My Doctor Has Me Scared!

[kerrisan]

So went I went in for a normal yearly gyno visit 2 days ago and he randomly asked me if I feel nauseous before, after, or while I eat. This is the 2nd time I've seen him and he's never asked me that. Odd. I told him that yes, if I wait too long to eat and my blood sugars gets too low then I will feel sick until I raise it (who won't?!). So now he wants to test me for Diabetes.

I don't have any other symptoms, I'm not abnormally thirsty or tired and have only had one UTI in my entire life (I'm 22). I am overweight, but only by about 25 pounds and I'm still exercising and losing weight. Diabetes does not run in my family. And like I said, who doesn't feel sick if their blood sugar gets too low?

But still, I'm nervous. Is a Diabetes screening a normal part of a physical? Has anybody else gone through this before?

I need to schedule an appointment with him soon, or see if it would be cheaper to do it at the campus clinic. I guess until I get my results I'm going to be a nervous wreck!

[dawntazz]

If your feeling ill like that than yes a diabetic screening is normal to have done. However if you feel sick like that you should also suggest a test for the lining of your stomache could just be and infection of you stomache lining. Dont want to go details here but you can pm me if you want to know what i'm talking about.

[Mighty Girl]

Chill.

Some doctors are just super cautious. Maybe he was sued by someone when he didn't detect their diabetes as soon as he should have. You're well within your rights to get a second, or even third opinion.

When I was pregnant, I had a slightly high number for my blood sugar. So I had to do the fasting gestational diabetes test- which everyone psyched me out about. They all said the stuff they make you drink is so gross you'll probably puke right then, etc. If you puke, they'll make you go home and do it over again.... on and on.... So, I fasted and showed up- turns out the stuff I drank tasted just like Orange Crush or Sunkist pop, and they even chilled it for me ahead of time. Not bad at all, in fact because I had fasted and was quite hungry, it tasted pretty good. The lesson? Don't let yourself get psyched out. You're a consenting adult and no one can do anything to you in the medical realm without your permission. If you do have diabetes, it's good to know, if not, then you will know that for sure.

[NightAngel]

Once every couple of years my doctor decides to panic and have me tested for Diabetes. So far- I'm okay. :D

Are you taking that test where you drink the stuff that, "tastes exactly like soda,"
then go back every hour for a blood extraction?

This SOUNDS worse than what it is:

First off- no matter what they say it does not taste "just like soda". It's not bad for a medical drink but it's thick and grossly sweet. Choose the orange flavor if they have it- it seems to be the least icky.

Second- when they say have someone drive you unless you're staying at the office- do it. Your going to be on such a sugar high you're going to be dizzy and maybe feel nauseaus. You'll think you're fine for a while but then it'll hit your system and you won't feel top of the world.

Truth be known- NOT feeling top of the world is GOOD for this test because it means your body is trying to fight the sugar overdose. They probably won't tell you that to start with.

[Seanette]

My own thought if I were in this situation would be to acquire an inexpensive blood glucose meter (WalMart's Relion seems to be a good candidate, and I would be greatly surprised if other major pharmacy chains did not have a comparable store brand) and test strips, then check on waking up (the fasting number was what my husband's doctor considered significant, combined with DH's own records of tests done over approximately a week before that appointment). If you're at or under 125 when you first wake up (after at least six hours of no sugar intake, IIRC), you should be OK.

Please note, I am NOT a medical professional, simply a civilian with diabetic family members who has read a LOT on the subject (I'm one of those people who copes better with a problem with more info).

[digilight]

Basically you will just be having a blood test. This test will be able to check for a certain level to tell how your body has been metabolising sugar over about the last 30-90 days or so. It will also run a simple glucose test as well (tell you what your blood sugar is at that moment).

The warning signs are usually frequent thirst, always having to pee (worse then a pregnant woman) and for me I get really moody (my sister in law does to) when our blood sugar gets too high.

If you know anyone who's diabetic and who has a test monitor ask them if they will test your blood sugar for you. Normal is going to be 90-110, 111-120 is borderline, 121 is considered diabetic. You are going to want to check yourself at least 2 hours after eating. My blood sugar is actually higher in the morning then in the evening usually.

By the way, if you are found to be diabetic, its not as bad as you are thinking it is. You just have to modify diet a bit (I just switched to diet soda and stay off the regular).

Most likely though, your doctor just got back from a seminar on diabetes, or read something about it which is causing him to be over protective.

If you are diabetic then you will almost definantly be type 2 (high blood sugar, watch diet, take medication like glucophage and glucotrol, your body just has a harder time metobolizing sugar and glucose, insuline is only used to lower blood sugar when it gets dangerously high, otherwise known as adult onset diabetis), versus type 1 (blood sugar can drop to low if you don't maintain it, have to eat often, need to take insuline, this type is usually diagnosed at a young age, usually as a child)

If you have any specific questions feel free to ask I'm more then happy to answer any question that I'm able too (both my father has it, my mom was diagnosed with it about a year ago, I have it, and SIL has it), I'm sure that I'm not the only one with it on here.

[Cia]

When my blood sugar is low I get naseous and shaky, it sucks. But it only happens, usually, in the mornings so I have a glass of juice and I'm good to go.

The union has an annual blood check every year - they do a complete metabolic panel. Which tells me that my Glucose, serum is 98 out of a 65 - 99 range, HDL cholesterol is 67 out of a 40 - 59 range and my Iron saturation is 10 out of a 15 - 55 range. All of which tells me squat. I might go to the Doc after I get the dog, cat and kid their immunizations.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

You can probably stablize your sugar levels with a lower carbohydrate diet.

