Is diabetes diagnosis REAL?

P

Patnono

Member
Location
Whittier,Ca
I was told I had diabetes about a year and a half ago. All my test have been good Everytime. Ive been questioning weather I really have it? I've never had symptoms. Well my new doctor seems to be questioning it also, she's having me get retested. My mother n sister in law where told they had it, now where told they don't? That taking the medication for it is Not Safe? I have NOT been eating as well as I should have, honestly...but test have still been good. SO how do you REALLY KNOW?
 

Being a bit of a cynic, I sometimes think that various illnesses become 'flavour of the month' and practice nurses (more than doctors) actively look for them. I've had cases where a nurse has tested a random blood sample, found that it had an acceptable reading (considering that I had recently eaten), but still wanted me to be tested for Diabetes although I had no symptoms.
 
Thanks for writing, I had went to urgent care is where I was told this, at this time I had Not fasted. Then went to my regular doctor, she had said I did have diabetes but didn't know which type??? That there was no need to blood test myself? These things made no sense???
 

I'm afraid I have little faith in doctors. There are so many cases of mis-diagnosis, or no diagnosis at all. Very often a problem can be solved with a change of diet, but the drug companies are in control and encourage doctors to prescribe their products. The present problem with anti-biotics has come about because of doctors prescribing them too quickly, instead of trying other treatments first. Plus, the infections in hospitals are caused by medical staff not washing their hands.
 
Other than a high(higher) blood sugar count....what are the early signs [of] diabetes?

I have often wondered if [some] folks can live just fine with a higher count? Where others may be more sensitive to it? Some folks can't even handle a simple aspirin. So....
 
Diabetes is not like a broken bone where diagnoses is easily done with an x-ray. Diabetes can only be accurately diagnosed by a study of symptoms vs. eating habits vs. blood sugar testing over a period of time. Anyone claiming to be able to diagnose it in a single doctor visit with no study history is to be suspect.
 
gennie said:
Diabetes is not like a broken bone where diagnoses is easily done with an x-ray. Diabetes can only be accurately diagnosed by a study of symptoms vs. eating habits vs. blood sugar testing over a period of time. Anyone claiming to be able to diagnose it in a single doctor visit with no study history is to be suspect.
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Mine was [up] for a doc visit or two....then normal for a visit or two....then way high.....take metformin.....then it was down [near 100 & lower] for about 2-3 years....then it was up again 170-ish , then 459....then more normal, now slightly up again 130-ish. He [doc] has suggested insulin .....I really don't want to start that, as it comes with it's own dangers.

Gittin' old sucks.
 
Patnono said:
I was told I had diabetes about a year and a half ago. All my test have been good Everytime. Ive been questioning weather I really have it? I've never had symptoms. Well my new doctor seems to be questioning it also, she's having me get retested. My mother n sister in law where told they had it, now where told they don't? That taking the medication for it is Not Safe? I have NOT been eating as well as I should have, honestly...but test have still been good. SO how do you REALLY KNOW?
Click to expand...

Get your own testing supplies and test yourself one or two hours after meals. Then you will either decide if you have it or not. Test mornings after overnight fasting. Read up on what the numbers mean. You don't have to depend on doctors to tell you. You can do it yourself if you really actually want to know instead of second-guessing your doctors. Hey, I didn't want to know either but wishful thinking doesn't make it go away.
 
rgp said:
Other than a high(higher) blood sugar count....what are the early signs [of] diabetes?

I have often wondered if [some] folks can live just fine with a higher count? Where others may be more sensitive to it? Some folks can't even handle a simple aspirin. So....
Click to expand...

Different people experience different symptoms, but the usual ones are: unexplained weight loss, fatigue, frequent thirst, frequent urination. Some of these can be attributed to age, which makes diagnosis more complicated. With me (11 years ago) it was mainly weight loss & fatigue, plus family history. Sister has been diabetic for 35 years, brother diabetic, mother mildly diabetic.
As for living just fine with higher blood sugar, it depends on who you ask. Most doctors will say even slightly higher count should be treated aggressively. I think they are wrong & are simply repeating what they've been taught. Current research says treating older people with elevated blood sugar is too risky due to higher risk of hypoglycemia - low blood sugar, which can cause falls, coma & death & is much more dangerous than high blood sugar. In fact, doctors are now required to tell their patients "Low blood sugar is far more dangerous than high blood sugar."

