Diabetes

[Sailorsong]

Ok I was just reading another post that dealt with someone (can't remember off hand whoes post it was or the title right now) maybe having diabetes which got me to thinking (I know that is very dangerous :). Anyway both my sister and father were diabetic. So far I am not at least to my knowledge. But I'm not sure how often this should be checked in me. I can't even remember when the last time I was checked in light of the fact it does run in my family. I think it has been several years though.

Dennis

[Sailorsong]

Thanks for all  of your comments. I do worry about this a lot since it does run in my family and I am over weight (210 lbs 5' 10"). Some weight charts I have seen say I should only be 145 lbs. It also concerns me a lot since the last time I saw my PCP I asked about help to get my weight under control as it keeps going higher (about 10 lbs every 2 years). He has scheduled me to see a nutritionist as with my other health problems he feels I can NOT exercise (COPD, Heart). Personally I don't see what a nutritionist could do for me. My PCP has me writing down everything I eat & drink prior to the appt with a nutitioist. So far in keeping that diary I only consume about 1200 calories each day on average with the low being 1038 and high being 1495.

Dennis

[cydney27]

I have been a diagnosed diabetic for over 16 years. I have been keeping it controled with medication, diet and exercise, plus losing an enormous amount of weight (130 lbs). But I have to tell you that having diabetes kept me from getting a diagnosis for a very long time. My first symptom of MS happened to be peripheral neuropathy ( also very common in uncontrolled diabetics).  Even though I was under control in that particular aspect of my health, my PCP would not let it go and I was unable to get a referral to a neurologist.I finally had to fall down in front of my PCP (balance issues) before she would believe that it might not be the diabetes.

I was very fortunate that I was able to find an excellent Neuro (on the second try) who specializes in MS and works out of a Neurological Clinic, who totally dismissed the diabetes as a cause for the neuropathy, and just last month gave me my diagnosis.

So let's have a big AMEN for being proactive with Drs, because if you don't look after yourself, and stay informed, no one else will!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Cyd

[Heather3418]

I am a diabetic and have MS.  I was diagnosed with diabetes on my 40th birthday.  I was very overweight and did not have a great diet, back then.  I finally went from diabetic pills to insulin injections and stayed that way, until 3 years ago.  I dropped 125 pounds through lifstyle changes and no surgery.  I had my A1C levels checked every three months and had gotten down to 6.1 and removed from all medications.  It was a huge triumph.

Recently I gained 23 pounds over a six month period and my A1C is now back to 8.1.  I have to do some serious cutting back.

I have always thought that diabetes and having something like MS had something in common.  But I have been told otherwise by doctor's.  They say it's a totally separate order at work here.

Even though I am adopted, I did find out from a birth sister that there is diabetes in my family history.  I made it one time in my life with normal blood sugar readings, through diet and exercise and I know I can do it again.  Many people are not so fortunate that they can be controlled by diet.  I have been given the chance to do away with medication again, so I am now hard at work to get there again.  I have enough on my plate with MS, I don't need diabetes also.

Heather

[pennst8r]

It may have been my post re diabetes - I was just diagnosed in October. It is in my family as well. You should have your levels chacked, even if you do not suspect, whenever your PCP is doing any annual bloodwork. In my case, my levels had been checked and were normal in March, but by October, my blood sugar levels were in the 4-500's. So perhaps your doc would go for semiannual checks. It's a simple blood draw so the doc should not make a fuss about it.

I am still not back to work yet, as it took so long to get my levels somewhat under control. Also really be aware of the symptoms. I did not put 2 and 2 together. I was having my "normal" balance issues at the time, so when I was nauseous a while after eating, I assumed it was the balance. I attributed the fatigue to my neurological issue. My vision was so bad I could see only shapes and colors - again I attributed it to my neuro issue. In short, I was stupid. I only went to the ER when my balance was so bad I could not stand - that's the only reason it was found.  I now thank God every day for that darned balance - who knows where I'd be by now had I not been diagnosed with levels that high.

I guess my point is, if its in your family (and it does NOT skip generations, that's a myth), be proactive and be aware.

Hope this helps.

Penn

[tot_teacher]

Hey Guys -

I am diabetic, have been for at lest the last 13 years (if not more since it was probably missed for quite some time)  I didn't fit the profile for a "diabetic" as I was 104 lbs at 5'4".  It was checked only when I insisted because of my STRONG family history.  (Out of 6 siblings, 5 are now diagnosed as of today).  I am in VERY GOOD control of my diabetes, my A1C remains at 6.5 or below. I have it checked every 3-4 months.  

I bring this up because I am wondering after reading these posts, is there any correlation between MS and diabetes?  Any special symptoms I should be looking for or tests that should be taken?  If I am diagnosed with MS in the future, I worry about the esophogeal spasms that Lulu spoke of in another post.  Being diabetic already puts me in a HIGH RISK group for cardio problems which also run in my family. ( Thanks Mom & Dad! )

Is anyone else out there diabetic and MS diagnosed that can give me some info, it would be greatly appreciated.

- Alisa

[Sailorsong]

Today was the first time I ever heard of the A1c test. With my past PCPs they had always done the fasting test, and that is how I knew they were checking for diabetes. Right now I can't remember if I told my newest PCP about the history or not. I also don't know if he could have done the A1c test on me or not. I'll have to add that to my "Doctor notes" (I always keep a file on my computer of stuff I want to discuss with my doctors) so that I can check on it. Thanks!

Dennis

[JulesL5S1]

The family history of diabetes should be on your medical charts.  I too have a family history of diabetes so we watch for that.  The fasting blood test is only one.  And doctors know that people can be "good" for a while before that so the A1c test is used now.  That measures something in your blood that has been there a while.  So even if you are "good" for the week before your test and pass the fasting blood sugar the A1c may still indicate a problem.  And the A1c is the test that is believed.  

Check in with your doctor.  A primary care can manage most cases and if your case is complicated then an endocrinologist will be involved.  Cheers, Jules

[Lulu54]

Dennis,
I was part of that post about the A1C levels - you should have that done annually even if you don't suspect a diabetes related problem.  IF your levels come back suspect, it is recommended that you have the A1C run every three-four months, I believe.  I would highly recommend you ask that it be added to your labwork next time you have blood drawn.

The American Diabetes Association has excellent information on how this test works.

Lulu

[saveone]

Since it runs in your family the next time you see your doc you should arrange to have it tested.  As you said it can be very dangerous.

Happy Holidays

terry