Guest guest Posted July 17, 2001 Report Share Posted July 17, 2001 Hi everyone, I have a problem that I haven't seen mentioned on the list yet. My readings for BS have consistantly been running in the middle to high hundreds for awhile now, even on fasting readings in the mornings. It didn't matter if I ate anything or not. Many days I would eat only meat and cheese to lower the readings. Well, yesterday I got sick of eating meat and cheese and decided to make some homemade biscuits, made with white flour.. I ate one large biscuit with diet margarine for lunch. I tested 2 hours later and my reading was 140. I thought well, this didn't do anything to my blood sugar so I'm not worried. Then, for supper, I made homemade spagetti, with a big salad. I ate the amount that I would have eaten 2 months ago. In 2 hours I checked my bs and it said it was 114! I thought, something is wrong here, so I immediantly checked again..it read 164...and then a min or two later I checked again and it said 144! I checked it one more time before I went to bed and it was 134! Does anyone know why my meter would do that? I read the booklet that came with my Precision Xtra and it says to wait for 3 lines like this_ _ _ before I remove my finger from the strip. I had not been waiting for these lines , so have I been getting wrong readings for the last month and a half? Also, I discovered last night that my meter averages my readings for me. They have averaged 151 over a four week period. Sorry this is so long. Hope somebody can help. Patsy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2001 Report Share Posted July 17, 2001 Patsy - I don't remember if you're on any meds, but I would think eating just protein and having high readings like that, that you should talk to your doc about starting or raising amounts of meds to help lower your bs. About your meter, if you haven't been testing properly, it probably has been off. I'm sure the manufacturer has a help number, and you should probably call them to get the problem straightened out. Meters are great, but they are very sensitive, and it's necessary to follow the directions exactly. Barb > My readings for BS have consistantly been running in the middle to high > hundreds for awhile now, even on fasting readings in the mornings. It didn't > matter if I ate anything or not. Many days I would eat only meat and cheese > to lower the readings. *snip* > I read the booklet that came with my Precision Xtra and it says to wait for > 3 lines like this_ _ _ before I remove my finger from the strip. I had not > been waiting for these lines , so have I been getting wrong readings for the > last month and a half? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2001 Report Share Posted July 17, 2001 Patsy, if you don't trust your meter who can you trust? 151 average is way too high, you're in damage territory. I found my peaks at 60-90 minutes, not much changed, that told me what my food did to my sugar, the 2 hour reading told me how well I was dealing with it. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2001 Report Share Posted July 17, 2001 This has been a questionable thing for us. My husband is ranging between 73 and 159, with the average in the 130's and my mother (5 hours after eating) is running 227. I think my mother's is still too high, although she is happy as the dr told her the range is 70-250. I think my hubby is finally getting his under control somewhat since he was bouncing much higher quite easily. Re: Readings on meter... Patsy, if you don't trust your meter who can you trust? 151 average is way too high, you're in damage territory. I found my peaks at 60-90 minutes, not much changed, that told me what my food did to my sugar, the 2 hour reading told me how well I was dealing with it. Sam Website for Diabetes International: http://www.msteri.com/diabetes-info/diabetes_int Post message: diabetes_int Subscribe: diabetes_int-subscribe Unsubscribe: diabetes_int-unsubscribe List owner: diabetes_int-owner / http://groups.yahoo.com/group/diabetes_int or try: http://www.yahoo.com > Join A Group > diabetes_int > Join This Group Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2001 Report Share Posted July 17, 2001 Kelleka wrote: > This has been a questionable thing for us. My husband is ranging between 73 and 159, with the average in the 130's and my mother (5 hours after eating) is running 227. I think my mother's is still too high, although she is happy as the dr told her the range is 70-250. I think my hubby is finally getting his under control somewhat since he was bouncing much higher quite easily. > > , This is just my " non-medical person's " opinion, but I would fire any Dr that told me that a reading as high as 250 was " OK " !!! Anything above 150 increases the risk for complications greatly. (I can't remember where I got that number, but it was a credible source at the