My blood sugar is high most of the time & treating it with insulin causes lows a couple of times per week. I won't take oral diabetes medications because I'm not convinced of their safety. It's rather funny - those drug ads that say, "This drug has caused amputations, heart attacks & strokes;" exactly the problems we're told are caused by diabetes. When these drugs cause problems, the doctor will say, "You're diabetic; what do you expect?" instead of blaming the drugs.


When I see my doctor (not for advice, but only because she won't refill my prescription for insulin without seeing me), she pushes the latest, newest insulin & drugs, even though I'm doing fine with my current insulin. Coincidentally, as I was checking out, a drug company rep. with a name tag "Merck" was also leaving. Well doctors get great perks for prescribing new drugs; that's what motivates them to suggest changing medications....it has nothing to do with patient care.
 
win231 said:
Different people experience different symptoms, but the usual ones are: unexplained weight loss, fatigue, frequent thirst, frequent urination. Some of these can be attributed to age, which makes diagnosis more complicated. With me (11 years ago) it was mainly weight loss & fatigue, plus family history. Sister has been diabetic for 35 years, brother diabetic, mother mildly diabetic.
As for living just fine with higher blood sugar, it depends on who you ask. Most doctors will say even slightly higher count should be treated aggressively. I think they are wrong & are simply repeating what they've been taught. Current research says treating older people with elevated blood sugar is too risky due to higher risk of hypoglycemia - low blood sugar, which can cause falls, coma & death & is much more dangerous than high blood sugar. In fact, doctors are now required to tell their patients "Low blood sugar is far more dangerous than high blood sugar."

My blood sugar is high most of the time & treating it with insulin causes lows a couple of times per week. I won't take oral diabetes medications because I'm not convinced of their safety. It's rather funny - those drug ads that say, "This drug has caused amputations, heart attacks & strokes;" exactly the problems we're told are caused by diabetes. When these drugs cause problems, the doctor will say, "You're diabetic; what do you expect?" instead of blaming the drugs.


When I see my doctor (not for advice, but only because she won't refill my prescription for insulin without seeing me), she pushes the latest, newest insulin & drugs, even though I'm doing fine with my current insulin. Coincidentally, as I was checking out, a drug company rep. with a name tag "Merck" was also leaving. Well doctors get great perks for prescribing new drugs; that's what motivates them to suggest changing medications....it has nothing to do with patient care.
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Well the only "symptom"? I am experiencing is the weight loss. But that is IMO explained, as I am trying to loose. By way of portion control, cutting/watching carbs, and dropping my beer intake by about 2/3rds.

Fatigue, urination , thirst...all seem about normal too me.
 
It's a thought? Don't like taking medication, but afraid to Not take it? Your right about the aspirin, my brother can't take aspirin because of his blood thinners, like me aspirin doesn't bother me. Diabetes is a complicated disease, what's the right answer? Doctors seem to be confused?
 
Have you had an A1C test? It is impossible to diagnose diabetes with the simple fasting glucose test, since many people experience what is known as the "dawn syndrome" of highter blood sugar readings in the morning.

Make an appointment with an endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes, have the correct tests done, and follow their orders. Don't look for answers on an internet forum... EVERYONE is different and no one's treatment is exactly the same. Take responsibility for your own health; get a glucose meter and learn how to use it.
 
Thanks, Ive been trying to learn how to use it. But can't get anyone to show me how? The doctor wouldn't because she said I didn't need to. I diid have my Ac1 tested I believe? Even after that, my doctor wants to get me retested.
 
C'est Moi said:
Have you had an A1C test? It is impossible to diagnose diabetes with the simple fasting glucose test, since many people experience what is known as the "dawn syndrome" of highter blood sugar readings in the morning.

Make an appointment with an endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes, have the correct tests done, and follow their orders. Don't look for answers on an internet forum... EVERYONE is different and no one's treatment is exactly the same. Take responsibility for your own health; get a glucose meter and learn how to use it.
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If your talking to me?....Yes i have done all that....
 
From personal experience I know that stress - either mental or physical - will make my blood sugar readings erratic. Also several nights of sleeping poorly will do the same. I didn't realize this until I began keeping a diary, recording things like meals, exercise, mental state (calm, relaxed, upset), sleep, etc. along with test results.
 
