GD support thread

[Tiffylove]

There is a converter two or three pages back posted for me you and I use the same numbers but most these ladies do not. I just convert and post so they can help me with questions!

Glad I'm not the only one. I was hoping to find a way to convert my numbers and fully understand everyone else's too.

130 is about 7.2mmol, 204 is 11.2mmol. You divide your numbers by 18 to get the mmol, or times by 18 to get your readings, so 15 is 270.


Having said that, my diabetic teams have both told me that they don't know what numbers affect the pregnancy is that way because every pregnancy Is different. It's unlikely a few occasional high numbers will affect your baby or placenta though. I have a couple of friends who are type 1's and they regularly got readings of 25 plus during pregnancy and their babies were fine, so there are no definites and that's one of the reasons they are so strict during pregnancy.

Thank you for that. Makes it easy to convert.

 

[USAF_WIFE]

There is a converter two or three pages back posted for me you and I use the same numbers but most these ladies do not. I just convert and post so they can help me with questions!

Glad I'm not the only one. I was hoping to find a way to convert my numbers and fully understand everyone else's too.

130 is about 7.2mmol, 204 is 11.2mmol. You divide your numbers by 18 to get the mmol, or times by 18 to get your readings, so 15 is 270.


Having said that, my diabetic teams have both told me that they don't know what numbers affect the pregnancy is that way because every pregnancy Is different. It's unlikely a few occasional high numbers will affect your baby or placenta though. I have a couple of friends who are type 1's and they regularly got readings of 25 plus during pregnancy and their babies were fine, so there are no definites and that's one of the reasons they are so strict during pregnancy.

Thank you for that. Makes it easy to convert.

I was quite confused at first too lol! Anyone have an idea why my morning sugar hits 6 but I never go over 6.8 the rest the day? It has happened twice now and I can't figure out why?

 

[Nela]

Hi ladies

I wanted to say thank you for answering my post earlier last week. I was quite discouraged at the time but I am feeling much more positive now! It seems the issue was that I was not eating enough. When seeing that my sugar was on the higher side, I cut out all carbs but it seems I am supposed to just keep a small but consisten amount of carbs in my meals instead? I am not a fan of bread but I have reintroduced brown bread to my menu and some whole grain crackers as well. I've been quite happy with using some carbonated water + sugarless fruit syrup to make flavored drinks and I've also been turning flavored tea bags into iced tea. I am drinking a lot more water again so that is good too. I was able to eat some really nice meals this weekend that didn't leave me starving or miserable too. I feel like I am eating much more like I was eating before the diagnosis but just divided separately. Yesterday, I managed to eat some white rice mixed in with multigrain rice along with tzatziki, alcohol free beer (enjoyed a lemon Bavaria - the original tasted horrible!), lamb kebabs and sausage, and loads of grilled veggies. I was so thrilled to see that I COULD have rice even if it was just a small portion. This morning, I had half a slice of brown bread with peanut butter, decaf coffe with Stevia (really don't like the Stevia though), 1/2 a mini quiche, and a babybel for breakkie. Sugar was 4.6 after 2 hours! Wooot! It's really odd to add more carbs to get the sugar under control but I guess it makes sense as it keeps the insulin on a regular production cycle? I have to eat every 2 hours so I have myself on a timer throughout the day otherwise I forget. The really big thing I struggle with is having to limit my milk and fruit so when baby is here and I get the all clear, I am having a lovely fruit salad! Oof, I think I will escape the insulin for now!

 

[Nela]

I was quite confused at first too lol! Anyone have an idea why my morning sugar hits 6 but I never go over 6.8 the rest the day? It has happened twice now and I can't figure out why?

I was told that you are more likely to suffer a hormone surge in the morning which could affect your insulin then. Also, eating something before bed can help. I've ate half a slice of brown bread with peanut butter before bed yesterday and my sugar was in range this morning whereas when I wasn't eating before, it was higher. Sounds odd to be doing the opposite of what your instinct might say but that's what is working for me so you might want to try it as well in case.

