[Mogrann]

Hi All

I have been diabetic for about 3 years(no meds). I am a 41 year old woman. I have not been feeling well lately and doctor recommended me keeping eye on blood sugars. I had an episode of blurry vision and extreme light headedness. I am also waiting for an appointment with a eye doctor as well as there is something diabetecs can get wrong with their eyes.
He did my 3 month average blood test and it came out okay by him (I believe 5.4)
Now today

I hae slept over 12 hours due to being so tired, in fact still am. I woke up and grabbed 2 slices of homemade banana bread. after an hour tested my sugars and it came up 15.3. Now my questions

1. Do I need to go to er?
2. How can I bring down my sugars?
3. Should I eat something or not eat until sugar comes down?

Last comment is HELP I am scared at the moment and unsure what to do

Susan

[Cyborg]

Cut back on the carbs and start exercising. These 2 things are powerful tools in controlling your diabetes.

A bg of 15.3 probably doesn't warrant a trip to the ER, but you should see your doctor or an endocrinologist if possible. High bg is dangerous if it stays high and you are also showing high ketones. Ketostix are available over-the-counter at your local pharmacy to check your ketones.

Lots of helpful diabetics here on the forum. Welcome aboard and good luck.

[mg_2204]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

A bg of 15.3 probably doesn't warrant a trip to the ER,

... a question I've never asked (just thought about it in fact!) : what numbers would warrant a trip to the ER?

[DeusXM]

My viewpoint (which could be wrong) is that it's not the BG numbers that mean you should think about going to hospital, it's the ketone amounts.

As a suggestion to the OP, I don't know the carb count of banana bread but I would guess it's pretty high. A 1 hour post-prandial BG test won't be accurate - although you're certainly going high, it could be that you'll return to normal after another hour or so.

[Emm]

Hard to pin-point one number, I think.It would depend on the type of Diabetes, whether you had methods of dealing to it (insulin, or going super low carb for a day, etc), and your general health, and probably most importantly, whether there are ketones.

Personally I wouldn't go to the ER at 15, but perhaps someone would if they were newer to D, without insulin, or just scared...

Mogrann - that test was only an hour after eating a carb food, so you would still be dropping from that.

If you're high it's best to avoid the carby foods, especially the high carb stuff (bread, potatoes, pasta, most junk food) because it's only putting strain on an already stressed body. Let the numbers come down and get friendly with vegetables. You CAN eat! In fact, you need to eat at usual times else your body starts getting the wrong messages and your BG can go UP.

As for your second question... it's not easy without insulin. But be patient. Stick to low carb foods (meats & veggies & fat stuff mostly) but avoid the carbs. DON'T exercise when you're that high, that's just asking for ketones - but normal gentle day to day movement is fine.

Keep an eye on your BG and don't be afraid to call a doc if you have any worries. If it seems stubbornly high for any length of time, it's time to call a doc or see ER.

[princesslinda]

Welcome Mogrann! It is scary to check you blood sugar and see a high amount. I'm sure that's why you're feeling so tired. I was very lethargic just before diagnosis and my initial A1C revealed an avg blood sugar of 264 (14.7).

I think the best thing you can to right now is take a deep breath and remain calm...stress also elevates your blood sugar. I'd definitely make an appt. with my doctor and in the meantime i'd drink plenty of water to dilute the sugar in your urine. I'd also follow a low carb diet (avoiding breads, potatoes, pasta, rice and sugar) eating lots of fresh veggies, salads and lean meats. Exercise will also help lower you blood sugar.

Diabetes is a progressive disease and it may be that yours has progressed to needing more treatment than just diet and exercise...or it may be that you've just gotten lax in your diet and exercise and getting "back on track" may bring your blood sugars back to acceptable range. You and your doctor can decide that.

In the meantime, you've found a great place for information and support.
Hang in there! Keep us posted.

Linda

[kgm0612]

Hi & Welcome to the forum.

The blurry vision that you're having is most likely caused by high blood sugar readings. I had the same vison problems prior to being dx'd, and for many months after. Once you get your blood sugar readings within an acceptable range, your vision should improve.

Test often and keep a log of the foods you're eating. Cut back on the carbohydrates and get in some type of exercising (walking) if you're not already doing so.

Good luck!

Karen

[Mogrann]

Sugars have been going down but not as low as doctor has told me he wants them.
July 2
5pm 15.3
6:30pm 12.5
7:37pm 7.8

July 3
6am (as soon as I woke up) 8.4
8:30am 9.9

This is confusing me as my 3 month average was so good. I had that test done last week. Not sure what this all means. I am working on the not eating carbs trying to do some excersing but am so tired for the past two days.

Thank you all for your responses

Susan

[xMenace]

You could be sick and the BGs are high as a result. High BGs can make you feel that way, but I suspect it's something else, a summertime cold maybe. Lean towards more complex carbs too: sawdust food.

[Mogrann]

Have made a call to the doctors to see if he wants to see me or not. Hopefully not getting ill as just started a new job and need the money. Sometimes I wish I was intependly wealthy, oh well I can dream.

One more ? for you all what are the different types I see mentioned? Is there a thread I can read up on it?

Susan

[Katmandu]

Originally Posted by Mogrann

I woke up and grabbed 2 slices of homemade banana bread. after an hour tested my sugars and it came up 15.3. Susan

Susan, If you had a BG level of 15, you'd be DEAD or pretty darn near DEAD!

The "normal" fasting range is 70-110 mg/dl.

Also, BG levels are NOT normally reported out in percentile units.

What type of meter are you using and are they reported out in mg/dl ??

.

[Katmandu]

Originally Posted by Mogrann

He did my 3 month average blood test and it came out okay by him (I believe 5.4)

This test in known as Hemoglobin A1C.

.

[Katmandu]

Originally Posted by mg_2204

... a question I've never asked (just thought about it in fact!) : what numbers would warrant a trip to the ER?

I would say 350 mg/dl and up. And <40 mg/dl and below.

At <40 mg/dl, you should already be taking action for Hypo-mode and notifying someone around you that you are NOT feeling well. You NEED to do this in case you get worse and you are no longer able to communicate coherently.

Don't wait until you're in a MAJOR CRISIS!

Whenever a person's BG is getting towards 500-600+mg/dl, they are at GREAT RISK for DKA and falling into a diabetic coma! This IS a LIFE THREATENING condition!!

[Katmandu]

Susan,

The "normal" fasting range is 70-110 mg/dl. Also, BG levels are NOT normally reported out in percentile units.

Are you using m/mol units perhaps ??????

What type of meter are you using and are they reported out in mg/dl ??

.

[slipperyelm]

Originally Posted by Mogrann

I have been diabetic for about 3 years(no meds). I am a 41 year old woman. I have not been feeling well lately and doctor recommended me keeping eye on blood sugars.

Does this mean that you had not been keeping an eye on your blood sugars before you started feeling bad? What I'm wondering is were your blood sugar levels in the last three months in conflict with the lab report of a 5.4 A1c?