Sorry for the clickbaity title, but I’m hella frustrated right now.
Spoilering the backstory because it’s not super-germane,unless you’re into this kinda thing. [spoiler]A couple of years ago I was diagnosed w/diabetes, Type II, that aside from taking metformin, I’ve been ignoring because I’m an idiot. After a shitty year, I’ve spent the past eleven months worse than ignoring it–I pretty much went on a ten-month binge to stuff down the grief and anger. Food is my numbing agent, since I don’t drink or do drugs (recreationally).
On June 6 I had an “incident” of fast-racing heart that I thought was either a heart attack or panic attack, but at the ER found out it seems to have been a combo of dehydration plus hypoglycemia (blood sugar: 420!). They gave me a shot of insulin (my first ever) and only got me down to 260 after 12 hours.
That was the slap in the face I needed. Since then I’ve woken up. First to attack my chronic dehydration, I focused on making sure I drink at least 64oz. of water a day (in addition to some sugar-free non-caffeine soda now and then).
Foodwise, I cut most carbs and sugar from my diet other than those found in vegetables, nuts and (some) dairy like lowfat cheese or yogurt, or a splurge on blue cheese crumbles or dressing now and then. (Unfortunately, at least for now, I don’t seem to be one of those diabetics who doesn’t react badly to whole grain breads or crackers. I spike like crazy. I’ve also avoided all fruit but tomatoes, though I’m going to try some blueberries later.)
Also exercised more… well, walking. I know that’s not much but I am almost entirely sedentary so I’m starting slow.
I don’t feel too deprived, most of the time. I have a wafer of dark chocolate (4g carbs, 45 calories, no sugar or sugar alcohol) per night as a dessert, or–once in a while–a Kind bar (I like the almonds, dark chocolate and mint bar, with 17g carbs–it’s so nut-heavy that it doesn’t raise my sugar at all).
When I started all this, of course I also began testing religiously (when I wake up, then pre-meal, 1-hour post-meal, and 2-hour post-meal). My initial fasting readings were in the 200s, and I regularly went up into the mid-200s post-prandial. After three weeks of my new regime my highest readings (post-prandial) were 170/180ish).
Two weeks ago I had a week where my fasting BG was in the 110s and the rest of the day my BG never rose above 140. That was, no pun intended, pretty sweet. Not where I should be, I know, but after just four weeks I was pretty happy to have gone back down to a healthier range.
Meanwhile, I’m feeling better, and have lost like 10 pounds. Okay, it’s not as much as I would like because I’m used to losing weight faster–but then again, the last time I tried to, I was ten years younger and now I’m 50 so the weight’s not gonna drop off the way it did. It’s just that there’s no way I’m even eating up to 1600 calories, which is what I’d need to lose about 1.5lbs a week given my general stats. (I suspect once I’m able to exercise more this will improve.) Oddly I am losing more inches than I would have thought given only 10lbs lost (of which surely much was water).
Normally such a small loss would make me feel like a failure. But for once I’m not “dieting” and thinking about the scale here: my mind considers this a lifestyle change, and my eyes are firmly on the prize of lowering my blood sugar and eating healthier.
That’s why the blood sugar readings matter. Since I’m desperately trying not to use the scale as a way to measure my “success,” I have to succeed at lowering my glucose numbers. How long does it take? Am I doing okay after six weeks? Should I have lowered it more by now?
I do seem to suffer from “dawn syndrome.” My morning reading is always the highest of the day, no matter what I do. I have an appointment w/my doc in a month and maybe s/he’ll adjust my meds (I take two 500mg tablets of metformin ER once a day at dinner). I think part of the problem might be that I’m still not sleeping well.
Last week I got my period and my body said “fuck you” as it always does, bumping up my average BG considerably until I was averaging about 140s/150s each time, with a couple of post-prandial spikes at 170/180. That depressed me.
Throughout all this, I’m struggling with a growing source of frustration. To wit: [/spoiler]
Why the HELL am I having such trouble getting consistent Blood Glucose results when I test/double-check within a five-minute period?
Short version for the smart people who skipped the above dissertation: I’m a T2 diabetic working on getting my blood sugar down from a high of 400 on June 6. Currently I’m resting at about 140/150 post-prandial. Not sure if this is good progress or not, but I feel better.
