A1C while sick

[princesslinda]

May has been a bad month for me...first shingles, then asthmatic bronchitis. Obviously, i've done VERY LITTLE in the way of exercise, though I have continued to eat well and test often.

While at the doctor for my bronchitis, he decided to draw an
A1C. My #s have been quite elevated over the past month, so I didn't want it done, but he persisted, saying as long as it was under 7, he would be fine with it.

Anyway, A1C came back 6.2, up from 5.4 :( ....this is the highest its been since 3 months after diagnosis in '06. Honestly, its not as bad as I thought it might be, as i've had several readings in the 170-190 range while sick.

So....this is what illness can do to blood sugar, even while eating well and testing often. More proof that exercise, even a little bit, is so necessary for good control.

Hopefully my A1C in August will be back to its usual range.

[matingara]

i know how you feel! all that hard work! and just a little sickness and you get a B- instead of an A+ !!!

and no one will believe your excuses (even though, in this case, the DOG really DID eat your homework).

i have the same problem. my pancreatitis, hospital stay and high-ish BGLs in early april will probably make my next A1C (due in two weeks) >5.9%.

and I was doing so well!!!

i was hoping for <5.5% - now i will be happy with <6.5%.

bummer.

:D

-- Joel.

[davef]

Linda,

Thanks for posting your A1c, it's always easy to post a good result and the repsonse received is always a boost. It's not as easy to post bad results, so fair play to you.

I think we should all take note that even while you were sick you were still working to control your BG, with testing and watching your eating, well done you! It would have been very easy to fall off the wagon. You fought the good fight and so you know that your elevated numbers are done to being ill, imagine what your A1c would have been, if you had not kept working on your numbers. You said it was better than expected, I say well done for keeping it down and keeping working and know that your August numbers will be back where you want them.

Keep well,

[morrisma]

Linda,
While I know you are striving for 5's, a 6.2 isn't the worst thing ever. In fact, I'd love to have it as I'm hovering around 7. You keep up the good work and get well. Your A1c will be right down in that normal range in no time.

Think of this as the experiment on illness & it's effect on A1c with you as the guinea pig. :D
Mike

[princesslinda]

Thanks guys for your encouraging replies. You know what the most irritating part was? On the sheet I received from the doctor...there was a happy face drawn on with "good job!" on it......i'm thinking "here's your patient who went from 5.4 to 6.2....and you're saying good job?!?!?" :confused: :mad:

Don't get me wrong, I know that 6.2 is a number many would be very happy with...i'm just commenting that my going from 5.4 to 6.2 shouldn't be considered "good job." Makes you wonder if they even look at your previous results (obviously not in this case). This is why we have to look out for ourselves for the most part.

And Joel, you may do better than you think, if the A1C is truly most affected by the last 3-4 weeks of readings.

[shutterbug]

Linda, hope you are feeling better now. As you know, you can always bring it down. The last thing you need is stress thinking about this.

Going to 6.2 instead of 7 is a good job insn't it? (you were worried about getting something close to 7 right?) :)

Cheer up Linda! :D:D:D

[kgm0612]

Linda......... You couldn't help being sick the last couple of months, so don't beat yourself up. I know how hard you work at keeping your A1c down and there's no doubt in my mind that it will be back to normal next time around.

Karen

[moorejames]

Linda,

Sounds like we're kind of in the same boat at the moment, doesn't it?

I worked so hard to get that 5.4, so it was really dissappointing to go up, even if the new number wasn't really all that bad in the grand scheme of things....

I'm just trying to remember that I'm taking much better care of myself than I was back at diagnosis with a 10!

You'll get back there...

[slipperyelm]

princesslinda, have you knocked out the bronchitis yet? That can be so hard to get rid of. And it wears a person down. I'll worry about you if I don't hear.

I think it is a good thing that you got the A1c done. It gives you info useful for the future, too. Like maybe it can give you the motivation not to give up on doing whatever you can do for yourself during future episodes of illness.

[volleyball]

Only going to 6.2 with all that has been happening would be good job in my opinion. The change in routine, the medicine and lack of activity all play a part. When things settle down, that is the time to try again

[princesslinda]

Elm, i'm feeling much better thanks, but still "barking like a dog,":T esp. at night...seems the cough is the last to go. I still have another week of antibiotics as well. Never had a "summer" cold before...they suck!

This is my first "sick episode" since diagnosis..i'm usually quite "hail and hearty." On the plus side, I was down 5 lbs at the doctor visit.

I'm not really too bummed about the A1C...I'm just used to better results. I'm sure the lack of exercise hasn't helped either. Its been scary seeing the 180's on my meter....esp. when i've not had cake or any "fun" foods.

Oh well...come August, hopefully i'll be back in the 5's.

Thanks again guys...my forum family can always make me feel better!

[Janlaton]

Hey Linda, what be you taking for the cough? My doc gives me these neat little cough pearls. You take one with a whole glass of water and keeps the cough down for 8hrs. She really likes them for diabetics because they do not have the added sugar and alsohol that is in liquid cough meds. Be glad it is getting warm and you will be feeling better. Psalm 118:24:)

[princesslinda]

Jan, I'm taking a hydrocodone-containing cough syrup that the doctor called in to help me rest at night. In the daytime, I just manage with Halls Cough Drops and lots of water. I have taken the Tessalon Pearls you mentioned in the past, and they worked well. I didn't think about them while at the doctor, as I was more concerned with nighttime coughing. I'm running out of the cough syrup, so hopefully the cough will run its course soon as well.

[Janlaton]

HOpe the cough is soon gone as well, if not see if you can get the tessalon pearls. I keep some with me for when my allergies act up since I have to talk all day.:eek:

[Jan B]

Princess Linda,

I think the summer colds & coughs can be the worst. They sure seem that way. And those shingles. You poor thing. You need to support your immune system - give it a boost! I'm having a devil of a time typing . . . one of my new kitties, Al, wants to type with me and lay on the keyboard. He doesn't know office etiquette yet.

[Kim_in_TN]

I'm so sorry you've been so sick! Bronchitis is terrible, especially those pesky night time coughs! Those things seem to hang on to me for months! I sure hope yours is over and done with soon!

I'm impressed that you still maintained control of your diet throughout your illness. I'm sure your next A1c, once you are well again, will reflect your steadfastness! ;)

[MJB]

Get well soon Linda, summer is coming, time for some fun and being sick is no fun! :(