Mine took a few years to manifest itself with steadily increasing glucose levels. I just had it tested today again and my A1C was normal but my glucose test was not. Make sure to eat the right foods like lots of non starch veggies, lower carbs. I had to see a diabetes educator. She helped me and showed me how to use the meter, too. Diabetes is nothing to fool with so educate yourself well and try to eat right.
 
I agree with whar C'est Moi said (as I often do, lol) The main thing I suggest, and I've been managing mine successfully for the\ last 25 years, about 20 0f them on insulin, with no complications. is to find a health professional you trust and work with him or her. If there is doubt, get retested.I keep records like gennie does. symptoms at onset can include excessive thirst, freq urination, sometimes blurred vision. High pain or stress levels can sometimes increase blood sugar. It does take some self discipline to balance the carbs.
If you have a meter and strips, and lancing device & I hope you have insurance to cover the strips, they are expensive, if you don't know how to use it, you could ask your pharmacist, and most of them are willing to help. My endocrinologist showed me all that in the beginning, and for many years now I just see primary care doc periodically.
Ive done well cost-wise for the last couple of years using Walmart ReliOn Novolin 70/30 insulin.
I really feel bad for the folks who have lost their faith in drs. Overall, I'm waaaaaaaay better for the care I've received over many years.
 
Patnono said:
Thanks, Ive been trying to learn how to use it. But can't get anyone to show me how? The doctor wouldn't because she said I didn't need to. I diid have my Ac1 tested I believe? Even after that, my doctor wants to get me retested.
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Your doctor may not want to bother with meter instructions. My doctor didn't even show me how to inject insulin; my sister did. Doctors today seem to only be concerned with how many patients they can see per hour.
When you get the meter & test strips, (no prescription needed) just allow some time, relax, read the instructions & go step-by-step. It seems complicated but it's really simple.
Test AM after not eating for around 8 hours - normal is under 100. "Pre Diabetes" is considered 101-125. "Diabetes" is considered 126 & above. But one test isn't enough. An average of 3 or more is more meaningful.
Test 2 hours after a meal, 140 & below is normal for most people. A high carb or high sugar meal - may get a higher number; I've tested non diabetics at their request after meals & some were around 150. Write results & food consumed. That will give you an idea of what foods to limit & which ones to eat more of. Some diabetics can get away with foods that spike blood sugar in others. Most people will get blood sugar spikes from processed carbs, like bread, pasta, etc. as well as the obvious ones - cookies, ice cream, etc.

Take the results and your meter to your doctor at your next visit; then he'll have some info to work with. Your meter stores results & will have a port so the doctor can load & print out your numbers.

By the way, meters are cheap, test strips are not. BUT, I just found a great meter and INEXPENSIVE test strips: "Embrace" meter - $6.99 & 100 Embrace test strips: $17.49. Normally, test strips are $150.00/100. I got mine from "Total Diabetes Supply." I tested against my expensive "One Touch Verio" test strips. Exactly the same results. And, the Embrace is a talking meter (which you can shut off if you want to).
 
Medicare and/or my supplemental insurance pays for lancets and test strips. I pay nothing, but you're correct that the cost of the strips is quite high if one has to pay for them.
 
I was diagnosed about 2 years after our bad car accident, and I was and am on some pretty potent narcs for pain, Most of my doctors said my diabetes came from the drugs I am on. One day I woke up, and told Lorie (wife) I had to get to the hospital, that I thought I was dying or going to have a heart attack. Luckly there is one in our small town. Got me there, and in Emergency, they checked my heart which they said was perfect, took some blood. Came back what seemed like hours, and asked me if I was a diabetic... I said No, and they said I be thinking you are...

Sugar was 36.. When it was suppose to be between 4.6 to 6.4... Put me on Metformin, twice a day... Did a great job, the odd time I would I have sugar highs, or lows. Sugar highs made me sleepy, and sugar lows made me Bitchy..

Just lately, My gut was always so sensitive, not feeling well etc. Told my Diabetic doctor (always forget proper name) She took me of Metformin a month ago, put me on this new drug called SITAGLIPTIN better known as Januvia 100mg. My diabetes has been perfect, and I have never felt this good with the diabetes before... Ask about it if Metformin is causing you problems.. Well worth it...
 

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