diabetes

[Deleted User]

I know some people here have experience with diabetes.

please DO NOT copy as I might DD later.

my H has been complaining about frequent urination.  it's (TMI) diluted.  he also says that sometimes he's thirstier than normal.  he is making a doctor's appt next week, but I'm so worried because diabetes runs in his family.  just recently, a healthy/fit young man (18 years old) at my church was rushed to the ER and diagnosed with diabetes.  I'm guessing it's pretty bad because he has to wear something all the time, and basically eats mainly protein.

my H was somewhat overweight for a few months, but he has been losing weight and working out pretty much every day.  we mainly eat in, and I cook healthy, nutritious, balanced meals.  he has pretty much cut bad stuff from his diet (pop, sweet tea, candy and crappy junk food).  even when we eat out, 80% of the time he orders something he knows is healthy.

he's been under a bit of stress recently.  I don't know if that comes into play.

so...  diabetics...  please weigh in.  should I be this worried?  I asked him all of the basic symptoms, and his is just frequent urination that's diluted (VERY clear sometimes) and occasional increased thirst.  he doesn't crave sweets, he craves salt (like chips, sandwich, popcorn).  like I said, he IS going to the doctor next week as soon as he can get an appt scheduled and time off of work.  so I'm not trying to get anyone to diagnose him or yell at me that he needs to go to the doctor.  I KNOW that he needs to go to the doctor; he knows it.  he's going.  I would just like to hear some of your advice and stories and thoughts.

CN (for yaga, ):  my H is going to the doctor for increased thirst, frequent urination, diluted urine.  I'm scared to death that it's diabetes.  just looking for thoughts, advice, other explanations, reassurance, cute pictures, hugs, anything of that nature.

motoLyn

don't be scared Coco.  I don't have diabetes myself, my bestfriend does and she has those symptoms, frequent thirst, she carries a water bottle with her where ever she goes.  She also goes to the bathroom a lot due to the increased in take of water.  But I also know very healthy athletic people that have diabetes that I would have never thought would happen to them.  They can lead happy healthy lives with good eating and exercise.  But don't let your worry get a hold of you.  Let's see what the doctor says.  *hugs*

[Deleted User]

thanks Lyn.  I appreciate the response.

[Deleted User]

I just want it to be something ELSE.

and I know it has nothing to do with me at all, but I just feel like I've failed him.  like, I didn't cook healthy enough or something.  that makes NO SENSE at all.  it's completely irrational.  and we don't even have a diagnosis, yet.  I just have this feeling in my gut and I can't get rid of it.  it's the first thing I think of in the morning, and I can't talk to anyone about it IRL.

I know that we won't know anything until he gets in with the doctor, but I'm just worried for him.  it's been something we've both tried so hard to prevent with a good diet and exercise.

boo. 

Stina51286

He could be lacking something else in his diet which is making him crave the salt and whatnot which leads to him drinking more water and urine will be clear depending on how much water he drinks as long as he's not dehydrated.

I am always thirsty. I will drink a 32 ounce cup of water in the middle of the night every single night. I've been tested time and time again for diabetes since it runs in my family and Im hypoglycemic. I have a second exact cup at work that I fill 3-4 times a day and again 2-3 times before bed at home.

So don't let yourself get too worried until he does go to the dr and has tests done. There are other signs that will trigger the thought of diabetes such a numbness in feet (esp toes).

Swazzle

I don't know anything about diabetes at all but I wanted to send you some great big HUGS.  It'll be ok, Coco.  I know it's hard but try not to worry until you know for sure it's something to worry about. 

loves2shop4shoes

HUG.  It'll be ok.  Don't worry.

lunarsongbird

Salt cravings and frequent urination can also be a symptom of adrenal fatigue.
I crave salt like a freak (I like to salt salted butter on bread- yum. Ever since my ovarian surgery). I also pee all the time...and really...always have.

My herbalist just told me on Saturday that the average person only pees 3-4 times a day? Whhhaattt? I pee like...dozens of times.

So starting last Sunday my herbalist started having me take 1/8 tsp salt in water with lemon every morning....and all be darned...I've been peeing way less.

(Oh- and I'm not diabetic, btw...just adrenally challenged).

ETA: Also since adding salt water to my morning routine- I no longer really crave salt.

[Deleted User]

thanks you guys.  it's so much worse not talking about it.  my mind just goes crazy.

lunar - maybe it's something like that.  he doesn't have any other signs, except for fatigue sometimes.  but he works a stressful FT job plus pastors our Spanish church, which is like another job.  so I can't blame him for being TIRED sometimes... I feel that way a lot too.  but, we won't know until the appt.  so, we'll see I guess.

Elle1036

Yeah, don't stress yourself out too much.  There's no point in working yourself up about it when it could be nothing.

Because it really could be nothing.  There are a million potential reasons for frequent urination.  Diabetes is only one of them.  Wait until he goes to the doctor.

csousa1

My ex is diabetic. He had Type 1 (childhood onset/insulin dependent) from the age of 12 on. Other than needing to give himself insulin shots and measure his blood sugar, he leads a perfectly normal life.

