I had my insulin and glucose levels checked when I was diagnosed back in November. I was fasting and my glucose level was 94. The normal was listed as 70-110. My insulin level was 25. Normal was listed as 4-27. Anyway, my doctor recommeded that I change my diet and exercise to improve my blood pressue so I could get on birth control pills to control my other symptoms. My blood pressue got down to a normal level so I requested to be put on them. After about 3 months I noticed dark spots appearing on the area under my breasts. I am starting to worry that it is insulin resistance or worse the dreaded diabetes. What are the symptoms of Type II diabetes? Can it be cured or is it a life long conditon that can't be reversed once you have it? Any insight is greatly appreciated.
Trishajb... I would certainly go to your doctor about those dark spots. Those could be a sign of severe insulin resistance. As far as type 2 diabetes--- most people do not experience symptoms until pretty late into their diagnosis. Some people can even go for 10 years without knowing! But Kat posted an excellent article about Type II symptoms and I will list some put she gives them in detail....Excessive thirst and increased urination, Flu-like feeling, Weight loss or gain, Blurred vision, Slow-healing sores or frequent infections, Tingling hands and feet, Red, swollen, tender gums
As far as if it is curable, no, and yes, it is life long, and can really take a serious toll on your health. Some people have, who have been morbidly obese have gastric bypass surgery, and no longer have diabetes, but that is very rare. Once you have Diabetes you will always have it. Some people, if they are "pre-diabetics" can hold off the full progression for a few years and even some for life. Some ways to control it if you don't already have it or have pre-diabetes or even full diabetes are Physical activity and weight loss. They help the body respond better to insulin. The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and other large studies have shown that people with pre-diabetes can often prevent or delay diabetes if they lose a modest amount of weight by cutting fat and calorie intake and increasing physical activity—for example, walking 30 minutes a day 5 days a week. Losing just 5 to 7 percent of body weight prevents or delays diabetes by nearly 60 percent. The DPP also showed that the diabetes drug metformin reduced the risk of developing diabetes by 31 percent.
People with insulin resistance or pre-diabetes can help their body use insulin normally by being physically active, making wise food choices, and reaching and maintaining a healthy weight. Physical activity helps muscle cells use blood glucose for energy by making the cells more sensitive to insulin.
Are you using Metformin already? If not, you should look into taking that.
Also it is generally accepted that a blood glucose reading over 100 at fasting means that you are a pre-diabetic per the American Association of Endo's and you were pretty close at 94. Most totally normal people are in the 70's and 80's fasting.
I should also note that my fastings were in the low 80's/90's but I was already a pre-diabetic and only found that out because I pushed to have after meal testing done and the OGTT (which you should have done, esp. with your PCOS diagnosis). My after meal numbers were really high indicating pre-diabetes. Good thing I caught it-- I didn't have symptoms and I wouldn't have known had I not asked for the test! Knowing early is the most important thing you can do to save your body from the side effects of having diabetes (they aren't pretty!).
I'm not using any diabetes durgs yet. I have my diabetes test tomorrow. I'm terrified. I have been so hungry the past few days and peeing like crazy. I am almost 100% sure I have it. I still hold out hope that all of my symptoms are due to nerves. It's highly unlikely but a girl can hope. I had asked my doctor about the brown and yellow patches under my boob area and she didn't seem concerned. She told me that they had nothing to do with the Ocella birth control pills I am taking. I thew up after I ate the other day and told her about it and she said I needed to eat more protein. She said fluctions in blood surgars happen frequently in people with PCOS. I think she thinks I am **** up. For a doctor who has PCOS herself, she doesn't seem very smart about it. I'm going to see a new doctor tomorrow. I hope I can get some answers. I need to put my mind at ease. I feel like I'm losing it!!!!
I have prediabetes. I wonder if it is the Ocella that has put me so close to going over the edge. My fasting level was 111. After the drink it was 143. I was put on Metformin and diet and exercise. I hope it helps. I also found out my T4 is high. Damn is there ever an end to all this ****? It is exausting me.
Aw, Im sorry Trisha. Yes, birth control (at least in my case) makes my insulin resistance and blood sugar numbers higher. The Met should help along with diet and exercise. Having PCOS can really suck
__________________ Thin Cyster Age: 25 BMI:19 Not TTC
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Can it be cured? 
