that i cannot force myself to be something im not, am i doomed?, but the doctors and nhs dont help they say go away and diet and after 31 years of figuring out whats needed they still look at it as if its your first visit and make it look like i am just fat greedy lazy and not bothered, sleep apnoe doesnt help either
yes im depressed too, welll i knew that and that wont change as its in my personality, and i say what i think even if upsets people who hide behind pc and stuff like that,

Maybe i can win the lottery and hire a trainer, someone who is bigger than me so he can force me to do whats needed, sleep, gym, healthy diet , gym, no tv,gym etc,
I know i can do very few things to help myself but one thing i really like are the bikes at the gym, but i hate gyms, i need exercise so maybe a bike, but what can you buy thats comfy for someone who is 22 stone, that is cheap

Anway i am considering all this stuff, in between being tired, going to work, eating irregular, doing some diy, forgetting to take medication, memory getting worse so affecting work,
seems like i need pain releif, a boost of energy, and to wake up feeling like i have had a really good sleep

dont mean to have a go but i havent got the energy to even try to sort myself, but there are so many thing i need to do, and have a life

evening all

 

[ladybird64]

If only it were as simple as getting professional help. :wink:

You already know the score regarding being responsible for your own health, same as so many of us. Unfortunately throw some other stuff into the mix like depression, psychological problems and it seems an insurmountable hill you have got to climb.

It's not but take it from someone who battles away too, you have to make a move for yourself. Choose one thing - just one and start with that. Don't even consider the rest because you know that you will talk yourself out of doing anything because it all seems like too much to comprehend.

Actually, I fib..choose two. Meds and make slight changes to what you are eating. That IS do-able and it doesn'st require much effort on your part. You haven't given up on yourself because if you had, you wouldn't be looking on this forum.

For the record, we also had someone here until very recently who has Aspergers and when he joined his levels were terribly high and he despaired of ever getting them down - he did.

Walk for ten minutes and if you can't manage that, then make it five. Small steps will help you, you know in your heart that lying down won't.

Let us help you?

 

[Fraddycat]

Well said Ladybird!

What is your name, my friend? I refuse to call you by your nickname ...

Ladybird is right, small steps a couple of things at a time. Put reminders in your phone for your meds, I am completely forgetful, its the only way I remember my meds. Move around just a little, I know you have pain when you move but I promise you it will help to move around more. Have a look in the local paper or Gumtree, or Ebay for a second hand exercise bike.

Keep plugging away, its worth it, and we are all here to support you. Take care, Jane.

 

[fats1964]

Well said Ladybird!

What is your name, my friend? I refuse to call you by your nickname ...

Ladybird is right, small steps a couple of things at a time. Put reminders in your phone for your meds, I am completely forgetful, its the only way I remember my meds. Move around just a little, I know you have pain when you move but I promise you it will help to move around more. Have a look in the local paper or Gumtree, or Ebay for a second hand exercise bike.

Keep plugging away, its worth it, and we are all here to support you. Take care, Jane.

My name is Richard, from Yorkshire,,,i should change the nickname its half of what my ex called me,,,,i am one of the sort of know everything and does nothing, all mouth and no action blokes, sarcastic, down to earth, in ever decreasing circles, i know logically that there are some ways forward, but also wonder alot if i am past it or have someother illness, mainly based on how weak, tired and painful i have become in the last 2 years, Which coincidentally is when i started my current work due to, my partner leaving, and other things which was 3 years ago.
I wasnt a good bloke but it only took 1 week of being alone to make me grow up about that relationship, i was 27 stone, i started smoking and up to 40 small cigars a day,,cost a fortune i dieted and walked the dog, used our multigym and lost 5 stone,almost as if i had to do the weight loss to get attention from another woman, and that sticks in my mind i wasnt really doing it for myself, i did meet someone who wasnt bothered about my weight but i am, i hate it and what i look like, i cannot put effort into that relationship, for verious reasons and dont agree with how things are at hers.
I know i am not a David Beckham, etc, but i need to put me first, i dont socialise much, no night clubs, etc, i like seaside, films cinema etc and i love a good love life which just isnt happening, so i enjoy things too, i almost gave up in the last 2 months thinking i was past it
It also has me worried as my memory has got so bad, and i need to learn new things for my job, which i just cant retain, in fact its so hard to just do my job and i know that the job isnt hard and i should do better.