I would imagine that unless it is an undiagnosed case of Type 1, your hubby would have (if he has anything at all!) Type 2 based on the fact that he is an adult. Adult onset is usually not insulin dependent, and can be controlled with diet, exercise, and some medication (oral pills, usually). My dad has that, and he has been doing great with it. As long as he is careful to not overdo sweets, alcohol, and other junk, he has no issues. It does not mean he has to cut all of that out permanently, either, just be careful with it.

It is very good that your H is going to the doctor to check it out now, just in case. They will be able to tell him if he has Type 1, Type 2, if it's early enough in the stages to take preventive measures, or if he doesn't have it at all. What happened to the other young man you know was most likely either a diabetic seizure due to low blood sugar (taking too much insulin), or he'd had diabetes for a while and the high blood sugar levels had started to mess with him internally. The onset of diabetes in and of itself does not land someone in the hospital, it is when it goes untreated and causes complications that people get rushed to the hospital. In other words, your H is doing a great thing by getting it checked out early, just in case.

Like PP's have said, don't worry yourself too much right now. There are a lot of tell-tale signs for the onset of diabetes, and frequent urination is only one of them. If you do decide to look into it at all, don't WebMD it and get yourself in a panic! If you must, stick to something like the American Diabetes Association site.

Everything will be okay!!

[Deleted User]

thanks, tarra.  he has none of those symptoms.  it just worries me because diabetes and obesity is prevalent in his family, so I know that it's a definite possibility.  but not the ONLY one.

sousa - I already webMD'd...  oops.  but no more. 

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_diabetes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:e19cebb0-d5b9-4c76-9d5d-1290d6747166Post:8e202c2c-3509-4f65-b386-b5755b26e021">Re: diabetes</a>:
[QUOTE]Oh and regarding his symptom, I got moody, my breath smelled like fruit loops ( your blood ph gets off and it makes your breath smell sweet) and I was thirsty/frequent urinating like 5 times a night and my pee seemed fizzy and more concentrated. My kidneys hurt and I would be really tired after eating a big meal. Posted by hellotarra[/QUOTE]

These, along with very rapid (10lbs in 3 days when he only weighed 46lbs to begin with) weightloss, were my son's symptons almost 3yrs ago.  It was one of the scariest times in my life, but once we learned what was wrong and how to treat it, diabetes hasn't really changed or stopped our lives.  My son still does what he wants as a kid.  He still eats all normal foods.  He just has to inject himself with insulin whenever he eats any carbs and test his bloodsugar.

It's not your fault. You didn't fail him in any way. Even if it does turn out to be diabetes, as long as you educate yourselves on it and follow a treatment plan with his doctor, everything should work out fine. :)

suzie211

Hope all works out for you guys.  I'm not diabetic, but I have lots of family members that are.  Type 1 is an autoimmune disease that runs on my dad's side of the family, and 3 of my grandparents as well as both my parents have Type 2.  It may seem scary, but it can be very manageable for both of you.

Type 2 is managed a lot these days with oral medications, so scary needles may never come into the picture. In my days as a drug rep pedaling diabetic medicine, usually physicians really tried to stay away from insulin for Type 2's unless they have exhausted all oral options.   And diet and excersize does help, although not for everyone.  For work now, I do events with some of the Biggest Loser contestants.  One in particular cured his Type 2 (among other health conditions) by losing weight.

Many primary care physicians and endocrinologists also have their diabetic patients partner with a dietician or nutrionist so food doesn't have to be looked at as bad. 

I wish the best for both of you.  Hopefully its just something minor!

[Deleted User]

thanks a lot tarra.  I know that whatever it is, we'll figure it out and make any changes necessary.  it's just the whole thought of mortality, and something possibly being REALLY wrong.  you know?  but I'm not worrying about it *quite* as much.  his appt is Tuesday afternoon.

he's had some weight loss, but not rapid by ANY means.  slow and steady, mostly muscle definition happening and his belly shrinking.

callalily13

Like was said in the past posts, if he does have it then it will not be the end of the world. Although it will be horrible, it is now much more of a chronic disease that can be cured in some cases as long as the person is exercising, eating right and using their medication. I am currently doing research for my PhD on diabetes and have read about 50 spearate clinical experiements all saying that. You are already doing everything right by feeding him healthy foods and if he is working on loosing weight by exercise, then that is 2/3 of the behaviors that are really hard from most people to chance, so just keep at it.

kmcr91

As a person that has had type I diabetes for seven years, I can promise you a few things: 1.) You can live a normal life with just a few more things on your mind. 2.) There will be days that you get so frustrated you can barely stand it. 3.) And this is the most important, it could be so much worse. At least if your H turns out to have diabetes (still hope he doesnt) everything can and will be ok because he will have your love and support and medications that make it possible to keep going.