Flucutation

[hardingnerd]

On average how much does your BS fluctuate when you are stressed or because of anxiety? I know its different for everybody but I just wondering some ball park averages to see if I am somewhat in normal range or going off the charts.

Sorry for all the question but I need to understand this faster so I don't have to worry about randomly going hypo, or going crazy high.

[jillrapp]

Great question and I don't think there is a 'normal range'. :) With anxiety or high stress, I can go up 100-150 pts! Also with stress, my numbers seem to stay elevated for hours if I'm really upset. I've been diagnosed for 8 years, I still worry about going hypo - the highs, I've grown to be able to predict, and they don't come around all that often.

Don't worry - be Happy! :)

[Mich]

Hi Hardingherd,

For me the fluctuation depends on how long I am under stress. When I am in a situation that I have learned is a cause of stress, I begin to test more frequently. Some people are more sensitive to stress.

For me, many things are "stressful" even if they're fun, like plane trips and large social gatherings. Some are physically stressful, like being ill or pain. I can go up about a hundred points just by having a cold.

I'd say to test and correct more when you think you may be under stress.

Mich

[Subby]

Definetely a lot of variation! Do you test a lot? That's the best way to find out, be sure to test immediately and throughout if something upsetting happens to you or stress hits. You are sure to get a basic understanding of your bodies reactions, even if they are somewhat unpredictable and tricky to deal with.

I only go high with stress, myself, not low. Speaking BG amounts is probably not useful, as I will immediately use extra insulin to counteract such things and/or already have extra insulin in place. However I would equate low-moderate stress to munching on a packet of chocolate biscuits over some hours. A highly stressful situation can have a similar effect to sculling two cans of coke. Whether these comments are meaningful to you I don't know: suffice it to say stress can affect my BG a lot, and get me into trouble quickly!

Like Mich, I find stress can be inherent in things we would not usually consider "stressful" like social events, involving work, etc. Usually, the effects are more low level for those, but not always.

I believe part of the story is it actually shuts down insulin receptors, creating resistance to insulin - leading to high BG. The resistance can also persist for some hours afterwards. As I always go high with stress, I'd never fear a low unless I was being physically active at the same time and had a certain amount of insulin in me at the time. (An insulin dependent consideration, perhaps).

However like most things diabetic, there seems to be huge variation and I think I've heard people say they respond with a low. Hopefully more info will be forthcoming.

[inkvisitor]

I have very marked increases when stressed - emotional and physical (being under the weather).

I try to monitor more frequently and adjust with more humalog if need be...(and reduce the stress if possible!).

[hardingnerd]

My problem is I can't just correct it...(no meds) I need to impliment something else I can go to lower it if it get to high that I feel like ****... like last night.

[Subby]

What kinds of BGs are you getting, during these problem times? As a pre diabetic, your highs should be much lower than the kinds of dynamics and effects a full blown diabetic might get. That is not to say they are not a concern, and not affecting you! But what are you talking, here?

Something to remember about stress and BG responses and the effects we feel... often high BGs will cause side effects, but at the same time, stress may cause side effects in and of itself! It can be very hard to separate the two and know what is causing what.

[hardingnerd]

Around the 170's I know that is low compared to some diabetics, but then I get high like that I get a most terrible headache, and am sick for most or all the day.

I am confused with my diagnosis so I might be a type 2... but only time with a new doctor will tell.

[Subby]

FG in your sig is Fasting Plasma Glucose Test? At 170, you seem firmly in a type 2 range. Here's a reference. How to Tell if You Have Pre-Diabetes - American Diabetes Association (http://www.diabetes.org/pre-diabetes/pre-diabetes-symptoms.jsp)

I'm not sure what you mean by new doctor, hopefully it is soon, and hopefully they and you can get right on to more aggressive tactics to reign in your BGs.

[hardingnerd]

170 around 3-4 hours after my last meal (intake of any carbs/sugar), but I seem to think that it is the stress that is causing it to rise.

All I know is that when it gets high like that I feel a lot of the same symtopms of hypo, minus the shaking and feel like **** the rest of the time even if it drops.

[duck]

Drink a lot of water to try and correct downwards; also, if you can take a leisurely, non-sweat-creating walk, that might help as well.

[lorilei]

stress...what is stress? apparently stress is the dirty demon that results in all sorts of physical manifestations...I'm good for 50-100 plus for BG...:eek:

[duck]

stress...what is stress? apparently stress is the dirty demon that results in all sorts of physical manifestations...I'm good for 50-100 plus for BG...:eek:

I have a paper due in a few hours, and my blood sugar right now is 160 according to the CGMS; same time yesterday: 119. I haven't eaten since lunch. :D

[lorilei]

Duck.. good luck on paper...at least it will be a temp stress of sorts!

[hardingnerd]

Correct with what?! O.O

I don't take meds.

[HuskerMychal]

How about excersice, yoga, TM, any kind of relaxation techniques. I go soak in the spa or take to the steam room when my stress level is up. Some days I am as wrinkled as a prune from all the soaking :D .

Man I need to start wearing my glasses. When I saw this thread listed on the homepage I thought it said flatuation.
:o

[duck]

Correct with what?! O.O

I don't take meds.

Water (lots of it) and light walking (no sweating allowed).