I also realise that people out there have many worse problems than me and maybe i shouldnt have people give their time to help, i too have a brother who is almost wheelchair bound with a degenerative disease.
And i feel so useless, but dont anyone worry i am not going to do myself in, but i need todo all this in my search for the ways forward and helps me think about all my situations too.
I do want help but dont like to ask, as if its some long standing fear of looking a failure, which i feel i am in some ways

 

[dawnmc]

All I can add Richard is just take one day at a time. Begin with your diet - we all have to eat. Look at reducing your carbs, that will help with your blood sugar levels. Also reducing carbs helps with weight loss.
If you live in a house try going up and down the stairs a few times a day. If not do some squats while you clean your teeth.
Good luck and do make good use of this forum, its a very active forum with people who know what you are going through.

 

[carty]

Just a thought ,some of your symptoms are a side effect of statins
CAROL

 

[fats1964]

Just a thought ,some of your symptoms are a side effect of statins
CAROL

i dont take statins, although i was given Ezetrol or Ezetimibe trade name, as alternative
i wondered about Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome etc, or can uncontrolled diabetes cause the same aches pains, lethargy, tiredness etc and lack of energy.
The last time i went to doctor he just said lose weight at 1kg per week, avoid white flour, and get regular exercise, this was after i asked about a gastric band, cos one thing that hasnt changed in over 30 years is i like to eat, so if i cant eat as much then it will help.

I can remember a long time ago maybe 20 years when i used to go on a serious calorie controlled diet i used to actually feel better, fitter, less tired, does that ring any bells with anyone, as if ,my body could never handle food or some foods as well as others and over the years has become an old "banger", in fact going back furtehr than this i was 14 in 1978 and had some sort of gastro problem which lasted for weeks, i ate next to nothing most of the summer holiday, and that changed me and i have always eaten more since that.
I used to do Rugby, athletics, cross country etc etc, even then i wast on top performance, and struggled as if only running at 60% efficiancy
And now its almost like i am going to seize up altogether
I like to refer to things like engines as it seems very similar, regarding maintenance etc

Even if the pain went i can do more and be more tired, or if tiredness went i can put up with more pain, but need to rest to repair, dont know about mental ability though

Seems like i am constantly pacing myself, to avoid jobs that would make me more tired for the following days, just so i can present myself at work, and those people know nothing about any struggles i might have
Anyway i have to go walk my sons dog, then do some tidying up, i am looking at a bike on ebay a life fitness 9500HR if anyone knows how good they are.?
Suppose i must have some go in me cos even if i am exhausted i still go to work and other things cosi cant back down lower than i am, if that makes sense..plus attending work is maybe the one thing i can do, sort of like "standing to attention" and presenting for more duties, no matter what pain i am feeling, as long as i can drive and walk

 

[angieG]

Hi Richard,

Sorry to hear you are struggling so much, but you have come to a great place here with lots of friendly advice and experience.
I found this site shortly after being diagnosed type 2 in November 2010 and have never looked back. I now have been re-diagnosed as a type 1 insulin dependent diabetic after a year of good control and then all my readings going up and up despite increasing medication. Without the information gleaned from this forum I wouldn't have had the insight to ask for a GAD test to confirm type 1 or anything like that so study all the information and you will succeed.

Can you give us an idea of what you are eating each day so we can maybe help you improve how you are feeling?

Keep asking questions, nothing is too daft, we are here to help.