 

[USAF_WIFE]

I was quite confused at first too lol! Anyone have an idea why my morning sugar hits 6 but I never go over 6.8 the rest the day? It has happened twice now and I can't figure out why?

I was told that you are more likely to suffer a hormone surge in the morning which could affect your insulin then. Also, eating something before bed can help. I've ate half a slice of brown bread with peanut butter before bed yesterday and my sugar was in range this morning whereas when I wasn't eating before, it was higher. Sounds odd to be doing the opposite of what your instinct might say but that's what is working for me so you might want to try it as well in case.

I am super frustrated at the moment. I woke up with a sugar level of 68 this morning... 116 after breakfast. I have not been told I am officially diabetic but I am being treated as I am. My fingers are totally bruised and I am a wimp I am over this. I am sick and poking myself is a downer. How do you ladies keep up with this for so long?

 

[Sephie]

I am super frustrated at the moment. I woke up with a sugar level of 68 this morning... 116 after breakfast. I have not been told I am officially diabetic but I am being treated as I am. My fingers are totally bruised and I am a wimp I am over this. I am sick and poking myself is a downer. How do you ladies keep up with this for so long?

I know what it feels like to have bruised fingers eventhough I have only just started to test my blood sugars but a couple of days ago, I had to draw enough blood for 4 vials of blood testing (no idea why my stupid hospital does this instead of a simple blood glucose meter reading). So I ended up setting my lancets at max penetration so I could get a hole big enough to squeeze enough blood out for the vials. By the time I was filling the 4th vial (after the after dinner measurement), I was giving up. I almost didn't want to continue. My fingers were bruised and hard and it hurt to make prick again. I just kept telling myself that it's all for a good reason and to make sure the baby is safe and healthy! And that it'll end in a few weeks' time!

Just wanted to know you're not alone, and that you have a lot of support from us! *hugs* where are the virtual pom poms?

 

[Sephie]

I was quite confused at first too lol! Anyone have an idea why my morning sugar hits 6 but I never go over 6.8 the rest the day? It has happened twice now and I can't figure out why?

I was told that you are more likely to suffer a hormone surge in the morning which could affect your insulin then. Also, eating something before bed can help. I've ate half a slice of brown bread with peanut butter before bed yesterday and my sugar was in range this morning whereas when I wasn't eating before, it was higher. Sounds odd to be doing the opposite of what your instinct might say but that's what is working for me so you might want to try it as well in case.

Glad it's working out for you, Nela and hope you can skip the insulin! I kinda guessed you weren't eating enough carbs because you were getting a lot of hypo numbers, but since I'm a newbie at blood sugar testing I didn't want to insult you so I didn't say anything! But I was worried!

Onwards and upwards!

 

[LittleSienna]

So after speaking to the midwife today, she aas concerned and referred me to the diabetic team. After readings of 14.6 after meals that weren't even 'naughty'...... she wants me to speak to the team tomorrow.....

 

[USAF_WIFE]

I am super frustrated at the moment. I woke up with a sugar level of 68 this morning... 116 after breakfast. I have not been told I am officially diabetic but I am being treated as I am. My fingers are totally bruised and I am a wimp I am over this. I am sick and poking myself is a downer. How do you ladies keep up with this for so long?

I know what it feels like to have bruised fingers eventhough I have only just started to test my blood sugars but a couple of days ago, I had to draw enough blood for 4 vials of blood testing (no idea why my stupid hospital does this instead of a simple blood glucose meter reading). So I ended up setting my lancets at max penetration so I could get a hole big enough to squeeze enough blood out for the vials. By the time I was filling the 4th vial (after the after dinner measurement), I was giving up. I almost didn't want to continue. My fingers were bruised and hard and it hurt to make prick again. I just kept telling myself that it's all for a good reason and to make sure the baby is safe and healthy! And that it'll end in a few weeks' time!

Just wanted to know you're not alone, and that you have a lot of support from us! *hugs* where are the virtual pom poms?

Thank you hun! I got an appointment today I called and just said look I want more then here is testing supplies go at it. I want to be diagnosed and if they like my numbers id like to stop doing this. It has caused me a good deal of stress and I just want secure answers.

