General Chat

Does anyone know the difference between diabetes and hypo glaecemia? My son was diagnosed years ago with this when he was about 16. He used to get shakey and dizzy if he hadnt eaten for a while. He still gets it but always has something like a banana in his car or at work which seems to help. He used to stuff sweets and mars bars when he felt like this as it said it made him feel better. Sometimes he gets awfully tired or very tetchy before he eats. Does this condition become diabetes?

Hi Heather, Yes.....Hypo Glaecemia means LOW blood sugar and Hyper Glaecemia is HIGH sugar levels. The dizziness and tiredness comes due to Low sugar levels, so it's good that your son carries food with him. When he gets dizzy and tired, does he also shake and feel faint as though his legs are giving up on him??? Does he feel he is getting over-heated......getting hot? These are warning symptoms of a impending Hypo........ If he has not seen a doctor about these symptoms, perhaps he should. I think a lot of people go through life with one or two of these symptoms from time to time.....usually, they might mean nothing but sometimes they might be early indications that one could possibly develop full blown diabetes. That's why it's advisable to see your doctor. I think that's what the hospital nurse who treated me was getting at when he informed me that, these days, there are people out there walking around with the condition, without realising it, and sometimes, this can go on for years. It was not until I was diagnosed, that I was able to put all the pieces of the jig-saw together i.e, For several years beforehand, I was totally exhausted and when I went shopping, I would come home near to collapsing......I could not explain it then, but it all makes perfect sense now. On one occasion, I remember walking from my lounge towards the kitchen and instead of going through the door, I missed it completely and walked straight into the wall. Very alarming at the time....but, being a woman....I put all these things down to my age.....as we often do!!!! However, since my diagnosis....although I ended up on Insulin......I have not felt this well for years. I hope your son keeps well Heather, please wish him well from me. Lin XX

I work in a nursing home and one of our residents was diagnosed with diabetis a few years ago. All the advice above is sensible. People with diabetis often have cardio vascular problems as well you might hear the expression metabolic syndrome and can have problems with fat digestion as well so doctors usually recommend a low fat low sugar diet with plenty of fibre. You need to be careful with alcohol as well. A normal healthy eating diet is fine but unless the patient is already overweight you may need to increase the quantities. Meals should be small and regular. You should also be careful with salt. You don't really need to buy diabetic foods though something like an easter egg done by Thornton's might be useful as a treat. Encourage your husband to have a sandwich if he feels hungry rather than a bar of chocolate. Our patient is still healthy and still off insulin. Initially when she started the diet she lost too much weight so we had to increase the quantities but now she eats the same meals as the other residents in the nursing home but we substitute fruit or yoghurt for sweet puddings.

Yes Annie RN, Thorntons do a lovely line in diabetic chockies.....one of my special treats, birthday's and xmas etc........but, don't get carried away (eat too many at once go....very tempting after being denied one's goodies), they do make for an excellent laxative........whatever ingredient is included to replace the sugar I expect??? And a tasty wholemeal sandwich is a healthier substitute for sweet things to boost sugar levels. Lin XX

Thanks Linda, yes thats how he used to be, his hands would shake. He did have a wee test about 2 years ago and they said it was ok. I keep asking him to get a free blood test at one of the chemists but he is always too busy. (He is nearly 25 and has his own apartment about 70 miles away from me) Sometimes I phone him and he sounds so sleepy - though he does do long hours (television). So is hypo the opposite to diabetes? One thing I did read some time back - he is also a bit asthmatic and has puffers - is that a number of kids on puffers had been shown to be hypo glaecemic and I wondered if this was the case with him. My sister's new fiance (48) has the same condition and he is also on asthma puffers.

