[grace girl]

My whole monthly situation is reaking havoc with my bs. I am quite certain that I'm in the early stages of menapause...I discussed this with my endo a few weeks ago and she agreed based on the symptoms I've got, but she wasn't inclined to take this into consideration where my bs is concerned. I think this is a mistake because I've been meticulously charting everything for months now, and I've found a clear pattern. Basically for two weeks of every month I have great bs, and for the following two weeks I am high, period. The endo originally told me to simply adjust with humalog for this high period, but I'm finding this to be a real hit and miss fix. I keep thinking I would be better off if I raised my basal(Lantus) during those two weeks and then lowered it for the other. I want to find a solution that will actually work because all these highs are creating a lot of tension and frustration for me that isn't helping either. During the high two weeks I'm uptight enough as it is, all these high bs aren't helping!
This is the one area where I wish my endo was more helpful. She's young, never had any kids, and has actually told me that because no actual research has been done on how things like pms affect bs that some doctors don't believe it does. (I wanted to tell her, want to see my charts??????)
I know this is playing a huge role in that disgusting 9 a1c I had, also.
Just looking for some input here...surely I'm not the only one in this boat. Any thoughts or suggestions GREATLY appreciated.

[SueM]

Yep blood sugars are affected by the monthy cycle and it is well documented. What planet is your endo on?
If you go and do a google search re the menapause and diabetes there is even more bad news it plays havoc with your blood sugars I have been going through this for the last 2 yrs my A1c is normally 6.8-7% it is now the highest it has been for yrs at 7.4
But things do improve so don't fret to much about it.

[Finn]

Being premenopausal might be throwing an extra wrench into the whole situation, but if you have good logs (and it sound like you do!) and there is a pattern, I'd say go for the change. Deal with it just like you would with any increase/decrease of your insulin. Do some basal tests during the two weeks as well as bolus tests to see what is effecting your numbers throughout the day (it sounds like you become insulin resistant during that time). Keep good notes & see if there is any difference from past months.

I have the opposite problem. I go low quite a bit in those two weeks! I have to decrease my bolus amounts and lower my basal for a few hours in the afternoon into the evening.

I think you have a good grasp of what is going on. Hopefully the changes in your rates will help smooth things out & you can help show your doctor that anything IS possible when it comes to diabetes.

Good luck, let us know what changes you made & how it turned out.

[belyro]

There is most definitely a connection. I struggle to keep my bloodsugar high enough for that one week out of every month. (I'm only 28, so I don't have any menopause effects to worry about yet.) I've had much more success lowering my basal than lowering my humalog, but it's still a challenge. The upside is, I can use that week as my "treat week"...to some degree anyway.....and if there's one week I'm REALLY craving chocolate, it's that one!

Good luck!

[Emm]

I'm soooo with you on this one!!

I have at least a week a month (normally around 10 days) where things are a bit nutty. I've just added one unit to my basal insulin for that time, and sometimes need a bit more bolus too (especially if I give in to a craving!)

I can't compare between normal menstruation and menopause, because I started going thru menopause (aged 27!) before I was diagnosed with D. But it sucks...

I find it also helps to eat as well as possible, get as many veggies as I can, get as much sleep as I can (something else I struggle with during a period) and pop a multi-vitamin every second day. Eating and sleeping well are ALWAYS good things to do - tho not always easy to control - so obviously a good idea. The vitamins I'm not sure... they're either good for me because they provide something I'm missing out on, or they're good because I tell myself they'll help! Positive thinking does a lot...

Anyways, you're onto something here, our hormones certainly DO make things go nutty for a while. I give you full permission to laugh in the face of anyone who says otherwise!

[mg_2204]

True! Not much info on the subject.

I've had a hysterectomy in May so I don't have periods anymore. Ovaries were left behind and my guess is that they are still working (although I've experienced 3 hot flashes since). I do get PMS once a month, but ever so mild (I used to transform into a dragon). All that to say sugars still jump up. They used to stay up for days, sometimes for a whole week. Now it's 2 days max. And they don't go as high either. My guess is that with menopause, as there is less and less hormones... BG will behave. Well I hope!!!!

[Keezheekoni]

I don't have any advice either, since I have yet to have a period after having my 3 year-old. In fact, if I really go back in time, I seriously haven't had a period in probably 8 years! Pregnant and/or nursing for that whole time. My 3 year-old just recently weaned, so we'll see if they come back anytime soon...though my OB says not to be too hopeful since I just got shot up with Depo-Provera (bad Catholic that I am...).

I would tend to think though, that your periods certainly would wreck havoc with bgs. Everything else seems to wreck havoc, so that's just another one! I'd definitely bring your charts in to your endo and prove that you know what you're talking about!

[grace girl]

Thanks for all the replies...just knowing that I'm not alone helps. Everything you've all said has helped me to think about this whole thing a little differently. I'm going to make some changes and I expect to get a handle on this over the next few months.
Rikki-I can relate so much! Between childbirth and nursing I went 7 years with no period...it was wonderful except for when I found I was pregnant yet again without ever having had a period (nursing!), so be careful!!!

[Keezheekoni]

Grace, been there done that... I have been pregnant more times than the two other children I've had in the 8 years... I had my daughter (8 year old), then had two miscarriages, then had my 5 year old, then two miscarriages, then had my 3 year old... All with having no periods at all. Though, we were charting my basal temps, so I had an idea when I'd be ovulating. (The miscarriages still have yet to be diagnosed as anything other than I'm apparently allergic to male testosterone, so that's why I only have had girls after my first son!)

Now I'm on depo, so I'm not too sure if I'll be having any more.... Kinda sad about that!