GD mamas check in: take 2

beanie1977

I couldn't find the thread from August that we were all on so started a new one.

I'm 2 months into this GD diagnosis, on insulin and still find my numbers to be random and surprising! Last night I made a chicken veggie bake, which had a small amount of pastry crust on top. After dinner, I was 150. I drank extra water, took a little more insulin than normal and let it go.

Today at my baby shower I had punch and coffee cake, grapes, pineapple and strawberries and I was at 118. I half thought I'd be over 200.

Anyone else still surprised at how random and confusing blood sugar is?

tracij12

Yes!!!! I'm not taking insulin just gliberide in the evenings. I can eat the exact same thing in the exact same quantity two days in a row with no change to water intake or exercise and have drastically different numbers.

It is beyond frustrating and I can't wait for baby to be here so I can stop testing!

saveinsincity

Hang in there mommies, I gave up on the logic behind the numbers.
Baby made his grand entrance already after low fluid this past Thursday. Sugar came back great for him, but he is in Nicu due to breathing patterns. Which is tearing me apart.

You ladies got this. Just a few more weeks and it will be back to normal.

Happy healthy babies!

MamaOwl15

I can't understand the numbers either, but as long as my doctor's OK, j don't worry about it. Oddly, I've had some high fasting numbers and then I'll eat carbs and be under 120. Or I eat something I think is Ok and I'll be at 150. It's all because our hormones.

I take 2.5 mg of glyburide at bedtime, no insulin.

LLynde5

saveinsincity said:

Hang in there mommies, I gave up on the logic behind the numbers.
Baby made his grand entrance already after low fluid this past Thursday. Sugar came back great for him, but he is in Nicu due to breathing patterns. Which is tearing me apart.

You ladies got this. Just a few more weeks and it will be back to normal.

Happy healthy babies!

Hope your little one is out of nicu soon!!

whitemn04

My baby shower was yesterday so it was all the goodies. Tested at 126 so not bad. Watched a football game, snacked the whole time, even ate way too many cookies and tested at 106. Was starving today and we ate Mexican then MIL provided ice cream and I just tested at 123. Tomorrow I will eat an English muffin and prob test in the upper 110's which is far less carbs so I pretty much give up. Still not on any meds and my doc is pleased with my numbers. She said I'm a very soft case. Baby is actually measuring about a week behind so she isn't concerned with him being too big so as of now no plans for early induction. I'm pretty lucky but it's still irritating to have to test all the time. We're on the home stretch though!!

LenexaMama

I basically stick to protein & veggies... With a small amount of some kind of carb. I've been able to manage GD without any medication. I walk after dinner each night. If I can, I walk after lunch too but I wish I had more time to walk after breakfast. I'm keeping away from any kind of pastries, pasta, rice, bread... And fruits with high sugars. My Dr said my numbers are low. But it still sucks that I'm testing 4 times a day. We're in the home stretch now! Can't wait until I don't have this anymore!

nicoledominic

Agree! I cannot wait to stop thinking about food all the time and what time it is. