Feeling weak and run down

Jacob Sullivan91 said:I'm not saying you suggested something extreme, just that it wasn't exactly right. I'd pass out without snacking in between meals 🤷

IR is super easy to diagnose, so he's better off just going for an OGTT to see if he needs medication.

And that's exactly my point:

steelwalker26 said:Looks like you're hitting the early stages of insulin resistance—basically prediabetes.

Start hitting some extra multivitamins and minerals. Watch your meal timing like a hawk. Cut back on the carbs—I mean both the pure sugar and the heavy starches—and swap them out for leafy greens, healthy fats, and just moderate amounts of protein.
Force yourself to walk every single day, but don't just stroll; vary your pace. You need at least thirty minutes, though forty-five is the sweet spot.

To track those baseline levels (which you’ll definitely need later to see if this is actually working), go get an OGTT and an HbA1c test done. Check this out for prep:

What kind of symptoms were you dealing with at first? How did you end up getting your diagnosis?

^^ I'm asking because of this

Jacob Sullivan91 said:I'm just sitting here waiting on some genetic testing results... because honestly, it’s not like I’m overweight or anything. My cholesterol has never even come close to the upper limit, let alone gone over it, and my blood pressure has been totally fine my entire life.

My mom deals with the exact same thing, so there's a pretty good chance this is just running in the family... genetics, right?

Reading what the OP wrote, it really takes me back to how I felt about ten years ago. Back then, I was struggling with hypothyroidism and anxiety 🤷

What kind of prediabetes symptoms did you actually experience, if any?

steelwalker26 said:And that's exactly my point:

What kind of symptoms were you dealing with at first? How did you end up getting your diagnosis?

Nausea, headaches, and just feeling absolutely wiped out after eating anything sweet... and mind you, I almost never get headaches.

Just felt physically off in general, plus I started packing on belly fat out of nowhere, which was weird because I was hitting the gym hard and actually watching my diet.

I was seeing an endocrinologist (who also handles diabetes) and she pretty much guessed it right away, even though she sent me for a ton of tests. She told me I had that classic insulin belly.

Oh, and yeah, my fasting blood sugar was relatively low. Like, we went for a physical and everyone else was sitting at 90-100, but mine was under 70. I honestly thought that was great... 😬

Don't have my lab results right in front of me, but I know things have progressed quite a bit and my insulin levels are through the roof. During my OGTT, I felt so sick I could barely walk down the stairs... everything went blurry and I was seeing double.

steelwalker26 said:And this part is crucial:
supplement with extra multivitamins and minerals. Watch your meal timing. Cut back on carbs—specifically sugar and starches—and swap them out for leafy greens, healthy fats, and moderate amounts of protein.

Regarding that meal rhythm—if you start digging into the research on insulin resistance, you'll see the consensus is to stop snacking constantly. It means sticking to three steady meals composed of low-glycemic foods, and absolutely nothing in between.

I guess I'll be watching what I eat more closely from now on. I might occasionally toss in some effervescent vitamin tablets—mostly just Vitamin C, I suppose.

Douglas Grant26 said:Exactly. Those symptoms aren't even related to diabetes or insulin; it's just sending him down the wrong path. What was stated correctly is that meals should have a lower GI to prevent those massive sugar spikes and insulin surges. Generally, you're looking at five smaller, low-GI meals rather than just three big ones.

Since he doesn't have high blood pressure, didn't mention excessive thirst or frequent urination as main symptoms, and hasn't lost significant weight, he likely doesn't have a diabetes issue. But if he really wants to rule it out, he should test his blood sugar while fasting and after eating. If it were an insulin or sugar issue, he'd definitely see problems right after a meal...

So, my doctor thinks it might be a thyroid issue—though the folks over at the ER told me it wasn't exactly an emergency. I mean, okay, maybe it isn't "life-threatening" right this second, but I’ve had those episodes two or three times now where I just felt completely wiped out—just pure exhaustion and weakness—so that’s why I decided to post about it here.
Just sharing my own little situation here—I guess blood pressure is one of those things where everyone reacts differently. Like, maybe one person handles a jump to 135 or 140 without blinking, while someone else might feel like the world is ending. It really seems to vary from person to person, I suppose.
I guess we’ll definitely need to dig a little deeper and run some more tests—it's probably worth looking into further.

Jacob Sullivan91 said:Where are you even getting that from? Because over at Mayo Clinic they told me the exact opposite... honestly, eating smaller, more frequent meals is the only thing keeping my blood sugar steady (since it drops because my insulin is spiked too high). I really think he should go talk to an actual specialist. People online post whatever random theories they have about treating IR and diabetes, and half of it isn't even sustainable...

@Jose Edwards16 what was your fasting FEC like?

What exactly is FEC?
I just went in for some routine blood and urine work—nothing major—and I've listed the results here (just those four or five values that seem a little off).

From what I gather, there are actually different kinds of diabetes out there—Type 1, Type 2, and then that Type 3 thing. I’m honestly not entirely sure if you're supposed to follow specific diets depending on which type you're dealing with, or if it's all more or less the same approach. Maybe there are nuances I'm missing, I guess.
So... these diseases? I mean, what are we actually talking about here? It’s all a bit vague, isn't it—just one big, messy question mark. Maybe it's just the way things go sometimes, I guess. Or maybe there's more to it. Who knows?

