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Posted 11/8/2011 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
Oh no!  What's causing this?  Is it still a stomach bug?  Flu?  Is he on other meds?  I hope you finally get answers!  I'm so sorry he's back to feeling ill.  Let us know how he is.  sad
Posted 11/8/2011 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Lanie took the words right out of my mouth!  I'm glad he saw the doctor last night.  Please let us know what's going on because we really care about you.  Hope the doctor pinpointed the problem.

 

Sherrine

Posted 11/9/2011 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Did some blood work today because the hospital is not working with my doctor. Still at 130 waking, but losing more and more weight. I am not sure what happened but it sent my chest discomfort off into a spiral, right when I was calming down enough to not feel it. I think its anxiety but I haven't seen a doctor for it and if I think of crazy thoughts randomly it really sets it off, this NEVER happened before Tuesday, the night I had to go to the ER. I am eating well portioned meals using healthy carbs, meat and more veggies than anything else. My energy levels are up but today and yesterday i felt really drained. Today was MUCH better but I am tired of the ups and downs. Not sure whats going on and the doctor wanted blood work now, so no waiting and she'll call if she see's something crazy. This was not a test to diagnose me with diabetes as she knows my levels are fairly stable, even with sugary drinks (which I'm avoiding unless its like G2 Gatorade when I'm eating nothing else.) I've been drinking a LOT of water and doing generally better. No one helped me on the anxiety forum so I quit asking questions.

thanks for all your support

-the boyfriend
Posted 11/9/2011 1:15 AM (GMT 0)

LanieG said...
Oh no! What's causing this? Is it still a stomach bug? Flu? Is he on other meds? I hope you finally get answers! I'm so sorry he's back to feeling ill. Let us know how he is. [img]/community/emoticons/sad.gif[/img]

We're not sure. I'm not on ANY medications right now but I took my anti-nausea medication last night, slept like a rock. Walking around today but not as often. Sorry I didn't answer your question before my post. Body temperature is fine, blood pressure and heart rate are all fine, weight has even dropped another 3 lbs.
Posted 11/9/2011 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
Let's count the good things:  normal blood pressure and heart rate, better controlled blood sugar.  Anxiety can cause physical symptoms but first the doctor would want to rule out those problems to make sure it's not the BP or heart.  Other factors could be meds (you said you don't take any, good) or maybe something undiagnosed which is why they ordered blood tests.  They'll check how the other organs are functioning.  Is there anything toxic in your system?  So, it's good that they're ruling out as much as they can.  If it comes down to anxiety, then there are ways to control that and, as I said, anxiety can cause physical symptoms.  Good luck with that.  It will be very interesting to find out what's causing this.
Posted 11/9/2011 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
Don't take this the wrong way but interesting is not a word I would use (LOL) I've never been this fearful of my health and i know its not the diabetes bothering me. I've taken promethazine last night and tonight just to calm my churning stomach but I've been feeling "off" on and off all day. Creeps me out badly and it seemed to have went away when I was feeling better. So no telling yet but we will keep you guys updated. When I arrived in FL in may I was at 280. I am now 247LBS and started losing weight when i was working at pizza hut, as I moved around a LOT. Still trying to walk every day and I want to start running eventually but the beach smells horrid with all the sea weed washing up on shore and rotting :(

Thanks again,

-Hitam
Posted 11/9/2011 12:39 PM (GMT 0)
Good morning, Hitam.  Sorry.  I guess 'interesting' is a wrong word here.  nono    I hope the blood tests come back normal, which would mean you're not dealing with another physical condition/disease.  Are you taking any over the counter medication or herbal medicine?  No overdoing caffeine?  Losing the weight will help your overall health a lot, your heart, blood pressure, blood sugar, joints....
Posted 11/9/2011 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
I'm only using rescue remedy for stress, which seems to help a LOT, but its the pet version so its alcohol free. Also i'm not drinking any caffeine. So far no news :| just waiting now.
Posted 11/9/2011 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not a doctor but I have had anxiety and it can practically "paralyze" you.  For me, it would present a symptom, I'd notice the new symptom and then freak out.  My heart would race because the adrenalin flowed freely.  I had so many symptoms that I thought I was dying but it was all anxiety.  And that, Hitam, is fear.  So, this could be going on with you. 

