Blogging Diabetes

This post is a spur of the moment post due to the diabetes kicking my rear today. I don’t want to discourage anyone that has diabetes because it’s hard enough to keep good control. My intention with this video is to let others know that you’re not alone. I see a number in the 300 to 400 range all too often. Sometimes the high reading is due to a lack of effort on my part. Other times, it’s really difficult to explain if I can at all. This day is one of those unexplainable times.

Here is a summary of the blood glucose numbers:

Before dinner – 175 BG
Dinner at 50 carbs and gave a bolus for 70 because I was snacking too
After dinner – 44 BG
Correction carbs – 40 carbs
Workout – 30 minutes weights, 40 minutes light cardio (watching Nip/Tuck)
After workout – 468 BG (mommy)

So, this is what a doctor doesn’t tell you:

The Next Day

The next day I woke up at 58 and ate 50 carbs for breakfast with a correct bolus. Just a few hours after that, I tested and was at 367. Baffled, I threw out my insulin vial and started a new one straight from the refrigerator. After changing the insulin, I worked my way down to 135 before dinner. A few times in the past I can only explain high BG readings from a bad insulin vial. What a day – Phew.

Diabetes, in my opinion is 50% physical and 50% mental. Everyone with diabetes will probably have a day like this; just know you’re not alone.

7 Comments

Chris Bishop Said,

January 15th, 2009 @10:38 am

Great Post Tony -

I hate when I can’t figure out what causes these unexpected highs / lows.

Karen Said,

January 15th, 2009 @10:57 am

Great vlog. I’ve been there too, more times than I can count. It never stops being frustrating, huh? Especially the Why Am I High guessing game. Here’s another option to throw into the mix – your highs could have been rebounds. My doctor said anything lower than 40 will make your liver spill sugar to correct. I know you woke up at 58, but maybe you were lower than that while you were sleeping – scary thought, I know. Or could be the exercise. Or the stress. Or the insulin. Yup, the possibilities are endless.

JaimieH Said,

January 15th, 2009 @2:19 pm

Really a great post Tony…You are so right…this is something docs, nurses, CDE’s won’t be able to understand or educate diabetics about unless they have diabetes themselves…and it can be emotionally frusatrating to battle alone (Thank god for the internet …)

Stress is a big factor for me & my numbers….I can eat right & exercise but stress/hormones can just be havoc on the numbers… just taking it moment by moment and day by day….

Scott K. Johnson Said,

January 16th, 2009 @10:21 pm

Great vlog post Tony. Totally relate to you on this. Sometimes we just don’t know where the hell that stuff comes from. Especially frustrating because you didn’t over treat the low (which is hard as heck).

Take care!

Fran Smith Said,

November 11th, 2009 @12:36 pm

I so much appreciate your comments. I sat listening to your video, nodding my head “yes” the whole time. I could have done the video for you. My doctor fusses at me EVERY time I go see her about my A1c and how I’m just not trying, I’m flippant and not serious about keeping my sugar in control. I’ve been diabetic for 28 years and have been on a pump for 10. I actually bolus so often…everything that goes in my mouth…that it’s ridiculous. I am NOT flippant about my control…I have diabetic retinopathy, and have had 2 laser treatments and need another one soon…why would I be flippant? I crochet, play piano, love to watch movies and look at my friends, etc…I don’t WANT to become blind! I want to tell her…”you don’t know…you’re NOT diabetic.” I sometimes think that every other diabetic patient she has must be perfectly in control, and that makes me feel like a dummie.

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