Community Views: Bothersome T2D Symptoms

By Type2Diabetes.com Team

2 min read

For some people, living with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a constant struggle. Keeping blood glucose levels within a healthy range can be a daily challenge. Many symptoms impact the body and mind. To learn more, we recently asked the Type2Diabetes.com Facebook community to respond to the following prompt:

"Fill in the blank: The T2D symptom that bothers me the most is _____."

The community openly shared their most bothersome symptoms with this disease.

Glucose level swings

Many respondents commented on the different ways glucose levels impact them. Both high and low blood sugar affect the body. When there is no obvious reason for drastic swings in blood sugar levels, it is bothersome, challenging, and always inconvenient.

"Having a low blood sugar that won't come up then skyrockets to a high blood sugar. It kicks my emotions into a very weepy state those days. It's so annoying!"

"Morning fasting highs even though my numbers are absolutely perfect after eating. No matter what I try, I can't get the fasting numbers down."

"It is not a symptom, but it drives me crazy that a hot shower elevates my glucose. Every single time."

"Low blood sugar levels. 38 has been my scariest one, and it took forever to get it back to normal. Any time my levels drop below 80, I shake, sweat, and then feel like someone punched me in the stomach."

"Glucose numbers are high when I have not eaten anything to cause the increase. It takes a very long time (hours) to decrease, it seems."

Food choices

One of the most common frustrations was navigating food choices. The impact of food on the body and blood sugar levels requires constant awareness. And it can be tough to choose foods that help manage glucose instead of what sounds appealing. For lots of people, T2D feels very restricting.

"Hungry all the time. Having to think out every meal."

"Cravings and being strong enough to ignore them."

"What I should eat vs what I want to."

"Different spikes for the same meals."

"The never-ending cravings."

Fatigue

Many respondents described their struggle with fatigue. Constantly feeling tired and drained takes a big toll on their lives. They find it challenging to engage socially or physically with the T2D energy drain.

"Energy crashes."

"Extreme fatigue."

"Sleep issues and fatigue."

"Tiredness and a weakness in the body."

"Being so tired. It's hard to beat this fatigue."

"Getting up and moving when I'm dead tired."

Neuropathy: tingling and numbness

Another frustration many respondents mentioned was neuropathy. The tingling and numbness in hands and feet impact their movement and quality of life.

"Neuropathy in both feet and hands now."

"Neuropathy tingles and stabs."

"Neuropathy in feet; possibly spreading to hands. This despite my levels being good."

"Neuropathy in my right foot, along with arthritis. It makes me cry because I can no longer drive."

Dizziness

A few respondents shared that T2D causes them to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Sometimes, this is tied to their blood sugar. Other times, it is not. Feeling dizzy makes it difficult for some to get around.

"Insulin makes my potassium drop, so I feel dizzy and lightheaded, and my heart races."

"The constant dizziness and being lightheaded whether my numbers are up or low."

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Thank you to our community

The Type2Diabetes.com team appreciates all the thoughtful responses to this prompt. It is helpful to know so many share similar experiences. Please continue to share your frustrating symptoms with the community below.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Type2Diabetes.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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simba Member
Cravings ,what I should eat verses what I want to eat, timing out meals, sleep issues, worrying, when at a function and there’s nothing that I can eat, get so fed up I’m in tears, checking my meter and it says 4.7 and get worried, when others don’t understand what it’s like to have diabetes, when your doctor just doesn’t get it living with diabetes, cooking at home all the time, going out to eat and really want a burger not salad, Lots of tears because you get so fustrated, and when your friend says let’s eat at Tim Hortons and you know there’s nothing you can eat there. Everything about diabetes either scares me or frustrates me. I really hate diabetes.
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 We hear you, <inline-mention username="simba" user-id="3615573"/>. It can be awfully hard. Have you ever had a burger with lettuce as the bun? I have a friend who has Celiac's disease and can't have gluten. He orders burgers that way in resturants frequently and they look quite tasty. It is hard to think out-of-the box on the fly, but there are ways to enjoy meals similar to what others are eating and to enjoy them without the carbs or with fewer carbs. Food is central to our culture, unfortunately. It can be tough to think and plan differently iwhen others are pressuring us to conform. I was recently diagnosed prediabetic, and several high school graduation parties in a row really put my cravings to the test. I decided I would eat nothing at any of any of the parties and that I would simply focus on the people. I ate before and after at home and it worked. I wandered instead of sitting to eat and met lots of new people. I don't know whether I will be able to maintain that focus and resolve, especially during the holidays, but I am hopeful. I hope, when friends suggest places like Tim Horton's, that you will find the confidence to simply tell them you can't eat there. Honesty is hard, but it might be what they need. They won't understand how hard it is for you if you don't come right out and tell them. There are so many options these days -- places where they can get a sweet snack, but you can find something more healthy. Do you carry anything with you for times when your blood sugar is low, like hard candy or sugar pills? We are here for you whenever you feel overwhelmed or frustrated. Warmly, Lori (Team Member)
Keith Crear Moderator & Contributor
Energy crashes and neuropathy are my worst two annoying villains. B. Keith Crear III (Team Member)
CommunityMemberc80c4f Member
Frustration is my enemy. I try so hard to keep my numbers in check and I try to keep my carbs and calories as low as possible. But it just does not seem to help. I can miss breakfast and lunch, and be sitting very still and I can watch my sugars going up and up. I can't seem to lose any weight either. Totally down in the dumps. Norleen Snell
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 I can see why you are so frustrated, Noreen (<inline-mention username="CommunityMemberc80c4f" user-id="3601377"/>). Have you ever met with a dietician who specializes in diabetes? If not, it might be helpful to ask your doctor for a referal. There are so many factors that can impact blood sugars levels from food to activity levels to the amount of sleep you get each day. A dietician might have some ideas about changing things up. If that doesn't help, don't be shy about reaching out to your doctor. You might need medication or a change in medication for a while to help you get on track. Best wishes. - Lori (Team Member)
2. CommunityMemberc80c4f Member
 <inline-mention username="Lori.Foster" user-id="8402045"/> Thank you Lori. Your advice is much appreciated, and I will do my best to follow it. Thank you again.