But a continual source of stress is the inconsistency of my readings. I use the Bayer Contour meter, FWIW. It is about a year old. But I have new test strips and though they don’t require “coding,” I do use the control solution and the strips fall in the correct range.
Today was a typical day for me. Earlier, I tested using my index finger, getting a post-prandial reading of 118. Yay. (This was after a lunch of celery and about two tablespoons of hummus, plus water.)
However, I didn’t trust such a good reading, so I tested again–same finger–and got 156. Boo. Depression begins to set in.
Tested a third time, same finger: 144.
Of the three readings, that one “feels” right. Of course, both of the latter two tests are within the usual 20% accuracy range.
Here’s my process, just so you can tell if this is user error or what.
I washed my hands in soapy water (I even use a non-glycerin-containing soap, Dove Beauty Bar, which doesn’t have any “fruit” scent). Dry.
Shook my left hand a few times to get the blood flowing.
Used my lancet on my index finger (side, not tip). Now since I mistakenly got a thinner gauge lancet (.30 instead of .28) I’m finding that I need to squeeze gently to get a drop of blood out.
I wiped that drop away and squeezed gently again to get another. Then I tested.
Today, after the abovementioned three inconsistent readings, I tried two more times, using a different process because I thought maybe it’s the squeezing that was screwed up.
I stuck my (still clean) hand in hot water to increase my circulation. Dried off.
Used my lancet on the side of my middle finger (my index was stabbed enough!). Thanks to the hot water trick, I didn’t need to squeeze.
Wiped the first drop away and a second formed. Used that one.
Results: 138.
Added a new strip and tested the same blood drop and got 141.
So… I don’t know what the hell to think. 117, 156, 144, 138, 141. I guess throwing out the 117 (sigh!) it seems the average would be roughly 144. But is that right?
This is pretty much happening every time, sometimes with results on the same finger sometimes ranging from 90 to 130 to 180. I know the 90 had to be wrong so I ignored that, but still, what do I believe? The high numbers or the low ones? Or do I just take an average and say to hell with it?
I know I’ve gone from being in complete denial and now getting OCD about this. Getting my A1C in late August will help (although it’ll include the bad readings from early June, but so what).
Does Bayer/Contour suck? It has good ratings/reviews. I’m using their own test strips.
HELP.
Does anyone just test once and you’re satisfied with that number?
I was a dumb person who read the whole thing, including your spoiler. I think you’re testing too much and reading too much into your results. Mr. Helena is also a Type II diabetic and it’s taken him and his team of people about nine months to get his blood sugar where it needs to be. They aren’t so concerned about a single reading or even two or three (unless it’s sky high like yours was), but more of a pattern of readings. Keep track of them over time. Even if you have a few frustrating readings now and then, as long as the general trend is downward (it sounds like that’s the case), you’re doing really well. Do you have a professional who’s having you step up your insulin incrementally? It sounds like you may need to talk to them about this and what you can expect.
You’ve done such a phenomenal job of changing your lifestyle and it’s bound to pay off. Just look at it over the long-term rather than the immediate. It takes time. The very best of luck!
ETA: The body is a complex machine and so many things affect blood sugar. There just isn’t any way to level it out and have it stay there. As long as it stays in an acceptable range, you’re good.
Yeah, that’s crazy. I’m T1, but as far as testing glucose, no difference between T1 and T2. I don’t double-check my glucose readings all the time, but I do test twice at least once a week to calibrate my continuous glucose monitor. Two different fingers on two different hands, and they’re always within a few points of each other.
I’m suspicious of your meter. If I were you, I’d try some other meters and see if you get the same crazy results. Every meter maker out there will send you a free meter and some strips; go dig around the interwebs and you’ll find them. Or talk to a CDE - they seem to know more of the day-to-day stuff than the docs.
Regardless of meter weirdness, congrats on taking control of your life! Walking is great exercise as far as glucose control, and your diet changes sound spot-on. Keep it up!
I also read the whole thing.
I’m a T2 and I have other stuff wrong.
I test before any thing but a sip of water. Critters needs can & usually cause a 20 to 40 minute delay.
