Recently diagnose glucose impaired and recent "scare"
lilred668 posted:
I am confused as to what I should do. I was recently diagnosed as glucose impaired/prediabetes this winter. I am not supposed to be checked again till August. My numbers weren't to bad. Fasting was 110 and A1C was normal. This weekend I went on 2 day canoe trip and had my blood sugar go up(shaking, dizzy, tired, headache). Don't now what it was on the day it happened, because I don't have a tester. Doctor didn't think it was necessary. A friend of mine checked it this morning when I got to work, because i was still shaking and dizzy, and it was 148. Feel a little better this evening, but not great. Not sure if I should call the doctor or wait and see if it straightens out with strict diet. I had several glasses of wine once at camp the night before this happened. Not sure how much that played in all this. Any advice would be helpful.
11 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Recently diagnose glucose impaired and recent "scare"I am confused as to what I should do. I was recently diagnosed as glucose impaired/prediabetes this winter. I am not supposed to be checked again till August. My numbers weren't to bad. Fasting was 110 and A1C was normal. This weekend I went on 2 day canoe trip and had my blood sugar go up(shaking, dizzy, tired, headache). Don't now what it was on the day it happened, because I don't have a tester. Doctor didn't think it was necessary. A friend of mine checked it this morning when I got to work, because i was still shaking and dizzy, and it was 148. Feel a little better this evening, but not great. Not sure if I should call the doctor or wait and see if it straightens out with strict diet. I had several glasses of wine once at camp the night before this happened. Not sure how much that played in all this. Any advice would be helpful.
flutetooter responded:
Replies may be slow because we are all having to sign in again to WebMD because of privacy policy changes, so bear with us for a while and more members will answer you.
First of all, it is great that you are on top of your changes and asking for help. A big thing in diabetes is that it seems to be always changing. You will need to be aware of what foods affect you most and work with your doctor on medications if needed. I'll anwer only to the wine question and we'll all come up with more help soon.
Wine contains a lot of sugar that can affect your numbers. Most of us stay away from a lot of it. Second, any alcohol is seen as a toxic substance by your liver, and it tends to try to get rid of the alcohol first, leaving the sugar til last, which makes it be in your blood stream longer. Try for a couple days eating mostly non starchy vegetables, greens, and lean meats. Go very easy on the fruits (especially juices) and starches such as potatoes, grains, pasta, and rice and test again. You can buy your own meter and testing strips without a prescription at a drugstore or a store like Walmart. Let us know how you are doing. Welcome!
First of all, it is great that you are on top of your changes and asking for help. A big thing in diabetes is that it seems to be always changing. You will need to be aware of what foods affect you most and work with your doctor on medications if needed. I'll anwer only to the wine question and we'll all come up with more help soon.
Wine contains a lot of sugar that can affect your numbers. Most of us stay away from a lot of it. Second, any alcohol is seen as a toxic substance by your liver, and it tends to try to get rid of the alcohol first, leaving the sugar til last, which makes it be in your blood stream longer. Try for a couple days eating mostly non starchy vegetables, greens, and lean meats. Go very easy on the fruits (especially juices) and starches such as potatoes, grains, pasta, and rice and test again. You can buy your own meter and testing strips without a prescription at a drugstore or a store like Walmart. Let us know how you are doing. Welcome!
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!
Report This| Share this:Recently diagnose glucose impaired and recent "scare"Replies may be slow because we are all having to sign in again to WebMD because of privacy policy changes, so bear with us for a while and more members will answer you.<br /> <br />First of all, it is great that you are on top of your changes and asking for help. A big thing in diabetes is that it seems to be always changing. You will need to be aware of what foods affect you most and work with your doctor on medications if needed. I'll anwer only to the wine question and we'll all come up with more help soon.<br /> <br />Wine contains a lot of sugar that can affect your numbers. Most of us stay away from a lot of it. Second, any alcohol is seen as a toxic substance by your liver, and it tends to try to get rid of the alcohol first, leaving the sugar til last, which makes it be in your blood stream longer. Try for a couple days eating mostly non starchy vegetables, greens, and lean meats. Go very easy on the fruits (especially juices) and starches such as potatoes, grains, pasta, and rice and test again. You can buy your own meter and testing strips without a prescription at a drugstore or a store like Walmart. Let us know how you are doing. Welcome!
davedsel57 responded:
Hello and welcome.
I also think you would benefit by buying a glucose meter (tester, as you call it). As flutetooter said, They are very inexpensive at WalMart and so are the needed strips. Then you will know exactly what your reading is when you have those symptoms. Those symptoms can happen if your blood glucose goes too high or too low.
