EEEKK!! I think my mom has Diabetes!!

[theta sig agd]

Hey! I need some info...

My mom went to the Dr and he told her that she makes too much insilin. Well that scared me because I know Type 2 Diabetes is where you dont produce insulin properly.....so does this mean she has diabetes?????

I am really scared about this!!! HELP!!!

[greeklawgirl]

Wendi,

Generally, diabetes occurs when the pancreas is not producing enough insulin, or the insulin is 'defective,' which causes your blood glucose levels to shoot up.

I'm no doctor, but if your mom is producing *too* much insulin, she probably is dealing with something called hypoglycemia. That's fancy medical speak for chronic low-blood sugar. When your mom overproduces insulin, it may cause her glucose levels to crash, causing sweats, shakiness. Sometimes if things get really serious, it can cause fainting, incoherence, or unconsciousness. Usually a low-blood sugar episode can easily be avoided by drinking some juice or carrying glucose tablets with you.

There are tons of websites out there that can give you an idea about your mom's diagnosis. If you have any other questions about diabetes, or insulin, drop me a line.

Don't worry! Your mom will be just fine.

LIEP,
Maria

[theta sig agd]

thanks for your reply greeklawgirl

I actually am in the medical field. I know its not hypoglycemia because her blood sugars are fine. Its her insulin levels that are out of waak!!!

I have worked with diabetes patients before but am still scared to death. I have seen what can happen, I am no doctor either but I dont see why the doctor isnt making a bigger deal about this. His attitude is more like....well we'll see....lose weight and maybe that will help...I was like WHAT!!!! I want to have her go see another doctor for a second opinion but I also dont want to scare her??!!???

Am I overreacting? I have heard that when you know a little you over diagnose alot???

[greeklawgirl]

Wendy, I definitely think your mom should get a second opinion! It never hurts to have a fresh pair of eyes looking at things.

I've never heard of someone who's insulin levels are nutty and not have a blood glucose problem! When you find out what exactly is going on, please PM me. I would be very interested to know what the problem is.

[AGDLynn]

Wendy, a few years back, my hubby was diagnosed with Type II diabetes because of his weight. He took a small amount of meds for a while, and lost 40lbs due to exercise and diet.

At his last check up, a different doctor said that if Tom hadn't told him that, he wouldn't have known. He continues to watch what he eats and exercises.

If you want, I can have him email you...

LIEP,
Lynn

[ilovemyglo]

My mother was just diagnosed with Type II diabetes a month ago. She is 5'0" tall and weighed 170 lbs at the time. She really didn't look fat, but she looked big. They knew something was wrong but they sent her to an endocrinologist, because no one thought to test her for diabetes. Since she learned of it, she has lost 20 lbs and is getting healthy for the first time in her life. She watches what she eats and soon she may get to go off her pill.

Hypoglycemia has to do with blood sugar levels, whereas diabetes has to do with how your body produces and handles insulin, which directly affects your blood sugar levels. Look at it this way: insulin helps your body to take in sugars in the right way. What happens with type II is your insulin is irregular and your body can't take in sugars the right way so it stores them as fat, this is why Type II patients are typically overweight.

I know how scary it is, because when my mom called me I cried my eyes out and I still get really emotional. I love my mother, she is like my best friend and I don't want anything happening to her.
I also know that God would not send her anything she could not handle, and perhaps this is the only way he could show her she had to get healthy. She is working out now, and eating right, so I know she is going to be okay. We are all encouraging her and helping her in anyway we can.

[AGD4me]

I'm so sorry you're going through this - I can only imagine how scary it would be! I would recommend checking out the ADA and JDRF websites for more info on diabetes.... www.diabetes.org or www.jdrf.org.

Also, the IHQ website does have some minor information, too:

What is Diabetes?
The food we eat acts as energy fuel for our system. Once digested, the food is turned into sugars or glucose. The pancreas makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies to produce energy. When you have diabetes, your body either does not make enough insulin or can not use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes sugars to build up in your blood. Symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst; unexplained weight loss, extreme hunger, sudden vision changes, tingling or numbness in hands or feet, feeling very tired much of the time, very dry skin, sores that are slow to heal and more infections than usual.

Controlling Diabetes
While some will need the use of insulin or oral agents (prescribed by a physician), many will be able to utilize healthy habits to control their diabetes.

Weight Control—Attain and maintain the body weight recommended by your physician or Registered Dietitian.
Nutrition—Eat a well-balanced diet, limiting saturated and animal sources of fat as much as possible.
Exercise—A regular program should be done at least three to four times a week
Smoking—Smoking is a significant risk factor. Quitting can improve your overall health.

Good luck - and let us know what happens with your mom!