Diabetes

Free

E-Newsletters

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

• Housecall
• Alzheimer's caregiving
• Living with cancer

• October 14, 2009 12:21 a.m.

  having type 2 diabities i have been having this problem, i have boils or something on the inside of my thighs, they have been giving me antibotics but they are not doing any good. these things ooze and are very painful. what should i do? or what is happening

  - Norma

• October 13, 2009 8:23 p.m.

  I've had type I since 2004. I'm 52 yrs. old and hate having diabetes. I count carbs and have a pump. My last a1c was 7.4. I've recently moved to a new town and dread that first visit to a Dr. I don't think most Drs. are excited when they see a 50 + diabetic patient walk thru their doors. Do I need to see an endocrinologist at some point or is a family MD adequate?

  - Beth

• October 13, 2009 5:27 p.m.

  Has there been any research on replacing the patients insulin producing cells using their own stem cells, and giving anti-rejection medications to halt the destruction of those cells?

  - Brandon

• October 13, 2009 1:36 a.m.

  i have type two diabetes with food diet only and i have had four kidney infections in two months what does this mean

  - Ruby

• October 12, 2009 9:14 p.m.

  I spedn less than one hour managing my diabetes a day. Yes I have taken a vacation from my medication, and now I have been diagnosed with Diabetic Nephropathy.

  - Delores

• October 12, 2009 2:44 p.m.

  My 31 year old son was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes at the age of 15. Up until 4 years ago his diabetes was under control and he lived a "semi" normal life. He had a job and was living on his own (and still is -- living on his own). Then, it seemed like everything began to go wrong. He lost an eye to glaucoma, has continuous retinal bleeds in his "only" eye, almost lost one of his fingers due to a severe yeast infection, hospitalized several times for severe dehydration due to DKA with sugars over 800, food does not empty into his intestines like it should causing him to become extremely sick. He is a very brittle diabetic now and it seems like no matter what he eats or how he takes care of himself, he ends up extremely sick and must be taken by ambulance to the hospital. His A1C is usually 14 and nothing brings it down. He also suffers from high blood pressure and rapid heart rate. It is so hard to watch your child go through the things he has been through, but he has been tough through it all. For those who have recently been diagnosed, take your blood sugars on a regular basis and visit your doctor often. Get eye checkups, too. (That is something he did not do and now wishes he had.)

  - Donna

• October 8, 2009 9:53 p.m.

  i have been to a ton of doctors including the endocronologist that I have seen since I was 5 years old. Nobody, including several dermatologists can figure out what my problem is. Do you know anything about yeast?

  - jon

• October 8, 2009 6:54 p.m.

  I am a 73 yr old male and was diagnosed with high blood sugar about 5 years ago. I am currently on Metformin and Januvia, which I take with the noon and evening meals. My blood sugar is high in the morning before breakfast, in the range of 150 +/- 20. The rest of the day it is usually normal. Before the noon meal, it is usually in the 80's or 90's (with no meds. in the morning). Last time the A1C was checked it was 7.2. Why is the blood sugar high in the morning? The doctor cannot give me and answer. What can I do to reduce it? Am I on the right medicine? Thanks for your help.

  - Dave

• October 8, 2009 10:05 a.m.

  Is there a conncection with Celebrex elevating blood sugars? I have had my diabetes under control for a long time..and then was put on celebrex for RA and now I am elevated all the time!

  - Laura

• October 7, 2009 10:38 a.m.

  Laura, Wow, we admire commitment to running. We agree with your doctor, it is a good idea to run your blood glucose a little higher during the activity of running (100-200 mg/dl) or 5.5-11.1 mmol/L and munching on jelly beans, etc. through out the activity is a good idea. I would suspect your higher blood glucoses post run come down within a few hours and that should be OK. Good luck with the full Marathon. I would see if you could find a dietitian that is a runner for advice on the diet. There is a book called the "The Diabetic Athlete" and it is very technical. Check out Amazon books or Barnes and Noble.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• October 7, 2009 9:55 a.m.

  Jon, We have a question? Are your blood sugars under control? There are a number of skin conditions related to poor diabetes control. We suggest that you see an expert diabetes doctor.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• October 4, 2009 8:57 p.m.

  I desperately need your help. I have been to many doctors who cannot help me. My symptoms: diabetic 29 years, 2 years ago started using insulin pump, I get painful skin problems under my arms, crack of butt, groin area and now behind my knees, skin pain is not visibly detected but feels slimey, after taking a shower it feels better for awhile. It is much better when I starve myself. can you help?

  - Jon

• September 29, 2009 4:17 p.m.

  Nancy and Peggy, I am 44 years old and a type 2 diabetic since age 29. I have been a runner for three years and have had excellent blood sugar managment with A1c levels well around 5.0 - 5.5. Recently I have intensified my running because I have been training for a 1/2 marathon and after I run that successfully I would like to train for and run a full marathon. I have two questions: 1) I would like to find a good resource for information on the special nutrition needs of type 2 diabetic long distance runners. Is there a book or other resources you can suggest? 2) During long runs I pay close attention to my hydration and use a few of the gels, jelly beans, and gummy things available to keep my blood sugar levels up. However, since I can't check my glucose while running I sometimes over do it and end up with higher than optimal levels after my run (usually 180 - 250). Is this dangerous? My doc says its better to be too high than too low. What is your opinion? Do you have any special advice about keeping blood sugar levels from dropping too low during a run? Are there any of the gel/bean/gummy/sports drinks-type products that are especially good for diabetics? Thank you!

