Diabetes Type 2 Support Group
Type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not make efficient use of it. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert food into glucose, a sugar that the body uses for energy. Without enough insulin, glucose can accumulate in the blood, and can cause serious health problems such as heart disease and strokes and organ damage...
Hi y'all
I am the daughter of a diabetic (type two). I am active (like, run half marathons active) AND overweight (like, by 30-50 lbs).
I am new to my town and don't have a primary care doc yet. I've been dragging my feet on it, but I think it's time. I'm wondering about some symptoms I've been having. I know I'm at higher risk for Diabetes Mellitus because of my dad and my obesity, so I'll probably get tested anyway, but I don't think my symptoms match. Insight would be helpful. Would love to hear y'all say this doesn't fit the diabetes picture.
I had an episode of what appeared to be low blood sugar a few weeks back. It was lunch time on a temperate day, and I got very very shaky and woozy and confused and felt like I was about to pass out. My kids made me lunch and I felt better after a few sandwiches. I hadn't been particularly active, had just done normal mom stuff, so I was surprised.
Can someone with type two (I'm too old for type one) get LOW blood sugar, even when not on insulin? My dad has never experienced it, so my guess is "no," but that's my primary symptom.
It's not unusual for me to get cranky around meal time and have an urgency to eat, sort of an eat-or-faint feeling, but this extreme shaky/woozy was new. (I even reminded my kids of emergency procedures because I felt so off I wasn't sure I'd remain conscious.)
But that only happened once. And that's not a diabetes type 2 thing, right?
I wake up most mornings with numb hands. That's new this year, and becoming more persistent, no matter how I sleep. Not sure what that's about, probably a back thing. From my understanding, it's not the same kind of numbness a diabetic would get, right?
I get headaches and unexplained fatigue, but I have children. So I guess that's an explanation.
And I don't have polyuria. I am no stranger to it, my son has diabetes insipidus (the salt diabetes, not the sugar diabetes) so frequent urination and excessive thirst is something I'm VERY aware of, and I don't have it.
So, biggest question is, can a diabetic (type 2) get low blood sugar when the diabetic isn't taking insulin?
And, what first gave you cause to think a trip to the doc was necessary? (My dad got diagnosed off of blood work taken for another reason, and I guess that's how a lot of folks get diagnosed, but if your story is different, would love to hear it.)
Thanks,
a daughter
I am the daughter of a diabetic (type two). I am active (like, run half marathons active) AND overweight (like, by 30-50 lbs).
I am new to my town and don't have a primary care doc yet. I've been dragging my feet on it, but I think it's time. I'm wondering about some symptoms I've been having. I know I'm at higher risk for Diabetes Mellitus because of my dad and my obesity, so I'll probably get tested anyway, but I don't think my symptoms match. Insight would be helpful. Would love to hear y'all say this doesn't fit the diabetes picture.
I had an episode of what appeared to be low blood sugar a few weeks back. It was lunch time on a temperate day, and I got very very shaky and woozy and confused and felt like I was about to pass out. My kids made me lunch and I felt better after a few sandwiches. I hadn't been particularly active, had just done normal mom stuff, so I was surprised.
Can someone with type two (I'm too old for type one) get LOW blood sugar, even when not on insulin? My dad has never experienced it, so my guess is "no," but that's my primary symptom.
It's not unusual for me to get cranky around meal time and have an urgency to eat, sort of an eat-or-faint feeling, but this extreme shaky/woozy was new. (I even reminded my kids of emergency procedures because I felt so off I wasn't sure I'd remain conscious.)
But that only happened once. And that's not a diabetes type 2 thing, right?
I wake up most mornings with numb hands. That's new this year, and becoming more persistent, no matter how I sleep. Not sure what that's about, probably a back thing. From my understanding, it's not the same kind of numbness a diabetic would get, right?
I get headaches and unexplained fatigue, but I have children. So I guess that's an explanation.
And I don't have polyuria. I am no stranger to it, my son has diabetes insipidus (the salt diabetes, not the sugar diabetes) so frequent urination and excessive thirst is something I'm VERY aware of, and I don't have it.