Wine and any alcoholic beverage is an individual choice. Some diabetics can not tolerate any, some can tolerate one glass. Personally, I enjoy 1 glass of red wine occasionally and it does not affect my glucose readings. As with anything moderation is the key. Another good reason to have your own meter so you can check how anything you consume affects your blood glucose readings.
Managing any chronic health conditions such as Diabetes is challenge but can be done when you gain the knowledge you need. WebMD has an excellent Diabetes Health Center here: http://diabetes.webmd.com/default.htm
I pray you learn how to manager your Diabetes and stay healthy.
I also think you would benefit by buying a glucose meter (tester, as you call it). As flutetooter said, They are very inexpensive at WalMart and so are the needed strips. Then you will know exactly what your reading is when you have those symptoms. Those symptoms can happen if your blood glucose goes too high or too low.
Wine and any alcoholic beverage is an individual choice. Some diabetics can not tolerate any, some can tolerate one glass. Personally, I enjoy 1 glass of red wine occasionally and it does not affect my glucose readings. As with anything moderation is the key. Another good reason to have your own meter so you can check how anything you consume affects your blood glucose readings.
Managing any chronic health conditions such as Diabetes is challenge but can be done when you gain the knowledge you need. WebMD has an excellent Diabetes Health Center here: http://diabetes.webmd.com/default.htm
I pray you learn how to manager your Diabetes and stay healthy.
Click on my user name or avatar picture to read my story.
Blessings,
Dave
Blessings,
Dave
Report This| Share this:Recently diagnose glucose impaired and recent "scare"Hello and welcome.<br /><br />I also think you would benefit by buying a glucose meter (tester, as you call it). As flutetooter said, They are very inexpensive at WalMart and so are the needed strips. Then you will know exactly what your reading is when you have those symptoms. Those symptoms can happen if your blood glucose goes too high or too low. <br /><br />Wine and any alcoholic beverage is an individual choice. Some diabetics can not tolerate any, some can tolerate one glass. Personally, I enjoy 1 glass of red wine occasionally and it does not affect my glucose readings. As with anything moderation is the key. Another good reason to have your own meter so you can check how anything you consume affects your blood glucose readings.<br /><br />Managing any chronic health conditions such as Diabetes is challenge but can be done when you gain the knowledge you need. WebMD has an excellent Diabetes Health Center here: <a href="http://diabetes.webmd.com/default.htm">http://diabetes.webmd.com/default.htm</a> <br /><br />I pray you learn how to manager your Diabetes and stay healthy.
lilred668 responded:
Thank for some advice. I have called my doctor and mentioned what happened. They have called the a meter and test strips to my pharmacy. I am to test several days a week to see how things look. I am have been trying to watch the things I eat and watch how much I drink. I have been hypoglycemic since I was a teenager so this high sugar has me thrown for a little bit of a loop. I will take your advice to heart. I am sure I will be checking back in from time to time for more as I adjust to this. I thank you again!
Report This| Share this:Recently diagnose glucose impaired and recent "scare"Thank for some advice. I have called my doctor and mentioned what happened. They have called the a meter and test strips to my pharmacy. I am to test several days a week to see how things look. I am have been trying to watch the things I eat and watch how much I drink. I have been hypoglycemic since I was a teenager so this high sugar has me thrown for a little bit of a loop. I will take your advice to heart. I am sure I will be checking back in from time to time for more as I adjust to this. I thank you again!
Anon_126154 responded:
I have had well controlled diabetes for over 12 years (a1c below 7).
Your symptoms are quite familiar to me and are usually associated with physical activity beyond that which is normal in daily life. There are two sides to this disease even though most focus on the personal responsibility (controlling our intake) the other side is the fact that our body tissues are not taking in the energy they need and hence the glucose stays in the blood.
When one exercises beyond their normal level the muscle and nerve tissue become depleted and one experiences fatigue, shakiness and lightheadedness and sometimes nausea. In my case this often lasts until I actually sleep for a few hours.
In the grand scheme, a reading of 148, though far from ideal, is really not all that high unless you have been fasting for 8 to twelve hours at the time of the test. I've been told that anything below 140, 2 hours after a meal, is acceptable. Of course lower is better.
Good luck. It is a pretty scary experience. The best idea, in my case, is to slowly build your activity level before going on another outing.
Your symptoms are quite familiar to me and are usually associated with physical activity beyond that which is normal in daily life. There are two sides to this disease even though most focus on the personal responsibility (controlling our intake) the other side is the fact that our body tissues are not taking in the energy they need and hence the glucose stays in the blood.
