Diabetes Talking

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi, I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, but several antidepressants have not worked for me at all.  I was wondering if I had diabetes, mainly because of the blurry vision I’ve been experiencing. I am experiencing: blurry vision dizziness sweating (mostly under my arms) headaches nervousness clouded thinking itchiness on my skin tingling in my hands and feet (they fall asleep a lot too) low energy mild nausea irritability Could this be diabetes?  How do people usually find out they have diabetes? Thanks, Thomas

Frankly you give us everything but your blood sugar readings.  Get thee to a doctor and have a sugar reading done as soon as possible.  Then be governed by his suggestions and diagnosis.

Response:

Hi, I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, but several antidepressants have not worked for me at all.  I was wondering if I had diabetes, mainly because of the blurry vision I’ve been experiencing. I am experiencing: blurry vision dizziness sweating (mostly under my arms) headaches nervousness clouded thinking itchiness on my skin tingling in my hands and feet (they fall asleep a lot too) low energy mild nausea irritability Could this be diabetes?  How do people usually find out they have diabetes? Thanks, Thomas

Response:

Hi Thomas — The symptoms you mention *are* classic symptoms of DM — including the "anxiety and depression."  To find out if you suffer from DM, get several *fasting* blood glucose readings done by a lab, on several different days.  Your internist or endocrinologist can order them.  If they are over 126, then you’re a real candidate for it.   Your endo can then test you further to see if you’ve got symptoms of DM complications, I *really* don’t know how people "know" they’ve got DM. John Huff, Dayton OH ( type 1, dx @ 18 months, now 60 )

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, but several antidepressants have not worked for me at all.  I was wondering if I had diabetes, mainly because of the blurry vision I’ve been experiencing. I am experiencing: blurry vision dizziness sweating (mostly under my arms) headaches nervousness clouded thinking itchiness on my skin tingling in my hands and feet (they fall asleep a lot too) low energy mild nausea irritability Could this be diabetes?  How do people usually find out they have diabetes?

They get a simple blood test, either at their MD’s office or through a friend or relative who has a blood glucose meter. It took you longer to post your query in this newsgroup than it would have taken to get this blood test.  And cost you more money. [posted & e-mailed] David Cohler, South Pasadena, CA Media Access Consultancy http://members.tripod.com/~dcohler/

Response:

writes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi, I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, but several antidepressants have not worked for me at all.  I was wondering if I had diabetes, mainly because of the blurry vision I’ve been experiencing. I am experiencing: blurry vision dizziness sweating (mostly under my arms) headaches nervousness clouded thinking itchiness on my skin tingling in my hands and feet (they fall asleep a lot too) low energy mild nausea irritability Could this be diabetes?  

Yes.  But it could equally not be diabetes (just for an example, it couldbe that the itchyness is a side-effect of the anti-depressants, a fungal infection, which is more common in people with diabetes, an allergy to your washing powder, or something else). How do people usually find out they have diabetes?

Most get symptoms (such as those you list), which worry them.  So they go to their doctor, who takes a sample of blood, and confirms that they have diabetes, or confirms that they are allergic to their washing powder (or whatever). A few others either don’t have symptoms, or don’t think they are important: but their blood is tested as part of something else (e.g. during a health screen on joining a new company, while having their pilot’s licence exam). And a very few thers ignore the symptoms, and eventually get so ill that they collapse.  When they are taken into hospital, the diagnosis is made. Diabetes isn’t a nice thing to have, but the consequences are worse if you leave it than if you treat it – so get your symptoms checked by a doctor.   Best wishes, — Pat Reynolds (type 1 for 26 years)    "It might look a bit messy now, but just you come back in 500 years time"    (T. Prattchet)

Response:

Hi Thomas — The symptoms you mention *are* classic symptoms of DM — including the "anxiety and depression."  To find out if you suffer from DM, get several *fasting* blood glucose readings done by a lab, on several different days.  Your internist or endocrinologist can order them.  If they are over 126, then you’re a real candidate for it.   Your endo can then test you further to see if you’ve got symptoms of DM complications, I *really* don’t know how people "know" they’ve got DM. John Huff, Dayton OH ( type 1, dx @ 18 months, now 60 )

 And Tom, get the test soon.  When people physically begin to feel weak and sick, they seem to have very high blood sugars, and should be helped ASAP.  There’s certainly a chance you don’t have diabetes, but it doesn’t take much efort to find out.  Do it soon.  Good luck.

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