Started doing some light biking and walking through the nature trails today—maybe for an hour or two. It wasn't really that strenuous, I guess. My blood pressure ended up being pretty normal this evening, around 125/85.
I've been sticking to veggie stuff lately—oatmeal, salads, even a vegan tortilla loaded with veggies. The thing is, I feel hungry again almost immediately after eating. It’s kind of a cycle.
Tomorrow will probably be fish night.

As for follow-ups—I’m going to try emailing the clinic because getting them on the phone is basically impossible; the line just keeps ringing busy.

Things are feeling relatively okay. At work, I only had those brief moments in the morning where I felt a bit off, but I managed to get through my shift normally.
I did mention to them that this is happening more frequently, so they're aware. I think some of them realized it wasn't just a one-off fluke
where I happened to feel bad once, but rather a recurring pattern.

Thanx for the advice. I'll check back in when I have updates.👍

So, I scheduled some scans at the clinic (kidney ultrasound) and they suggested I get an OGTT and my HbA1c checked too
sometime next week. All the tests together should run about seventy-five bucks or so.
The week has been a bit of a mixed bag, I guess. Work was kind of rough during certain stretches today—just one of those days—but things felt better
once I got home. That is, until this tooth I’ve been getting fixed started acting up again, so now I have to deal with the dentist too. I cut my bike ride down to just thirty minutes because of the toothache, and now I’m just getting ready to crash.
That's about it. 🙂

Let me know what’s going on because I’m curious too. I’ve been dealing with this constant weakness for a while now. Sometimes it feels psychological—you know, when I’m feeling down and that heavy mood just washes over me, I can recognize it.
But then there are times where it’s definitely not mental. Like, whenever the weather shifts, I am absolutely wiped out. Literally, I can’t even walk; I have to lie down and crash for two hours just to feel human again. I actually fell asleep on a bench at a local park once, and honestly, I don't even remember how 😱. Sometimes it feels like my heart is barely beating, or my breathing gets all shallow. I get pale as a ghost sometimes—even my orthodontist commented on how rough I look... and my grandma was like, "Honey, you look terrible. What is wrong with you?"
I went for blood work and a urine sample a few days ago, and everything came back totally fine.
The weight comes back so slowly; it takes months just to put on 2 or 3 pounds—and then right before finals week, I lose it all. At 5'10", I'm barely hitting 130 lbs.🙂 And everyone keeps giving me grief about it. It's annoying as hell...
I had a quick heart checkup once. I ramped up my workouts way too fast, and they caught something during a routine physical. It seemed okay at the time, but they said I should follow up occasionally (though I haven't really gone back since)
Because man, it is awful when you feel this total exhaustion and you just can't function. My ears start ringing, I get this sharp pain in my rebro, and I get so dizzy that looking at the floor makes me feel like I'm high or something—walking becomes a struggle because you aren't steady on your feet. You start sweating and feeling totally disoriented. Actually, when I went in to get a wisdom tooth pulled, I turned white as a sheet; I couldn't even stand up. Two nurses had to practically carry me, and they had to put me on oxygen. Everything went white in front of my eyes, and I seriously thought—finally, I'm dead. 🤣

You are literally helpless, like you have zero control over your own body.

I eat a lot of salty stuff. Not much sugar, though—except for some Cola 😬 So, no cookies or pastries or anything like that.
I stay pretty active. Probably going to be doing even more out in the sun soon.

I got recommended for a bunch of different tests, but if I actually show up at my primary care doctor and say, "Hey, someone told me I need all this and that," I think the doctor would probably faint from the sheer number of referrals she'd have to write. We're talking tongue checks (because it gets weirdly cratered sometimes), thyroid tests because of the weight issues, blood pressure since they think it's too low, then the heart stuff again, and an eye exam every single year. But honestly, I just don't have the luxury of spending all that time at the doctor right now.

Larry Diaz4, what’s your HbA1c looking like? From what you're saying, this sounds like iron-deficiency anemia to me.
The best natural sources are red meat, organ meats, eggs, leafy greens, legumes, and fish.
Pair those with something high in Vitamin C to actually help with absorption.
And quit drinking Col; it just blocks your body from absorbing essential minerals. A natural lemonade (loaded with Vit C!) is a much better swap—just sweeten it however you want.

I’d love to, really, but honestly? That might be the last bit of joy I have left in this life. And man, it's hard to let go... I know it's bad for me, but I just love it too much. It's like—I don't even touch coffee, or cigarettes, or booze.
I have no clue what the number actually is. I just don't have the luxury of time to go see a doctor right now, at least not until May 7th.
I don't eat any veggies. As for fruit? I can't even bring myself to slice it up because of my glucose monitor. It’s mostly just chicken and potatoes. Everything is fried in grease or oil—nothing except French fries.
On top of all that, I’ve been feeling pretty low mentally, and honestly, the last ten days have been even harder because of it.
I don't take any pills. Well, except for some Klavocin I had to take for an ear infection after ending up in the ER...
The weight is dropping again.

I can't believe I've fallen this far. I went from working out every single day and winning medals to being a total wreck physically. A dog could practically chew me up.