I had pretty serious chronic hypoglycemia, and a family history of diabetes. Not on a good path here. Changed the diet, fixed the problem. Feel 20 years younger. Lost weight, stablized blood sugar, have wonderful energy levels that do not fluxuate. Had I not done that I have no doubt I would probably be diabetic now.

I strongly advise you to look into it.

If you are having low sugar problems and your doctor tells you, as mine did, that you need to eat MORE sugar, RUN, do not walk, to another doctor.

[Rahmota]

having a diabetic wife who has to take insulin I would say not to worry about the test but to go with it anyhow. The problems with diabetes are much worse than the test ever is. And it would be better to make sure sooner rather than later.

After my wife was diagnosed with it I went through the test. As for the drink think orange koolaid with about half a bag of sugar in it and about the consistency of warm maple syrup and thats what they gave me. Fortuantely I was and still am ok as I have had my wife check my blood evry so often just to make sure.

[NightAngel]

As for the drink think orange koolaid with about half a bag of sugar in it and about the consistency of warm maple syrup and thats what they gave me.

Yep, that's the stuff I was talking about. It comes in several flavors like cola, lemon-lime, orange and I think one other- maybe grape or something.

[Rahmota]

Yep. The flavors they offered me where grape, lemon lime or Orange. Whichever one you choose though they are all going to be so icky sweet as to be gagworthy.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Yeah, I almost lost an orange one out the car window on the way to have the test run. I drank it a couple blocks from the doctor's office. And damn near lost it in the parking garage.

I am a low carber. I am not used to drinking ANY sugar, much less that noxious glop. I shotgunned that crap and my stomach went "whoa, WTF is this???"

I mean to tell you, I think the glucose test was the worse part about being pregnant. Of course, I was diagnosed with gestational diabeties..however, after being set up with a monitor and all that, I discovered my sugar was only high while I was taking a glucose test. :rolleyes: My diet perfectly controlled it the rest of the time, no problem. I'd go in for the test, they'd go "You're sugar's high." and I would be like "No shit, it's high. You just made me shotgun 100 cc's of pure glucose on an empty stomach. What did you expect? I wouldn't consume this much sugar in a week, normally."

Gaaaah.....:puke:

The clear one is a LITTLE better...but that's damning with faint praise.

[Mighty Girl]

I was just reminded of something-

I used to work with this girl who ate several small meals during the day to keep her blood sugar stable. She wasn't diabetic, but rather hypoglycemic. If she went too long without food, she wasn't able to focus really well.

Again, relax. Everybody makes medical testing out to be so horrible, then you get all amped up, and find out it really wasn't that bad.

I have a family history that makes insurance companies shiver. Diabetes, heart attack, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, breast cancer, alzheimers/dementia, skin cancer, thyroid issues.... Sure, I get anxious sometimes, but that's normal.

[kerrisan]

Well after waiting about 2 weeks for my results, I called the doctor back and requested them. Grr. Oh well. Verdict?

Everything is in normal range! Cholesterol and blood glucose!

:-D I'm healthy!

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers!

[Sphinx]

Yay!!!!!!!!Glad everything is ok!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D ~hugs~

[Mighty Girl]

Your symptoms sound more like hypoglycemia to me, instead of diabetes, but then I didn't go to medical school.

Something to consider- some dr's are just overzealous. I'll give you a personal example:

My daughter used a binky for a while longer than some kids. Granted, she only used it at night and during nap times after she turned 2 1/2. (She's completely off it now, btw- and don't flame me for binky use, I'm not interested, each child has their own needs). Anyway, she had a rash that would come and go and would vary in severity right around her mouth/nose/chin area. The pediatrician office we go to has 5 doctors and a nurse practitioner. We like all of them except one. He scares my daugher and just annoys me. I took her in for her rash to have it looked at and he said it was eczema, prescribed a lotion (which btw made it ten times WORSE) and said to be on the lookout for symptoms of asthma since kids who have eczema are more likely to develop asthma. I just about fell out of my chair. I then proceeded to run home and read a million articles about the link between eczema and asthma, symptoms, etc.

With my mom's urging, we made another appt. with another dr. in the office who said to change dishwasher detergent and her rash would likely clear up (from putting the binky in the dishwasher) and in the meantime prescribed an ointment which worked wonders. Sure as shit, changing the detergent took care of it. Plus, I replaced it every month just to be safe. (edited to clarify- replaced the binky, not the dishwasher)

The lesson here is- an MD degree does not mean they know what they're talking about. If you have doubts about the doctor or feel uncomfortable about ANYTHING, go get another doctor. I went through 5 OB/GYNs before I found one I liked, it's just hard. Plus, I never EVER go to a male OB- would you go to a mechanic who doesn't own a car? Would you trust a lifeguard who can't swim? Symptoms for men are different than symptoms for women for the same illness, and if this doctor is old-school, he's probably stuck in some time warp and not giving state-of-the-art care. My friend had her first baby delivered by this crass chauvinist pig who wouldn't even give her a valid reason why she needed an emergency c-section. He mocked her original choice for natural childbirth, and waved off her questions with a patronizing "I'm the doctor, you let me worry about that". :mad:

Sorry to let this get so long, just please realize that this doctor is not the all-knowing God of the universe. And, no matter what, if he doesn't encourage you to ask questions, DITCH HIS SORRY ASS.

Good luck :)

[Rahmota]

And people wonder why they call medicine a practice.

Congratulations and glad you're ok.

[Mighty Girl]

If you are having low sugar problems and your doctor tells you, as mine did, that you need to eat MORE sugar, RUN, do not walk, to another doctor.

:eek:
You've got to be shitting me.