 

I hope the tests rule out any problems and it comes down to "only" anxiety.  You really can get a handle on that.  I have.  I don't take medication for it either.  I did at first but that was causing it's own set of problems.  Now, I recognize it for what it is and start focusing on something besides how I feel.  Know what?  The symptoms fade in the background and some disappear!

If you are having some diabetic issues, you could be having symptoms and the worrying can bring on anxiety.  So, really.  Try to relax and wait to see what is happening and causing these problems.  Worrying isn't getting you anywhere.  Worrying is like a treadmill.  It wears you out and gets you nowhere. 

 

Again, I'm glad you are being thoroughly checked out.  I hope you find out soon what is going on with you.  Then  you can stop worrying.

Sherrine 

Posted 11/9/2011 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
I've noticed the same, and my biggest hit from anxiety is when I'm not feeling well (aka going to puke, almost always happens like that) that's the only time I feel it really bad, but even when I'm just chilling out on the couch or the bed with Tame playing some good old Dungeons and Dragons or video games it just comes and the world feels darker, and I notice every little thing. I've been walking around and It helps a lot, but it didn't come gradually it just hit me that one day and ever since. I'm always afraid and I've never been like this, its like I've done a 180 and I'm losing myself. Granted my wonderful woman is helping a great deal just by being near me the anxiety is really getting to me, as well as being ill. I'm starting to eat balanced meals again (portion protein, carbs and veggies, sometimes double veggies YUM) and I've noticed my energy levels are settling but again the anxiety I've never felt before and I don't know why It just hit me over night. Its having a huge effect on my quality of life or rather the simple enjoyment of things. No word from the doc yet, will definitely update when I hear something.

Hitam
(Hitam is Bahasa Indonesia [Indonesian] for the color black)

Post Edited (Tame) : 11/9/2011 4:44:26 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/10/2011 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hitam, feelings of anxiety can come up even when you don't feel outwardly anxious.  And as I mentioned before it can have physical effects like dizziness, rapid heartbeat, feelings of uneasiness and feeling like you're unsettled, as well as nausea.  Hard to describe exactly.  Sometimes sad feelings come along with anxiety too, so many times a doctor will also diagnose depression with anxiety.  If this is what ends up to be what you're going through, please understand a couple of things.  As Sherrine says, there is medication for this that may help.  Therapy is usually prescribed along with medication.  But you also need to know that with understanding what's going on (that you are not suffering from a fatal illness) you can finally take control of your life and beat it.  I went through more than six months of this many years ago while I had too much on my plate (2 young kids, graduate school and a new full time job).  The doctor ordered many tests to rule out heart and other physical problems.  Then he diagnosed anxiety with depression and I was on meds to combat that.  (I think it was xanax.)  This was before the Internet was available, so there wasn't many ways to get information like today.  But when I realized that it wasn't a physical problem, I somehow was able to get more control over it.  It this is the case, it helps being organized in your life so you do feel more in control.  (I'm not a doctor!  Just sharing my own experience.)  So, I hope you get the test results and they are normal, so you can get on with your life!  yeah
Posted 11/11/2011 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
Today has been a bit easier, seems as if it takes a few days to calm down to a level where I can handle it. Still nothing good to deal with but we did some walking today and my sleep last night was better than usual thanks to the promethazine (stomach was churning so I wasn't gonna have it, lol ) but i'm eating and drinking only water and occasionally the sobe life water but I usually just sip on that. head has felt VERY foggy today and its often hard to think, this is normal with anxiety ? or diabetes i'm not sure but I am discussing a lot with my doctor each visit and she tells me the same, "we'll figure it out" or "not sure what is wrong but lets try this and see what happens" lol scary thought right? I should be able to work fine this weekend however. I'm thinking about starting running very soon just starting slow so I don't over do it. increasing 1/10th of a mile every day, not a bad idea. 5 days a week, giving me the weekend to WORK and rest. Any thoughts? Lanie, Sherrine thanks for all your help. Just talking about it makes it easier to deal with.