Hello again Heather, I have in front of me, my blood sugar record book for keeping track of my readings. Bear in mind Heather, I am already diagnosed as having diabetes. On the other hand, I was tested for the condition many moons ago, when I was pregnant with my 2nd of 3 children......I think there was some concern at the time that I might have had gestational diabetes. However, the tests proved negative then!! I am just going to give you some of the information from my book, in the hope that this will help you and your son to decide what measures, if any he should take. HYPOGLYCAEMIA ('hypo') LOW BLOOD GLUCOSE, BELOW 3.5mmol This occurs when the blood glucose goes too low (below 4mmol). PEOPLE TAKING INSULIN OR SOME TABLETS ARE AT RISK OF HYPOS. CAUSES; TOO MUCH INSULIN, TOO LITTLE CARBOHYDRATE, MISSED OR DELAYED MEALS, EXTRA EXERCISE. SOMETIMES THERE IS NO OBVIOUS CAUSE. SYMPTOMS; TREMBLING, SWEATING, TINGLING AROUND THE MOUTH, HAZY EYESIGHT OR SEEING DOUBLE, SLOW THINKING, NAUGHTINESS IN CHILDREN. TREATMENT; TAKE 100mls of a cup of Lucozade?coca cola or fruit juice or 5 dextrose/glucose tablets. FOLLOW THIS WITH SOME STARCH AS A SNACK OR A MEAL. iF YOU SUFFER FROM hYPOS AT NIGHT TEST BEFORE BEDTIME AND, IF YOUR BLOOD GLUCOSE IS BELOW 7MMOL, TAKE EXTRA CARBOHYDRATE. Before I was diagnosed and put on Insulin Heather, one of my symptoms was shortness of breath. So, I was concerned to hear that your son suffers this problem too. Rightly, it could be that he does suffer from Asthma, though NO HARM CAN BE DONE FROM BEING RE-TESTED!!! One of the tests they did on me was to test my breathing capacity, which might indicate, that this is just another symptom that goes hand in hand with diabetes??? Of course I am no doctor, and do not pretend to advise anyone Heather, and most of what I have said on this thread comes from recognised health sources and my own experience. My own personal opinion is that it can do NO harm whatsoever Heather for anyone finding themselves with any of these conditions or symptoms, to get them checked out. My very best wishes Heather and I hope your son heeds your concerns and trust he will feel better soon. Lin XX

Many thanks Linda, yes thats the symptoms he has/had. I am feeling a bit happier that may be this is not an indication he will go on to diabetes (darling kid has enough probs) as it does sound the opposite to diabetes. I remember I saw a film some while back and I think it was some sort of comedy where the detective has to keep a packet of crisps with him as he could go very sleepy without starch. I shall speak to him again today - its his birthday next week, I was hoping hed be coming to see old mum but I think he and some friends from university are going out on a binge in Cambridge. He is a good boy and well, Im his mum, so you never stop worrying do you. Kind of you to advise.

HEATHER........Sorry, forgot to mention also, with regards to one of your other questions....... Low blood glucose - HYPOglycaemia in recognised diabetics, can result in coma, hence the need for vigilantly checking one's levels. And High blood glucose - HYPERglycaemia i.e, a reading of over 13/15 or more may result in fitting. Hence the need to maintain a Normal or near normal blood glucose level, which will also help prevent associated conditions in later life i.e, the risk of eye and kidney disease. It is also important to have one's BP monitored as raised BP is associated with an increased risk of strokes, heart & kidney disease. GOOD BP CONTROL IN PERSONS WITH DIABETES IS AS IMPORTANT AS GOOD GLUCOSE CONTROL. It all looks like a minefield I know, but it mainly boils down to sense and sensibility. And for someone who has so far managed to avoid being actually diagnosed with diabetes, there is still the opportunity to reverse that process by being sensible and taking good care of themselves. Lin XX

Of course you never stop worrying Heather, wish your son a happy birthday from me. I know how hard it is to warn them about any form of over indulgence once they have left home but if he knows his own body.....I'm sure he will be sensible Heather. I wish him well for the future. Lin XX

