Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

• Housecall
• Alzheimer's caregiving
• Living with cancer

• November 17, 2009 2:10 p.m.

  My mom( early 40's) just found out she has Type 2 Diabetes. I (20) was wondering what I could do to help her. She doesn't seem so interested in helping herself, I usually try to take care of her, But I have looked up a lot of information but I'm still having trouble understanding everything. Any help I can get would so very much appreciated.

  - Kayla

• November 15, 2009 6:37 p.m.

  I am diabetic and have had a vibration sensation in my back which sometimes is more intense and sometimes goes away completely. Have read about several people on the open internet who have this problem that isn't painful but causes worry about what causes it. Has anyone ever heard of this problem with diabetics and what might be the cause?

  - Buddy

• November 13, 2009 6:40 p.m.

  Could my diabetes be causing my right leg to pain and have weakness? This has just developed in the last two weeks. I have had diabetes for about eight years and it is under control by using Lantus once a day, 44 units, and Metformin.

  - Bill

• November 12, 2009 3:24 p.m.

  Denis, try to find a internal medicine or family practice doctor.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• November 12, 2009 3:21 p.m.

  Rod, symptoms of diabetes include:mn thirst, frequent urination, feeling tired, hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and skin infections; like yeast. If you are having most of these symptoms you may want to be seen by your provider earlier than the middle of December.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• November 12, 2009 3:02 p.m.

  To the individuals wondering why the morning fasting blood glucose readings are always higher than the other blood glucose readings taken later in the day. Hormone levels in people peak early morning and can affect morning blood glucose readings. Also, if an individual has fasted for an extended period of time the liver will release sugar to cover the energy needs during this long fasting period. Sometimes having a small snack at bedtime will actually help with the morning reading. (1 carb serving or 15 Grams of carbohydrate). If you try the snack and it does not help your am blood glucose reading, drop the snack. Also, diabetes medication can be added in the evening if the blood glucose is consistently above 140 mg/dl or 7.7 mmol/L and the A1c is out of range. Discuss this with your care provider. Nancy

  - Nancy and Peggy

• November 11, 2009 9:45 a.m.

  I'm 56 years old and had a grandmother who passed away from complication from diabetes. Yesterday I went to the doctor and found out I had a yeast infection in the throat and inner cheek area. Since this was not my regular doctor he threw a curve at me by saying this type of infection occurs to people with diabetes. My question to anyone is this. Is that statement true and have I developed diabetes or am I jumping to conclusions? My next schedule doctors appointment is not until mid December. Should I wait for that or get in earlier?

  - Rod

• November 9, 2009 8:24 a.m.

  I have had diabetes for close to 30 years. I have complications from numerous leg knee surgeries(one left me in chronic pain) and leg vascular surgeries. I also have had a 4 heart bypasses. carotid artery, gal bladder, internal damage from a broken rib brought on by pleurisy left me with muscle scaring throw in some ripped rotator cup tears and you get the picture. A 24 hour bout of kidney & Liver failure put me on insulin shots (no more pills) and this combination has me weighing 275LBS. I need help. I want to live and all my doctors just treat their specialty. Any suggestions?

  - denis

• November 6, 2009 12:39 p.m.

  I am the one who asked for help with high fasting blood sugars. Can you help? ANy info will be greatly apprecated.

  - Pageen

• November 6, 2009 Noon

  Peggy & Nancy, i posted my blog yesterday, do you both have any suggestion/advise for me? Pls help me.

  - mitatx

• November 5, 2009 8:42 p.m.

  I am Diabetic type II, by diet control only. My dr has advised me to take Apple Cider vinegar, Vitamin D, Magnesium Citrate, Fish oil, cinnamon powder & B12 shots(this is only once a week). Have been feeling good but lately I am feeling very tired n sleepy all the time. I am getting a good 7 hrs sleep each night. Please help/advise.

  - mitatx

• November 5, 2009 3:12 p.m.

  I have high fasting blood sugars. Even if I go to bed with normal sugar level I wake up with very high fasting sugars. Can anyone shed light on this and do you know what can I do?

  - Pageen

• November 4, 2009 1:41 p.m.

  I have type 2 diabetes, and on several recent occassions, I woke up in the night with chills and low blood pressure & a migraine. I have seen a doctor at emergency last night as my bp was extremely low

  - JJ

• November 2, 2009 7:55 a.m.