-hitam

PS. pardon my grammar I just can't be bothered to correct my mistakes right now. (foggy head and all)
Posted 11/11/2011 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hitam, a foggy head could be very high or very low blood sugar but it doesn't seem likely from what you've been writing.  If your blood pressure is fine, it's not that.  Lack of sleep, drugs/meds can also present a foggy head.  Hangover.  Anxiety?  It could be but hard to say absolutely - which is why doctors want to rule out the physical reasons with all those tests.  Having a routine in your life is important.  I mean, eating meals at regular times and eating a balanced and low-carb meal (because of the blood sugar).  Regular, sustained exercise is important also.  Again, not over-doing it.  I found that sticking to a reasonable plan for eating and exercise (more or less) daily is extremely helpful.  Something about the regulation that keeps the head and body straight, I suppose.  When you make a change in life style, it takes a little time for the body to 'even out' so to speak.  I'd say it took a week for me.  The best advice I can give is to keep a daily journal of meals (with what food you eat), times you eat and your blood sugar, when you get that exercise, how long.  You will then see how your blood sugar is trending over time and how it's affected.  This is important information to show your doctor. 
Posted 11/13/2011 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys, so Hitam came home early from work because he was feeling very light headed and "not right". While home he was just not feeling well, he felt extreme fear like he was dying and he was scared and I think worrying about his diabetes and why he's feeling so bad.

When he came home feeling bad he wanted to take him BG and it came out to 108. He took another reading a few minutes late cause he felt 108 was too low and it came out to 116. Then he sipped on some Gatorade because he felt it might make him feel better and it shot up to 147.

Then after that he threw up everything he ate for dinner.

We both think that he has anxiety. It runs in his family and he has many of the symptoms (shortness of breath, hot and cold flashes, light headedness, stomach pain, vomiting, chest discomfort, and sweating). We've brought this up everytime we've seen his doctor, that he thinks he has anxiety, but she never says and does anything about it, it's like she completely blows it off. I think knowing that he has diabetes has triggered his anxiety, because he is not the man I've always known right now. What can we do to make his doctor take his anxiety more seriously? He's really suffering from this. We're seeing her the 15th for his A1C results.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Also, Lani, he has taken your advice and writing down everything he eats and how he feels and of course his blood glucose results.
Posted 11/13/2011 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
Tame and Hitam, from what you're writing here, it does sound like anxiety.  Feeling anxious and afraid can also raise the blood sugar and throwing up (which means the body is going through trauma) will do it as well.  I had a severe headache that made me nauseated and throw up and my blood sugar spiked to over 160.  I want to tell you, Hitam, that you can control the diabetes.  If you had 106 and you're not on meds, it seems to me that you're probably able to control is by the diet and exercise, especially as the weight is coming off.  You don't have to be afraid of type 2 diabetes.  It's true that it's a serious disease but it's one of the very few diseases that we can have some control over by what we do and eat.  In your journal you will be able to see how you're doing this, how what you eat affects the blood sugar.  And, you are very lucky that you have caught this early instead of years later.  As for the anxiety, you need to know that you can try to control that too.  I don't know why the mind wants to work against us but if there is not other physical reason for this and if it is 'just' anxiety, then tell yourself there is nothing to be afraid of.  When I learned more about anxiety while I was experiencing it, I was able to lessen its effects.  For some months I did take some anti-anxiety medication which helped.  I don't know how else you can convince your doctor about this.  Perhaps writing these thoughts and what happens in the journal will help. 
Posted 11/13/2011 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lanie, When I go back to the doctor I will be bringing it up as a serious problem and looking for help with it, without medication preferrably. My blood glucose was 111, and 121 this morning (double readings within 1 minute of eachother) so i'm still low but thats good, I've been walking a lot, eating healthier and drinking nothing but tons of water. Not sure what happened yesterday but I slept pretty crappy last night and the night before, maybe that has something to do with it. I feel the anxiety sitting here almost all day on and off but it was bad last night. not sure how else to deal with it, I feel tired more now than ever so going to try to eat something. thanks for all your help & support, if you have any more advice with Anxiety let me know! :S
Posted 11/13/2011 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Lanie that this sounds more like anxiety, too.  I'm glad you are eating better and keeping hydrated.  I can't have Gatorade because of the sugar in it....a lot of sugar. 

