Are these symptoms of Diabetes

[kelleybelly]

Hi My father had aortic dissection about 8 months ago and had open heart surgery, three months later he had a aortic valve replacement. After his second surgery he has had sharp stabbing pains all over his body and headaches. He says it feels like pitchforks stabbing hime. He has an appointment with a neurologost next week, but I have been reading and I was wondering if this can be diabetes or if not do you have any idea? I am really worried about my dad. Thank You for your time,
Kelley

[JDRF-Team-LRS]

Kelley,
I certainly understand your concern for your dad and I hope that you & he can get to the root cause of his pain and then relief it.

I am not a physician, but from what I've read the symptoms you describe don't fit the usual markers for diabetes (type 1 or type 2).  

Since newly diagnosed diabetic adults are more likely to be Type 2 than Type 1, here is info on usual symptoms.  I've taken some of this info from the www.JDRF.org website (which has lots of good information, if you should need it) and some from the Amercian Diabetes Association website.

From JDRF:
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic, debilitating disease affecting every organ system. There are two major types of diabetes: juvenile diabetes (an autoimmune disease also known as type 1 diabetes) and type 2 diabetes (a metabolic disorder also known as adult onset diabetes).  {LRS comment:  adults typically develop Type 2, if they get diabetes, tho' some do develop type 1}

People with type 2 produce insulin but their bodies are unable to use it effectively. Type 2 is usually diagnosed in adulthood and does not always require insulin injections. However, increased obesity has led to a recent “epidemic” in cases of type 2 diabetes in young adults and children under 10 years of age.  Taking insulin does not cure any type of diabetes nor prevent the possibility of its eventual and devastating effects: kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, amputation, heart attack, and stroke.

From ADA:
Some of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes are the same as those for type 1 diabetes: frequent urination, excessive thirst and hunger, dramatic weight loss, irritability, weakness and fatigue, and nausea and vomiting. Some other symptoms of type 2 diabetes may include: recurring or hard-to-heal skin, gum, or bladder infections, blurred vision, tingling or numbness in hands or feet, and itchy skin. Unlike type 1 diabetes, symptoms for type 2 diabetes usually occur gradually over months or even years, and some people with type 2 diabetes have symptoms that are so mild they go unnoticed.

I hope this helps you some, please encourage your dad to report fully all his symptoms, so that his doctor(s) can have the best chance of a correct diagnosis & treatment.  Will you check back & let us know how he fares?