Question
Diabetes? and who can do this test? Any Info would be appreciated...
Thanks!
Smuckers
Answer
It is a simple blood test, they test your blood sugar leavel, reletivly painless any doctor can do this, some warning signs are constant thirst and urination, bluring vision. Good luck
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the realistic approach to a true glucose level reading is.....done by a Dr.,and will entail a fasting blood sugar test..I have them once a year, and I dodn't eat for 12hours, then have my blood drawn and tested in the am, noon and at 5 pm. that way they get a rounded reading of what my "at rest" glucose levels are,what they are after I eat,and what they are after a days exursion. I do not have to take mediciation for my problem,which is hypo-hyper glycemic disorder. I balance my blood glucose by diet,but my Dr. advises that I will most likely be diabetic,dependent on medication in the future. I was medication dependent during my pregnancy, but returned to my present regime,after delivering my son. I suggest you get an opinion from a medical professional,since diabetic conditions cause other life threatening disorders long before you decide to be tested for any type of glucose disorder.
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Just go to your doctor and get the required test, and if someone in your family has diabeties do it atleast once a year!! Ive been a diabetic for some time now.
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Answer
others taking part in this forum with answers and sharing their experiences. Thanks.
Medicinwoman, you were lucky that you got a warning sign, so to speak, during your pregnancy. And I am extremely glad that you and your physician stay on top of this. So many advances are being made in the area of diabetes medications and diet.
You are right on target with the symptoms too.
Fatboy is right. IT IS EASY TO TEST FOR!
You can start with something a simple as a dip test on your urine. Paying special attention to ketone and glusoce readings.
If you are having suspicious symptoms and/or the dip test is abnormal, a simple fasting blood sugar can be done. This is usually first thing in the morning with nothing to eat 12 hours prior to the test.
If this is abnormal, further testing is warranted.
If you have a family history of diabetes, have it checked yearly.
If you are experiencing excessive thirst and frequent urination, get it checked immediately.
Many people rationalize for a long time that they 'go' a lot because they drink a lot. If you find yourself constantly doing one or the other AND you have a family history this is a serious signal of trouble.
Smuckers, Please don't hesitate to ask further questions.
Keeping you safe, healthy and on the road.
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For your replies.
What is considered "going alot"... I "go" about every 3 hours or so.. is that considered alot? Before I started driving I used to go once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once at night, but then after about 4 years on the road I was going about twice as much as before. My thoughts are that since I'm being bounced around so much thats probally contributing to it. Nobody in the family has diabetes, but I will go have this test done. When we get our physicals, we have to give a urine sample then, its not for a drug test, but they do a test, its even listed on the physcial paper... it test our sugar level and other things.. would diabetes be detected in that test?
Thanks again,
Smuckers
Answer
The better, if they catch it soon enough they may be able to control it with oral medication. If you become insulin dependant you will lose your CDL, or at least be resricted, depends on if your state will let you drive intrastate or not. At any rate get it checked out soon!!
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For inquiring about diabetes. I've had diabetes (adult onset or Type II) for 25 years. I was about 33 when I was diagnosed. For years I took pills, lost weight, gained it back, on and off the wagon with my eating. Finally in 1990 had a heart attack and had to have coronary bypass surgery. The heart attack was directly linked to the diabetes (poor control). That got my attention. Lost weight. Did everything by the book. But in 1996 finally had to go on insulin to control it.
Smuckers, I'm not trying to scare you. I am just trying to encourage you to see a doctor if you have any suspicion about diabetes. As for the frequency of urination, it can be masked as a symptom if you drink a lot of coffee. The "frequency" varies from person to person, but it seems like I read somewhere that it's defined as having to go like every 15-30 minutes. Another symptom is fatigue, especially if you've noticed an increase in the last few months.
Don't put off getting the test. As the others have said, the test is easy. Even if you're on the road, try to find a doctor immediately and get the test done. If it's caught early, in most cases you can manage it by diet alone. If that doesn't work you go on pills. Many people think that pills are oral insulin. They aren't. When you have adult onset diabetes, it's usually caused by one of two things: the receptors in your body's cells aren't functioning properly to let in the insulin your pancreas produces or your pancreas isn't producing enough insulin in the first place. The pills allow your cell receptors to function better so your body can use its own insulin more efficiently. I could go on all day about this. Get checked out, and if you have any questions at all, just e-mail me. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. That goes for anyone with questions about diabetes.
