The Diabetic DISers thread. Support and Info Here.

[Zippa D Doodah]

My glucose numbers have been high every morning (upon waking) for the past 3 days 187, 174 and 183.

I am not eating anything after dinner (6:30pm-ish) except a sugar free jello. Is there anyway to bring the morning #'s down other than the metformin?

3 hours after a dinner (low fat/low carb/no sugar/low sodium) my level is around 160 but by morning it's higher. Not one single time that I have checked has my sugar been low, or even normal, it's always higher than it should be.

Any advise? I am supposed to chart my numbers for 2 weeks then start the metformin and chart for 2 weeks, but I feel like starting it now because the numbers are alarming me.

Hey, Cass! I've been off the DIS for a couple days. Sorry to hear you're having trouble getting things regulated. I got my morning # down to a 98 today; I did a right there at the bedside. A couple questions... when exactly are you testing? Is it immediately upon waking or is it several minute slater after you've started into your morning routine? The longer you wait the more probable it is you'll have that infamous "liver dump" that causes Dawn Phenomenon.

Diabetes is such an individual disease. You mention that you are only eating SF jello after supper. You might want to try a snack with a mix of carbs and fat. A Ritz cracker or two with a dab of peanut butter (not low-fat PB; you'll need the "real stuff"!) might do wonders. I've even heard of some people eating 4-5 peanut M&Ms shortly before bed to accomplish the same thing. The sugar spike in that would be too much for me, but that's not the same with everyone.

Also, you might want to mix in some cardio work right after eating supper. I do not do this myself, but probably should. I do all my intentional cardio in the mornings. A 2-3 mile walk after supper could do wonders. BTW, exercise is almost as essential as diet in dealing with DM.

ETA: Another thought on testing. Are you washing your hands in warm/hot water before testing forst thing in the morning? That might help. The reason being that if you don't you probably wind up milking the blood out of your finger which can play havoc with results.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

You like Pringles? lol! just kidding but you made me laugh. I'm betting it will take you a while to figure out how to do this. I'm wonderiing what wonderful results I will be getting. Have you seen someone who advised how to put a meal together?

I just called my pharmacy and they said to get a prescription for the testing materials so insurance would cover it. Guess that's the best way to go. Now-what testing materials do I ask my doctor to prescribe? A meter and strips? Does anyone have a real specific meter type preference and why?

I use the Accutouch Freestyle which I got for free from my PCP. He writes a prescription for my strips, which saves me 80% or so on them. I am still using the lancets he gave me as samples, but I guess I'll be needing a Rx for them too. I am so tight that I use the lancets until they won't break my skin any longer

 

[Cass]

Hi ZippaDD

Congrats on your 98 this morning!

Basically I am getting up from bed and immediately checking, I am not moving around at all before it. Maybe I should wait until I'm up and showered and dressed and check right before breakfast?

I have been excercizing, I did 20 minutes cardio after dinner last night but it made no difference to my high numbers this morning. Today I walked for 3 hours - straight, I have no idea how far but I'm beat LOL 3 hours after lunch and the walk I was a 7.2 (129) that is the lowest I've seen it.

Honestly, the high numbers are scaring the crap outta me I assumed because my A1C was low, my glucose would be too.

I usually wash my hands, sometimes I forget, I will try that - thanks for your help, it's great to have somewhere to vent and ask questions.

 

[Muffy]

Any advise? I am supposed to chart my numbers for 2 weeks then start the metformin and chart for 2 weeks, but I feel like starting it now because the numbers are alarming me.

Cass,I just wanted to pipe in about the Metformin. I started on it last year for pre diabetes and it has helped alot. I think you will be surprised how much it may help you. I feel better than ever on it. The pre diabetes zapped my energy and with Metformin I am back to my old self. Just make sure that you only take it with a meal as it can upset you tummy. Best of luck to you!

 

[Cass]

Thanks Muffy, that's really good to know

 

[pearlieq]

Sorry to hear about your mother-in-law, very sad. Has his Mom's death made him more focused on trying to eat better and look after himsef?

Thanks for the kind words. I really think it has, for both of us. I guess if there's anything good that can come out of losing her so early, it's that both of us really got a loud wake-up call from it.

 

[pearlieq]

I can't handle the stomach problems that goes with metformin.

That can really be a bear! If you ever decide to go down that road again, here are a few tips that helped me.

1.) Use the Glucophage XR or Metformin ER (generic) tabs. The extended release makes it MUCH easier to tolerate.

2.) Try dividing your doses into AM and PM.

3.) Make sure to eat something right away every morning. Skipping breakfast or letting your stomach stay empty for too long can set off a bad reaction.

4.) Eat as much fiber as possible. It helps keep things under control.