 

If your doctor "blows you off" again, I'd seriously look for another doctor.  You are spending a lot of money for their expertise.  YOU hired them to take care of you.  If they aren't doing a good job, fire them and find one that does. 

 

I'm glad you are doing better.  Can't believe you haven't gotten the A1c results back yet! 

 

Sherrine

Posted 11/13/2011 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I can't drink Gatorade either because it has so much sugar and I don't like the taste anyway.  There are a lot more drinks today with zero carbs or very low carbs though.  And I agree with Sherrine about finding another doctor if this one doesn't do anything for your anxiety.
Posted 11/15/2011 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Well a little update on Hitam.

I made him some chicken with tomatoes and a little bit of noodles to eat at around 5:20 PM. Afterwards we went out and we were browsing in a store until about 6:40 and that's when he started feeling lightheaded. We got home at 7:15 and he decided to take his blood glucose just in case his lightheadedness was caused by spike, and it was at 128.

He said he didn't feel like it was anxiety. We don't know why he was feeling lightheaded, so we were wondering what makes you guys feel lightheaded?
Posted 11/15/2011 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know.  I do know that if someone has been living for awhile with really high blood sugar and then the blood sugar is brought under control that the person may feel 'funny' when the blood sugar is closer to normal.  It's as if the body gets used to the high blood sugar but when it's lowered, then the body starts to feel odd/light headed/uneasy until it gets used to the lower blood sugar.  Of course, after awhile (days, maybe a week??), the body will adjust to the more normal blood sugar.  On the other hand, some people whose blood sugar spikes really high may have those same strange physical feelings.  It's possible Hitam's body could be adjusting to the lower blood sugar, but I'm guessing.  In general, the noodles would cause a spike but 128 is not much of a spike after about 2 hours - so that's an improvement from his past blood sugar maybe.  At those moments, if you could know his blood pressure that would be helpful.  Or, take his pulse.  And write all this down (with the times) in his journal.  This information should be helpful to his doctor (or any health provider that he sees).
Posted 11/15/2011 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Doctor says my Blood pressure is normal, even when blood glucose is high, and says my heart rate is fair, around 82-83. Not the best but still, I am not sure what it is, as it happened to me on Saturday while at work for no reason, maybe over heating ? I felt chills on Saturday but not today. I think it could also have something to do with my poor sleep and keeping a journal on my thoughts for each meal, end of the day and when anything happens that I feel is abnormal also makes its way to the journal. We're trying a few things out to better my sleep, including staying away from anything that stops melatonin at night like TV's and computers, while also eating the right meals before bed. Hopefully this will make a better difference. Going to see the doctor tomorrow and I'm going to talk to her about my anxiety issues if she says all else is normal, and if she doesn't do anything I will let her know I appreciate her expertise on the mixture of medications causing problems and for her time, but I won't be back since she cannot talk to me or help me with what I need help with. I never needed help with diabetes as I have you guys to talk to to calm me down, my wonderful soon to be wife and my own internet browsing skills on what to eat to drop my blood glucose back to normal. Honestly she hasn't told me many things that were useful except for the fact she wanted me back on medications, which I was like "diet and exercise? that's the path I'll take, thanks" but I'm rambling. I'm not sure why it would hit me like that and when it does I usually sleep really early that night. Again thanks for your advice on the journal and thank you both (lanie and sherrine) for the help. It means a lot to us both.
Posted 11/15/2011 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
Members here have varied experience with diabetes; some are type 1, some type 2, some in between.  So, what you have here are people who may have gone through what you're going through - or, not.  And you know we're not doctors.  I've been dealing with diabetes with diet and exercise for about 4 years and learned everything I could online and also through Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution.  I've mentioned that book so many times that I'm sure people think I sell it!  (I don't.)  Anyway, the journal is one way for you and the doctor to see trends in the blood sugar and what may affect it, which is probably what food you eat.  For those who are in denial as to how their breakfast or dinner makes their blood sugar rise, keeping a journal is a wake-up call.  If you feel keeping a journal is adding to stress, don't do it.  You have your meter and it keeps your blood sugar in memory.  And you already know what you eat.