When one exercises beyond their normal level the muscle and nerve tissue become depleted and one experiences fatigue, shakiness and lightheadedness and sometimes nausea. In my case this often lasts until I actually sleep for a few hours.
In the grand scheme, a reading of 148, though far from ideal, is really not all that high unless you have been fasting for 8 to twelve hours at the time of the test. I've been told that anything below 140, 2 hours after a meal, is acceptable. Of course lower is better.
Good luck. It is a pretty scary experience. The best idea, in my case, is to slowly build your activity level before going on another outing.
Report This| Share this:Recently diagnose glucose impaired and recent "scare"I have had well controlled diabetes for over 12 years (a1c below 7). <br /><br />Your symptoms are quite familiar to me and are usually associated with physical activity beyond that which is normal in daily life. There are two sides to this disease even though most focus on the personal responsibility (controlling our intake) the other side is the fact that our body tissues are not taking in the energy they need and hence the glucose stays in the blood. <br /><br />When one exercises beyond their normal level the muscle and nerve tissue become depleted and one experiences fatigue, shakiness and lightheadedness and sometimes nausea. In my case this often lasts until I actually sleep for a few hours.<br /><br /><br />In the grand scheme, a reading of 148, though far from ideal, is really not all that high unless you have been fasting for 8 to twelve hours at the time of the test. I've been told that anything below 140, 2 hours after a meal, is acceptable. Of course lower is better.<br /><br />Good luck. It is a pretty scary experience. The best idea, in my case, is to slowly build your activity level before going on another outing.
apeland27 responded:
I am a new diabetic & I am struggling profusly with the dieting portion of this issue. I usually drink a glass of red wine each day I have been experiencing Nausea, aches & pains & didn't realize that wine was so high in sugar. I also had a severe reaction to a mixed drink of alcahol recently at a party becoming disoriented to the point that I couldn't think straight. This has lead to the conclusion that the alcahol may be the culpret for the way I have been feeling. I will abstain from wine & Alcahol for the next couple weeks to determine the impact & post my results.
Report This| Share this:Recently diagnose glucose impaired and recent "scare"I am a new diabetic & I am struggling profusly with the dieting portion of this issue. I usually drink a glass of red wine each day I have been experiencing Nausea, aches & pains & didn't realize that wine was so high in sugar. I also had a severe reaction to a mixed drink of alcahol recently at a party becoming disoriented to the point that I couldn't think straight. This has lead to the conclusion that the alcahol may be the culpret for the way I have been feeling. I will abstain from wine & Alcahol for the next couple weeks to determine the impact & post my results.
Just so you know, both beer and wine both have carbs. The hard liquors such as whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, etc. have zero carbs. If you use mixers with the hard liquor be careful. Many will have carbs unless they are :"diet."
My dietician recommended to me "The Calorie King." It is a calorie, fat and carb counter of all the foods we eat. It has been very helpful for me in counting carbs. It comes in paperback and you can also find it online.
This book also contains the numbers of foods in popular restaurants around the U.S. Helpful for people who eat out a lot.
Good luck to you.
My dietician recommended to me "The Calorie King." It is a calorie, fat and carb counter of all the foods we eat. It has been very helpful for me in counting carbs. It comes in paperback and you can also find it online.
This book also contains the numbers of foods in popular restaurants around the U.S. Helpful for people who eat out a lot.
Good luck to you.
Report This| Share this:Recently diagnose glucose impaired and recent "scare"Just so you know, both beer and wine both have carbs. The hard liquors such as whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, etc. have zero carbs. If you use mixers with the hard liquor be careful. Many will have carbs unless they are :"diet."<br /> <br />My dietician recommended to me "The Calorie King." It is a calorie, fat and carb counter of all the foods we eat. It has been very helpful for me in counting carbs. It comes in paperback and you can also find it online.<br /> <br />This book also contains the numbers of foods in popular restaurants around the U.S. Helpful for people who eat out a lot.<br /> <br />Good luck to you.
carrollvan replied to auriga1's response:
To me it sounds more like low blood sugar. 148 just isn't high enough to cause those kinds of symptoms. Your glucose level will go much higher than that just from eating a good, healthy meal. If you were eating well and reducing your carbs, and then doing unaccustomed exercise, your blood sugar could have dropped too low. If you are going to do a lot more exercise than usual, you need to adjust your carbs up, not down.
You mentioned having been hypoglycemic in the past. Did this feel like any hypoglycemic episodes you might have had in the past? In addition to having a meter to test with, maybe you should carry a few quick-acting glucose tablets with you at all times.
