As you may have noticed, I have not been writing much here in the past few months. I have wanted to but I have been so tired I can barely keep my eyes open. Even though I was sleeping ten hours are night, and then taking a three hour nap during the day, every time I sat down with my lap top to write something, I fell right asleep. This has been going on since December or January. It got to where I was feeling not just tired, but completely exhausted, even though I was sleeping more than 15 hours a day. I finally went to my doctor with a long list of complaints: exhaustion, dry skin, dry mouth, hair falling out (again), itching (again), dry eyes. I have also lost 48 pounds without trying to lose weight. There was more but those were the worst.
My doctor decided to do a comprehensive blood workup. She said it seemed that I was not getting nutrients from the food I was eating, and that was not a good thing. I was not being nourished by my food, so I was showing signs of malnutrition even though I was eating a balanced diet every day.
The results of the blood tests showed that my HbA1c was 15.1! I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 2000, and ever since I got my blood sugar under control back then, I have kept my HbA1c at less than 6, which is what is recommended for diabetics to have good control. My fasting blood sugar was 378! I don’t know what happened because I have not done anything different that I have been doing. How could this be happening?
My doctor increased my metformin to take double what I have been taking for the last 13.5 years, and started me on insulin. My body has stopped making insulin, which is a hormone that helps take the sugar from your bloodstream and move it into your cells, providing them with the energy they need to function. So, since I was not getting any insulin to my blood, all the sugar from the foods that I had been eating was racing around in my veins, and my cells were dying from hunger. That explains the exhaustion.
I am not happy that I have to take insulin now, but at least that option is there for me. The type of insulin she prescribed for me is in a “pen“. Each pen holds 300 ml. Since my doctor started me out on 10 ml of insulin at bedtime, one 30 ml pen will last for a month. That’s good, because that stuff if expensive! She did give me a coupon good for the first month’s prescription for free, and is helping me fill out an application for patient assistance with the manufacturer of the insulin. Approval for their program means they would supply me with insulin for free, which is a huge relief for me.
For now, I have to use a blood glucose meter and record my fasting blood sugar for a month, then go back to the doctor with my numbers. She’ll look at them and decide whether I need to increase, decrease, or stay the same on the amount of insulin to take. So far, the number is smaller each day, but still over 200. Let’s hope we get down to 98 by the end of the month.
Glad you got answers to the exhaustion problems and hope the insulin does the trick. Missed seeing you here.
Oh wow. This sounds really intense. Have you ever given thought to trying some natural remedies in addition to medical treatment? I’m learning about essential oils, and I don’t have any experience with using essential oils to help out with diabetes, but I’d be more than happy to research what other people might be using for it. Shots sound like such a pain (no pun intended)!
Wow. This explains my mother in law to a T!!! I am sharing this on Facebook and tagging her, because she must read this. I am very glad that you figured this out! Being tired all the time is no way to live!!
Oh my goodness! I am so glad they figured it out!
I hope this works out for you. I will definitely pass this along to my sister-in-law. Thank you for sharing.
I’m happy to hear you’re getting things back under control. I hope you are feeling more energized and all around better thanks to the new medication.
I am glad you got answers. Sorry they aren’t the answers you wanted but I hope you are on the path to feeling better!
Oh my goodness! I hope you are starting to feel better?
Glad they figured out what the problem was and had a simple solution. Although you aren’t happy to be taking insulin, at least it will keep you healthy as you try to figure out ways to get back to the point of not needing it any more.
I’m glad to hear that you’re feeling better now and making improvements. That had to be scary for you though.
Hope you are on the mend and able to be back to your routines. All the best.
It is good they figured it out. My nephew has type 2 diabetes and it can be dangerous.
I am so glad you are feeling better, but am sorry to hear it is something that requires ongoing treatment. At least it is a lower dose for now that won’t require you to constantly fill a prescription.
Glad to hear you are on the road to recovery. So glad they were able to help you and figure out what you needed.
I wishing you the best! Diabetes runs rampantly on both sides of my family (both of my parents have it).
It is a challenge managing diabetes, but the good news it is manageable. With diet, exercise, follow with the doctor Diabetics do well. Thanks for this blog shared
Oh my goodness! How scary. I’m glad you are finding something that is making you feel better! Hopefully it will only get better from here!
I am glad to hear that you found out what was causing you to feel bad. But at the same time I am sorry to hear about Diabetes.
Oh wow, I’m so glad they’ve got it figured out and you’re on the road to recovery. Sending well wishes your way!
Wow, well I’m glad you know the problem and I hope your fatigue is getting better along with all of the other symptoms as well.