Best wishes
Angie

 

[fats1964]

Hi Richard,


Can you give us an idea of what you are eating each day so we can maybe help you improve how you are feeling?

Keep asking questions, nothing is too daft, we are here to help.

Best wishes
Angie

Hi Angie
I love my pizzas now and again, chippy, but alot of what i do is snacking from tubs of strawberries to a tin of beans on several toast, love my peanuts and pistachios and my bacardi and pepsi max and most other types of junk, which i dont have as much of

its been worse recently as i stopped smoking, and few family problems, i suppose i am feeding comfort and hunger sometimes, feeding being wound up and p***ed off
so far today i had some gluten free cornflakes and semi milk, and cup of tea, but i am straving or seems like it, i was trying to buy jars of beetroot cottage cheese, and other things to replace the usual junk, but i feel like i need a partner who is ike minded to work together as i cant seem to perform on my own, suppose i keep saying "will try tomorrow" i need to feel better today which would only be by having some tasty food etc

I dont like foreign food, spicy food, also i get an inkling that fried chips and other chippy food is making me worse, not sure why, but i seem to have more aches and pains and massive amount of tiredness after a good nosh from a chippy,

I try to buy turkey and chicken fillets to take to work, with other bits but nearly always find i have bought junk from supermarket for stock in the house and to have in the van to cover my peaks of being hungry, yes i know control my intake etc, or do enough exercise to out weigh the ****, im struggling to do either with being so tired and wanting just to go to bed

I cant even put a plan into action as i cant organise, or go to a gym if i had time or wasnt very shy about bouncing my fat in there, i did go a few months ago with a family member but the aches and pains did not improve, as they should have done, and the weakness stayed the same, so i basically thought i was doing damage to already damaged areas, such as my right elbow the docs diagnosed golfers elbow, as i have to smash through some things at work,with hammers etc, and had injections for that, but is still not improving.
Maybe this is just old age, but even a chiropractor i go to says i should be much fitter and stronger for my age, and maybe i am scared of hurting myself again and not repairing that i dont "get down and dirty" like previous years, by this i mean i used to always try and be busy in the summer for diy etc, tshirt on shorts on and do jobs around the house, and if i just sit back till i feel like doing things, like not to pressurise my self, i might be waiting weeks just for a day to do something

I dont think i function as good as i could than if i was with a like minded person.
One thing seems obvious that my needs are going to outweigh needs of others and possibly my job, very shortly
And maybe i dont mind the dieting etc and hard work if i am receiving a well balanced relationship

I hear people saying you silly soft stupid sod, grow up, but some of us need that other positive half or something like that

 

[catherinecherub]

Well at 47 and my diabetes is not controlled well at all, I weighh 22 stone and still manage to work, just,,thats about all i can do.

What I am after knowing having had tests for all sorts of things including coeliac disease, is

if i am not taking my metformin, ramipril, gliclizade etc, is the lack of medication causing all these other problems along with my bad diet? what do i do i just want to curl up and disappear
no will power some would say bad attitude but i say as it is, but i just cant seem to help myself and i need to and to prove to others im not a waste of space

I have neuropathy, bad memory, arthritis since about 19, really bad fluctuations on hunger, i am so tired and worn out i have had enough and cant see my way through, will power gone, aches and pains all over, burning pains in thighs and nerves etc, struggling to work but even worse trying to read and learn anything, i am on the verge of exhaustion

I feel a bit better when i lay down, but getting back up is painful and my knees are so weak, i know i cant explain things here completely but i think i need support i cant get from the nhs, and my part time partner isnt much use

I am scared
maybe scared of myself not being able to be able to face tings and come out better than i was

if i have food i usually feel bit better, i need to be fitter stronger healthier, but i cant move from where i am

Hi Richard,

I noticed that you were here last year asking if it was wise to go on insulin. Your latest post says that you are not taking your diabetes medication that has been prescribed. You also seem to have no idea of what you should and should be eating. Have you ever read the post for newly diagnosed? viewtopic.php?f=39&t=26870

You obviously have psychological problems as well which you try and control with emotional eating but what you have to grasp is that this is your chronic condition, it will be with you for the rest of your life and if you do not get to grips with it then you will be the one that will suffer the complications.