 

[CelticNiamh]

So after speaking to the midwife today, she aas concerned and referred me to the diabetic team. After readings of 14.6 after meals that weren't even 'naughty'...... she wants me to speak to the team tomorrow.....

OH that is good news, good luck tomorrow

 

[nickynora]

So after speaking to the midwife today, she aas concerned and referred me to the diabetic team. After readings of 14.6 after meals that weren't even 'naughty'...... she wants me to speak to the team tomorrow.....

Good luck hun, hopefully you'll now get some answers and more help x

 

[Nela]

I was quite confused at first too lol! Anyone have an idea why my morning sugar hits 6 but I never go over 6.8 the rest the day? It has happened twice now and I can't figure out why?

I was told that you are more likely to suffer a hormone surge in the morning which could affect your insulin then. Also, eating something before bed can help. I've ate half a slice of brown bread with peanut butter before bed yesterday and my sugar was in range this morning whereas when I wasn't eating before, it was higher. Sounds odd to be doing the opposite of what your instinct might say but that's what is working for me so you might want to try it as well in case.

Glad it's working out for you, Nela and hope you can skip the insulin! I kinda guessed you weren't eating enough carbs because you were getting a lot of hypo numbers, but since I'm a newbie at blood sugar testing I didn't want to insult you so I didn't say anything! But I was worried!

Onwards and upwards!

Lol, that's the thing though... My numbers were higher without the carbs Now that I have the good carbs in, I am getting the low numbers/nearly hypo numbers. I actually have to test more often now because it seems my hypo is kicking in more than the diabetes, but that is something we expected with my issues with my nervous system. It always likes to make things more complicated Hypo is much easier to treat though so I am not worried. I have myself set on timers now so I have to eat every time the alarm goes off. I also have to eat before bed otherwise my sugar is high in the morning.

However, I spoke to the diabetic nurse yesterday and she is thrilled with my numbers so I was granted another week! If my numbers stay like this, we'll just continue to monitor and hope 3rd trimester doesn't throw me off. At least I feel like I can eat like a normal person again! I can even have mini puddings (kids portions are awesome!) for dessert with some bread and milk for a snack. I found some cookies in the diabetic section as well. I can have 2 with a babybel when my sugars are low and that stabilizes it well. I find it a bit ironic that I need to eat even more than I already did but I'm happy that it's working.

 

[Nela]

I am super frustrated at the moment. I woke up with a sugar level of 68 this morning... 116 after breakfast. I have not been told I am officially diabetic but I am being treated as I am. My fingers are totally bruised and I am a wimp I am over this. I am sick and poking myself is a downer. How do you ladies keep up with this for so long?

Those numbers are nice and low though, no? (Fasting is even a bit too low I think) Are they always similar? As for your fingers, forgive me if you know this already but, are you pricking your fingerpad? You should prick the side of your finger, just below your nail. I was told by a diabetic friend when I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia and it was confirmed by my diabetes nurse to not prick the pad as it's just more sore for no reason. I remember the first time I pricked myself, I pricked my pad and ended up with a nasty bruise. I'm a total wuss when it comes to needles but I can tell you that more than half the time, when I prick, I'm convinced the needle probably didn't go through since it didn't hurt. Hopefully, you'll find what works for you soon so you won't be frustrated with it all. I know last week I was frustrated real bad with the whole thing and thought I just wouldn't manage!

 

[Nela]

Oh dear, me again!

I have a question for you ladies, perhaps you can assist me in tweaking this?

For breakfast I had:

- A bowl of greek yogurt with a lil cup of strawberry jam and a small handfull of All Bran cereal in it
- A slice of brown bread with a slice of cheese on it
- and a cup of milk

I just tested my sugar and it's at 4.0 so I definitely need to eat now. I was just wondering if you lovely ladies could figure what I had too much of or not enough of? Still trying to get the hang of this!

Thanks!

 

[CelticNiamh]

Oh dear, me again!

I have a question for you ladies, perhaps you can assist me in tweaking this?

