To Templin

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

It is with concern that I noticed your recent posts concerning

other subjects, yet none in reply to the advice that Bert and I gave

you earlier in response to your questions about leg swelling,

excessive thirst and frequent night time urination. We

responded that these were the classic early warning signs of

diabetes, and suggested that you have your doctor test you as

soon as possible.

In the summer of 2002 I recited an incident I'd had to this

message board, asking for advice. I'd notice that one evening as

I was preparing dinner, I suddenly felt light-headed and dizzy,

feeling that I HAD to eat right away to make the symptoms go

away. Several well meaning members suggested that I have my

GI test my blood sugar for diabetes. I had an appointment with

him a few weeks later, and told him what had happened, and

asked if I should have a blood test. His very words to me were

that " no, there's no need for that now, it's much too soon " , and he

reassured me that since I'd only had CP for a year, it was too

early for me to be at risk. I was very reassured with his opinions

then, since then I trusted him and felt he knew what he was

talking about.

So even when six months later I had excessive thirst, drinking

gallons of water each day, sudden weight loss, frequent night

time urination and some episodes of blurry vision, I trusted this

doctor when he told me all these symptoms were side effects of

a new medication I'd started. But the symptoms persisted and I

quickly slid into a unhealthy downward spiral. My many calls to

the doctor were fielded by his nurses, so I scheduled at

appointment with an Internist, to get a second opinion. When I

was finally able to speak with my GI and complain again, I asked

him if I shouldn't have my blood sugar tested. He said again,

that it was much too soon for me to be concerned about that, but

if it made me feel better, then to go ahead and have the Internist

check at the appointment I'd made for the following week.

I never made it to that appointment. I was in Intensive Care

instead, after going into diabetic ketoacidosis and shock, and

waking up to find myself diagnosed with type 1 brittle diabetes.

If that test had been done six months earlier when I first asked

about it, it probably would have been treated easily with diet,

exercise and oral meds. There would have been a good chance

that I wouldn't have had all my beta cells destroyed and end up

as a type1 brittle diabetic who has to inject insulin 5-8 times

each day. I've been angry with myself ever since then that I didn't

push harder for the test that summer, and that I let this doctor's

false reassurances fool me. I wouldn't wish that what happend

to me happen to anyone else.

The classic symptoms are there, . I'm worried about you.

Our advice was given based on personal experience and great

concern for you, and your health. Please understand this and

have yourself tested now, while you still the advantages of early

detection.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

hhessgriffeth@...

South Carolina

SC and SE Regional Representative

PAI, Intl.

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.