HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Why Have I Been Tired And Falling So Much?

hi,
I have been tired and falling a lot. I also am not hungry I have just been told I have diabetes and can not get it below 183 I have take in 10 times and only once it was 97. I have had my gallbladder out in March. I have epilepsy also not sure if anything has to do with the other.
Fri, 17 Jan 2014
Report Abuse
Pathologist and Microbiologist 's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
The two conditions- diabetes and epilepsy are not related to each other and each has to be managed separately.
Drugs for diabetes is required. Along with that life style modifications is required which includes proper diet planning and weight control.
Diabetes is usually characterized by increase in appetite and weight loss.
Epilepsy can be controlled by medication.
The type and dose of medication depends on the type of epilepsy and frequency of seizures.

You need to consult a diabetes specialist and a neurologist for diabetes and epilepsy respectively.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
I find this answer helpful

 1 user finds this helpful

Neurologist, Surgical Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj's  Response
Hi! My name is Vin. There are a couple of different issues here that we need to sort out. So lets start with the basics.

Your main problem seems to be that you're having difficulty with your sense of balance. Other problems include Diabetes that seems to be difficulty to control as well as a history of epilepsy.

I've noted the gallbladder surgery in March. Lets see if that fits in anywhere here.

First things first, lets talk about Balance! Your sense of balance is controlled by 3 parts of your body.. your eyes, your inner ears and your joints (or the sense of position that your joints are aware of). These 3 inputs are sent to your brain and your brain constructs a 3D map that you unconsciously use to move through the world.

If the input from any of these guys is messed up, or if the brain is having trouble dealing with the data from these sources.. Balance problems and falls can become a big issue.

I'm going to assume that even though your balance is causing you trouble.. you've still been able to keep going with your daily activities. I make this assumption because if its not true.. then you need to see your doctor right away.

Now, a few clarifying questions that you need to answer for yourself.. If any of the answers to these questions is yes then you need to see a doctor right away.

1) I have fallen from a standing position while walking or standing due to my balance problems
2) I have difficulty getting up from a lying down position.
3) I am dizzy on occasion
4) My balance problems are associated with vision problems
5) I get the urge to vomit when i am dizzy or about to fall

I'm hoping that none of these are true. If they are.. then please get to your doctor.

Now the other major element is your Diabetes. Most people are Non Insulin dependent (ie They take Pills by mouth to control their blood sugars) and i'm going to assume you are too.

Sugars that are uncontrolled CAN CAUSE FATIGUE & BALANCE PROBLEMS. So we need to make sure that your blood sugars get controlled much much tighter. Also we need to make sure that you are not getting hypoglycemic (Really LOW blood sugars), since that can trigger fatigue and falls pretty quickly.

As far the general management of your blood sugar is concerned. You need to make sure that you are eating regular meals at regular times. Since your body is having trouble managing its sugars for itself.. once of the best things we can do to help it is to regularize the times at which we take IN more sugar. So please plan 4 - 5 small meals throughout the day. It really is the best when you can talk to a dietician who is familiar with your dietary habits to help plan out your meals a bit.

The next thing is to make sure you are armed with all the info you need to show your doctor and get the medications dosage and timing right. To do this, i'd invest in a simple blood glucose testing kit. They are available over the counter and medicare generally springs for one if you ask them. Please Check your blood sugars
1) In the morning when you wake up
2) Before every meal
3) Half an hour after every meal
4) Before you go to bed at night.

If you can keep this up for a week and write it down in a little notebook, you're giving your doctor valuable info as to how your blood sugars are acting and how they respond to food. All of this can help tweak your meds (or insulin dosage) and bring those numbers down to more normal levels.

The other thing that you can talk to your doctor about is getting a 3 month sugar level checked (its called the HBA1c, it's a blood test that needs to be ordered by your doctor). That helps us a lot as far as managing blood sugars

Now as far as your epilepsy is concerned I'm hoping that you are on regular medications and that your symptoms are controlled. It's well known that certain kinds of seizures like absence seizures will cause falls and fatigue. A good neurologist will be able to find the right set of medications to control these issues. So please.. if you haven't had a check up from your family doctor or neurologist with regard to your epilepsy treatment.. please go back to them ASAP.

Now, in general abdominal surgeries wont cause too much in the way of fatigue and falling.. so i wouldn't worry 'bout the Gall Bladder.

Lets try these things first and then talk to your doctor. If you have any more questions, feel free to email me again and I will see how I can help.

Good luck and God bless.

Vin
I find this answer helpful

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Gallbladder


Loading Online Doctors....
Why Have I Been Tired And Falling So Much?

Hello and welcome to HCM, The two conditions- diabetes and epilepsy are not related to each other and each has to be managed separately. Drugs for diabetes is required. Along with that life style modifications is required which includes proper diet planning and weight control. Diabetes is usually characterized by increase in appetite and weight loss. Epilepsy can be controlled by medication. The type and dose of medication depends on the type of epilepsy and frequency of seizures. You need to consult a diabetes specialist and a neurologist for diabetes and epilepsy respectively. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja P Wahal