Have a question for any Nurse

**Nana2two** · 10-30-2010, 11:19 PM

I have a question. For the last few weeks i have been feeling really sick almost flu like symptoms after eating anything with sugar.I get dizzy,headache and real achy. I can't get into the doc for 2 weeks. I don't feel sick if i don't eat, but feel like crap after eating anything with sugar. Today i didn't eat breakfast, had a granola bar for lunch and around 4:30 had salmon and spinach salad. Felt fine.At 7 had a lite yogurt. Then around 9 i had 2 tootsie rolls and within 20 minutes i felt very sick no stomach pains, just felt nasty. Wondering if this could be a starting of being a diabetic? I know my doc said a month ago that i needed to go on a diabetic diet which i have been doing pretty well. He wanted me to stay away from red meat and fatty foods. Not so much sugar or carbs. Just curious. Im going to start a Journal in the morning.

**Lora88** · 10-31-2010, 08:05 AM

Nana Im not a nurse but i am an adult onset Diabetic go to the pharmacy and get urine test strips if you are spilling sugar in your urine they will turn color right away I did this after I thought I had the flu for a few weeks that was my first clue I was fine at a 6 month check up and then instant diabetes I hope it is not the same for you

**Mrs. Piggy Bank** · 10-31-2010, 09:39 AM

This very well could be onset of diabetes. They will test you when you go to the doctor. A diabetic diet is not just controlling what you eat. It is a lifestyle change. Going without eating is just as bad as eating 5 chocolate bars. You ride the insulin roller coaster with both.

Do keep in mind, onset of type II diabetes can 99% of time can be reversed with careful diet (eating right foods & frequently during day) with exercise.

Illness can increase need for insulin. I have had to treat hyperglycemia (too much sugar) with insulin in the hospital for many patients who have never been diagnosed with diabetes. Upon improvement of the disease process for which they were admitted, they no longer require the insulin.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, I would suggest you notify your physician as soon as possible. I have witnessed comas & seizures with uncontrolled diabetes. As well as blindness & infection requiring amputation with long term uncontrolled diabetes.

Wishing you luck.

**MaryCarney** · 10-31-2010, 09:51 AM

Two tootsie rolls are not going to spike your blood sugar to the point of feeling ill. My dad has similar symptoms - and it is just a reaction he has to sugar. It would be similar to what a person with gluten intolerance feels when they eat white bread.

Don't waste your money on urine test strips - they are a very crude way of measuring blood glucose levels - and by the time your urine spills sugar, your blood glucose is much, much higher. (We used them in the 70s before glucometers were available)

What you might do for your own piece of mind is have a friend who has a glucometer check your blood sugar when you feel fine and again when you feel terrible, intentionally eat a tootsie roll for example. - the test strips can run $1 each, so you'd want to compensate them.

How long does the bad feeling last? Keep us posted.

PS It might be CORN SYRUP that is making you feel that way - so much is sweetened that way these days, and a corn allergy/intolerance can develop quite suddenly. Be sure you are a keeping a careful log of these episodes, with as much detail as you can for when you DO see the doctor.

**2ndGenGranola** · 10-31-2010, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by MaryCarney

PS It might be CORN SYRUP that is making you feel that way - so much is sweetened that way these days, and a corn allergy/intolerance can develop quite suddenly. Be sure you are a keeping a careful log of these episodes, with as much detail as you can for when you DO see the doctor.

That is what I was going to say. Sugar gets the blame most of the time when it is corn syrup that is sweetening the sodas and candies instead. Go on a label reading binge and only purchase sweets made with real sugar. You will see how hard it is to find those items. Even my kids can tell the difference when they have had a soda made with corn syrup vs real sugar.

**Nana2two** · 10-31-2010, 11:42 PM

Thank everyone. Today i logged all my food. This morning I had brand flakes with a banana and skim milk. Felt fine. Lunch i had a spinach salad and water and a yogurt,Felt fine. For dinner i made BBQ ribs fresh green beans and potato's, baked beans and water. I felt like crap. So its the carbs or the bbq sauce. I starting feeling bad within 30 minutes of finishing dinner. Felt this way for around 3 hours after.

**2ndGenGranola** · 11-01-2010, 03:04 AM

I think I would vote for the BBQ ribs as being the trigger. Was the BBQ sauce homemade or bottled? If it was bottled, what are the ingredients? On the allergy boards, many with corn issues are bothered by meats because they now have such a high diet in corn.

**MaryCarney** · 11-01-2010, 11:25 AM

AND lots of BBQ sauces contain corn syrup

**Nana2two** · 11-01-2010, 12:15 PM

I would have to also say the BBQ. It was a bottled type from aldis. Love the taste.Now im on a mission to read everything.. My sister suggest i cut all red meats for 30 days and see how i feel.

**daylily** · 11-01-2010, 12:36 PM

I have to say that 2 tootsie rolls would certainly spike my blood sugar and make me feel terrible.

**Natalie's Nesters** · 11-01-2010, 01:38 PM

Check your local drugstores, our Walgreens is having a diabetes testing day. I wish you luck and the answers you are seeking!

**Lora88** · 11-02-2010, 06:21 AM

[Don't waste your money on urine test strips - they are a very crude way of measuring blood glucose levels - and by the time your urine spills sugar, your blood glucose is much, much higher. (We used them in the 70s before glucometers were available)

The urine strips were my Doctors idea and were unfortunity an accurate indicator in my case I recommended them because they are easy to get not everyone knows someone with a meter I didnt at that time . Actually Nana if you go for a fasting blood test they will measure your blood sugar levels over the last 3 months and that would be the most accurate method of testing for diabetes . I really hope it is just a food allergy and your soon feeling better