Very possibly type 2 diabetic

[weirdfishes]

I'm a 19 year old woman and right now I'm currently petrified that I have type 2 diabetes. I've been feeling tired for the past 5 days, even though I've been getting 7-8 hours sleep a night and I have a dry mouth. I also wake up early too for no other reason whilst before I usually needed an alarm. I've been urinating slightly more frequently too as I'm drinking more and eating less.

As for background information I've never been healthy. I've grown up as a fussy eater who pretty much gags when eating vegetables and some fruit. I'm currently unemployed so aside from volunteering at a charity shop I don't leave the house so often. I'm mad at myself for being so stupid and reckless with my health. Last weekend I stayed at my friend's uni and we ordered fast food every night as well as eating at different times and I believe this is what kicked it off. I'm underweight, but fat typically goes to my stomach. I'm just completely regretful and hate myself for not getting a grip sooner. I'm not sure how I'm going to adjust to a healthy diet which sounds stupid, but my reaction to foods I don't like the taste of is so strong. The thought of injecting insulin scares me.

 

[HSSS]

Ok try and calm down. Some of your symptoms could indicate diabetes but they are not clear cut. You are young for type 2 but it can occasionally happen. Type 1 is the main other diabetic alternative. It could be neither. By the sounds of it your diet could do with some improvement regardless, particularly try to cut out sugars at this point and going forward. If you are diagnosed there’s lots more help we can offer on that front. Carbs will be the thing then not just sugar.

First step. Do you know anyone with a blood glucose meter that would be willing to do a test for you? Or can you pop into a local chemist as many offer this. This will give you a snap shot idea. Try not to do it within 2 hrs of eating. This is not conclusive either way but will alert you to any extremely high numbers that need urgent attention.

Best bet is to get a nurse or gp appointment and explain your concerns, they can do more thorough tests. You really need more information at this stage.

 

[Caeseji]

I'm just completely regretful and hate myself for not getting a grip sooner. I'm not sure how I'm going to adjust to a healthy diet which sounds stupid, but my reaction to foods I don't like the taste of is so strong. The thought of injecting insulin scares me.

Trust me, I've been there and I keep on going there all the damned time being regretful of choices but if it is T2D then there's ways of making much healthier decisions in the long run that honestly? Will make you feel a heck of a lot better and perhaps have saved you from something really twisted down the line with lifestyle choices being what they are. @HSSS is spot on with the advice, get a test done if you can from a meter of the nurse because it might not be diabetes and it could be something else that needs addressing! You're in good hands either way.

 

[DCUKMod]

@weirdfishes - my suggestion would be a trip to your GP, to explain to him what you have been feeling, and hopefully he will run some blood tests.

To be honest with you, most (and to be clear .its most, not necessarily all) young T2s tend to be carrying some excess weight, which you state you don't. The type of diabetes more usually diagnosed in the young is T1.

In most cases T2 develops very slowly, and some folks can have had it yonks before diagnosis, whereas T1 tends to develop more quickly, but that does mean it makes sens t be checked out sooner, rather than later.

This next statement is not made to alarm you, but more to explain my sooner than later remark. Unfortunately Type one can develop quickly, and the individual can become quite unwell in that brief period, and end up needing urgent hospital attention.

Obviously the upset to your routine and diet could be impacting your thirst and fatigue, but please do play it safe, in this instance

 

[weirdfishes]

Ok try and calm down. Some of your symptoms could indicate diabetes but they are not clear cut. You are young for type 2 but it can occasionally happen. Type 1 is the main other diabetic alternative. It could be neither. By the sounds of it your diet could do with some improvement regardless, particularly try to cut out sugars at this point and going forward. If you are diagnosed there’s lots more help we can offer on that front. Carbs will be the thing then not just sugar.

First step. Do you know anyone with a blood glucose meter that would be willing to do a test for you? Or can you pop into a local chemist as many offer this. This will give you a snap shot idea. Try not to do it within 2 hrs of eating. This is not conclusive either way but will alert you to any extremely high numbers that need urgent attention.

Best bet is to get a nurse or gp appointment and explain your concerns, they can do more thorough tests. You really need more information at this stage.

I'll book an appointment with my GP. I think I'm more nervous to tell my mum about this than anything else. Feels like I'm disappointing her in such a huge way. The only highly sugary snack I eat on a daily basis are crisps and as sad as it sounds, I'm scared to let them go. My sleep is so disrupted now, I go to sleep between half 9 up and 10 and I wake up an hour later after sleeping to go to the bathroom and then when I do sleep I'm now very easily woken up noises (such as heavy rain the night before). This could be nerves and psychological, but I've never been like this before and it's all happened due to a small temporary change in my routine. At my friend's dorm I kept waking up at 7am even though we have were going to sleep at 1am and 2am and this early morning pattern has stuck even though I'm tired. Sorry for rambling, just worried. Thank you for your response though!

 

[DCUKMod]

I'll book an appointment with my GP. I think I'm more nervous to tell my mum about this than anything else. Feels like I'm disappointing her in such a huge way. The only highly sugary snack I eat on a daily basis are crisps and as sad as it sounds, I'm scared to let them go. My sleep is so disrupted now, I go to sleep between half 9 up and 10 and I wake up an hour later after sleeping to go to the bathroom and then when I do sleep I'm now very easily woken up noises (such as heavy rain the night before). This could be nerves and psychological, but I've never been like this before and it's all happened due to a small temporary change in my routine. At my friend's dorm I kept waking up at 7am even though we have were going to sleep at 1am and 2am and this early morning pattern has stuck even though I'm tired. Sorry for rambling, just worried. Thank you for your response though!

I know you weren't replying to me, but what is your Mum going to be disappointed about?

 

[HSSS]

I know you weren't replying to me, but what is your Mum going to be disappointed about?

Agree. I have children not much younger than you and disappointment is never a word I’d use about their health issues. Concern, fear, worry maybe but not disappointment. I’m sure she already has a good knowledge of your eating habits and preferences or could hazard a good guess.

Try to stop beating yourself up, we all make less than perfect choices and diabetes is not caused by one weekend’s poor eating. It’s takes a fair bit of genetic bad luck for starters. Go get checked soon if only to put your mind at rest and hopefully just see this episode as a reminder that your body is precious and to (on the whole) treat it kindly.

 

[weirdfishes]

I know you weren't replying to me, but what is your Mum going to be disappointed about?

That I couldn't look after myself and didn't make more of an effort with my health. I feel like I consistently disappoint her every time I don't get a job offer (I've been unemployed for months). Like I say I don't get out much and don't have much of a social life these days. A diabetes diagnosis would just add to this as well as be a lifetime of worry and concern. Thank you for the advice, @HSSS , I think the tiredness is affecting my self esteem more than anything.

 

[HSSS]

I think the tiredness is affecting my self esteem more than anything.

I agree that life has battered your self esteem from the posts you’ve made. Perhaps mention that too at your appointment and seek small steps to building yourself back up. Your volunteering is a great thing. Any free clubs/activities/other volunteer opportunities? Any exercise? This can help mood a lot even if you just walk or cycle a little. Can you reconnect with friends you’ve lost touch with? You’re young and any self inflicted harm (and I’m not talking particularly about the diabetes concerns here just in general) can be turned around with some changes to lifestyle pretty quickly. It’s not irretrievable for us oldies so certainly not for you.