Hi I did send a message but I don't know where it went.so here we go again.Being diabetic is not the end of the world,I have been since 1982.first the Dr ? will try to get you to control your blood sugar level with a healthy eating diet.the diet sheet that they gave me was very good but a lot of the stuff that I didnt likewhatever you eat the keywork is moderation>Get a urine Test Kit ,your medication Prescriptions should be free Test you urine daily,you will get used to the idea,If you buy a meter to check your blood the ideal level is 7.5 dont go too low as its worse tha being a bit high,if you drive keep a bar of chocolate in the car just in case you go too low .the clinic will check your eyes on a regular basis look after your feet Try to get a few pounds off by walking ,stop drinking,as it has loads of sugar in it I still was able to Drive a Double Decker Bus around London even though I was Put on Pill because the diet didntwork with me Try not to worry Bill

All excellent advice Willie, and your right about it not being the end of the world, for most it's a new lease of life. You were very lucky still being able to drive a bus, I expect that was because you were/are only on the pills?? I had to surrender my provisional driving licence last year, as I'm on the insulin. I had the option to appeal but I thought 'What the heck,' the exercise is better for me anyway!!!! Lin XX

To Linda Mancunian Girl and anyone else interested in Diabetics. What made you go on the needle,wasnt your pills working or did you need a higher doseage,I have just had my medication changed again and they have put me on a pill called avandament two a day 850 plus also the gliplisieds four a day.I think that mynext change will be the dreaded insulin.If you can get your Dr to confirm that you are stable on the insulin I think that you could get your licence back for three years at a time Bill

Evening all. I have come onto the computer tonight and had a shock how much advice has been given to both myself and others. Linda you are a gem. Maybe you should take it up as a proffesion. I always think that the best advice comes from the persons that have experienced it for themselves. Both myself and my hubby feel much more positive today about the situation. We will contact our GP on Monday and see what she has to offer. We will also contact the address that has been given. Thankyou ALL. Alyson.

My mum was diabetic from her 60's having to watch her diet and take pills but after a heart attack she went on to insulin. She was pretty good about looking after herself - she was living alone as Dad had died. She did like her sweets tho and always bought diabetic choc from Boots but her doctor told her it was alright to eat ordinary choc in moderation - the diabetic stuff has sorbitol in which I think is the cause of the Laxative effect.

Modern thinking says that the treatment should follow the person and not the person the treatment, meaning that your husband may not have to give up ALL the things that he'd rather not. Also, there is a nasal inhalent due to replace injections in the near future. I see you have loads of other advice, so will make this short & leave you to read the rest! Good luck to you both - Debbie

Hi Willy from Wales, In response to your question Willy, I had no choice about going straight to Insulin I'm afraid, it all happened so quickly in my case, as no-one had an incling about what was wrong with me, to explain........ In 1979 I got cancer and spent 5 years fighting it. I was given the all clear and carried on with my life as usual. Then about ten years ago I started to get ill again. I didn't realise it right away, as I was putting the symptoms down to my age. The tiredness and exhaustion etc. Then I got so weak, I spent three months confined to my sofa, not even able to get upstairs to my bed. Then I got a 'huge 'duck egg' shaped lump come up on my back just above my right kidney, and found I was constantly thirsty. I was living virtually on Ice lollies to quench my thirst. Still unaware of what was happening. My G.P, was baffled even though he was treating me for the immense pain from the lump and after having taken urine samples. I think he and my children had come to the conclusion that for some unexplained reason, I was developing cancer yet again!!!! I lost five stone in weight and could barely walk, at which point my daughter took it upon herself to get me to the hospital in a taxi. They admitted me immediately as I was at the point of collapse. After a week of tests, they started me off on 6 units of insulin, I had to ask them if I had diabetes!!!! They then spent the next two weeks building me up by plying me with vast amounts of nourishing food-stuff, whilst I walked around with a drain attached to my back expelling the fluid from the lump in my back, which turned out to be a form of abcess The male nurse who was looking after me commented that a lot of people only discovered they had diabetes due to the fact that they had gone along to the hospital after discovering such abcess for themselves. Gradually the dosages of insulin were increased until I arrived at the level which was controlling my diabetes, and I now inject twice daily, morning and evening. I consider myself very lucky to have survived two serious illnesses and I am now feeling well, put back the weight minus one stone which I intend keeping off. As for the licence Willy, it was only a provisional one which I had considered using again after my illness, but checked first with the DVLA as I was on the insulin. I could have kept it after filling out a medical form, but decided against it. I do have family that can run me around if needed and as I have said, the exercise is better for me, if it's not too far. Lin XX