Start be reading the link I have included in my post and if you do not understand it then ask questions. We would all like to eat things that will not improve our diabetes but there has to come a time when the reality sinks in that you are causing more damage to your body. Your partner is not your carer or mother and if you look after yourself then your partnership will get stronger as you will not be plagued by all these aches and pains and feeling so rotten and will be able to do things together. High blood sugars make us all feel tired and lethargic. The aches and pains may diminish if you start losing weight and having your blood sugars until control is usually a good facilitator for this.

Habits are hard to break and you will find that members of the forum will support you. There are several people who post about their weight loss and encourage each other. You do not mention what your blood sugars readings are like in your post. Is this because you do not take them or do not have a meter?

 

[ladybird64]

You don't hear anyone here saying that you're a daft sod.

Richard (I'm also Angie by the way ), there could be a reason for how you feel physically such as Fibromyalgia and you could get that checked out at the doctors.

I would hazard a guess that it isn't that and that it is more to do with the state of your mind and what you are eating. Unfortunately that good nosh up at the chippy will do it to you, it's not the fat that causes the tiredness but the carbs in the chips and batter on whatever you're eating..or pastry on the pies. When your sugar levels go flying high the exhaustion goes with it..and it really is exahustion not just a sleepy feeling.

Try and cut your carbs down by a bit, the amount of bread, spuds etc and increase veg etc, that will make a big difference to how you are feeling. Maybe try some eggs and bacon, scrambled eggs or an omlette for your brekkie, that way you don't feel half starved and it will fill you a lot more than a bowl of cornflakes!

I hope what I say next doesn't offend - you say you say it how it is - so do I. :wink:

You have used comfort and hunger in the same sentence but I would hazard a guess that for at least half the time you eat the comfort food (ie ****!) you aren't hungry, not really. So it's not a physical need that is pushing you to eat, it's a psychological one.
For me, it's blots everything out and I get real pleasure from shovelling the first few mouthfuls down..approx 2 mins then the taste "hit" has gone and I am just eating it cos it's there..there is no real enjoyment. There is also the immediate feeling of failure again..every time it happens.

I understand what you mean by not pressurising yourself but it's your mind's clever way of avoiding the issue, that to actually move forward with anything, you need to actually move..physically.
You don't need to go to the gym but you do need to try and move a little bit, if you stay in the house your subconscious will find a hundred reasons why you shouldn't do anything. Don't want to overdo it, waiting for motivation, can do it tomorrow, fear of injury..walking for 5 mins will not cause you any injury even if you are very big.

One thing that you haven't mentioned is monitoring your own blood glucose levels? For me it helps to actually SEE the connection with what I eat and how it affects me physically. If you're not testing it is easy to pretend that your food is not affecting you, it is easier if you can see for yourself what does.

We have some people here who seriously low carb and eat no bread, spuds, pasta, rice etc. Some use portion control and some just eat less carb than when they started..I fall into the last group. Small adjustments can make a lot of difference, promise.

I have halved some of my carbs (spuds, pasta and rice) and almost cut out others such as bread, the last being because bread make me feel so damned tired..I have a feeling that your glucose levels are running very high and this is the major contributor to your tiredness.

Would you be open to suggestion of some tweaks to your diet? And no, it's not all cottage cheese and ryvita! How about posting a day or two's worth of menu's, what you eat? Don't be embarassed about the junk food, this is absolutely the best place I have found for getting some good advice from people who do honestly care.

