I Was Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in February 2024: Everything Finally Made Sense

In February 2024, I was given a diagnosis that ultimately clarified the numerous health challenges I had struggled with for years. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. This insight connected a series of medical incidents that had confounded both myself and my medical team until that point.

It all began back in October 2020. I experienced a sudden fainting episode and had to be taken to the emergency room. When I regained consciousness three days later, I was informed about a thyroid issue and that I had lost two pints of blood for unknown reasons. Following a blood transfusion, I was released with a prescription for 200 mg of Levothyroxine. Although I felt improved at first, there was confusion regarding my blood results, which appeared to lack coherence.

Two years afterward, in 2022, the death of my husband prompted me to move to Las Vegas, where I had longtime friends. My health was still not in great shape, so I scheduled an appointment with an endocrinologist. He discovered that my Levothyroxine dosage was too high, resulting in an adjustment to 75 mg that significantly enhanced my condition. However, my blood tests continued to mystify the healthcare providers.

The bewildering results persisted when, in September 2023, I consulted a nephrologist due to abnormal EGFR readings that suggested potential kidney issues. While vacationing in Florida with a friend, joint pain in my thumbs led me to a rheumatologist. He detected a wheezing sound in my chest and requested comprehensive evaluations, including X-rays and extensive blood tests. Once again, the findings were inexplicable.

Upon returning to Las Vegas, I noticed a slight improvement in the persistent cough and sputum I had dealt with for about a year, though I remained worried. I opted against an immediate CT scan of my chest but continued with doctor appointments and routine blood work, none of which clarified my health situation.

Another twist came in January 2024. After moving into my friend’s home, she was diagnosed with COVID-19, and I caught it soon after. Luckily, my case was mild, and I recovered swiftly. During an appointment with my endocrinologist, I learned I was prediabetic, but once more, my lab results were puzzling.

Two weeks later, I completely lost my appetite. Even though I felt fine, eating became a burden, and soon I experienced significant, disorienting vision blurriness. My initial concern was about possible kidney issues, based on my online explorations. An eye exam indicated that only a prescription change was necessary. Despite getting new glasses, the blurriness continued.

Around Super Bowl weekend in 2024, I became alarmingly weak and lethargic during a friend’s visit. I was unable to eat or stay awake, attributing these symptoms to lingering COVID-19 effects. However, my health rapidly deteriorated. After drinking a fruit smoothie, I violently vomited. My friend, distressed by my frailty and inability to function, called 911. It seemed I had reached a critical point of bodily breakdown.

In the hospital, my blood sugar level registered an astounding 650, signaling diabetes, a term that was unfamiliar to me. As insulin drips were administered, I became aware of my new condition amid the haze of ICU care. After two days of unconsciousness, I awoke in a standard hospital room, where I spent an additional three days before being discharged. Now, I am reliant on insulin and have regular blood sugar checks every three months.

Gaining insight and control over my diabetes has transformed my life. The diagnosis provided clarity to my complicated and previously unexplained health incidents. Acknowledging and managing my condition underscores the importance of advocacy and perseverance in addressing one’s health concerns.