Health issues....

[Speed_racer]

All this is a bit shocking for me, being that I'm only 21, I'm not necessarily used to having health issues...

About a month or so back, about 45 minutes after eating, my hands starting shaking really bad, my vision started fading (about 10-15%), the feelings travelled up my back, and into my neck. At that point, it started to freak me out (mentally), the rest of that day I was so spaced out I wasn't even able to engage in a normal conversation without losing my train of thought mid-sentence.

So, I go and see the doctor, they do the prick-your-finger blood test, shows fine... So, they send me in for a 3-hour glucose tolerance test, to see if my tendencies were more hypoglycemic, or hyperglycemic (diabetes). She also instructed me to look for other symptoms that could possibly be related.

Over the course of the following 2 weeks, while waiting on my health ins. to become active, I realized that the small cuts/scrapes/gouges from working on jeeps and so forth, which used to heal in 3-4 days, some are 2-3 months old, and the skin still pink. Specifically, a cut I got on my knuckle on sep 30th (lil bros bday), still feels like it's going to rip open everytime I bend my knuckle all the way. Small "bumps", which didn't even break the skin, 2-3 months later, still show a dark spot, and don't appear to be fully healed.

On top of that, I am noticing, rarely tho, small black specks/lines in my vision, that move based upon where my focus is.. which I believe is a sign of enemia, although none of my other symptoms have any relation to enemia (sp?).

So, I went and got the glucose tolerance test, and called the doc to get my results... only to hear the dreader "Oh, were definitely going to need you to come in to discuss the results..."

Why i'm sharing this w/u guys IDK, but it's really been occupying most of my thoughts lately.. and I really hope it's nothing serious

Diabetes does NOt run in my bloodline... and the symptoms do show more hyPO, then hyPERglycemic... but this is still really wearing on me...

I see the doc monday at 1:50 :nervous:

[stewie]

i hate when drs tell you to come in for the results. but i can say that just sitting there dwelling over it, constantly worrying about it, and uterly being a basket case will not be good for you. youll make yourself feel even more like crap than you have to.

do yourself a favor and get your mind off of it in the meantime. go out with the boys, play with your kids (if you have any), and cuddle your significant other. just dont sit, dwell and be depressed about it.

hth

[Speed_racer]

I hear you on that... Changed appt to 210 tomorrow, btw.

Going wheeling tonight after work...

Too many meetings in the morning to dwell on it...

[8Mud]

Don't get your sphincter in an uproar, my son has lived with diabetes for the last 18 years or so. Though not good, it isn't that big of a deal either. Once you get in the rythem and learn how to deal with it, it is about as much trouble as dental hygene. Most of the stories you hear are from people who tried to ignore it and/or didn't follow the doctors instructions (diet, treatment schedules etc.).
Though to tell you the truth, what you discribe sounds like what old people go through everyday. Some kind of circulation problem. Happens to me everytime a low pressure weather system comes through (I'm old as dirt). I've had it get worse as a side affect from other medications (allergy meds etc.).

[anodyne33]

Good luck brother. The good part about getting yourself checked out now is that you're still very young, and medical science is amazing compared to what it was even 50 years ago. The fact that they want you to come in for the results does mean that it's important, but that's what they're there for. **good vibes**

[Speed_racer]

Well, sorry to keep you guys waiting for the update from the doctor, but I have been running non stop since I saw them on friday..

Well, after all the "well set an appt with you if its bad" and the "were definitely going to need to see you on this" came an apology for wasting my time to bring me, and my $25 doctor visit...

Verdict: Hypoglycmia/hypermetabolism.. my body breaks down sugars too fast, so I must snack every 2-3 hours, steer clear of sodas, candies, and make sure to eat much protein!

Only thing that sucks, is that this increases my chances of becoming diabetic by about 40%!!!

And to think, this is all because about 2 years ago I cut down from 240lbs to 175 lbs!!!

Overall, Im totally fine, just wish these jokers wouldnt have made it seem so much worse than it really is!!

What a relief tho!!

[Gerr]

Well congradulations man its something you can live with and manage. I did a simular thing when I went from 423 to 240 (Im back to 300 now :( ) I had to stabilise my habits and the dr's even told me I lost to much weight to fast so I had to not diet like I was. I got back to normal in about 6 months and really never had any dificulty in the process.