  - Laura

• September 29, 2009 2:45 p.m.

  Sonja, sorry we are not familiar with the acronym POC?

  - Nancy and Peggy

• September 28, 2009 9:08 p.m.

  I HAVE DIABTES AND POC. WHAT IS THE RELATION BETWEEN THE TWO.

  - SONJA G.

• September 28, 2009 8:59 p.m.

  I HAVE BEEN A DIABETIC FOR 12 YEARS. I AM 32 YEARS OLD. I'V BEEN POORLY CONTROLLED, EXPERIENCING SEVERE HIGHS AND LOWS. I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING A INSULIN PUMP. I WAS VERY NERVOUS AT THE THOUGHT OF GETTING AN INSULIN PUMP, BUT I AM WILLING TO TRY ANYTHING AT THIS POINT TO REGAIN MY LIFE BACK. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ON INSULIN. I TAKE 4 SHOTS PER DAY. I AM TIRED ALL THE TIME. I ALSO RECENTLY STARTED TO HAVE DIFFICULTY SLEEPING AT NIGHT DUE TO BEING SCARED OF LOW BLOOD SUGARS THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED AT 2-3 IN THE MORNING. I DONT FIT WHAT MOST PEOPLE STEREOTYPE AS A DIABETIC. I AM 5'11 155 POUNDS. MOST PEOPLE DONT KNOW I HAVE BEEN LIVING WITH THIS DISEASE UNTIL THEY SEE ME TEST MY BLOOD SUGAR. I FEEL LIKE A PRISONER TO DIABETES SOMETIMES. I HOPE GETTING THIS INSULIN PUMP WILL HELP ME REGAIN SOME OF MY LIFE BACK.

  - SONJA

• September 28, 2009 3:30 p.m.

  I'm a diabetic for close to 20 years post menopause at 38...had gastric bypass and 3yrs later diabetic again, now my levels go low to 70 and hi's in the 300's on metformin. I also have hypothyroidism... I can't stand the way I feel tired all the time...is there a better medicine I should be on?

  - Marlene

• September 25, 2009 8:27 p.m.

  Our son has type 1. He is 9 now and was diagnosed at age 5. He has been doing great, his A1C over the years has averaged 6.6-7. However, this past checkup it was up to 7.3. This year has been tough..I feel like the pricker-police! His numbers have been very erratic, hard-to-explain highs, etc. (Over the summer he tested about 7-9x a day). Maybe it's his age, but it's getting very tough to get him to take on more responsibility for and be accountable to his numbers. He actually gained quite a bit of weight over this past year and it alarmed his endo Dr. We are doing our best to get his activity level up (soccer/basketball) even more and to help him make better food choices. We are also doing away with what used to be an automatic bedtime snack for the kids. I know he is eating out of boredom rather than because he is hungry most times! I welcome any advice.

  - Chris

• September 24, 2009 10:55 a.m.

  Sonja, type "food pyramid" in the search box of this website and you find the information you are asking for. Thanks for your question.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• September 24, 2009 10:47 a.m.

  rad, any long term elevated blood glucoses, as you mentioned, can cause complications of diabetes. Long term uncontrolled diabetes can damage nerves and blood vessels from the top of your head to the tip of your toes. The damage from long term uncontrolled diabetes is individual; some individuals seem to be less prone to complications then others. (This seems to be genetic).

  - Nancy and Peggy

• September 24, 2009 10:37 a.m.

  kathy, young adulthood is a transition period. Teens and young adults seem to have a sense of being "invincible" and don't even consider the future for potential complications from diabetes. Often teens and young adults are lost to follow up. They often are in between seeing the pediatric versus an adult endocrinologist. If you could find a healthcare provider that would be willing to collaborate with your son in his diabetes management and meet him where he is at; it would be an ideal first step. Try not to nag, but be supportive of his positive behavior. As far as the diet soda; it doesn't affect his blood glucose, but isn't the the greatest on his dental work. Personlly, I wouldn't make the diet soda an issue. I would try to get your son into the MD to follow up on the stomach pain, lack of energy, and moodiness. It's not easy to see a family member or loved one, not take care of their diabetes. I feel for you. Nancy

  - Nancy and Peggy

• September 24, 2009 9:41 a.m.

  Dr. Maritza, thank you for sharing this important message on dental care and diabetes.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• September 23, 2009 2:25 p.m.

  what are the effects of running daily blood sugar levels between 180 and 390 for days, weeks, months at a time in a teenager. thanks rad

  - rad

• September 23, 2009 8:33 a.m.

  My son is on an insulin pump but isn't taking care of his diabtes. He drinks at least a six pack of diet soda per day. He isn't taking care of his teeth, never brushes. He gets no exercise and plays on the computer all night long and sleeps all day. He is very moody and now is complaining of abdomen pain which seems to feel better if he eats. He eats large amounts of food all night while playing games on computer. He has had diabetes since four years old and will shortly be 21. What can I do to help him? I took care of appointments, insulin and supplies until he was 18 now I just watch him try to kill himself

  - Kathy

• September 22, 2009 6:32 p.m.

  I have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I am trying to control it by losing weight and eating properly. Can you tell me what should my daily maximum intake of Sugar, Carbs and Fat be?

  - Sonja Winchell