Larry Diaz4 said:Let me know what’s going on because I’m curious too. I’ve been dealing with this constant weakness for a while now. Sometimes it feels psychological—you know, when I’m feeling down and that heavy mood just washes over me, I can recognize it.
But then there are times where it’s definitely not mental. Like, whenever the weather shifts, I am absolutely wiped out. Literally, I can’t even walk; I have to lie down and crash for two hours just to feel human again. I actually fell asleep on a bench at a local park once, and honestly, I don't even remember how 😱. Sometimes it feels like my heart is barely beating, or my breathing gets all shallow. I get pale as a ghost sometimes—even my orthodontist commented on how rough I look... and my grandma was like, "Honey, you look terrible. What is wrong with you?"
I went for blood work and a urine sample a few days ago, and everything came back totally fine.
The weight comes back so slowly; it takes months just to put on 2 or 3 pounds—and then right before finals week, I lose it all. At 5'10", I'm barely hitting 130 lbs.🙂 And everyone keeps giving me grief about it. It's annoying as hell...
I had a quick heart checkup once. I ramped up my workouts way too fast, and they caught something during a routine physical. It seemed okay at the time, but they said I should follow up occasionally (though I haven't really gone back since)
Because man, it is awful when you feel this total exhaustion and you just can't function. My ears start ringing, I get this sharp pain in my rebro, and I get so dizzy that looking at the floor makes me feel like I'm high or something—walking becomes a struggle because you aren't steady on your feet. You start sweating and feeling totally disoriented. Actually, when I went in to get a wisdom tooth pulled, I turned white as a sheet; I couldn't even stand up. Two nurses had to practically carry me, and they had to put me on oxygen. Everything went white in front of my eyes, and I seriously thought—finally, I'm dead. 🤣

You are literally helpless, like you have zero control over your own body.

I eat a lot of salty stuff. Not much sugar, though—except for some Cola 😬 So, no cookies or pastries or anything like that.
I stay pretty active. Probably going to be doing even more out in the sun soon.

I got recommended for a bunch of different tests, but if I actually show up at my primary care doctor and say, "Hey, someone told me I need all this and that," I think the doctor would probably faint from the sheer number of referrals she'd have to write. We're talking tongue checks (because it gets weirdly cratered sometimes), thyroid tests because of the weight issues, blood pressure since they think it's too low, then the heart stuff again, and an eye exam every single year. But honestly, I just don't have the luxury of spending all that time at the doctor right now.

Luckily enough, weather changes don't really mess with me—I guess I'm just built that way. The only thing that actually gets to me is the heat, specifically those stifling, humid days where there isn't even a hint of a breeze to break it up.

It’s just... honestly, it sucks when you hit that wall where you feel completely wiped out—like, total physical exhaustion where you can't get anything done. It’s a pretty rough feeling, I guess.

You’re basically powerless—it's like you don't even have control over yourself.

I can still get things done—it’s just that I have to scale back a bit and move at a slower pace, I guess. I also find that on top of my main breaks, I probably need to squeeze in another one or two five-to-ten minute stretches here and there just to keep going.
I'm trying to drink more water—or maybe just stick to more Coca-Cola. I guess we'll see how that goes.

So, I got recommended a few different tests, but honestly, if I actually walk into my primary care doctor's office and tell them—you know, like, "hey, people told me I should get this done and that done"—I feel like the nurse would just hit me with a stack of five or six different referrals. It’d probably start with a speech pathologist because my articulation can be a bit... let's say "rugged" sometimes—then they'd likely suggest an ultrasound for my thyroid since I've been feeling heavy lately, then maybe some blood pressure stuff because they think it's bottoming out, then heart stuff, and I'd probably end up at the ophthalmologist too, since I go there every single year anyway. I mean, I just don't exactly have the luxury of spending all day sitting in waiting rooms right now.

Look, you should probably just try to get organized. I mean, there’s no way you can tackle every single check all at once—that's just not realistic—but maybe you could just start somewhere? Just pick one thing and go from there, I guess.
So, I’ve got my appointments lined up for next week—Tuesday and Friday. I already cleared things with my boss at work, so I'm taking Friday off entirely. As for Tuesday, since that appointment is scheduled for the morning, I’ll just head into the office in the afternoon instead. I guess that works out okay, maybe.

Right now, my biggest issue is this toothache. It’s constant—just a steady, nagging throb. I started popping some Advil yesterday since there was no stopping it, but I had this idea—maybe it was a bad one—that the effects would wear off sooner in the afternoon, so I skipped a dose. Then today, I actually missed my morning dose because I was running late, but...
They said I could swing by tomorrow—Saturday. I actually have an appointment scheduled for two weeks from now, but honestly, if that tooth is giving you constant trouble, just go ahead and get it looked at... maybe. Hope it feels better.
Maybe I'll actually deal with this mess tomorrow—fingers crossed. Taking the pills doesn't really fix anything, it just... mutes it, I guess? It’s more like a temporary hush rather than an actual solution. And honestly, I've already had enough of it today.
So, looking at the third dose—according to the instructions, the sweet spot is somewhere around 3 to 4 tablets. Each one is 600 mg, so that puts the max at 1,800 mg... though I think if I remember reading the fine print correctly, you can push it up to 2,400 mg a day in extreme cases. Anyway, I guess that means I probably need to take another one before hitting the sack tonight.

steelwalker26 said:Larry Diaz4, what’s your HbA1c looking like? From what you're saying, this sounds like iron-deficiency anemia to me.
The best natural sources are red meat, organ meats, eggs, leafy greens, legumes, and fish.
Pair those with something high in Vitamin C to actually help with absorption.
And quit drinking Col; it just blocks your body from absorbing essential minerals. A natural lemonade (loaded with Vit C!) is a much better swap—just sweeten it however you want.