I keep a record of date/time and #'s on GLU, BP & Pulse. I send a copy to my Dr. about twice a month.
Lows are under 100 and highs are less than 150 with 30 day averages of around 108.
I am not as good as you about diet.
My A1C is always good and even though my numbers don’t seem to jibe well, Dr. is not worried because the A1C they do is good.
My BP checker is very old and I did comparison testing with Dr office equipment to come up with a conversion number.
But forget the number and watch the trend.
Weight going the correct way, GLU numbers heading the right way?
I can blow my GLU number all over the place with food/stress/time of day I test ( 14 hr fast from sleeping late is always high.) Bad dreams = higher than average. My first test of the day is usually the lowest although I don’t test more often now unless I really feel bad or get symptoms I don’t like. Then I check Temp, BP Pulse & GLU etc.
I take a lot of meds for other things also but my Metformin is 1000mg twice a day. ( I am a 300# male almost 74 years old. ) I take nothing else with regards to diabetes.
You are still in early stages, what you use to check does not really mean much but I use a Accu Check nano ™. I have 4 different brands of testors. I like the hole puncher it has the best. The readers all seem the same to me.
I also use 91% alcohol on my fingers/hands that might touch anything. Letting it dry completely before the stick and insertion of the strip into the machine. You are doing all that fine but I would add the alcohol wipe.
Quit stressing about it, quit beating yourself up about it and hope your feet don’t go numb from diabetes. That sucks and so far, there seems to be no reversing it after is happens. Just try hard to not let it go that far.
Glad you had your wake up call.
Hang tough and do what you are told but ask questions every step of the way.
I’m a type 2. Only 38 and I don’t watch my diet as much as you do. I take metformin too and exercise of course.
Don’t worry about those up and down numbers. Don’t worry about little numbers.
Your doc will take your a1c every 3 months and get a big picture.
There is literally nothing you can do now other than keep doing the awesome job you are doing with diet and exercise.
Your doc might put you on another drug based on a1c. You will be ok.
Also get another meter. There’s a nice cheap one at wal mart with $10/50 strips (it’s in a green box) and I use that as my secondary tester. My Type I friend uses it too and it calibrated with her main tester.
You really really are doing a great job with your diet. Really. You are doing everything you can. Your docs will help guide you further when it comes to drugs.
I was diagnosed T2 in 2004. I take metformin. My doctor did not recommend testing my blood sugar at the time and tests my blood sugar and A1C every year. The blood sugar generally comes in around 100-120 and the A1C just under 6% so he is happy that it is under control.
I usually test on the side of my middle finger on my left hand, between the tip and the first knuckle in the fleshy area. Avoid near the nails at all costs - that hurts.
I would recommend that you limit most of your testing to about an hour after meals, to get a good handle on what foods cause your blood sugar to spike. You’ll find some do a lot and some not so much. Eliminate the big spike foods from your diet or at least severely limit them. This is likely to be carbs - rice is a biggie, potatoes, white bread.
Switch to whole grains where you can. American white bread is horrible for you. I eat Brownberry Oatnut. I limit my intake of Chinese food too, even though I love it, because of the rice and the fact that most of the sauces are full of sugar. Especially General Tso’s Chicken. Very sugary.
I was diagnosed about 5 years ago and seldom test anymore because I know where my numbers are and they’re well under control.
Home glucose meters are not exactly precision instruments, and your variations don’t seem all that out of whack. You obviously know to have a clean and dry finger to test, but I’m going to emphasize that anyway.
I work with several different brands of meters and consider Contours to be among the best.
Are all these strips covered by your insurance? You are testing too often, and fixating on numbers too much. Your A1cs will give you the real deal (do you get one every three months?).
mmm
I would say you are probably testing too much. Also, with post-postprandial readings for type 2, we do not recommend testing any sooner than two hours after you started to eat. It is normal for the number to go up after eating!
The standard recommend 2-hour post-postprandial ranges are as follows:
American Diabetes Association - 180 or below
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists - 150 or below.
The ADA recommendations are aimed largely at type 2 diabetics, and the AACE recommendations are more aimed at type 1 diabetics. Individual needs vary, and treatment plans should be tailored to a patient’s needs.
