The symptoms were pretty obvious, if one knew what to look for. When visiting the States (we were living in Pakistan at the time), I’d have to urinate very often. I also downed large quantities of water. It came to the point that I could not sit through a movie without having to go to the washroom. In addition, I was loosing weight constantly without doing a thing (to the point a friend suggested I needed to be careful because it was becoming alarming). (I have a picture taken around that time wherein I alook almost skeletal.) My father, who has knows a thing or two about health stuff, began to suspect something when, while leaving Egypt for Pakistan, I drank an entire large bottle of water in one sitting after going to the washroom yet again. Practically everywhere we went, I had to go to the bathroom.
When we returned to Pakistan, I happened to nonchalantly mention to my father that I would wake up every night (sometimes more than once) to urinate and drink water. Within two days, my father took me to see a friend of his who was a general practitioner. They did the usual tests. Once my father’s friend saw the results, he had me admitted immediately to train me to take care of diabetes.
(My father handled this superbly. Even though he must have known what was going on, he didn’t let on that it was something serious or chronic. When I’d explain what was happening with my theory that more water in = more water out, and therefore nothing mysterious or odd, he’d nod and say nothing. When I asked what treatment there might be, he mentioned maybe a pill or something. At that point, I hated and dreaded and feared and loathed needles, so his answers were exactly what I needed. He stayed with me the week I was in the hospital. My family’s strength - to my face - greatly helped me to accept the fact and deal with it rather than freak out.)
(It is also my opinion that learning one’s child has such a chronic condition is extremely difficult to handle, cope with, and deal with. My personal awe and thanks to all parents who do their best.)
Everyone I see for diabetes tells me I was very, very lucky to have found out in the way I did. They say that too often people find out when they are rushed to the hospital for what, unbeknownst to them, was a diabetes-related occurence. This is also one reason why when anyone describes symptoms even vaguely related to hyperglycemia, I suggest having it checked out. Better be on the safe side.
Anecdotes related to the above: both my mother and sister found out they had diabetes by fluke. My sister was acting strange and exhibiting symptoms similar to mine above (but far more discreetly); my father became concerned and had me test her blood sugar level. (He made it seem like an event, a sort of “let’s have everyone in the family poked!” kind of thing, so she wouldn’t freak out.) Her level was elevated. Off they went to the doctor soon to have it checked out. Sure enough, she has type-1 diabetes.
My mother often refused to have her blood sugar level tested at home. Once, she consented. Her levels were elevated, she went - very reluctantly - to her doctor. Or this may be the first time she started seeing a doctor other than a gynecologist. Either way, she went and was found to have type-2 diabetes.
My father and brother also have had their levels checked a number of times: normal so far.
Because of this, if someone wants to have their blood sugar level tested (often such people are friends who want to see what it’s like), I preface it by explaining what normal levels (for people with unimpaired insulin functioning) are, and asking them if they really want to go ahead. Blood sugar level testing is a very, very serious matter to me.
WRS
She and I can both attest that not only can you avoid the worst of the complications, you can avoid all complications. Really.