Larry Diaz4 said:I’d love to, really, but honestly? That might be the last bit of joy I have left in this life. And man, it's hard to let go... I know it's bad for me, but I just love it too much. It's like—I don't even touch coffee, or cigarettes, or booze.
I have no clue what the number actually is. I just don't have the luxury of time to go see a doctor right now, at least not until May 7th.
I don't eat any veggies. As for fruit? I can't even bring myself to slice it up because of my glucose monitor. It’s mostly just chicken and potatoes. Everything is fried in grease or oil—nothing except French fries.
On top of all that, I’ve been feeling pretty low mentally, and honestly, the last ten days have been even harder because of it.
I don't take any pills. Well, except for some Klavocin I had to take for an ear infection after ending up in the ER...
The weight is dropping again.

I can't believe I've fallen this far. I went from working out every single day and winning medals to being a total wreck physically. A dog could practically chew me up.

I finally cut out the sodas. First off—they just make me feel bloated, like my stomach is constantly full of air. Second, they’re honestly too much for me—kind of an overwhelming hit—and third, once you actually start feeling... well, you know.
(pointing at that tooth of yours that’s already acting up) if you actually believe that carbonated stuff eats away at your enamel—you know, like, totally destroys the tooth—then I guess you have to ask yourself why you're still drinking it in the first place.
With Col and stuff like that, you’re really just dumping sugar into your system—it doesn't actually quench your thirst, I guess. Even the standard sparkling waters—you know, like Perrier or those other big brands—always felt a bit too aggressive for me... maybe it's just me. I ended up picking up some Mivela (the red one) because the carbonation is way lighter, and honestly, it hits the spot. Might be worth a shot if you're looking for something else.
Sometimes I'll go with bamboo—I guess.

I came across this YouTube video a while back—it’s actually pretty educational if you think about it—where some guy pours two liters of sparkling soda into a pot and just lets it boil away. He basically kept cooking it until all the water evaporated, leaving nothing but this thick, brown sludge at the bottom... I guess it's just concentrated sugar and caramel or whatever additives they dump into those drinks. There are actually a bunch of other videos out there doing the exact same thing. Here’s one:
Link

White coffee without any sugar—honestly, it tastes pretty mediocre—but I finally decided to cut the sweetener out of my routine ever since these issues started popping up.
My own little struggle, I guess—if I mix my cappuccino with regular coffee, it actually tastes better since the cappuccino has a bit of sugar in it. It’s a weird thing to fixate on, maybe, but there you go.

I don't really do vegetables. And fruit? Honestly, I can't be bothered to slice it up—too much effort with my gadgets and all that. It’s mostly just chicken and potatoes for me. Everything is cooked in fat or oil... well, except for fries, obviously.

Maybe you're running into those issues because your diet is a bit too one-dimensional—I mean, your body might just not be getting all the nutrients it actually needs to function properly, I guess. 🤔
I think one of the guys on here mentioned something along those lines—it's a fair point, I guess. Anyway, I figured I’d throw in a few of my own suggestions.
When it comes to fruit—I mean, you’ve got blenders, right? You can just toss a bunch of different fruits in there and whip up a smoothie—but honestly, they don't always turn out looking that great.
It looks like—well, I guess the flavor really just comes down to whatever you decide to throw in there. You can pretty much find any combination of fruit that hits the spot for you—whether it's...
Bananas, apples, pears... or whatever else you're into. I guess I don't eat nearly enough fruit myself either.

When it comes to veggies... I’m all about salads—you know, like a good green salad, potato salad, mixed greens, beet salad... that kind of thing. The only thing I can't stand is kale.
Whenever I have beans, I usually make sure to toss in at least one tomato—or maybe some cucumbers or bell peppers—just to have a little salad on the side, I guess.
I don't necessarily need meat to be the centerpiece of a meal—I could probably just get by on nothing but potato salad or a bean salad if I really wanted to.

So, I recently ordered this vegan tortilla at a restaurant—not that I’m actually a vegetarian or anything, mind you—just a veggie tortilla paired with a side salad. It was actually pretty good, I guess.

Well, look, maybe try tweaking those eating habits a little bit. If you’re already going out of your way to grab a sugary soda—I mean, why even bother?—you might as well pick up a couple of pounds of fruit and some veggies while you're at it. Just a thought, I guess.

Zachary Gomez said:What specific tests are used to determine insulin resistance?