This is the first time I have used this part of the site and am very pleasantly surprised by the information on it. I'm also diabetic and take tablets. My diet is not as good as it should be so I do get higher readings than I should but some of the things that help me are :- 1. Use sugar substitutes if you have a sweet tooth. I use a liquid one which is also good in making custards, baking, sweetening stewed fruits etc.. Really anywhere you would have used sugar, but be careful that the basic ingredients aren't a sugar supply themselves. 2. Nowadays many grocery items have items which are marked as 'Low GI' and I use these. (I tried working them out for myself but the figures they use were too hard.) As someone else has said, they are things which are processed least. For example porridge is excellent for diabetics BUT use original rolled oats - NOT the quick cooking ones. These have been processed much more and don't take long to digest. 3. Type 1 diabetes - the body does not produce insulin (so this is provided by the injections) Type 2 diabetes - the body still makes insulin but it isn't able to convert it into the right agent to handle the intake of sugar and fat into the body. 4. The glucose in foods is the main problem, these include fructose (in fruit), dextrose, sucrose and lactose (in milk). All fats should be used very sparsely. Make sure any roasts are able to drain as they cook and never eat the chicken skin, just lean meat. Remove any fat from chops or steak. My major downfall is chips! Fried food is very bad for you. My Doctor explained it to me this way, the sticky sugars and the fats get into the blood stream, and because the diabetic cannot handle these properly, they stay in the blood vessels, veins etc. and stick to the walls. Eventually they can completely block them and this prevents good oxygenating blood from reaching various areas. This is how eyes, which are very sensitive and have very tiny blood vessels, can be damaged. The problems with feet and legs come about when circulation is damaged causing loss of feeling. Feet or other bits can then be damaged and are very very hard to heal. This can result in gangrene and amputation. Sorry to be so long winded, but maybe this can help someone understand better. Best wishes to all, Pam

Fantastically explained Pamela, I am type 2, so I still make insulin. When I lost all the weight (5 stone), I was confused because I was still able to eat. I think this also confused my G.P and family. They didn't understand, no more than I did, why I was losing this weight whilst still eating. But my nurse explained that all the food I was eating was worthless to my body because, as you have explained, my body was not able to use the nourishment from the food in the correct way, hence, the weight LOSS. Well done for that Pamela.......I'm sure it will help other's to understand perfectly. Lin XX

Hi Linda I think that I must be one of the luckier ones in life.Ive been in some realy bad situations in life and survived When I was a Bus Driver I was having trouble seeing bus passes.so I decided to have my eyes looked at and get glasses I had a pair made and when I went to collect them I couldnt see out of them,so the Optician told me to se my Dr I did a urine test and wastold that my sugar level was high and then had a blood test that told me that I was diabetic,I had to stop driving .London Transport Medical Person gave me her B.U.P.A. Cardto get checked out.I had three months off with full pay followed by another three months then I went back driving.for another three years.I failed the next eye test and was given an alternate job as a general hand on nights,and I spent the next couple of years parking up the buses in the garage.I could still drive on the road but not with passengers.I still have my Licence an used to drive to Portugal. Bill

My nextbitof luck came when I had a bad pain in my stomach and I was told thatI had to have my appendix out when they opened me up they found the cancer.they have to opperate for appendix trouble because its life threating cancer is but it takes longer.Iwas recovering nicely(Loved the Morphine) then the physio's pulled me about and opened up the stiches inside me where they took some of my pipes away another operation Intensive care and a bag on my stomach I had to empty every couple of hours,because no food was going into my system I was no longer Diabetic as such no medication and completely stable,I was given three years expectancy Ive had six I still take my tablets,but I dont know whats going to get me first BUT IM NOT BOVVERED NOT BOVVERED Bill