I am a Certified Diabetes Educator, and, frankly, I don’t see very much wrong with your numbers at this point. HOWEVER, I am not your doctor or your educator. If you are unsure what your fasting and postprandial blood sugar goals should be, speak with your MD.
And relax! Stress will make your numbers rise. Individual numbers are not as important as trends are. Diabetes self management is a long-term game.
Thanks so much to all of you for your responses, info and support! And for slogging through that OP. Too bad typing doesn’t count as exercise; I’d be in fantastic shape.
Whew, gold star to you. I appreciate your patience!
Yeah, that does seem to be the general consensus here. Even I knew it had to be too much, but the inconsistency really nags at my inner continuity freak. (I’m the same with TV, film or book series! How hard is it to maintain plot and character consistency?! I guess I don’t like whoever’s writing my diabetes narrative.)
I take your point (and those of everyone who confirmed this) that the overall trend downwards is what’s important. I guess, given what I know about how A1C tests work (that they measure approximately three months’ worth of your average blood glucose), I suppose your blood sorta recycles itself after 90 days or so? So it’s not like I can eat like a sugar-raised hog for months, then suddenly start to eat well and my blood’ll instantly be back to “normal” (or what passes as “normal” for a person w/diabetes), even after 6.5 weeks. I’ll just have to remind myself of that and try to stop freaking out.
Plus there are so many other things that affect it. Some of which I can account for, like the dehydration and exercise and, obviously, diet, but there’s also stuff I can’t really do anything about (hormones) and things that are harder to handle (stress and bad sleep habits). Oh! And supposedly other medications, such as a beta blocker, benzo and antidepressants–all of which I’m taking in addition to the Metformin–can sometimes affect diabetes control.
[quote-Helena330]
Do you have a professional who’s having you step up your insulin incrementally? It sounds like you may need to talk to them about this and what you can expect.
[/quote]
Thus far I’m not on any insulin, just the Metformin. It was just in the ER that they gave me insulin. I should’ve seen my GP right after the ER visit, but I couldn’t get an appointment until later this month, and I decided to put it off to later in August just go give myself more time to work on this myself.
Probably dumb of me, I know… I guess I was afraid of being put on insulin and I wanted to see whether I could get some better control, or at least see how well I could do on just the medication before my doc decided to pull the insulin trigger. Even if she does decide that the diet/exercise/lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough, I’m kinda hoping she’ll try upping the meds–since I’m not at the upper level there. But if insulin is required, so be it. I’ll suck it up. (So to speak.)
Thank you very very much, and best of luck to you and Mr. Helena330 too!
Heh, I can’t lie, I definitely answer the door to “crazy” when it knocks.
I’ve only recently heard of CGMs–I know you still have to stick yourself but not as often, and supposedly they’re helpful. Has yours improved your overall numbers (A1C-wise)? I know it’s unlike I’ll get one at this point, but it’s been fascinating to learn of this technology. It’s amazing that it does give you that level of consistency when you calibrate it. (Sighs jealously…)
That’s a very good idea, thank you–and also for some backup that the meter might be screwy. Will they really send me a free meter? I know they earn their $$$ on the strips, but it would be nice to test the testers. Especially since Medicare wouldn’t even pay for my own testing supplies when I was originally diagnosed, as I found out when I asked my doc for a testing kit. So, without a prescription, I’ve been going out of pocket thus far. Probably the companies require a prescription, though. I’ll check around.
Thanks to you too for your wisdom (appropriate for your screenname) and kind good wishes! Right back to you, too.
Mazeltov! This should be a mark of pride in this thread.
Your control sounds excellent to me! Your A1C must in the low 6.0s or even lower (accounting for some spikes that maybe your sticks aren’t tracking). I’ve only just started writing these numbers down, including my food and water intake. My meter does have a memory, which is helpful too. Anyhoo, if your average is 108, you must get plenty of sub-100 readings, which is excellent for a T2–probably during the night or morning, I guess?
The only time I’ve seen one of those (at least recently) was when I think I tested too little blood (or maybe the alcohol hadn’t dried yet?) and got a crazy reading of 55! Next stab was 128. And this is why I double-check when I find an outlier. My trouble is the triple and quadruple checks.