They measure fasting insulin, along with several readings after you eat.
I’ve done this before at places like Mayo Clinic or Johns Hopkins; first, they draw blood while you're fasting, then they have you drink a glucose solution, and then they take blood samples at specific intervals (don't quote me on the exact timing since I don't have my lab results handy, but if I recall correctly, it was at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes).
They check both glucose and insulin levels.
For glucose, the extended version is called an OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test). A standard one just involves fasting, drinking the glucose, and staying still without eating or drinking for two hours before another draw. With the extended test and insulin monitoring, it's the same idea: fasting, the glucose drink, and then staying as still as possible without food or drink until the end. It's a bit like being stuck in one spot for a while. 😁

The standard two-hour test doesn't tell me much, but the extended one really highlights insulin resistance—my insulin levels skyrocket and then absolutely crater.

Now, I'm no doctor, but I don't quite follow the logic regarding that blood pressure medication.
It's not like your blood pressure is constantly through the roof.
And why not try managing it through lifestyle changes first?
In my case, they had me do a Holter monitor (that 24-hour wearable device that tracks your pressure) first, and it turned out I didn't need a full dose, just half of a minimum dose.

Did they not even run a FEC test for you?

On another note, I've been feeling completely wiped out due to iron-deficiency anemia... I can barely manage ten reps at the gym. I feel like I could fall asleep standing up, and my concentration is shot. But I was taking Heferol and Ferrum (alternating them over a few months), which brought my iron back to normal for a bit, but then it would drop again and I'd be back on Ferrum.
Right now, I'm feeling dizzy and lethargic again, and my hair is thinning, so I assume the anemia is back. I need to head to the local clinic for some blood work.

At the end of the day, without proper testing, you won't find the cause or the right treatment... whether that's a pill or just some carrot juice.

Jose Edwards16 said:Luckily enough, weather changes don't really mess with me—I guess I'm just built that way. The only thing that actually gets to me is the heat, specifically those stifling, humid days where there isn't even a hint of a breeze to break it up.

It’s just... honestly, it sucks when you hit that wall where you feel completely wiped out—like, total physical exhaustion where you can't get anything done. It’s a pretty rough feeling, I guess.

You’re basically powerless—it's like you don't even have control over yourself.

I can still get things done—it’s just that I have to scale back a bit and move at a slower pace, I guess. I also find that on top of my main breaks, I probably need to squeeze in another one or two five-to-ten minute stretches here and there just to keep going.
I'm trying to drink more water—or maybe just stick to more Coca-Cola. I guess we'll see how that goes.

So, I got recommended a few different tests, but honestly, if I actually walk into my primary care doctor's office and tell them—you know, like, "hey, people told me I should get this done and that done"—I feel like the nurse would just hit me with a stack of five or six different referrals. It’d probably start with a speech pathologist because my articulation can be a bit... let's say "rugged" sometimes—then they'd likely suggest an ultrasound for my thyroid since I've been feeling heavy lately, then maybe some blood pressure stuff because they think it's bottoming out, then heart stuff, and I'd probably end up at the ophthalmologist too, since I go there every single year anyway. I mean, I just don't exactly have the luxury of spending all day sitting in waiting rooms right now.

Look, you should probably just try to get organized. I mean, there’s no way you can tackle every single check all at once—that's just not realistic—but maybe you could just start somewhere? Just pick one thing and go from there, I guess.
So, I’ve got my appointments lined up for next week—Tuesday and Friday. I already cleared things with my boss at work, so I'm taking Friday off entirely. As for Tuesday, since that appointment is scheduled for the morning, I’ll just head into the office in the afternoon instead. I guess that works out okay, maybe.

Right now, my biggest issue is this toothache. It’s constant—just a steady, nagging throb. I started popping some Advil yesterday since there was no stopping it, but I had this idea—maybe it was a bad one—that the effects would wear off sooner in the afternoon, so I skipped a dose. Then today, I actually missed my morning dose because I was running late, but...
They said I could swing by tomorrow—Saturday. I actually have an appointment scheduled for two weeks from now, but honestly, if that tooth is giving you constant trouble, just go ahead and get it looked at... maybe. Hope it feels better.
Maybe I'll actually deal with this mess tomorrow—fingers crossed. Taking the pills doesn't really fix anything, it just... mutes it, I guess? It’s more like a temporary hush rather than an actual solution. And honestly, I've already had enough of it today.
So, looking at the third dose—according to the instructions, the sweet spot is somewhere around 3 to 4 tablets. Each one is 600 mg, so that puts the max at 1,800 mg... though I think if I remember reading the fine print correctly, you can push it up to 2,400 mg a day in extreme cases. Anyway, I guess that means I probably need to take another one before hitting the sack tonight.

I finally cut out the sodas. First off—they just make me feel bloated, like my stomach is constantly full of air. Second, they’re honestly too much for me—kind of an overwhelming hit—and third, once you actually start feeling... well, you know.
(pointing at that tooth of yours that’s already acting up) if you actually believe that carbonated stuff eats away at your enamel—you know, like, totally destroys the tooth—then I guess you have to ask yourself why you're still drinking it in the first place.
With Col and stuff like that, you’re really just dumping sugar into your system—it doesn't actually quench your thirst, I guess. Even the standard sparkling waters—you know, like Perrier or those other big brands—always felt a bit too aggressive for me... maybe it's just me. I ended up picking up some Mivela (the red one) because the carbonation is way lighter, and honestly, it hits the spot. Might be worth a shot if you're looking for something else.
Sometimes I'll go with bamboo—I guess.