Also, I think I've read that hypoglycemia can be a precursor to diabetes, since in is a disturbance in how your body processes sugars.
You mentioned having been hypoglycemic in the past. Did this feel like any hypoglycemic episodes you might have had in the past? In addition to having a meter to test with, maybe you should carry a few quick-acting glucose tablets with you at all times.
Also, I think I've read that hypoglycemia can be a precursor to diabetes, since in is a disturbance in how your body processes sugars.
Report This| Share this:Recently diagnose glucose impaired and recent "scare"To me it sounds more like low blood sugar. 148 just isn't high enough to cause those kinds of symptoms. Your glucose level will go much higher than that just from eating a good, healthy meal. If you were eating well and reducing your carbs, and then doing unaccustomed exercise, your blood sugar could have dropped too low. If you are going to do a lot more exercise than usual, you need to adjust your carbs up, not down.<br /> <br />You mentioned having been hypoglycemic in the past. Did this feel like any hypoglycemic episodes you might have had in the past? In addition to having a meter to test with, maybe you should carry a few quick-acting glucose tablets with you at all times.<br /> <br />Also, I think I've read that hypoglycemia can be a precursor to diabetes, since in is a disturbance in how your body processes sugars.
Steffy4s3 replied to carrollvan's response:
I have been diagnosed Diabetic for 6 months. I get the extreme symptoms below 80 and above 120. Recently I was out of town for my Daughter's wedding had a glucose reading of 128, could not think straight and barely function. I ate and that lowered my blood sugar. I have always had a tendency toward low sugar, and 20 years ago while pregnant with my youngest, I was diagnosed with gestational Diabetes, at that time I was able to control my sugar with diet. Each person's diabetes is different, so no one set of numbers will work for everyone. The $10 meters are good and the strips aren't that bad on cost. Monitoring glucose levels and keeping a food / beverage journal is about the only effective way to learn what is affecting your blood sugar.
Report This| Share this:Recently diagnose glucose impaired and recent "scare"I have been diagnosed Diabetic for 6 months. I get the extreme symptoms below 80 and above 120. Recently I was out of town for my Daughter's wedding had a glucose reading of 128, could not think straight and barely function. I ate and that lowered my blood sugar. I have always had a tendency toward low sugar, and 20 years ago while pregnant with my youngest, I was diagnosed with gestational Diabetes, at that time I was able to control my sugar with diet. Each person's diabetes is different, so no one set of numbers will work for everyone. The $10 meters are good and the strips aren't that bad on cost. Monitoring glucose levels and keeping a food / beverage journal is about the only effective way to learn what is affecting your blood sugar.
jidy1920 responded:
It depends on whether you drank a very sweet wine , muscatel,
etc.
etc.
Report This| Share this:Recently diagnose glucose impaired and recent "scare"It depends on whether you drank a very sweet wine , muscatel, <br />etc.
I ate breakfast, then did exercises of weights and resistance bands and cardio. Ate breakfast at 8 am, exercise at 1030am for one hr.At 1130am my blood sugar was 200-300 what is the mechanics in this.
Report This| Share this:Recently diagnose glucose impaired and recent "scare"I ate breakfast, then did exercises of weights and resistance bands and cardio. Ate breakfast at 8 am, exercise at 1030am for one hr.At 1130am my blood sugar was 200-300 what is the mechanics in this.
What did you eat for breakfast? Also how much did you eat. Some packages of food will have ridiculously small serving sizes to make the numbers look better. Each of us has foods that will spike our sugar, which is why keeping a food / beverage journal is so important. For example, one Hot Pockets Philly Steak sub is one of the foods that spikes my sugar. Knowing this, means that I avoid that particular food. Grapes is another food that spikes my sugar, I can have a few but have to be careful on how many I eat at one time (for me one time is within a 2 hour time span). It is also possible that after exercising your liver released extra glucose to provide energy, but that the cells were not able to process it. A suggestion would be to check glucose prior to exercising and again after.
Report This| Share this:Recently diagnose glucose impaired and recent "scare"What did you eat for breakfast? Also how much did you eat. Some packages of food will have ridiculously small serving sizes to make the numbers look better. Each of us has foods that will spike our sugar, which is why keeping a food / beverage journal is so important. For example, one Hot Pockets Philly Steak sub is one of the foods that spikes my sugar. Knowing this, means that I avoid that particular food. Grapes is another food that spikes my sugar, I can have a few but have to be careful on how many I eat at one time (for me one time is within a 2 hour time span). It is also possible that after exercising your liver released extra glucose to provide energy, but that the cells were not able to process it. A suggestion would be to check glucose prior to exercising and again after.
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