Exams with the big D

[shiftzor]

I was just wondering how you guys coped with them, I had a stressful day today and I saw my bg fly miles high. In my exams I can only imagine that it gets worse. I am unsure if I should anticipate the highs and dose higher although that could cause issues in it self. These are my first exams as a diabetic and I really have no clue as to what to expect, I really can't afford memory loss from a high bg half way through an exam. I am going to talk to my examiners tomorrow about it.

[Keezheekoni]

If you've studied well and are confident that you'll do fine on the exam, don't worry about it!

If you tend to get stressed during exams, definitely take your meter and snacks with you for highs and rebounding lows.

[Dimes]

I took an exam in December where no snacks were even permitted. This was 1 month after diagnosis and I was pretty nervous about it. Medical supplies were permitted however, so I took a bunch of glucose tablets.

I don't think you would have memory loss from high BG, as long as BG is reasonable. Maybe someone else can confirm or deny that? You don't want to go low though, as that will effect you cognitively, as well as possibly putting you in an emergency situation.

[UpNorth]

In the exams i've had, snacks hasn't been a problem as long as they don't make too much sound. A lot of people had both sandwiches and sweets with them to exams... But as far as i know in those exams, i was the only diabetic.

[Sic]

I had an exam few days ago nad got almost double BG like day before and after! Then it went back on normal...

[xMenace]

As insulin works to slow in this situation, I'd anticipate and dose up about an hour before hand. Not much, just enuff to keep you reasonable. Take glucose tabs in with you incase you don't rise. Try to test every hour. Don't be shy.

[amy4041]

I had a low during the middle of an exam once and ended up having to walk out. I learned from that and never let it happen again. Keep some candies on you in case you need them - if anyone complains about you eating, simply say "If I don't eat these, I'll die." They'll probably leave you alone after that ;)

[shiftzor]

As insulin works to slow in this situation, I'd anticipate and dose up about an hour before hand. Not much, just enuff to keep you reasonable. Take glucose tabs in with you incase you don't rise. Try to test every hour. Don't be shy.

Do you think a 50% increase on my breakfast 1unit (ie 1.5units)? i wish these exams wernt so important and i could have a test run, but life is life. ;) I am preparing the best i can, no last minute panics i hope. My bigest worry is wasting time in the exam treating hypos or hypers, but nothing can be done about that i guess.

[lgvincent]

I wish I could help but I go into insulin shock while under stress.

[ohcarolina]

Oh I hate stress highs! I'm a stage performer and educator and as soon as I get butterflies, whammo! Shoots up to 200 or higher! :mad: What I do, is as soon as I feel the adrenaline, I take a unit, cause I know that I will get high. But I would agree that it's better to be high and nervous than low and completely disfunctional, so maybe wait and see till you are sure of your response. Good luck!