For breakfast I had:

- A bowl of greek yogurt with a lil cup of strawberry jam and a small handfull of All Bran cereal in it
- A slice of brown bread with a slice of cheese on it
- and a cup of milk

I just tested my sugar and it's at 4.0 so I definitely need to eat now. I was just wondering if you lovely ladies could figure what I had too much of or not enough of? Still trying to get the hang of this!

Thanks!

I am not sure LOL I know I could not eat that and get a 4 more like a 15 esp with the Jam

I had a bowl of bran flakes and insulin and got a 10 what was your fasting like

 

[Sephie]

Lol, that's the thing though... My numbers were higher without the carbs Now that I have the good carbs in, I am getting the low numbers/nearly hypo numbers. I actually have to test more often now because it seems my hypo is kicking in more than the diabetes, but that is something we expected with my issues with my nervous system. It always likes to make things more complicated Hypo is much easier to treat though so I am not worried. I have myself set on timers now so I have to eat every time the alarm goes off. I also have to eat before bed otherwise my sugar is high in the morning.

However, I spoke to the diabetic nurse yesterday and she is thrilled with my numbers so I was granted another week! If my numbers stay like this, we'll just continue to monitor and hope 3rd trimester doesn't throw me off. At least I feel like I can eat like a normal person again! I can even have mini puddings (kids portions are awesome!) for dessert with some bread and milk for a snack. I found some cookies in the diabetic section as well. I can have 2 with a babybel when my sugars are low and that stabilizes it well. I find it a bit ironic that I need to eat even more than I already did but I'm happy that it's working.

Glad it's working for you! I can imagine that with hypo it does make everything a lot more complicated!

I tested myself again this morning, 5.3 fasting and 7.4 1 hour after a slice of brown bread with some meaty filling and also a fairly large mug of decaf coffee with only a bit of milk so I guess the meaty filling had "hidden carbs" in it as before I have had a slice of brown bread with hardboiled egg and tomato and it only gave me a reading of 6.8.

Ah well, I guess I really have to take care of my breakfasts! Sigh, also looks like I have to test more often but strips are just so expensive! Will be seeing the gynae this afternoon at 2.30pm and sees what she will say. I still haven't even got assigned a diabetic nurse (probably will be after today!).

As for your breakfast, I wish I could have jam! LOL! I think that would send my readings off the chart!! I don't know how to help you with that, sorry! Perhaps ask your diabetic nurse to see if she can help you out?

 

[CelticNiamh]

Lol, that's the thing though... My numbers were higher without the carbs Now that I have the good carbs in, I am getting the low numbers/nearly hypo numbers. I actually have to test more often now because it seems my hypo is kicking in more than the diabetes, but that is something we expected with my issues with my nervous system. It always likes to make things more complicated Hypo is much easier to treat though so I am not worried. I have myself set on timers now so I have to eat every time the alarm goes off. I also have to eat before bed otherwise my sugar is high in the morning.

However, I spoke to the diabetic nurse yesterday and she is thrilled with my numbers so I was granted another week! If my numbers stay like this, we'll just continue to monitor and hope 3rd trimester doesn't throw me off. At least I feel like I can eat like a normal person again! I can even have mini puddings (kids portions are awesome!) for dessert with some bread and milk for a snack. I found some cookies in the diabetic section as well. I can have 2 with a babybel when my sugars are low and that stabilizes it well. I find it a bit ironic that I need to eat even more than I already did but I'm happy that it's working.

Glad it's working for you! I can imagine that with hypo it does make everything a lot more complicated!

I tested myself again this morning, 5.3 fasting and 7.4 1 hour after a slice of brown bread with some meaty filling and also a fairly large mug of decaf coffee with only a bit of milk so I guess the meaty filling had "hidden carbs" in it as before I have had a slice of brown bread with hardboiled egg and tomato and it only gave me a reading of 6.8.

Ah well, I guess I really have to take care of my breakfasts! Sigh, also looks like I have to test more often but strips are just so expensive! Will be seeing the gynae this afternoon at 2.30pm and sees what she will say. I still haven't even got assigned a diabetic nurse (probably will be after today!).