  Nancy and Peggy, Wife is long term diabetic, now on PD with ESRD. Is losing mobility. More recently has been having trouble with frequent bowel movements(and many false alarms). Remains still in control. But am wondering and worried that this may be precursor to bowel incontinence.

  - fred

• October 30, 2009 11:09 a.m.

  Crystal, stress of illness and pain can cause variable fluctuations in the blood glucose levels in diabetic individuals.

  - No name given

• October 29, 2009 8:50 p.m.

  My mother in law is diabetic. For the last four weeks she has had diarrhea and vomiting along with blood in her stools. They have found that she has a large blockage in her large intenstine, and there is only a small gap that is allowing the diarrhea to pass through. The doctors have not been able to offer much assitance other than keeping her hydrated. She will have one good day and two bad days. At times her blood sugar will drop down to 60 and then it will go up to 320? The doctors really aren't sure what the cause is or how to help her. Has anyone ever heard of these symptoms being linked to diabetes? Is there a specific specialist that she should see? Is there anything they can do for her? Four weeks and it is still not any better.

  - Crystal

• October 29, 2009 3:35 p.m.

  Louise, see an endocrinologist, they specialize in treating all types of diabetes.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• October 28, 2009 6:41 a.m.

  I have been tracking my glucose levels on my husband's meter. I am 61 years old. Initially, I was getting readings between 100 and 130 even in the morning before breakfast. I switched my diet to fruits and vegetables, whole grains, less starchy foods. I'm not much of a sweet eater. My levels have gone below 100 - between 82 and 98. I need to lose 20 pounds. If I maintain this diet (which hasn't been too difficult), begin exercising, and lose the weight, will I prevent my self from getting type 2? Please advise.

  - Judy

• October 27, 2009 3:46 p.m.

  I am 52 w/type 2 diabetes. I have struggled with maintaining my glucose level for the last few years. My first attempt with medication gave a severe depressive reaction and I am already on anti depressants. So I worked hard to lower my weight and watch my diet. I worked out 3-4 times weekly until I injured my shoulder and had to have rotator cuff surgery in March. At the end of September I had a very bad case of bronchitis (nurse at the school where I work says it was possibly H1N1). It has been nearly 4 weeks and I am just starting to feel like I have energy again. I currently take Glyburide, Crestor, Pristiq, and Avalide. I am now back at the gym trying to lower my glucose. In the morning it can be as high as 250's and after work it is in the 140's. I am concerned that my current Doctor who I have had for 30 years is not addressing my health issues as a whole. How do I find another doctor who is informed about Type 2?

  - Louise

• October 22, 2009 8:28 a.m.

  Kathy, Jimmy's comments are right on track. Thanks, Jimmy.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• October 19, 2009 8:36 a.m.

  Kathy, You think you have Diabetes? If you are at 217, you definitely have it. Have you seen a dietician? You need to start an exercise program and a diet and lose some weight. That will help your glucose condition more then anything else. Try the 1800 calorie diet. Weight Watcher's is another great program to do.

  - Jimmy

• October 18, 2009 4:36 p.m.

  I think I have diabetes. I had one test and my sugar was 217. Dr put me on metofrim and gave me instructions for a no sugar/no white flour diet. To say I am comfused it putting it mildly. I have read everything on this site. My questions are: How many carbs per day? grams of sugar per day? How many calories per day? I need to lose about 50 pounds. HELP!!!!!

  - KAthy

• October 16, 2009 12:47 p.m.

  Nancy and Peggy, I appreciate your descretion re, wife's situation. But reality is that as caregiver I am in need of what to expect without causing her undue alarm. I know you cant give prognosis for her. But given general situation of insulin diabetic with ESRD is this kind of irreversible degrading to be expected. Fred

  - fred

• October 16, 2009 11:15 a.m.

  Laura, I checked MicroMedix about whether Celebrex raises the blood sugar and there was no indication for this. I know that pain can raise the blood glucose and you are probably having pain with the RA.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• October 16, 2009 11:08 a.m.

  Ruby, how is your blood sugar control? Uncontrolled blood sugars make you prone to infections and infections cause blood sugars to go up. A catch 22. If your blood sugars are out of control, see your health care provider to adjust medication to bring them back into control.

  - Nancy and Peggy