You'll figure it out and if you need to find another doctor who's on your page, then do it.  You may indeed just be able to keep the blood sugar pretty well controlled with diet and exercise but you also need to understand that the blood sugar problems won't go away if you slack off.  Unfortunately.

You're smart enough to seek out more information and the better informed you are, the better control you'll have.  yeah

Posted 11/15/2011 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
We are all guessing here but when I was having some major anxiety issues, I would get light-headed "out of the blue".  That's how the anxiety started.  I was in church and we were standing for prayer.  I got light-headed and had a pain run from my neck to the top of my head.  I thought I was having a stroke.  Then, because of these symptoms, my heart started racing and I got very weak.  The fear set in big time and I barely moved until I could see my doctor.  When he said it was anxiety, at least half the symptoms left!  I was surprised with the diagnosis because I didn't feel anxious about anything and life was in a normal pattern.

 

I do hope you are thoroughly checked out.  If this is being caused by anxiety then you can get a handle on it.  I know now when anxiety is trying to raise it's ugly head and I can dismiss it and start focusing on something else.  Just knowing is such a big help. 

 

I also hope that you find out if you are diabetic.  This, too, is playing into the anxiety...it's in the back of your mind.  I was given a glucose tolerance test to determine if I was diabetic.  If it turns out that you are, and you can't keep the blood sugar levels in good control, please take the meds prescribed by your doctor.  It is very important to keep those numbers under control.

 

Let us know what happens, okay?

 

Sherrine

Posted 11/16/2011 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Took Hitam to his doctor's visit today. He woke up this morning to his blood glucose at 112. The past few days he's been consistently low with his blood glucose. He's been eating a lot better and we spend at least an hour a day walking.

They took his weight today and it was at 243. When we first moved he was at 280, so he's lost quite a few pounds, and is still on his way to lose more.

His A1C numbers came back at 7.6% which I'm assuming is not good at all. We're working to lower those numbers.

He talked to his doctor about his anxiety and she was on the same page as us, asking how he wanted to treat it. We found out recently that anxiety runs in his family from both sides. Hitam wants to see a psychiatrist to learn coping mechanisms and she recommended us one she said was really good. She said since his anxiety is conflicting with his life (making him miss work) she suggested getting him on Zoloft and gave us another script for another drug to take if he gets a panic attack. She said combining the Zoloft with the psychiatry help will help him keep his job until he learns technical to cope with his anxiety without meds. Hitam's mom was on Zoloft before and didn't experience any bad side effects, and the doctor said usually things that work in the family work with you.

So right now he's eating much better, exercising (he's going to start doing more than just walking soon), and will be going to see a psychiatrist. The Metformin was never brought up at the doctor visit. But since he's been waking up in the 110's int he morning and keeping under 140 during the day, he feels like controlling through diet and exercise is best.

Thanks again for all the help :) I hope the Zoloft will work until he gets good coping techniques.
Posted 11/16/2011 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
All in all, the news is really good!  For the diabetes, just continue with what you're doing.  It seems the blood sugar is much lower than before, and the next A1c should be lower.  The A1c is about a 3 month average so they wouldn't be figuring another one until the New Year.  7.6% is about 169 average blood sugar which is too high.  Losing weight, changing the food and adding the walking all help bring the blood sugar lower.  There are many creative ways to eat vegetables that a person would not feel like he's missing all the carbs.  Now, I can't look at a potato without thinking what it would do to my blood sugar.  I hope the anxiety gets under control too.  In my case, I was able to stop the xanax after a few months but every person is different.  And through the years I've learned that the more in control (of things in my life) I am, the better I felt mentally.  I also had to understand I couldn't control everything or everyone, so I talked myself into understanding that it was "ok" and not as important as I used to think it was.  Well, these are life's bumps and understanding them more will help him get past them.  You are a tremendous help to him! 

yeah

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