I came across this YouTube video a while back—it’s actually pretty educational if you think about it—where some guy pours two liters of sparkling soda into a pot and just lets it boil away. He basically kept cooking it until all the water evaporated, leaving nothing but this thick, brown sludge at the bottom... I guess it's just concentrated sugar and caramel or whatever additives they dump into those drinks. There are actually a bunch of other videos out there doing the exact same thing. Here’s one:
Link

White coffee without any sugar—honestly, it tastes pretty mediocre—but I finally decided to cut the sweetener out of my routine ever since these issues started popping up.
My own little struggle, I guess—if I mix my cappuccino with regular coffee, it actually tastes better since the cappuccino has a bit of sugar in it. It’s a weird thing to fixate on, maybe, but there you go.

I don't really do vegetables. And fruit? Honestly, I can't be bothered to slice it up—too much effort with my gadgets and all that. It’s mostly just chicken and potatoes for me. Everything is cooked in fat or oil... well, except for fries, obviously.

Maybe you're running into those issues because your diet is a bit too one-dimensional—I mean, your body might just not be getting all the nutrients it actually needs to function properly, I guess. 🤔
I think one of the guys on here mentioned something along those lines—it's a fair point, I guess. Anyway, I figured I’d throw in a few of my own suggestions.
When it comes to fruit—I mean, you’ve got blenders, right? You can just toss a bunch of different fruits in there and whip up a smoothie—but honestly, they don't always turn out looking that great.
It looks like—well, I guess the flavor really just comes down to whatever you decide to throw in there. You can pretty much find any combination of fruit that hits the spot for you—whether it's...
Bananas, apples, pears... or whatever else you're into. I guess I don't eat nearly enough fruit myself either.

When it comes to veggies... I’m all about salads—you know, like a good green salad, potato salad, mixed greens, beet salad... that kind of thing. The only thing I can't stand is kale.
Whenever I have beans, I usually make sure to toss in at least one tomato—or maybe some cucumbers or bell peppers—just to have a little salad on the side, I guess.
I don't necessarily need meat to be the centerpiece of a meal—I could probably just get by on nothing but potato salad or a bean salad if I really wanted to.

So, I recently ordered this vegan tortilla at a restaurant—not that I’m actually a vegetarian or anything, mind you—just a veggie tortilla paired with a side salad. It was actually pretty good, I guess.

Well, look, maybe try tweaking those eating habits a little bit. If you’re already going out of your way to grab a sugary soda—I mean, why even bother?—you might as well pick up a couple of pounds of fruit and some veggies while you're at it. Just a thought, I guess.

Yeah, I am.

@Larry Diaz4, do a quick Google search on scurvy and look up the symptoms. You need a steady intake of Vitamin C just to stay alive.

Nicholas Davis4 said:They measure fasting insulin, along with several readings after you eat.
I’ve done this before at places like Mayo Clinic or Johns Hopkins; first, they draw blood while you're fasting, then they have you drink a glucose solution, and then they take blood samples at specific intervals (don't quote me on the exact timing since I don't have my lab results handy, but if I recall correctly, it was at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes).
They check both glucose and insulin levels.
For glucose, the extended version is called an OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test). A standard one just involves fasting, drinking the glucose, and staying still without eating or drinking for two hours before another draw. With the extended test and insulin monitoring, it's the same idea: fasting, the glucose drink, and then staying as still as possible without food or drink until the end. It's a bit like being stuck in one spot for a while. 😁

The standard two-hour test doesn't tell me much, but the extended one really highlights insulin resistance—my insulin levels skyrocket and then absolutely crater.

Now, I'm no doctor, but I don't quite follow the logic regarding that blood pressure medication.
It's not like your blood pressure is constantly through the roof.
And why not try managing it through lifestyle changes first?
In my case, they had me do a Holter monitor (that 24-hour wearable device that tracks your pressure) first, and it turned out I didn't need a full dose, just half of a minimum dose.

Did they not even run a FEC test for you?

On another note, I've been feeling completely wiped out due to iron-deficiency anemia... I can barely manage ten reps at the gym. I feel like I could fall asleep standing up, and my concentration is shot. But I was taking Heferol and Ferrum (alternating them over a few months), which brought my iron back to normal for a bit, but then it would drop again and I'd be back on Ferrum.
Right now, I'm feeling dizzy and lethargic again, and my hair is thinning, so I assume the anemia is back. I need to head to the local clinic for some blood work.

At the end of the day, without proper testing, you won't find the cause or the right treatment... whether that's a pill or just some carrot juice.

Just in case anyone needs the heads-up, I was stuck in the hospital bed on an IV for the OGTT, and when my sugar crashed hard, I felt like death.

The whole lying in bed and being on an IV caught me off guard since I expected to be sitting in a waiting room or being mobile. And I wish someone had told me to bring snacks, because I could barely limp over to the snack stand at the hospital near downtown Chicago.

Larry Diaz4, like this?

