Monday, January 21, 2013

Goin' Fishing

Well no, not really.

As you guys know (because that's about all I've been blogging about), I've been bitching and moaning about some lower back and leg problems for the last 10 months or so. Some of it (joint pain and fatigue) was probably caused by fibro, and some of it (aching legs and neuropathy from the waist down) was probably caused by the deefed out disc in my lower back.

 
This has been getting progressively worse---and I actually fell down a couple of times. Seems my legs didn't want to obey the signals from my brain and did their own thing instead. The nerve blocker I was taking wasn't really helping, and Advil just wasn't cutting it any more.  I was exhausted and overwhelmed all the time.

 
So I went back to the family doc a couple of weeks ago, and he said, "when's the last time we did a blood sugar on you?"


It had been about a year. So we did some tests. Oy.

 
I guess maybe I should have known something was up when I was able to lose weight quite easily in the last year. I figured I wasn't that hungry in the past few months because of the pain.

 
Well. About that.

 
The next day I was nearly hospitalized when the tests came back. My blood sugar was 450.

 
I've got diabetes.

 
I've been practically asymptomatic. Fruity-smelling urine? No. Blurry vision? No. Pee a lot? Well yes, but I take diuretics for my heart condition, so of course I pee a lot. Fatigue? Yes, but that could have been explained by the fibro. Neuropathy? Yes, but that could have been explained by my injured disc.


For the past 10 days we've been trying to get it under control. I've been taking oral meds and avoiding sugar and starches like the plague. Lost another 10 pounds that I really didn't need to lose---which is ironic. I've spent my adult life trying to keep weight off and suddenly I'm trying to keep it on before I become a stick figure with boobs.


One good thing that has come of this is that the neuropathy is completely gone, at least for now. It doesn't seem to have done any permanent damage, and the relief from the muscle pain and weakness is wonderful.  I'm not tired any more and can sleep without all those jabs and electrical shocks along my nerve paths.


I guess the moral to the story is that as we age, it's important to get regular check-ups and blood work done.

 
My blood sugar still isn't under control, so I'm going to take off a few weeks to learn how to manage it. If it doesn't improve any more, I'm going to have to switch to insulin, and I really, really don't want to have to do that.


I didn't want you to think I was disappearing on you. I'll catch up with you all soon.

 
xoxox


ATM

14 comments:

Heather said...

I've been thinking about you and wondering what was up. Wishing you luck and am glad you are feeling better already.

Jeanie said...

Yikes! I'm glad you found out what was going on. I hope you can get things under control and be able to avoid insulin. Just keep taking good care of yourself.

Jennifer Leeland said...

Good God, woman!!! Take care of yourself!!! I'm so glad you caught this. Hopefully, you'll feel better soon.

Anonymous said...

Good gravy, woman! I'm so glad you have a smart doctor who looked a little deeper into your health and discovered this!

Joanna Jenkins said...

Man-oh-man, Attila. I am so sorry to hear this but glad you were able to figure out the root of the problem. I'm sending prayers your way for an easy and fast resolve that avoids insulin.

My dad had diabetes and he was one of those people who were able to control it once it was all sorted out. I hope the same for you.

The weight loss is a kick in the pants. If only it was ALWAYS this easy to keep the pounds off. Sheesh.

Hang in there my friend. You're kinda like the Bionic Woman so I'm confident you'll push through this too. In the meantime, I'm cheering you on.

xoxoxoxo jj

Webster said...

Oh, my, Attila. This is not the best news. I hope things get sorted out soon for you, and that you get to avoid the insulin. My brother has Type II diabetes, but is insulin dependent. He is not very food at watching his food intake, and therefore has not lost any weight. Alas.

You take care, and do what you need to to get better.

PS. I hpe you got my Email of thanks. I'm pretty sure it went through, but it didn't copy to my sent folder. It was a THANKS for the ornaments you sent to me.

Cheryl said...

I am really sorry to hear this, but it sounds like you are in good hands. It can be a bit overwhelming at first, but once you get use to it, managing it is really not that difficult. The important thing is that you take good care of yourself and feel better. Sending you lots of healing thoughts!!!xxxxx

Rootietoot said...

Best, best wishes! I will keep thinking about you and sending good wishes your way.

Joe said...

I'm glad you've got an answer. Take care of yourself.

Valerie Marie said...

Dear ATM! I will make an appointment on monday to get a blood sugar test... Please, take care of you or I will have to send you more of those footnails pictures! :-)) Good wishes and prayers on the way to you!

Chris H said...

Awww that just sucks.
I hope you can get your blood sugar under control with pills.
I have type 2 diabetes, and I have to admit I still have not been able to remember to take the damn pills!

{{{HUGS}}} and hope to see you blogging again soon.

Kimbra Kasch said...

:( so sorry - my hubby has diabetes

Warner said...

thinking of you.

Brenda said...

My goodness young lady!! Please take care of yourself. ((hugs))