Struggling to meet Gestational Diabetes targets

[mdsremos]

I was confirmed with GD last week and on Monday had an appointment with the diabetic nurse/dietician to get my blood monitor and information.
One dayI have to test before each meal and bed and keep below 7 and every other day test 1hr after each meal and keep below 7.8.

I only started testing on Monday and although before meals (fasting) are around 3.5-4.5 the after meals are creeping up to 9.4!!!!!! For lunch all I had was a small wrap with tuna mayo, packet of walkers and diet yougurt and recorded 9.2...was starving 2 hours later and worried about eating some grapes or banana so tested again and it came out as 5.5. For tea was a little naughty and had small portion of chippy chips with a white bun and forgot to test after one hour so 2 hours later got a reading of 9.5 (dread to think what the 1 hour reading would have been).

I am so worried about what I can and cant eat and especially snack on as getting tired of bananas and grapes already but need something I can quickly nibble whilst at the desk cos I work in a busy A&E department.

Any advice would be appreciated as I feel stupid ringing the Diabetic nurse already and saying I am struggling (she did say to call her straight away if my levels were high but not sure after how long to record then ring her??? Feeling really lost with all of this )

 

[vixforever]

Your readings came back high from the test didnt they? Mine came back 8.8 from the glucose test. My target is 7.8 1 hours after breakfast and after evening meal. You can do it you just have to control your portions (I know its hard and you have to get used to your new diet) x

 

[mdsremos]

My GTT came back as 8.4 and I was showing ketones in my urine the last couple of times it was tested so was referred to the diabetic team. Got to see the specialist again in 3 weeks time for a review but struggling with what I can and cant eat, didnt think this would be so hard to manage!

 

[vixforever]

It is hard but tbh you have to ring them and tell them your struggling. You will get the hang of it my highest actual reading has been 8.1. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before testing too otherwise you can get false readings x

 

[Collette]

Hiya MD, are you any meds or insulin yet?

 

[mablestarr]

I've just started my testing regieme yesterday after having a reading of 10.1 after the glucose drink.

So far all have been within the limits, my one first thing in the morning has to be less than 5.5, and the 3 taken 1 hour after eating have to be less than 7.5. But I know that there will be days when I really struggle like when I want proper coke and a chocolate cake!!!

I've been told that i'll be induced at 38 weeks if the baby is big which falls on Christmas eve, so apart from my babys health my incentive is making sure that i have christmas dinner at home.

Sorry that I don't have much advice but i suppose i'm just starting with the testing just like you. Do you have an appointment this coming monday? I've been given weekly appointments with the diabetic nurse/dieticians so they can monitor and support me. So if you don't have an appointment then give them a call as if you are struggling to control it through diet they might consider starting you on medication. They have mentioned to me that there is some medication in tablet form (can't remember what its called though) which is the next step if it cant be controlled through diet, before having to inject with insulin.

Good luck with it and try and stay positive. xxxxxxxx

 

[mdsremos]

thanks for the replies. I am currently on diet controlled only but am really struggling. I only had half a tin of chicken soup and a slice of white bread at lunch and 1hour later got a 7.9 reading, I find I am struggling to know when to eat alot of the time cos I am worried about keeping my levels too high
Will keep monitoring over the weekend and call the Diabetic Nurse on Monday as my appointment isnt until 26th October.

 

[mablestarr]

I bet you're starving hun after only that much food for lunch.
I also had some chicken soup for lunch with 2 slices of granary bread with a little bit of cheese and was reading 6.2 after an hour. I get the fresh soup in cartons and share one with OH, but nutritionally the carb values are similar between them and tinned soups, so not sure what to suggets to you. I've just had a packet of cheese & onion french fries to keep me going until dinner, I'd usually have a chocolate biscuit so though crisps might be a bit more filling and slightly better for me.
Make sure you're eating enough though as if you're hungry you might be more tempted to snack on 'bad' foods, I know I do.
xxxx

 

[mdsremos]

Had an emergency appointment with the Diabetic nurse and consultant this morning and have started 2units of Novarapid insulin before each meal with a review on 26th October to see if I need to add a slow release insulin throughout the day as well. I was so upset at the appointment but have come to terms with the fact that this is the best course of action for me and little one plus losing weight at the moment is not a good idea so need to start eating properly (although very healthy) to give myself and baby enough nutrition.
The injections are not too bad at all to be honest, the finger testing is alot worse than the small needles into my tummy, didnt even feel it!!!
thanks for the support mablestarr, it really is a rollercoaster at the moment but I get to see my little one on the screen every two weeks for a growth scan now and I have my c-section date at 28 weeks in the diary - 30th November 2010

 

[mablestarr]

Hope it works out well for you on the injections - I've had my first 'high' reading today, was naughty and had a slice of victoria sandwich after lunch so was 8.3. After 2hrs though was down to 7.1 so not too bad - hopefully will be able to resist temptation next time (or at least save the cake until after I've tested in the evening!!!) I'm sure I'll be told off at some point for using too many test strips as sometimes I double check it a little while after, and the other day had crumble and ice cream mid evening so tested after dinner and after pudding!

Is this your first pregnancy? Just curious about the c-section - great news that you have a date for it though and less than 7 weeks to go now for you. Good luck and keep me updated with your progress. xxxxx

 

[rbryan0205]

dont forget ladies if your taking gaviscon or any meds lik that if its not sugar free that will send your readings higher xx

 

[Collette]

MD, Its important that you work your insulin around what you eat, not the other way around, you need stay healthy and eat proper meals, you dont have to be hungary.
Having c-section is completely normal when you have diabetes because babies are usually on the bigger side - you may be on a drip of insulin and glucose so they can monitor you all the way through it and after, so dont worry.

Mable, dont worry about using too many strips, rather too many than not enough, your not harming anyone by checking often, i very much doubt they tell you off. The more you get used to the situation the less you will feel the need to check so much each tyime you do a reading.

 

[vixforever]

dont forget ladies if your taking gaviscon or any meds lik that if its not sugar free that will send your readings higher xx

Gaviscon is made with sweeteners so is fine to take x

 

[mdsremos]

Had my first hypo this morning at work. Was feeling really weird and a little spaced out so told by Sister on the unit told me to book into the GP service whose first check was my suger level which was only 3.3. I was shocked considering I had a large bowl of cornflakes with sweetener and Splenda at 8.20 and had a reading of 7.1 after 1 hour but by 10.45 was down to 3.3. Told it was probably cos I hadnt snacked and was busy at work so on the go and using more energy than usual....at least I know the symptoms now!!!
Lunch and evening readings have been loads better with the insulin 7.7 and 8.1.....just need to remember to recognise when I need to eat and not ignore the hunger pangs like I have been doing before the insulin.