Surprising Blood Sugar Results. Please Post Yours Too.

OneEyedDiva

OneEyedDiva

SF VIP
Location
New Jersey
It took me awhile to get serious and start testing my blood sugar. I still don't do it daily, sometimes only weekly and must confess, once a month went by and I didn't even realize it. But I've gotten much better. A few years back, I created a spreadsheet to track my meals and the BS readings after those meals (and snacks); I start a new sheet each year. It's helpful to look back and see how each meal affected my readings, especially if I know I need to "be extra good" on certain days. My very good readings are highlighted in a bright color.

Some of the BS readings that surprised me because they were lower than expected: 111 after two mini Little Debbie donuts, 123 after a cheese blintz with agave, 97 after cheese farina and 2 scrambled eggs. 78 after 1/2 turkey burger with ketchup and egg whites. The following were much higher than I expected: 203 bowl of oatmean/farina mixture with a few raisins and 197 after a bowl of homemade "soul minestrone", which substituted black eyed peas for kidney beans. Each test was taken two hours after the start of the meal/snack. I usually wind up taking my diabetes meds with breakfast and dinner.

Which of your BS readings surprised you and why?
 

I have my mom's meter, but it's 15 years old. I asked at the local pharmacy once about getting some test strips since I'm pre-diabetic, but the counter clerk said I needed a prescription and that the strips weren't cheap.

They probably have better equipment by now.
 
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win231 said:
A meter & test strips. You don't need a prescription or a doctor visit. Just go to any pharmacy & ask for it.
You can test 2 hours after a meal & when you wake up.
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You'll also need the lancets to prick your finger/wherever. As @win231 said, a pharmacy can advise you.

Just saw @debodun's post re needing a prescription. (I ::cough:: don't know, since my husband takes care of all that.)

I test three times a week after not having eating for 2 1/2 hours. But, your doctor can advise you.
 
debodun said:
I have my mom's meter, but it's 15 years old. I asked at the local pharmacy once about getting some test strips since I'm pre-diabetic, but the counter clerk said I needed a prescription and that they weren't cheap.

They probably have better equipment by now.
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Throw out your mom’s meter.

Talk to your PCP about the need for testing. They can write prescriptions for the supplies and Medicare will cover a portion of the cost.

Walmart offers their ReliOn or Equate brand of diabetes testing supplies that can be purchased at a reasonable cost without a prescription.

When it comes to diabetes we are all different and our combinations of medicine are different.

I take two oral medications and two injectables.

The only way I can keep my numbers low is to eat very lightly and stay hungry.

My goal is to keep my vision, stay off of dialysis and die with all the body parts I was born with still attached.

We’ll see.
 
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Pepper said:
I have brittle diabetes. My activities and food intake can be exactly the same with incredibly different results. It's a surprise that one of these days would be quite high, then the next low. I'm just doing the best I can.
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That means your pancreas isn't working quite right, yes? I suppose the only way to "fix" that is a transplant?
 
debodun said:
How do you test it?
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Finger sticks using the One Touch Ultra glucose meter and strips. Maybe it's the kind of plan I have but Medicare covered the cost of all my testing supplies, including the meter. And it's a blessing because it's true that supplies are not cheap. Like @Aunt Bea pointed out, you'll need a prescription. I don't know if being diagnosed "pre-diabetic" will warrant one though. At least you can ask.
 
Pepper said:
Right. No one should waste a body part on me. Never heard of transplanting pancreas to "cure" diabetes.
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I saw a documentary about a pancreas transplant. It's complicated & risky, that's why they won't do it unless it's the only option. As with any organ transplant, many anti-rejection drugs are needed to suppress the immune system, which can lead to other illnesses.
 
I had 5 blood test metres simply because they are replaced every couple of years free of charge,
so I packed 3 of them up along with all the bits minus anything sharp and dropped at my regular chemist .
I thought the chemist may recycle by sending to poor countries ( reading glasses are sent OS )
but the chemist put them in a bin that destroyed them .

My morning readings when I think about taking it is anything from 4.2 - 5
The way it works you have to buy a test metre when you are diagnosed with diabetes
at a cost of about $40.00 that covers you for life for getting a new updated machine every two years.
 
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Pepper said:
I have brittle diabetes. My activities and food intake can be exactly the same with incredibly different results. It's a surprise that one of these days would be quite high, then the next low. I'm just doing the best I can.
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((((Pepper)))) Have talked with a lot of people in your shoes ...not a fun place to be.
 
Murrmurr said:
That means your pancreas isn't working quite right, yes? I suppose the only way to "fix" that is a transplant?
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The only pancreas transplants I know of have been in tandem with a kidney once kidney failure progressed to the later stages. The recipients are screened rigorously and have to meet certain physical criteria. Once they get the transplants, they are no longer diabetic ...but ...and it's a big BUT ...they do have to take immunosuppressent medications just like any other transplant patient.
 
AnnieA said:
The only pancreas transplants I know of have been in tandem with a kidney once kidney failure progressed to the later stages. The recipients are screened rigorously and have to meet certain physical criteria. Once they get the transplants, they are no longer diabetic ...but ...and it's a big BUT ...they do have to take immunosuppressent medications just like any other transplant patient.
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My brother has severe chronic pancreatitis. A few years ago he was down to 118 pounds, and he's 6'1". He's up to around 130 now, but anyway, his doctor talked to him about a transplant but he had to stop drinking for a year before the doctor would even put him on the list. My brother is in his 70s and an alcoholic and he also has emphysema, so it's never going to happen. I doubt he'd survive the surgery.
 
Murrmurr said:
My brother has severe chronic pancreatitis. A few years ago he was down to 118 pounds, and he's 6'1". He's up to around 130 now, but anyway, his doctor talked to him about a transplant but he had to stop drinking for a year before the doctor would even put him on the list. My brother is in his 70s and an alcoholic and he also has emphysema, so it's never going to happen. I doubt he'd survive the surgery.
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I just had a 4th cousin that was 42 and died from being a alcoholic. He just wouldn't stop drinking whiskey. He also had Bi-polar.
 
debodun said:
I have my mom's meter, but it's 15 years old. I asked at the local pharmacy once about getting some test strips since I'm pre-diabetic, but the counter clerk said I needed a prescription and that the strips weren't cheap.

They probably have better equipment by now.
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What the clerk meant was "OUR strips aren't cheap." The "Embrace" meter is around $6.00 & the strips are less than half what the pharmacies charge for other brands. I get them online - Amazon & Diabetes supply stores.
 
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