Nene, it looks like craters.
https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/ind...8g0O5o8RqMJKoh
Not quite this extreme, though—not right along the edges. Sometimes, after eating... well, it varies. And just rinsing with water. My doctor at the Mayo Clinic actually told me I should head over to the university hospital to have them take a real look. 😬

Look, I get that it's bad, but man, it’s such a rush. I drink too much and for way too long—I know, I know. But honestly, it's my instant fix. It's the same way I act when I've gone overboard on greasy food. I'll crush a burger or a kebab and it just "lifts" me up. Same thing with a Cola. Or like, when I'm talking to this girl—you know the type—she keeps pulling me in, then makes me feel like an absolute idiot by canceling two dates in a row on her own terms. I'm sitting there just absolutely fuming inside. Then I grab a Cola, and like a phoenix rising, I'm back. I can't even focus on studying, but after one glass—man, I feel like a god... knowledge just flows right in 😂 that's why I do it.
And the stress? It just crushes me. I'll drop a few pounds right before an exam. Even my professor asked if I was doing alright... and I've never even met the guy before.
Yesterday, I saw my ribs in the mirror, looked like I was out in Africa 🙂

At least I'm sleeping less now. I used to sleep like 12 hours straight.

I mean, I know I ought to go, but you know how it is—you finally get an appointment with your doctor, and you realize you need a few follow-up checks. If I went now, she’d probably just scream at me. I just can't deal with it right now. I simply can't... I know it's irresponsible, but whatever.

Does salad even have Vitamin C? All I really eat is green leaf, iceberg, radishes, arugula, and green onions. Always paired with meat, obviously. So, basically, I eat it every other day 😁

Eating a little bit of lettuce every other day isn't exactly going to hit your daily vitamin requirements... Are you at least taking some multivitamins or something?

Look, I'm not trying to freak you out or anything, but those symptoms of yours could be anything—could be nothing major too, I guess. But honestly, I don't get how health can be lower on your priority list than everything else. Like, what's the point of getting that degree if you're too sick to enjoy it?

So many illnesses are way easier to deal with if you catch them early. If you keep pushing off seeing a doctor just because of something trivial like finals week, you might end up having to take a few years off because things got too serious...

I sometimes wish I’d just totally checked out during certain situations back in college, maybe frozen my semester and just found myself again. On the bright side, though, I did learn how to stop being stubborn and actually show up to my checkups on time.

I should’ve been finished by now—really, I should—but here I am, still dragging my feet right at the finish line. And this is supposed to be my absolute top priority. Honestly, I’m pretty embarrassed that I’m not done yet. It’s like back in college, I’d schedule wisdom tooth extractions right before finals or pull threads out right after exams... and what did that get me? Almost three semesters wasted because you just hit a wall for a week or so. That’s exactly what’s happening now. I know, I know, I'm being irresponsible, but man... what can you do?
I'm currently loading up on vitamins. From what I hear, people call them "expensive urine." Should I just stick to Coca-Cola? 😬
The headaches and blood pressure issues are actually a much bigger deal than just feeling weak. The real kicker is when the pressure spikes and the rain starts hitting—that’s when I totally crash. I absolutely have to lie down for 30 minutes, an hour... it’s total paralysis.
And then there’s this heatwave coming in... 😱
Things are shifting a bit now, though. Even if I slept through the night, I feel like I need to go lie down for a nap.
It’s this heavy sensation that just drains you—starting from your head, moving down to your neck, shoulders, arms, and all the way to your legs. It feels like that specific kind of weakness you get when you’re drifting off to sleep and suddenly realize you have to pee, but you physically can't move.
It's just like having a literal ton of bricks sitting on your back.

Okay, right now, my soul just hurts, and somehow that manifests as physical pain in my lower extremities. Every single bone aches. I can actually pinpoint that connection. And there isn't a pill in the world that fixes that.

I’ll head out after July 5th. Nothing is getting done until then. To be honest, I’m not even afraid of death—I don't give a damn about that. What really eats at me is this total lack of productivity because of the pain. Plus the weakness. The ringing in my ears. The loss of appetite. And this sudden, overwhelming exhaustion that just hits you out of nowhere.

Which part of this is actually true?

Larry Diaz4 said:I’d love to, really, but honestly? That might be the last bit of joy I have left in this life. And man, it's hard to let go... I know it's bad for me, but I just love it too much. It's like—I don't even touch coffee, or cigarettes, or booze.
I have no clue what the number actually is. I just don't have the luxury of time to go see a doctor right now, at least not until May 7th.
I don't eat any veggies. As for fruit? I can't even bring myself to slice it up because of my glucose monitor. It’s mostly just chicken and potatoes. Everything is fried in grease or oil—nothing except French fries.
On top of all that, I’ve been feeling pretty low mentally, and honestly, the last ten days have been even harder because of it.
I don't take any pills. Well, except for some Klavocin I had to take for an ear infection after ending up in the ER...
The weight is dropping again.

I can't believe I've fallen this far. I went from working out every single day and winning medals to being a total wreck physically. A dog could practically chew me up.