5.) Avoid fried and super-fatty foods as much as possible. That tends to exacerbate the problem.

If I follow these rules, met and I can usually co-exist peacefully. When it was bad, it was really, really awful!

 

[poohluvrs]

Hi! My kids have just made friends w/ a boy on their soccer team. We are having him over and was wondering what is a good snack to serve for a diabetic diet? He is 5. Thanks very much for any input

 

[pearlieq]

Hi! My kids have just made friends w/ a boy on their soccer team. We are having him over and was wondering what is a good snack to serve for a diabetic diet? He is 5. Thanks very much for any input

Something healthy without added sugar would be great. How about string cheese (or 2% cheddar) and fresh fruit? Or carrot/celery sticks and ranch dip? Peanut butter on a few whole grain crackers?

 

[pumba]

My doctor sent me to the diabetic educator and they gave me the blood tester for nothing and enough strips to test for a few weeks..and lancets too......the test strips are what costs ....and with a prescription I only pay a co pay.....the lancets are cheap enough...and I use them for a few weeks.....one that is.....ask your doctor to go to a diabetic educator and they will set you up with the free tester.......also the education is covered by most insurances....
good luck with whatever you and your PCP decide.....

 

[Honu]

Hi! My kids have just made friends w/ a boy on their soccer team. We are having him over and was wondering what is a good snack to serve for a diabetic diet? He is 5. Thanks very much for any input

Check with his mom. His carbohydrate intake needs to be balanced with his insulin dosing.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Hi! My kids have just made friends w/ a boy on their soccer team. We are having him over and was wondering what is a good snack to serve for a diabetic diet? He is 5. Thanks very much for any input

HIs parents will probably appreciate knowing exactly what you serve, as that can help regulate his insulin

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

If I follow these rules, met and I can usually co-exist peacefully. When it was bad, it was really, really awful!

Struck me as funny. Over on the American Diabetes Assoc. boards they call that particlular med metfartin

 

[Cass]

Went to bed at 145, woke up at 193.

I'm starting the metformin right now, to heck with charting

 

[pearlieq]

Struck me as funny. Over on the American Diabetes Assoc. boards they call that particlular med metfartin

 

[Chicago526]

My DH is T2 but also on insulin, he was undiagnosed so long he damaged his pancreas and it no longer produces enough insulin.

DH finds that stress plays havoc with his numbers. But he has a stressful job, and there isn't anyway around that (he certainly can't quit). In fact he just put in for a promotion and it's like his stress level will go up, rather than down.

Anyone have any tips on how to control stress, or how to not let stress send your numbers through the roof?

 

[Muffy]

Went to bed at 145, woke up at 193.

I'm starting the metformin right now, to heck with charting

Cass, let us know how it goes. I really think the Metformin will help with your numbers. Keep walking...

 

[Honu]

My DH is T2 but also on insulin, he was undiagnosed so long he damaged his pancreas and it no longer produces enough insulin.

DH finds that stress plays havoc with his numbers. But he has a stressful job, and there isn't anyway around that (he certainly can't quit). In fact he just put in for a promotion and it's like his stress level will go up, rather than down.

Anyone have any tips on how to control stress, or how to not let stress send your numbers through the roof?

Controlling stress is pretty difficult when it's caused by employment. You just don't have a lot of control over what happens. Constant monitoring and adjusting insulin is key. I tested my blood an average of 9-10 times a day when I was working.

When I woke up
Before I got in the car - Everyone taking insulin should test before driving
1.5-2 hours after breakfast
Before lunch
1.5-2 hours after lunch
Before driving home
Before dinner
1.5-2 hours after dinner
Before bed
- and anytime I didn't feel right

Hindsight is 20/20, but had I known how bad kidney failure is I would have changed professions long ago. No amount of money is worth your health.

I'm very fortunate that I purchased a long term disability plan through my former employer when I started working there. Anyone with a chronic illness should elect a much supplemental insurance as they can when beginning a new job. It's your only chance to qualify without an exam.

 

[Cass]

Hi Muffy, the meds are kicking in... I had a snack at 10:30 (low fat cottage cheese and celery sticks) at 11:30 my number was 111

That is the lowest # I have seen, until now 160 was the lowest.

I am feeling a little icky though, upset stomach and little yucky.

 

[Muffy]

Hi Muffy, the meds are kicking in... I had a snack at 10:30 (low fat cottage cheese and celery sticks) at 11:30 my number was 111

That is the lowest # I have seen, until now 160 was the lowest.

I am feeling a little icky though, upset stomach and little yucky.

Cass, much better numbers!

At first I felt a little yucky but it cleared up on it's own within a week or so. I found that I felt better if I had extra snacks such as cheese or peanut butter during that first week on Metformin. A little snack seemed to settle my tummy. You're doing good though!