So, biggest question is, can a diabetic (type 2) get low blood sugar when the diabetic isn't taking insulin?
And, what first gave you cause to think a trip to the doc was necessary? (My dad got diagnosed off of blood work taken for another reason, and I guess that's how a lot of folks get diagnosed, but if your story is different, would love to hear it.)
Thanks,
a daughter
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I had gone to the grocery store. When I wheeled my cartback to my car I just stool there a minute. A few spacesaway a Tesla Cyber truck was parked. I had seen it on theroad a few times for a few seconds. But not close up.It looked like it belonged to 2126 and not 2026. I wasgoing to take a picture of the car but the owners cameback and drove away. It was an ordinary middle age...
Yes type 2 diabetics that are not on insulin CAN have lows. Can have severe lows. I was working one day early in my diagnosis (20 years ago) skipped breakfast, was going to have a late lunch.... But was working pretty hard.... Felt faint.. So faint in fact I was crawling across the upstairs floor to get to the snack room. Luckily a coworker was upstairs and noticed me and helped me to the breakroom.. Took my blood sugar it was 50.
You NEED to get tested, and I would suggest getting the full test done where you drink the nice little drink and have blood drawn every so often that day. It's a long day but it's so worth the results. Since you MAY be having lows this may be the best test for you.
But definitely talk to your doctor.
The truth is, for most of us with a genetic predisposition to T2 Diabetes, we have received a not-so-terrific pancreas. Obesity and a diet that includes a lot of processed food, too-generous amount of carbohydrates, and sugar GRADUALLY put us on the road to T2 D, long, long before we received any sort of diagnosis (pre-Diabetes, T2 D, or Metabolic Syndrome). Had we been educated by our medical professionals, or educated ourselves about what does and doesn't contribute to this diagnosis, and about how to prevent that, many of us would not have become diabetic.
The anxiety you are experiencing is very wearing. Please go and get tested. Obtain a copy of the results for yourself, and do not just accept whatever the doctor says, blindly. DO self-educate yourself about T2 Diabetes and those results that tend to go hand-in-hand with that condition (lipid panel, liver-related factors, weight-- especially if it is around your internal organs, thyroid tests). Those things that you learn, and your willingness to take charge of monitoring your own health could very well be very preventative.
Additionally, those things that you learn about what to eat/not eat in excess could better safeguard your children from someday facing a diagnosis of T2 Diabetes. One of the things that I learned along the way is that my pancreas was enduring damage 20-30 years prior to this showing itself in my test results. Now, I have the opportunity to educate my sons and daughters, and my grandchildren about those things we did not know years ago. It is wonderful to see them paying attention and changing their diet and lifestyle accordingly.
I wish you well!
Jane
I went to the doctor a few years ago with severe lower back pain.....knew it was kidney related. My doctor did a urinalysis......only to find out I am diabetic. It should not have been a shocker since my mom....all her sisters.....and my dad were all type 2.
I have treated my body horrible for many years and I feel it contributed to it's being years earlier than my relatives :(
However, I'm different than my relatives as I get the low's very easily. I've almost passed out a few times and keep myself armed with the sugar tablets and snacks. I'm not insulin dependent, and my oral medicine is suppose to keep me from going into hypo......but it doesn't always work out and I'm suspecting my doctor will lower my dosage or take me off it altogether next week (fingers crossed).
I say go for the test....you have nothing to lose and it will help you in knowing what you are dealing with and how it can be treated.
Being diabetic is the best thing that has ever happened to me....seriously. I treat myself better than I ever have......I get to eat more....but healthy, yummy stuff. I lost over 100 pounds effortlessly....my blood pressure and cholesterol are all within normal range as well.
I am truly blessed and count myself lucky to have such an amazing body after everything I have put it through :)
I have diabetes......but diabetes doesn't have me!
But do go before you have too many other symptoms
Hope thingscwork out for you! Please keep us posted. ;+)