 

[fats1964]

Hi Ladybird64

i did same other day called at tesco and bought some chicken fillet in breadcrumbs and some roast potoates, and i was struggling to move in a couple of hours, having said that i can eat crisps chocolate etc and not have the same effect, and i love cheese to nibble on, usually edam or mozarella,
also i havent mentioned this i was told i had osteo arthritis in my hips and back years ago and spondolosis was mentioned plus in my neck and upper back, and i did have a few previous back injuries (soft tissue they said)
i have started today to try and take my tablets i have been given, metformin 850mg x 3 plus ramipril, gliclazide, ezetrol, i also had blood tests about 1 month ago, they struggled to get blood and it was very thick, and very dark.

I will think about posting what i have had
it wont look good though

 

[ladybird64]

Don't worry for a second about whether it looks good or not, you're among people that understand here - no judgements but you will get honest opinions.

The chicken in breadcrumbs isn't great but there are alternatives, same with roasties but perhaps you could have a bit less of them?

Cheese is the diabetics friend Excellent news about your meds Richard. I have a massive psychological struggle to take mine but it is a real step forward - well done. Small steps eh?

Right off to go for a bit of shopping, hope the rest of your day goes well.

PS. Forgot to mention that there are a lot of people with medical conditions or disabilities here. Nearly all will only be helped by diabetes being under better control.

 

[MaryJ]

Hi Richard

Welcome to the forum, best place in the world for you to get to grips with this.

Some excellent advice going on here, I hope you do decide to share with us a typical days menu, from there we can offer some tips to improve your blood sugar. Please don't think for 1 moment anyone will judge you for what you have eaten. We've been there.

The main thing is to remember that was in the past - you can't change that so what's the point in dwelling on it. You can however decide to change things for the future., one thing, one day at a time.

Best of luck

Mary x

 

[dawnmc]

A low carb diet will help with. Try having bacon and eggs for breakie or an omelette with cheese in it.
The new atkins diet book is less restrictive that pure atkins. For nibbling try ham, almonds, olives and cheese.
Just think you only have one life, you need to live it the best you can. Overloading on carbs makes the non-diabetic tired too and for us its even worse.
Start taking responsibilty for your own health, sorry if thats blunt, but as a diabetic we have no one else who can really help us but ourselves.
Cut out all the junkie white stuff, pasta, potato, sugar, rice for a start.
You have to start getting your head round this and except we all have bad days, pretty soon the bad will be outnumbered by the good.
Incidently I've had a few bad days recently but have to get back on track, it's up to me.

 

[angieG]

Hi Richard,

Thank you for giving us an idea of what you are eating, that makes sense now as to how you are feeling.
I find if I eat cereal or chips my levels go high and then come down real quick making me hungry in no time and feel rough.
If we give some suggestions as to what we all eat in a typical day you may see some things you would like to try and hopefully find some that make you feel better.

Breakfast
I love maybe 6 strawberries, a no sugar jelly sprinkled with chopped nuts, topped off with either double cream or Total Greek Yogurt (other yogurts are available but this is pretty low carbed). This fills me up and keeps the hunger pangs at bay for quite a while.

Lunch
A salad with plenty of cheese and maybe ham, tuna, prawns, a dollop of some deli sandwich filler or whatever is about. A handful of nuts (almonds, walnuts and brazils....good for cholesterol). Maybe a slice of Burgen bread (if you can tolerate bread) or a low carb crispbread. Maybe a homemade low carb cake if I have some made.

Evening meal
Meat (I love steaks) or fish (portions without batter or breadcrumbs....check out Birds Eye or Tesco bake in the bag portions...lovely!!) with vegetables.....cauliflower and a few peas go well with fish. Mushrooms and salad goes well with a steak. If you must have potato just have 3 or 4 small new potatoes or 6 or 8 chips, no big portions else you will be hungry and feel bad again.

Hope this helps, and you ARE NOT old, I am 47 next month and I don't want to be old yet so don't say that :lol:

Best of luck and keep us updated as to how you feel.
Angie

 

[angieG]

Richard (I'm also Angie by the way ),

Hi Angie :wave:

Regards
Angie :lol: