How do I get my darn numbers down?

[caswellhb]

Although I am fit and healthy during this pregnancy so far, I just can't get my numbers back down.
I do have a lot of sickness but other than that am fine. I'm shooting insulin as if it is going out of fashion!
I'm pretty much living on veg.
Is all this because of the spawn?
Any ideas?

Heather.

[Penny]

When you find the answer, please let me know. I am struggling too. Seems like the harder I try, the higher my numbers go. I can't believe how much insulin I am using now, and I still don't have good numbers! :mad:

[Jan B]

This isn't much of an answer & you likely already know, but, stressing over those numbers might keep them higher.

Heather, I'd bet your problem is because of the spawn!

[ladytaz]

Heather, are you still taking the 70/30?

[caswellhb]

I am. Not much else available right now. I have learnt how to "drip" it though.

Heather.

[ladytaz]

Are you also taking R .... seprately?

[caswellhb]

No. My doc won't give it. I'm just sucking hard on Novomix.

Heather.

[ladytaz]

Well I don't understand that!! Not like there isn't R in the mix!! I mean, DUH! What I was thinking is, that maybe you might need to start taking the N and R seperately, or at least take R when in need ... like right NOW when you're running high! That R could alleviate that! And get you down to a nice number, where the mixed can properly do it's job! Know what I mean?

Is your doc a specialist?

[caswellhb]

She is a specialist. She is taking into account the hiv and the babies. God, the most complicated pregnancy on the planet!
I just want to get these numbers down before I give birth to school sized children though.

Heather.

[ladytaz]

That's true, but still, I think you need some R, separately, as well! I haven't been through a pregnancy with full on D, so I don't know the specifics about how to deal with all that. But, I know Cheryl and Rikki have, and hopefully, they'll get on here and give you some good advice on what insulins you can/should take and in what doses are safe and all that stuff! ;)

[caswellhb]

Thank you sweetie.

Heather.

[cheryl]

Any smart specialist would honestly realize you cannot use a mix while you are pregnant and living off most veggies is not going to do the trick....

I was on a lot of insulin pregnant with my first three, I don't think a mix will ever get your number down, that is just the flat out truth.....

I hate to be so bold and blunt, but it is time to handcuff yourself to the emergency room walls, because now is the time you are taking other lives into consideration, and if this speicialists does not realize that a mix and pregnancy do not work well with diabetes, then she is not really worth your time....and you need to move elsewhere, in any way possible....

By the way congrats on the babies...I was in shock when I read that, but I am very happy for you...

Cheryl

[susique333]

When I had my 3 diabetic babies, my regular OB sent me to a Perinatologist who then handled the gestation and let the OB do the c-section deliveries. (Even with so-so control these babies were delivered early, the largest 10 1/2#s.) Initially my BS was hard to get control of. I was seen every 2 weeks until the 6th month then twice weekly for stress tests (to check the variability of the babys heart beat). I had monthly ultrasounds starting from month one, they paid particular attention to the little tikes heart structures. I met with the dietitian as needed if I felt that the insulin needed tweaked. I was on both long and short acting insulin for all pregnancies, testing BS before and after meals, before bed and set an alarm to check at 4a.m. My numbers were all over the place until I got over the nausea at 12 weeks so I hope things settle down for you when the stress of the nausea leaves and the numbers come down.

[caswellhb]

I'm really hoping the sickness will stop soon. I'm praying for it and I'm not religious.
Getting a bit worried as it seems diabetic mums have huge babies. I'm only little. Errrrrrr, not to put too fine a point on it, but getting large babies out of a little body doesn't sound fun!
Hmmmmm, well, I'll have to see how that goes.
My numbers are driving me nuts. The more insulin I take, the higher I go! Grrrrrrr. I'm cornering a market here.

Heather.

[ladytaz]

I still think you need some fast acting insulin, Heather! I would really stress this to your doctor! The Mix isn't going to help you with random highs! For now, TRY not to stress over it! Easier said than done, I know!! ;) If you're having an issue with insulin resistance, I'm not sure there's anything that can be done. I don't think preggy mum's can take Metformn. I'm not positive on that note, though!

Don't worry too much about the size of the babies. My mother in law, had twin boys (my hubby's one of them) she's a wee little thing. BOTH boys were over 7 lbs. each!!!! This was back in 1961 too! And NO C-section, either!! Vaginal birth, both of them!! No, she wasn't diabetic at the time (though she is T2 now), but still. To even carry twins full term, and have them BOTH weigh what a single birth baby does, is amazing to me! It can be done!! ;)

As for me, I'm a wee one too -though the body has hidden that fact for years now! LOL I do have a very small frame though. I managed to have an 8 lb. 6 oz. boy, in just over one hour at that, and I was NOT diabetic at that time. Vaginally and NO meds, whatsoever!! He was my easiest to have. He was my second baby.

My daughter, I had GD, and she weighed 7 lb. 14oz. Vaginally as well, and only some pain meds in the middle of labor. By the time delivery came, actually about 1.5 hours before it came, I had NO meds whatsoever in me!

Funny thing is, my first one, he was my smallest at 6 lb. 9 oz. and I SWEAR he was trying to kill me! LOL Labor for 3 days, NO kidding!! Still again, NO meds, except some Demerol, which did NOTHING for my pain, but did allow me to get some sleep in between contractions! And dream some VERY vivid dreams in those 2 to 3 minute spans! LOL

I MADE my husband (at the time) SWEAR to me that he'd NEVER get me pregnant EVER again. Guess what? Two and a half months later, I was pregnant with "the big one"! LOLOL

I think you'll be fine, no matter the size of the babies. They are MUCH better equipped to deal with these things these days!

The most important thing, is their health!!

[caswellhb]

Yes, the health of the spawn is paramount. I'm trying so hard to get this right.
I have a scan tomorrow and will try to post the pictures. My little blobs are sucking me dry. Bless them.
The thing is, I have lost so much weight and am already just beginning to show. These babies are going to be born ready to play for the packers!

Heather.

[ladytaz]

Pics would be SO cool!! :D The losing weight is probably due to the morning sickness. Unfortunate. But does happen often.

Also, that's something else, about the highs. Just thougth about this. When we don't eat, (though that's not by your choice! ;)) Our liver thinks OMG the body isn't getting any fuel ... I MUST PUMP OUT MORE GLUCOSE!!! This could be attributing to your highs! Lack of food in your body (or keeping it in, rather) and your liver is FREAKING OUT about it, and pumping out the glucose!? Possibility!

Hoping this phase passes QUICKLY for you!

[Real4]

She is a specialist. She is taking into account the hiv and the babies. God, the most complicated pregnancy on the planet!
I just want to get these numbers down before I give birth to school sized children though.

Heather.

Get another specialist!
And the best of luck to you and yours.

[caswellhb]

Thank you Melissa. Yes, I'm about ready to rip my liver out and sell it to the highest bidder. Ebay looks good.
I'm really hoping this will settle down in a while.

Heather.

[caswellhb]

Real4, She really is a specialist. I trust her absolutely.

Heather.

[ladytaz]

Thank you Melissa. Yes, I'm about ready to rip my liver out and sell it to the highest bidder. Ebay looks good.
I'm really hoping this will settle down in a while.

Heather.

LOL @ "ebay looks good"! Hey, we can do a two for one deal, my sinuses and your liver!

[caswellhb]

LMAO, ok body parts for sale! Who wants what?

Heather.

[ladytaz]

*giggle-giggle-giggle*

[Keezheekoni]

Heather, I had all five of my kids while diabetic. The largest one was 7#5oz, the smallest was 4#8oz. I do not have big babies.

One reason is that I have always done the two insulins thing. Be it N and R, NPH and R, Lantus and Humalog... I keep my numbers in tight control because I found that if I didn't then I was a vomiting mess... (TMI?) No, seriously with two of my pregnancies I had hyperemesis. If I didn't keep under 160 most of the time, that would trigger a nice vomiting event. :(

I saw midwives mostly during my pregnancies. The ones I saw also had friends who were endos and perinatologists. They kept pretty good watch over me, but in the end it was me correcting and tweaking more than the specialists.

I would think that you should see someone who specializes in diabetic pregnancy (a lot of OBs here are really good at it), and maybe they could have you try different insulins. I don't think you should be on a mix anymore, it just doesn't work well for pregnancy... You really need a bolus insulin so that you can eat!

[ladytaz]

Heather, I had all five of my kids while diabetic. The largest one was 7#5oz, the smallest was 4#8oz. I do not have big babies.

One reason is that I have always done the two insulins thing. Be it N and R, NPH and R, Lantus and Humalog... I keep my numbers in tight control because I found that if I didn't then I was a vomiting mess... (TMI?) No, seriously with two of my pregnancies I had hyperemesis. If I didn't keep under 160 most of the time, that would trigger a nice vomiting event. :(

I saw midwives mostly during my pregnancies. The ones I saw also had friends who were endos and perinatologists. They kept pretty good watch over me, but in the end it was me correcting and tweaking more than the specialists.

I would think that you should see someone who specializes in diabetic pregnancy (a lot of OBs here are really good at it), and maybe they could have you try different insulins. I don't think you should be on a mix anymore, it just doesn't work well for pregnancy... You really need a bolus insulin so that you can eat!

Thank you for posting, Rikki! I knew you'd have some good advice for her!! ;) I'm thinking right along the same lines as you are! :) Though I've not been on insulin while preggy, my common sense is telling me, that the mix just ain't gonna quite cut it, during this time at least.