Larry Diaz4 said:Nene, it looks like craters.
https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/ind...8g0O5o8RqMJKoh
Not quite this extreme, though—not right along the edges. Sometimes, after eating... well, it varies. And just rinsing with water. My doctor at the Mayo Clinic actually told me I should head over to the university hospital to have them take a real look. 😬

Look, I get that it's bad, but man, it’s such a rush. I drink too much and for way too long—I know, I know. But honestly, it's my instant fix. It's the same way I act when I've gone overboard on greasy food. I'll crush a burger or a kebab and it just "lifts" me up. Same thing with a Cola. Or like, when I'm talking to this girl—you know the type—she keeps pulling me in, then makes me feel like an absolute idiot by canceling two dates in a row on her own terms. I'm sitting there just absolutely fuming inside. Then I grab a Cola, and like a phoenix rising, I'm back. I can't even focus on studying, but after one glass—man, I feel like a god... knowledge just flows right in 😂 that's why I do it.
And the stress? It just crushes me. I'll drop a few pounds right before an exam. Even my professor asked if I was doing alright... and I've never even met the guy before.
Yesterday, I saw my ribs in the mirror, looked like I was out in Africa 🙂

At least I'm sleeping less now. I used to sleep like 12 hours straight.

I mean, I know I ought to go, but you know how it is—you finally get an appointment with your doctor, and you realize you need a few follow-up checks. If I went now, she’d probably just scream at me. I just can't deal with it right now. I simply can't... I know it's irresponsible, but whatever.

Does salad even have Vitamin C? All I really eat is green leaf, iceberg, radishes, arugula, and green onions. Always paired with meat, obviously. So, basically, I eat it every other day 😁

I can't help but get the impression you almost enjoy being in such bad shape. Seriously though—do you actually want to feel better?

As you age, your metabolism naturally starts to drag its feet.
1) Things that used to mask internal inefficiencies—like certain enzymes and coenzymes—just don't cut it anymore.
2) It all comes down to what you're eating. If your diet was low on fiber and you weren't getting enough probiotics, your digestive tract might just be exhausted. Digestion can soak up about 80% of your energy under perfect conditions, let alone when you're dealing with a deficiency in good bacteria or enzymes.
Then you have to factor in things like systemic acidity, dehydration, or a lack of electrolytes and specific vitamins like magnesium. You also have to consider toxic load, pathogens (viruses, bacteria, parasites), and specifically keeping an eye out for things like Candida.

In a situation like this, those are the primary areas I’d look at first.

steelwalker26 said:Which part of this is actually true?

I can't help but get the impression you almost enjoy being in such bad shape. Seriously though—do you actually want to feel better?

Look, when I say I don't eat vegetables, I mean things like Brussels sprouts, beets, asparagus, spinach, and stuff like that. You know, the cooked, steamed, or fried kind... just tossed in as some casual side dish. Honestly? It’s just bland to me! Now, a green salad is fine because it actually makes the meat taste better. But bananas, apples, and all that fruit stuff? No thanks...
Are you really going to count a little bit of lettuce in a kebab 🤦 or some onions on a burger
as "eating vegetables"? Or maybe squeezing a little lemon over some fried chicken counts as getting your Vitamin C? 🤔

All I care about is being productive and not feeling like my body is constantly dragging me down. That's it. That's the whole goal. Because when you're in pain, you just can't get anything done.

Sorry if my food definitions aren't surgically precise. 🙂

Larry Diaz4 said:Look, when I say I don't eat vegetables, I mean things like Brussels sprouts, beets, asparagus, spinach, and stuff like that. You know, the cooked, steamed, or fried kind... just tossed in as some casual side dish. Honestly? It’s just bland to me! Now, a green salad is fine because it actually makes the meat taste better. But bananas, apples, and all that fruit stuff? No thanks...
Are you really going to count a little bit of lettuce in a kebab 🤦 or some onions on a burger
as "eating vegetables"? Or maybe squeezing a little lemon over some fried chicken counts as getting your Vitamin C? 🤔

All I care about is being productive and not feeling like my body is constantly dragging me down. That's it. That's the whole goal. Because when you're in pain, you just can't get anything done.

Sorry if my food definitions aren't surgically precise. 🙂

Yeah.

Larry Diaz4 said:Look, when I say I don't eat vegetables, I mean things like Brussels sprouts, beets, asparagus, spinach, and stuff like that. You know, the cooked, steamed, or fried kind... just tossed in as some casual side dish. Honestly? It’s just bland to me! Now, a green salad is fine because it actually makes the meat taste better. But bananas, apples, and all that fruit stuff? No thanks...
Are you really going to count a little bit of lettuce in a kebab 🤦 or some onions on a burger
as "eating vegetables"? Or maybe squeezing a little lemon over some fried chicken counts as getting your Vitamin C? 🤔

All I care about is being productive and not feeling like my body is constantly dragging me down. That's it. That's the whole goal. Because when you're in pain, you just can't get anything done.

Sorry if my food definitions aren't surgically precise. 🙂

Yeah, it counts. But look, if you're eating that tiny amount of fresh produce, you aren't getting nearly enough fiber—and your gut needs that to function. You'll get a few vitamins and minerals out of it, sure, but it’s not exactly a complete meal.

You don't want to see a doctor, you don't want to run any tests, and you won't touch a single dietary change or a pill to save your life. It’s like watching someone drive a car straight toward a brick wall while refusing to even check the brakes. 🤔 What else could be recommended? Get some sunlight whenever you can—aim for thirty minutes at a time. It’s essential for Vitamin D, and frankly, it helps with depression too. You might want to give whatever was suggested in post 27 a shot for a couple of weeks just to see if it actually makes a difference.