I’m embarrassed by how long it took me to figure out that GLU meant Glucose. :o The sleep thing is clearly really important, because I’ve also noticed that I get worse readings after multiple days of getting just 6 hours or fewer.
My weight isn’t going as fast as it should be. Like… I went up a half-pound today. It goes against the laws of physics. During my crazy binge-ful year, I literally ate at least 3 - 4K calories per day on average, which would be great if I were a six-foot tall football player, but, not so much. Now I’m eating under 1600 and am moving more and I’ve only lost 10 pounds, plus I’m suddenly going up? I know, I know, there are all sorts of womanly-related reasons to bounce around a meager 8 ounces, but fuck it, I want to get below the ten-pound milestone already.
Ooh good point (no pun intended), I do often use an alcohol wipe before I stick, I forgot to add that into the list, because it’s not 100% – that’s been one of those variables I’ve been trying to test. (With just soap/water, with just alcohol, with both, etc.)
I really regret getting the smaller gauge needles. I’m not a big bleeder anyway, even with the larger lancets, but these small ones, while more comfy, just don’t do the job on their own. And of course I just bought six bags of them, LOL. I will never learn to try before I bulk-buy!
I’m sorry that you’re dealing with that–if I’m understanding you correctly? That does create a bigger risk for foot issues, as I know. I do have some venous insufficiency and I do get some pins/needles now and then, but if I just exercise my legs and ankles that slight “falling asleep” feeling goes away. Hopefully I’m in time to prevent that, if it is preventable.
Thank you and all my good wishes to you too.
If I were a hugging sort of gal, I’d hug you. I really appreciate your generosity of spirit and the support, ZipperJJ. I’ll check out the WalMart tester. I’m definitely hoping the A1C will show… something. I know when I was first diagnosed 2 years ago, I had an A1C of 7. A few months into last year’s bingefest, I went to the doc and had leapt up to 11. (That was when my doc bumped me from 500mg to 1000mg on the Metformin.) I am really hoping by the time I get tested later, I won’t be too much higher, although with that 400 in the hospital I can’t imagine I’ll be granted that wish. Well maybe the lower numbers now will balance things out by the end of August.
And at least I have somewhere to go as far as Metformin (or whatever other drugs are out there)–it’s not like I’m at the max dose. I’m also hoping the doc will help me figure out when it’s best to take them to avoid the higher numbers in the a.m.
That’s fantastic! My doc was the same (re not recommending me do home-tests) but it sounds like you’ve been waaaaay the hell more trustworthy than I was as far as taking control of your health. Anywhere in the 5s is amazing for T2s, I understand.
That’s generally the same position I go for, though I vary between index, middle and (sometimes) ring. (Ring finger hurts and bleeds way more than the other two for some reason.) And always on my left hand, too. During my manic five-testing phases, I did sometimes go for the fingertip if for no reason I was running out of locations, but generally it’s the side as you describe.
All my favorites, of course. My diet used to be 60% carbs, 30% fats and 10% whatever-the-hell-else is there. Super-balanced, right?
That’s kind of my answer to GythaOgg as far as why I sometimes test at the 1-hour point–if I’m eating something new that I’m not sure how I’ll react yet. Most recently I did this with the Kind snack bar, for example. It’s been a while since I had anything higher than 15g of carbs so I was dreading a large spike. Was pleasantly surprised to see that it was a gentle lift, nothing concerning. Which is more than I can say for the single slice of whole-grain bread I had early on. Dang!
I haven’t tested air-popped popcorn, but that’s something I really really hope I can have, at least a small amount. Popcorn is really the snack food I love most, and I know some diabetics aren’t affected that much by reasonable amounts.
I haven’t found a bread that works for me, exactly, but picked up a brand of whole wheat tortilla wrap with 6g of carbs, and was able to eat it with tuna without any problem at the hour and 2-hour points. There’s a recipe to cut it into triangles and toast it for a pseudo-taco chip treat, which I’ll try some time.