Good Luck

[Matthew Currie]

My wife has been hypo for years. There was a time back around the 70's or 80's when diagnosing hypoglycemia was all the rage, like ADD nowadays, and it was overdone, so now it can be hard to get doctors to take it seriously when it really does show up. Congrats to your doctor for not pooh-poohing the whole thing.

It's manageable with discipline. The discipline is a drag, because it basically condemns you to clean, healthy living, but if you take care of it, you will end up in pretty good shape. One thing you really have to watch out for is alcohol.

Remember too that some things trigger hypoglycemia. Pseudoephedrine is one of them. If you've been taking a cold medication, you can get yourself a really nasty attack of the hypo-heebie-jeebies.

[8Mud]

I'll give you a tip, Cheerios (the test results for bloodsugar levels are most always fairly constant over a longer period), oatmeal, dark coarse bread, whole grains. All seem to slow down the sugar bump, then crash thing. Everybodies body works a little differently, you may have to experiment to find what's right for you. But ballast from whole grains and especially oats, seems to help most everybody, with sugar issues. It's worth a try.
After doing thousands of sugar tests on my son (diabetic) and myself out of curiosity, I've made some observations that just don't seem to get talked about much. The only real difference between a slice of white bread (or many other processed foods) and a tea spoon full of white sugar is some few *minutes* longer for the bread to find it's way into your bloodstream. Fruitjuice is even quicker than white sugar. A small glass of fruitjuice, especially grape juice, just held in your mouth (you don't even have to swallow it), will find it's way into the bloodstream in minutes (it starts in seconds).
Slowing down the peaks and valleys in your bodies sugar processing may be benenfitial. Gives your body a little time to adjust the insulin levels.
Growth hormone, testosterone and others, have some kind of direct relationshsip, with insulin production. We found a really smart doctor, Doctor Sare' (a researcher) who took the time to explain some of this stuff to me (unusual) in language I could understand, guy was really nice (he may have some stuff in print). Both of my daughters have had sugar episodes (at around 20 years old or so), that they out grew and that have just disappeared (for the last few years anyhow, keeping my fingures crossed).

[Speed_racer]

Thanks 8mud, and everyone else for your good vibes :D:D

Yeah, this is all new to me, Im carrying around peanut butter quaker bars everywhere i go.. when I get the slightest bit of not-normal feeling-ness, (like those technical terms? ;) ) I just eat one, and seems to work pretty well.

Shouldve seen my results from my 3 hour test.. before glucose drink, ~82, drank glucose drink, 1st hour, 83, 2nd hour 86, 3rd hour, 56!!!:scared:

[TRNDRVR]

Well, sorry to keep you guys waiting for the update from the doctor......Overall, Im totally fineShit! I was going to tell you you were going to die. :D

[Speed_racer]

Shit! I was going to tell you you were going to die. :D
Haha! I was pretty convinced that's what the doctor wanted to tell me too!! lol

[Fergie]

I have the same issue, lost a lot of weight, and have had the shakes and such for the past several years.

8Mud gave you a good start on foods, but to go even further, go out and buy "You on a Diet." Not so much for the dieting aspect, but more for the blood sugar management aspect of the book.

Go through your pantry and get rid of anything with the following in the top 5 ingredients:

Sugar
High Fructose Corn Syrup
Enriched flour(of any kind)
Hydrogenated Oils

You'll toss a lot of food, but find a decent store like Trader Joes, or World Market or a Natural Foods store. You can replace anything with the healthy variety, and you should be good.

Fergie

[WB9YZU]

I have the same issue, lost a lot of weight, and have had the shakes and such for the past several years.

8Mud gave you a good start on foods, but to go even further, go out and buy "You on a Diet." Not so much for the dieting aspect, but more for the blood sugar management aspect of the book.

Go through your pantry and get rid of anything with the following in the top 5 ingredients:

Sugar
High Fructose Corn Syrup
Enriched flour(of any kind)
Hydrogenated Oils

You'll toss a lot of food, but find a decent store like Trader Joes, or World Market or a Natural Foods store. You can replace anything with the healthy variety, and you should be good.

Fergie

And don't even think about alcohol.

[jeeptree]

And don't even think about alcohol.


not even alittle:doh:

[Speed_racer]

And don't even think about alcohol.

Honestly, at 21, I dont drink but maybe once a month, but IDK if that will stop. lol