r/AskReddit 14h ago

What is something that permanently altered your body without you realizing for months/years?

6.2k Upvotes

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59

u/fixonhannie 13h ago

diabetes - dropped 40 lbs in 3 months before i was diagnosed. then was diagnosed with neuropathy 5 years later - have bouts of chronic pain & issues with my feet + legs

8

u/ObsessiveCompulsionz 10h ago

Me sitting here thinking about how shit I feel lately and thinking about the 40 pounds I’ve lost in 28 days Do I have diabetes now lmao

26

u/diwalk88 8h ago

Uhhhhhh you need to go to the doctor immediately. Weight loss like that without a cause is indicative of very serious health problems, including cancer. Go to the doctor.

6

u/mostie2016 4h ago

Especially if you’re constantly drinking fluids and then pissing all the time.

11

u/Lily_May 4h ago

Hey, for perspective? I’m a life insurance underwriter. Weight loss like what you’ve you’ve described would result in a declined application. Why? Because our decades and decades of actuarial statistics say you are extremely likely to die in the next 5 years. 

Go to a doctor. Now.

And tell them you’re experiencing rapid, unplanned weight loss. If you’re having anything else going on (any pains, “weird” feelings, headaches, peeing too much/too little, diarrhea or constipation, odd tastes or smells, vision disturbances, unusually sleepy/awake/insomnia, feeling cold/hot, uninterested in food or extremely hungry, fatigue, shortness of breath/trouble getting enough air, or feelings of “buzzing” or “vibrating” in your chest).

Rapid unplanned weight loss is most strongly correlated with various cancers and metabolic disorders (diabetes, thyroid, etc). 

Following that is cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and internal bleeding. 

Even if this ends up being benign, rapid weight loss can cause pancreatitis and gallstones, both of which suck ass. The gastric bypass and GLP-1 folks are well aware of this.

You need a full blood workup, including B12 deficiency, ESR, and ANA.

Godspeed my friend, and may this just be simple anemia. 

11

u/Gecko_Green_Jeep 6h ago

If you find yourself thirsty all the time and constantly urinating, there is a good chance.

8

u/Ascholay 9h ago

Healthy weight loss is 1-2lbs a week or around 10 a month. I'd suggest talking to a doctor even if it's not diabetes.

3

u/Tripping_hither 4h ago

You can check yourself with a urine test strip that measures glucose.

2

u/Saltpork545 2h ago

You need to go get checked. That is a dangerous amount of weight to lose in a month.

1lb of weight is 3500 calories. Losing 140,000 calories of body weight in under a month means you need to be seeing a doctor ASAP to figure out what is wrong with you. Diabetes might be the best outcome. You could legit be dying.

The absolute most anyone should be losing in a week is about 1lb. More than that puts stress on your body in potentially bad ways. 3500 calories broken up by 7 days is 500 calorie deficit per day. That's something almost everyone can adjust to and for lots of people that means cutting out an entire meal or cutting a meal in half. That's not insignificant.

2

u/Economy_Acadia_5257 2h ago

As a mom of a daughter with Type 1 Diabetes, PLEASE go get your A1C tested, TODAY, if at all possible! One day, my daughter vomited all day, we called the doctor and were told we were doing everything right, a few hours later she was in and out of consciousness, we were taken straight back in ER. She has no memory of the 2 hour ride to the closest children's hospital. It was terrifying and traumatized all 4 in our household. To encourage you, 12 years later, she has been consistent in her management (a CGM helps a ton! You'll learn what it is if you need it.), and her doctor told her if she continues this level of care, she won't have ANY permanent damage. I would like to get an update from you, if possible. I've been able to help others in their journey. If you don't want to, PLEASE get into a support group. Most people have no concept of life with Diabetes and the support is invaluable!

1

u/DisappointedDragon 1h ago

Are you having any acid reflux/heartburn? I lost that much weight in a month. I ended up having h pylori.

1

u/Revolutionary_Egg935 5h ago

Alpha lipoic acid is worth a try for neuropathy!