time & I believe it) The risk for complications at anything near that level is not something that should be tolerated. At best, I would get a second opinion about the goal numbers from an Endocrinologist, preferably one that specializes in diabetic treatment. The 227 5-hours after eating likely indicates that it was much more than that 1-2 hours after eating. IMHO, this Dr, just doesn't understand the destructive effects of high blood glucose levels and is putting his patients at serious risk. It sounds like your husband is getting a handle on it and just needs to work on the peaks. Keep encouraging him to get closer to a " normal " level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2001 Report Share Posted July 17, 2001 We are working with our HMO to get both in to see an Endocrinologist, plus got signed up for the classes. The dr is one who stands my his fasting readings twice a day, before breakfast and before dinner. He is a great gp with sore throats, even excellent with lung diseases, but really can't answer the diabetes questions that pop up. I am really proud of my hubby though as between the glucovance, diet and exercise, I really think he is getting a grip on this quickly. He says he feels better, but can't pinpoint exactly what that means, just a general good feeling I guess. He had two bad days, and both were travel days when he was on the road for 8 plus hours. Mom has been having some problems with the glucovance, so I wonder if those are adding to her high readings. She is in alot of achy pain, stomache cramps, etc but then again, it could be the chemo treatments or the steroid shots. It is really hard to tell with her and, in the past anyway, always takes nearly a month to get her meds situated which is why we are pushing the HMO to approve her seeing an Endocrinologist immediately. Re: Readings on meter... Kelleka wrote: > This has been a questionable thing for us. My husband is ranging between 73 and 159, with the average in the 130's and my mother (5 hours after eating) is running 227. I think my mother's is still too high, although she is happy as the dr told her the range is 70-250. I think my hubby is finally getting his under control somewhat since he was bouncing much higher quite easily. > > , This is just my " non-medical person's " opinion, but I would fire any Dr that told me that a reading as high as 250 was " OK " !!! Anything above 150 increases the risk for complications greatly. (I can't remember where I got that number, but it was a credible source at the time & I believe it) The risk for complications at anything near that level is not something that should be tolerated. At best, I would get a second opinion about the goal numbers from an Endocrinologist, preferably one that specializes in diabetic treatment. The 227 5-hours after eating likely indicates that it was much more than that 1-2 hours after eating. IMHO, this Dr, just doesn't understand the destructive effects of high blood glucose levels and is putting his patients at serious risk. It sounds like your husband is getting a handle on it and just needs to work on the peaks. Keep encouraging him to get closer to a " normal " level. Website for Diabetes International: http://www.msteri.com/diabetes-info/diabetes_int Post message: diabetes_int Subscribe: diabetes_int-subscribe Unsubscribe: diabetes_int-unsubscribe List owner: diabetes_int-owner / http://groups.yahoo.com/group/diabetes_int or try: http://www.yahoo.com > Join A Group > diabetes_int > Join This Group Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2001 Report Share Posted July 17, 2001 wrote, > Anything above 150 increases the risk for complications greatly. (I can't remember where I got that number, but it was a credible source at the time & I believe it) > The risk for complications at anything near that level is not something that should be tolerated. At best, I would get a second opinion about the goal numbers from an Endocrinologist, preferably one that specializes in diabetic treatment. Friends on the list...please be aware that the official medical community regards postprandial (post-meal) readings between 150 and 200 as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), not diabetes. Since they go to NO effort whatsoever to treat impaired glucose tolerance (although they often try to get overweight IGT's to lose weight and exercise), it's obvious that they do not officially perceive 150-200 as a serious risk. This is because they believe that problems like blindness, peripheral neuropathy, etc. start with postprandials over 200. Actually, they tend to pay most attention to fasting bg's and HBa1C's, since they're easy to test, and they tend to ignore or downplay postprandials. In truth, cardiovascular problems start much lower. This has become known only recently and is probably not recognized by the majority. The majority would perceive someone