[This message was edited by Cox on March 06, 2001 at 11:37.]
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That test with your physical exam is the urine dip test that I was referrring too in my previous post. This is a very generic test, and can be one of the first indicators if positive. However, you are only getting that every 2 years. Diabetes can wreak havoc on the body if allowed to run uncontrolled for 2 years.
Every 3 hours to urinate sounds like a good bit to me. But you don't mention age or anything else.
Something has made you consider getting this test done. What? Are you experiencing other problems?
Hope you get checked out very soon.
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If nothing else then stop by a hospital or contact the American Diabetes Association and they will give or send you information on diabetes. This includes stuff on the warning signs, cause and effects and diet.
DO NOT screw around with this as it can effect not only your eyes but the heart. kidneys, bones and just about everything you can think of.
I was
Been there, Done that and took the time to learn from it. There are still many battles to fight and conquests to claim. Have to go as times a wastin. OFFO
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I don't know what happened but I would like to continue my thought.
I thought I was invincible and ignored the warning signs. Well I wasn't!!!
I wound up in the icu for 11 days with a blood sugar level of 660, amylase of 4800 and biolase of close to 6000. This is a close to death as I want to be cause I still want to shoot in the 70"s. Thanks to some really GREAT medical folks I am here to tell about it. Had a heart attack last November and they put 4 stents in, once again diabetes related. This is something that effects virtually every organ in your body if left unchecked do it is nothing to play with.
DO NOT IGNORE any of the signs of this or any other thing that your body tells you. It is far too easy to see aa health professional and save yourself alot of grief. I was not implying that by getting the information on diabetes that it precludes seeing a doctor and getting tested but only that by being informed that if you don't have it you will know what to look for.
I am not a born again health person nor do I claim to be able to diagnose anyone. But I can say with surity that the basic lifestyle that we live on the road is condusive to several diseases. The best things that we can do to preserve our health is watch what we eat, watch our weight which is a contributing factor in diabetes, and most of all get out of the truck, tv room or game room and WALK> Even if it is a leisurely walk around the truckstop a couple of times it helps. It doesn't have to be a run or even a jog as just a walk will keep your circulatory system working and burn off some calories and keep your sugars lower.
It is better to be alive and not driving a truck then dead and driving dirt. And with the proper care you can still drive but DON'T LIE TO YOURSELF just to continue driving a truck.
Been there, Done that and took the time to learn from it. There are still many battles to fight and conquests to claim. Have to go as times a wastin. OFFO
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I am tested once a year with the glucose tolerance test. Nothing after midnight, then a bottle of pure hell they call "easy".
After the sugar intake, they blood test at 30 minutes, 1 hour, two hours and three hours to see how your system handles the MEGA dose of sugar.
I have been diagnoised as borderline diabetic .. since my readings do not come down fast enough.
Monty
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and my reading was 157. Dr. put me on a pill called Glucovance 500 mg. 1 tablet every morning. I also got a monitor and I have already changed my eating habits. NO SUGAR!! The sugar free pudding is DELICIOUS!! The Dr. took 2 vials of blood to send to the lab and he should have them back later on this week and I have another appt. set for a week from Monday.
Smuckers
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So glad you followed up and are being treated early on, this makes your prognosis soooo much better. Please keep us posted on your progress, so that others may realize how easily this disease can be cared for even while continuing as a trucker.
Thumbs up to you Smuckers!!
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I just wanted to let you all know that since I started taking 1 glucovance pill a day, my blood sugar is now in the 80's... everyday! I've been using a sugar subsitute called SPLENDA... and it's GREAT.. you cannot tell the difference... at all! For something sweet I've discovered that sugar free jello pudding taste just like the real stuff, and the sugar free ice cream is not all that bad! I'm glad I was tested, and I'm glad I found out before something might of happened.. if you think you too might be diabetic... GET TESTED!
Smuckers