Feb 3, 2015
Today, Charlie Cherry, Chris Moore, Theresa Moore, and Chris Daniel are joined by Dr. C. R. Kannan to answer questions from DiabetesPowerShow.com listeners.
Larry, type 2, age 51, Seattle
I was just diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and was told that the pain and numbness in my feet was diabetic neuropathy. This pain has been with me for about 2 years, and it’s almost unbearable. Is this a permanent thing, or will it go away when my diabetes gets better? Also, what is neuropathy?
Phyllis, type 2, age 61, Phoenix
I was told I have type 2 diabetes and a thyroid condition within 5 months of each other. Is there a connection between the two?
Leonard, type 2, age 56, Dallas
I just had my second A1c, and it was a big improvement over my first. In a little over 3 months, I have gone from 14.2 down to 9.5. I am on pills and insulin, and I have had several lows in this time. I have gone from as high as 450, down to as low as 48. The lows are very scary to me, and I feel like I have a hangover after I have these big sweeps in blood sugar. Am I doing any damage to myself with these extremes?
Brittney, type 1, age 15, Atlanta (for Theresa)
I found out I have type 1 diabetes last June, and I’m thinking about going on the pump. I’m a little nervous, because I haven’t told anybody about my diabetes. I feel like the pump will be obvious, because everybody will be able to see it, and I don’t know how they will react, especially the boys. Theresa, did you ever feel like that when you were a teenager? Did you tell your friends? How did they handle it? Did you tell boys about it when you started dating? I’m afraid people will look at me differently if they know.
Janice, type 2, age 48, Baltimore
I just started an exercise routine, and I’m having trouble keeping my blood sugar in check. I thought my numbers would go down after my brisk walk, but they go up over 250 every time. I start around 140. Why is this happening, and what can I do about it?
Shannon, gestational, age 31, Des Moines
I am six months pregnant with my second child. My first child is 2 1/2. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and I’m trying my best to keep my numbers under control. Does this increase my child’s odds of getting diabetes? Does gestational ever turn into full diabetes?
Robert, type 2, age 46, somewhere in Utah (not his real name or location)
I live in a small town, and my Doctor is also a member of my church. There are some things that I am not comfortable in talking to him about. I am about 40 lbs over weight, I have type 2 diabetes, and I have neuropathy in my feet. In the last year or so, I have had some trouble in the bedroom. Things are not working like they used to, and I feel like I'm too young to give up on intimacy with my wife. Could this be connected to my diabetes? Is this it for me, or is it possible that I can do something about it? Please don't mention my name or city. Thanks.
Jenny, type 1, age 22, San Diego
I have type 1 diabetes, and I was diagnosed at age 14. I used to be slim and trim, but now I’m overweight. When people find out I'm diabetic, they almost always assume that I am type 2 because of my weight. One person even told me I was lucky, because I had the “good kind” of diabetes. I’m trying to lose the extra lbs, but it is a constant battle. I have given up on trying to explain to people the difference between types 1 and 2, because I can no longer tell the difference myself. I don't know if this is a dumb question, but is it possible to have both? Is this common?