with heart disease and postprandials 150-200 as a heart disease patient, not a diabetic. Being concerned about bg numbers at the IGT level is AT THE CUTTING EDGE of diabetes and heart disease management and is not known to the vast majority of doctors, including even many endocrinologists. IMHO this is major denial on their part. Many doctors believe it's very hard to get precise control on bg's. Being expected to achieve better control would mean taking more time, more energy, etc. with more patients. They think they're too busy. T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2001 Report Share Posted July 17, 2001 >> This has been a questionable thing for us. My husband is ranging between 73 and 159, with the average in the 130's and my mother (5 hours after eating) is running 227. I think my mother's is still too high, although she is happy as the dr told her the range is 70-250. I think my hubby is finally getting his under control somewhat since he was bouncing much higher quite easily.>> ***Obviously your mother's is way too high. Is there any way you can get her to read a good book (Bernstein comes to mind)? or take her through a hospital and visit people getting amputations or dialysis due to diabetes complications? It sounds like she needs a wake up call, and maybe a new doc. Your husband sounds like he's making progress, and testing alot, which helps tremendously. An aveerage in the 130's is still a bit high, as I'm sure you are aware. Keep after it, you're doing a good job! Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2001 Report Share Posted July 17, 2001 >>Mom has been having some problems with the glucovance, so I wonder if those are adding to her high readings. She is in alot of achy pain, stomache cramps, etc but then again, it could be the chemo treatments or the steroid shots. It is really hard to tell with her and, in the past anyway, always takes nearly a month to get her meds situated which is why we are pushing the HMO to approve her seeing an Endocrinologist immediately.>> ***Yes, that would be great! Did you know that steroids raise blood sugars a lot? I've read that people who are diabetic who have to take steroids, usually go on insulin to try to get better control. This would explain her high readings quite a bit. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2001 Report Share Posted July 17, 2001 Have to say I ran out of my ultra test strips and got widely fluctuating readings from my in charge meter- I do NOT trust it. They said 40 points either way was ok if I was at 200 (which I am not). That is too big a range for me. E dx'd 2/16/01-T2 hbA1c 2/16/01= 11.7 hbA1c 4/20/01=6.7 hbA1c 6/26/01= 5.0 44 yrs old,diet & exercise ---------- To: diabetes_int Subject: Re: Readings on meter... Date: Tue, Jul 17, 2001, 11:50 AM Patsy, if you don't trust your meter who can you trust? 151 average is way too high, you're in damage territory. I found my peaks at 60-90 minutes, not much changed, that told me what my food did to my sugar, the 2 hour reading told me how well I was dealing with it. Sam Website for Diabetes International: http://www.msteri.com/diabetes-info/diabetes_int Post message: diabetes_int Subscribe: diabetes_int-subscribe Unsubscribe: diabetes_int-unsubscribe List owner: diabetes_int-owner / http://groups.yahoo.com/group/diabetes_int or try: http://www.yahoo.com > Join A Group > diabetes_int > Join This Group Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2001 Report Share Posted July 17, 2001 I had dinner tonight with my skinny Mom. She had potato, crab, asparagus. sugar cookies, wine, and 25 (at least)sugar after dinner mints, + coffee with sugar. She was kind enough to let me test her after eating all that! I ate meats and salads and wine. .. My post meal test was 141(was at 98 before dinner) She was 127. Shows the diff!! If I had had the potato etc I would have been sunk! E dx'd 2/16/01-T2 hbA1c 2/16/01= 11.7 hbA1c 4/20/01=6.7 hbA1c 6/26/01= 5.0 44 yrs old,diet & exercise ---------- From: maryato@... To: diabetes_int Subject: Re: Readings on meter... Date: Tue, Jul 17, 2001, 2:15 PM wrote, > Anything above 150 increases the risk for complications greatly. (I can't remember where I got that number, but it was a credible source at the time & I believe it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 19, 2001 Report Share Posted July 19, 2001 My husband uses a TheraSense FreeStyle meter. It only takes a tiny amount of blook. Does anyone else use this monitor and what has been your experience? Do you find it reliable? Thanks a bunch! ~ ~ ~ ~ 3 Minutes, 3 Steps to Success & Happiness! The Power Pause Formula! http://www.powerpause.com/cgi-bin/at.cgi?a=138370 " Competition for scarce human energy is the cause of all conflict between people " - Redfield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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