My biggest issue with Chinese food would be the sodium, I think. On Sunday I did splurge on some beef and string beans, without any rice and with very little sauce, and was happy that it wasn’t a terrible bump–I think it got me to 160 at the 1-hour point, then I was down to 130something at 2-hours. But it’s not something I want to have too often due to the sodium. And yeah, General Tso’s is out, sadly. And spare ribs.
I hope to get to that point. I admire you, you seem like you really have a well-balanced view of the illness and a good handle on controlling it. Thank you again!
Hee, I always love your "mmm"s at the end of your posts. It makes it sound like you’re really relishing the idea of those A1Cs.
I’m out of pocket on all this stuff, so yeah, I’m blowing $5 (at least) when I do multiple sticks. I get them at Amazon where the price isn’t that bad, but it’s adding up. You’re totally right, as is everyone else, that I’m fixating on the numbers. Total overcompensation from the years of living in ignorance and denial. It’s also fear, of course.
(He looooves that Google, mmmmmm.)
Thanks, Surreal, for the tester survey there. Thus far I haven’t really seen anything that really puts one meter far above the rest. If I weren’t cheap I would go check out Consumer Reports, I know they have a study somewhere.
First, I am very very grateful to hear from a CDE, though I know you aren’t my CDE and (full disclaimer etc.). It’s very kind of you to respond!
I usually do stick with 2-hours PP… the 1-hour thing is only when I’m eating something new/potentially iffy and I’m trying to gauge whether it’ll give me a larger spike than desired, as mentioned above. I did that with the Chinese food dish, for example. And then the 2-hour PP following to see if the number goes down appropriately. (I make extra sure to drink plenty of water with the meal.)
Thank you! That’s helpful, and of course I know everyone is different. It’s been enlightening to see just how differently people react to the same foods. Some can tolerate bananas or small amounts of raisins; others are spiked even by lower GI fruits like strawberries or blueberries. Some lucky souls can have certain types of bread or even a half-cup of ice cream.
From diabetic communities that focus on super-strict control, they aim for 140 for T2s. I believe their rationale has been that BG levels above 140 for extended periods of time is when you’re at risk for organ damage?
I’m starting out probably stricter than I need to–I know many recommend under 100g of carbs per day, with an average per meal of 30g. Right now I doubt I’m reaching 30g of carbs for an entire day. Once (knock wood) I have my numbers in control as tested by my doc, I’d like to gradually add back in a few more healthy carbs, like fruits as I mentioned in my OP, and legumes like chickpeas or kidney beans. I’d test them to see how I react, but any way to get more variety into my diet will help keep me on the straight and narrow.
Thank you. That does mean a great deal to me to hear that from you (again, insert understanding of the disclaimer here!). My stress levels this year have been through the roof, and unfortunately we’re heading up on some bad anniversaries for my family–the 1st anniversary of my brother-in-law’s death is coming up and this is going to be rough as hell for us. Having the health concerns on top of this hasn’t helped, especially since I’m prone to anxiety anyway.
But you–all of you, in this thread–have been extremely helpful in knocking some sense of proportion into me. Thanks to everyone for your patience and guidance. I raise my nightly dessert square of ChocZero in your direction!
(I used to hate dark chocolate. I originally bought these candies back in May simply because I’d heard that dark chocolate was supposed to be heart-healthy. I tried one and it was awful! So bitter!
Now, three months later, I gave it another try and now it’s a treat that I savor, 1 square only, each night. My tastebuds are definitely changing as a result of not stuffing sugary things into me every few hours!)
I eat dark chocolate pretty much every day, it is my ‘candy’ now.
Try the Endangered Species bars. Buy a bunch of them when they’re on sale. I like the ones with blueberries, the ones with blackberry sage, or the ones with cherries.
I think you’re testing too much and reading too much into your results. Mr. Helena is also a Type II diabetic and it’s taken him and his team of people about nine months to get his blood sugar where it needs to be. They aren’t so concerned about a single reading or even two or three (unless it’s sky high like yours was), but more of a pattern of readings. Keep track of them over time. Even if you have a few frustrating readings now and then, as long as the general trend is downward (it sounds like that’s the case), you’re doing really well. Do you have a professional who’s having you step up your insulin incrementally? It sounds like you may need to talk to them about this and what you can expect.
I appreciate your patience!