[jdalhed]

Hi all,

I am new to these diabetic forums, but boy am I glad I found them!! Heather, have you considered going on the pump. When I talked to my endo guy a few years back and told him we would want to try within five years he said that I should really be on the pump. Let me tell you it is fantastic. It takes a little getting used to, but it is well worth it. All I do is punch some buttons and voila there is more insulin in my system. Also, it only uses Novolog, so now worrying about peaks and troughs. Basically it replaces your pancreas with you at the helm. Now, I am not saying that I have 100% perfect control, but it is very seldom right now that I am going high. Ocasionally, maybe once-twice a week do I need to take extra insulin. Of course, I know that as I get further along in my pregnancy I will need more, but the great thing about the pump is that I just push some more buttons. Good luck!!

Julie

[Richard157]

Heather, don't you use both basal and bolus insulins? One of these posts suggested otherwise. Many pregnant diabetic women are encouraged to use an insulin pump. With all that you are up against now and your high bllod sugar levels I think you are a prime candidate for pumping. After the babies are born I think you should still pump and have the best control since your diagnosis. Good luck!

Richard

[shabbie]

heather im sorry to hear your having such a beast of a time getting those numbers down girl!

i understand you want to trust your specialist, but i would very probably jump up and down in her office and demand to be put on mdi(nausea permitting!).
again i recommend going on a pump, now would be the ideal time to push for one ;) (you are technically a type 1 and pregnant so you would be eligible i would think)

[xMenace]

She is a specialist. She is taking into account the hiv and the babies. God, the most complicated pregnancy on the planet!
I just want to get these numbers down before I give birth to school sized children though.

Heather.

Apparently she forgot the diabetes part:eek:

I don't kow your details, but I believe you have progressed onto insulin these past months. Progression isn't a one time thing. You still are.

I'd get off the mix and get on MDI with fast acting so you can control your sugars better. IMO there's absolutely no benefit to mixes.

[JediSurfer]

Grrrrrrrr!!!! Novomix Grrrrrrrrrr!!!!

I should come down there and give your doc a good talking too and destroy his/her little scientific world.

Its difficult to take correctional doses using that stuff. but even with the mix increase by 1-3 units per day no more. And test like ****. may take a week or so but its the best way to do it.
Pregnancy is a severe strain on the endocine system diabetic or not so things will be definately off balance.

I think the bambino's will be producing insulin for themselves by now so don't worry about the effect of higher number on those little dudes.

But you need to feel good too. Either get your doc in a headlock, or I'll come down and beat the *****, or change docs. That Novomix is well behind the times by 15 years at least.

Peace and love##

Rich

[ant hill]

Heather, are you still taking the 70/30?

I am. Not much else available right now. I have learnt how to "drip" it though.

Heather.

Hey Heather, you need novorapid and if your doctor will not give you this then look for a doctor who will give you a referral to an Endocrinologist.
Don't look at the doctor for your diabetes as they have no idea Heather. You need a specialist and don't waste time sweetie. ;)

[panda1076]

I just thought I'd share some things that are working for me keeping my BGs down during pregnancy. The biggest change for me and it's really making a huge difference is merely not eating more than 45 carbs per meal. Before pregnancy I was eating 100 carbs sometimes at a meal. Now, I only eat 45 at most. For breakfast I eat 30. This really makes a huge difference. Also, keeping my fasting BGs lower helps too. If I start my day at 80, naturally, it's easier to keep my post-breakfast BG below 130, than if I started my day at 100 for example. Also, I changed my target BG in my pump to 90 instead of 100, for corrections. Also, here are some food tips I have found to work:

Finn Crisps--these are 5 carbs per board/cracker. They are low glycemic/high fiber and work amazingly for me. My BG does not spike at all.

Cottage Cheese--I never ate cottage cheese really before pregnancy, but now I eat it about every other day with a nectarine cut up in chunks, for breakfast.

South Beach Diet Protein Bars--I eat 1 of these and a glass of milk for breakfast. It keeps me relatively full and the meal is only 30 carbs. Then if I need a snack an hour or 2 later, I eat another 15 carbs then.

Sugar Free Jello--when I feel like eating a snack but don't want more carbs--these are great!

I know everyone's body is different, but these help me alot. I hope it helps you too.

[caswellhb]

Thanks folks.
I am now on Novorapid and Levimer and have much tighter control.
The sickness has stopped and I am feeling much better.
Thank you so much for all your input. It really helped in the decision making process.
Now I just have to watch these little kickers grow.

Heather.

[gettingby]

Thanks folks.
I am now on Novorapid and Levimer and have much tighter control.
The sickness has stopped and I am feeling much better.
Thank you so much for all your input. It really helped in the decision making process.
Now I just have to watch these little kickers grow.

Heather.
Glad you are feeling better Heather. Tell the little spawn to be good to Mum. Aunty Cin is already looking at gifts for them. :D