Can't Blame Everything on Movement Disorder

I've been dealing with intermittent periods of extreme weakness for quite some time now, and have pretty much been blaming it on the Primidone, the medicine I take to control the Essential Myoclonus. My Neuro gave me a prescription for Physical Therapy to develop an appropriate exercise program, and I've seem him twice now, about one month apart. I was not pleased with myself, because after about 2 weeks of following his routine, I reached a point where I would feel so weak that I didn't want to do anything. Even my voice sounded weak.

So, I decided it was time to get an overall checkup at my Primary Physician's office. He listened to me try to describe how I've been feeling, and I was very frustrated, because it's so hard to put into words how I've been acting. Anyway, he ordered a complete blood panel of tests, and I got the results back the next day for most of them. My blood sugar was high, so he ordered a Glucose Tolerance Test, where I had to fast beforehand, have my blood drawn, and then drink a sugary sweet drink. They drew blood two more times at hour intervals, to see if my system handled the sugar overload correctly.

Well, I got the results today, and I was within a few numbers of what is considered to be diabetic. So he wants me to start treatment, and I'm to get a set of brochures about living with diabetes.

I shouldn't be surprised at this, as I am 66 years old now, and my Daddy and Grandmother both were diabetic. Neither one used insulin, but controlled it with medicine. I'm assuming that's what he will have me do, too.

The more I read about Type 2 Diabetes, the more I realize that I really have been behaving in ways that are consistent with this diagnosis. I have dry skin that itches, I get shaky weak at times, my energy levels are unpredictable, and I have been constantly feeling hungry. I have had this feeling that if I could just eat the right thing I would get my energy back. Mostly I've been filling that need with chocolate. LOL!!

So I instinctively wasn't too far from the truth. My cells are not getting enough glucose, probably because they have become what is called insulin resistant. So, with too much glucose swimming around in my bloodstream, my cells were screaming for more sugar!!

I'm not the least upset with the diagnosis. Just as I was relieved to find out I had a Neurological Disorder, I am relieved that my doctor was able to pinpoint the source of these strange feelings I've been having.

I've spent a good bit of time today reading everything I could find online about diabetes nutrition, and thinking about the changes I will need to make in my diet. I know I need to lose a good bit of weight, and now I have the incentive I needed to stop eating chocolate and watch my food portions better.

We've been consciously eating Super Foods for several years, so mostly I just need to lower my carbohydrate intake, cutting out all but the occasional the sweets (chocolate).

I look forward to talking with my doctor and getting this under control.