As for your breakfast, I wish I could have jam! LOL! I think that would send my readings off the chart!! I don't know how to help you with that, sorry! Perhaps ask your diabetic nurse to see if she can help you out?

1 slice of bread is not enough food, you should be eating 2 with low fat butter/cheese or egg do not reduce what your eating in the hope you can keep them lower! you might not be getting enough to support you and the baby and you need to eat a certain amount to make sure baby gets all they need

I say you will fter today hope she can help with strips for monitoring your blood sugars as well

I am waiting on my midwife to let me know if my insulin needs adjusting or not

oh what way are you all testing, for any one new to testing just incase you did not know, but you use the side of your fingers and not the pad at the tip as it can the skin can becom harde and there is a lot of nerve endings there which can make it painful

 

[AmeliePoulain]

I passed my post natal GTT - fasting of 4 and 2 hour reading of 6.6

I am really happy because in the 24 hours after the birth this time my levels didnt drop to 'normal' that quickly.

It means I might be brave enough in a few years to risk GD pregnancy #3

 

[nickynora]

Oh dear, me again!

I have a question for you ladies, perhaps you can assist me in tweaking this?

For breakfast I had:

- A bowl of greek yogurt with a lil cup of strawberry jam and a small handfull of All Bran cereal in it
- A slice of brown bread with a slice of cheese on it
- and a cup of milk

I just tested my sugar and it's at 4.0 so I definitely need to eat now. I was just wondering if you lovely ladies could figure what I had too much of or not enough of? Still trying to get the hang of this!

Thanks!

No idea on tha one I'm afraid! You might wanna dicuss it with your diabetic team.

What was your reading before breakfast? How long after breakfast did you test.

I never get a 4.0 BEFORE any meal, let alone after breakfast!! I can only just get away with eating a small amount of cereal at breakfast and thast with the help of Metformin - there is no way I'd have been able to eat all that and still be below 7.8 let alone get 4.0

Sorry no useful help here!

 

[Sephie]

1 slice of bread is not enough food, you should be eating 2 with low fat butter/cheese or egg do not reduce what your eating in the hope you can keep them lower! you might not be getting enough to support you and the baby and you need to eat a certain amount to make sure baby gets all they need

I say you will fter today hope she can help with strips for monitoring your blood sugars as well

I am waiting on my midwife to let me know if my insulin needs adjusting or not

oh what way are you all testing, for any one new to testing just incase you did not know, but you use the side of your fingers and not the pad at the tip as it can the skin can becom harde and there is a lot of nerve endings there which can make it painful

No, I'm not reducing my intake of food to make sure my sugar levels are down, as I normally cannot eat so much in the mornings, so I eat a slice of bread for breakfast with whatever in it, then about an hour and a half later I eat another "snack". Normally after one slice, I'm quite full, it's been like this since I got pregnant, so don't worry it's not because I'm avoiding a high reading. I have also tried to alter different "breakfast foods" to see what readings I get.

I don't think the nurse or my gynae can help me with the extra strips. It seems the way it is in the Netherlands, unless you buy the most expensive health insurance, diabetes testing equipment is normally not included unless you're insulin dependent. I tried calling my insurance company and they were very unhelpful. We shall see though... I will see what the gynae says today.

I prick the side of my finger and not the pad of my finger as I was taught by the normal nurse (when she was teaching me how to prick my finger to collect my blood vials) so it doesn't hurt normally, but when you have to prick 20-30 different holes at max lancet penetration, it starts to hurt! LOL! Sometimes I don't even notice that the lancet's gone through when I test my blood for the normal glucose meter.

Funnily enough, when I went to the hospital to do my GTT test 4 weeks ago, the nurse pricked my finger pad, TWICE! And it hurt so much and she bruised it so much as well as she needed to squeeze enough blood out to fill a smallish vial but she said that my fingers were small, so she pricked 2 holes next to each other that hurt and I can actually still see the scar from the holes she pricked! Nasty experience! Ouch!