[seebo123]

On one hand, I think I might. But on the other hand, I don't have enough information, and my "symptoms" are not severe.

I'm an 18 year old female, 140lbs, 5'5. I eat relatively well, for the most part. But I have had sugar binges, in which cases, nothing adverse happened to me.

Okay, since about 2-3 years ago, I've been suffering from fatigue. I've been to several doctors for it. I'm not all sure what I was tested for, but I've had several blood tests where three doctors told me they "did the works". I had urine samples taken several times. etc. etc. So, in that case, I'm not sure if they explicitly tested me for diabetes, but I know I was tested for Leukemia, and some various syndromes.

My symptoms are as followed:

-Fatigue (getting better, though)

- What I believe to be numbness, but when I looked through the other posts on here, I'm not sure if it is. It's not complete, immediate numbness. It's the feeling you get before, when you foot starts to feel odd, and you shake it. It only happens when I'm sitting down, or if something is pressing down on my upper leg.

-Random little "pins and needles" in my hands. It is not often, and it is not widespread. It sort of feels like someone pinched me on the fingertip, or the palm of my hand. Happens about once a day.

-Frequent Urination. This cropped up more recently, but it has been getting better. I was rather stressed out last year, so that might be it?

I'm not sure if I'm just being paranoid, or if this IS Diabetes, or if this is related to other problems I have, that the doctor's have not been able to pinpoint yet. There are some people in my family with Type 2 Diabetes, but they are extremely overweight, and are second/third cousins of mine.

(My other problem is some unspecified endocrine problem. Yes, I realize that Diabetes is an endocrine problem as well. But anyways, I have two skin disorders, one that causes yeast to come out onto the skin, and the other that causes overproduction of keratin. I have also been on birth control since I was 12, due to an extremely irregular menstruation cycle. My doctors are still trying to see if there is a possible link there.)

Sorry if it was too much information, I'm just a bit worried, is all.

 

[ett]

It's hard to say without any BG (blood glucose) readings.
I think you should get a glucose monitor/meter and test your blood sugar.
The ReliOn sold at Walmart is probably the least inexpensive.
It currently cost about $9.00 for the meter and another $9.00 for 20 test strips.

--ET

 

[Richard157]

Seebo, if you are concerned about this, you should see a doctor and have some blood tests done. An endocrinologist (diabetes specialist) is more likely to make the correct diagnosis. Your symptoms do sound like the beginning stages of diabetes, but there are also other possibilities, other than diabetes. I hope you see a doctor who knows a lot about diabetes. Good luck to you!

Richard

 

[Shanny]

Hello, seebo . . .

Not knowing can certainly cause worry, so the thing to do is get a meter & find out if you have elevated blood sugar or not, and if you do, get to an endocrinologist and get a diagnosis. If it would help to know the specific tests for diabetes, then ask your doc about the A1c, OGTT, and possibly C-peptide and/or GAD antibodies.

 

[jsntay]

Hey Seebo123!

Here's one trick I have learned about going to the doc. Always ask for copies of any blood work results. Especially if they just tell you they ordered "the works". That way you will always have something to research when they don't explain things to you.

 

[Richard157]

Great idea Jason. I have a pile of those copies in my closet. I can look back to previous years and compare. I like to do that.

 

[breezeonby]

Welcome to Diabetes Forum! As others have already suggested, get a glucose meter and start testing. Keep a written log of the dates and time of the tests. Have you asked your doctor about running blood tests to see if you might have diabetes? Fatigue is rather hard to pinpoint the problem and it can be a great number of things that could be causing it. Let us know how you are doing.

 

[Elysse]

Hey seebo123,

Your symptoms look familiar to my symptoms and i too was tested and tested as a child and even throughout my pregancy without any results ... until, my skin condition worsened. I did a self diagnosis online which was later verified by 2 doctors and a dermatologist. I was diagnosed with having type 2 diabetes in january this year.

I used to have fainting spells at school when i was younger but nothing was ever discovered. I struggled to concentrate at school and was told on numerous occassions to 'focus on the topic'. I've been called lazy and labelled an airhead affectionately by my friends and family but i always hated the fact that i needed an afternoon nap and my friends did not. Things did improve when i went to uni because i started playing netball for my uni and my state and so i started training and eating more healthily. But still i got chronic fatigue almost everyday.

However, my skin darkening happened during this time and i started to get little pimple like spots on my arms, almost like milk spots. Since my diagnosis i have since found out that they are an indicator of untreated diabetes. I will find out the name of these spots when i'm next at home - i cant remember the name off hand. At school we used to sit crossed legged on the floor but after a couple of mins i could no longer do this because of the 'dead-leg' syndrome. Unfortunately i still get this even if i'm sitting down for a short time. I told my doctor about this and he made me lie down and got a stethescope and put it on my ankles - i couldnt help but burst out laughing! He later told me he was checking for a pulse or something LOL! Anyway, it had something to do with the circulation at the feet. I was put on the fasting glucose test twice and still my diabetes was not discovered - maybe ask for the 1 hour glucose test which is more accurate.


Anyway, you've done the right thing and followed your instincts. It's frustrating being told time and time again that there is nothing wrong with you when you know quite well that there is. Also, you've come to the best place to get the info, advice and support you need. They are great here - i've learnt so much in such a short space of time from everyone on the forum. If it were not for this forum I would not have changed my ways!

All the best Seebo and keep us updated. I hope everything is sorted out soon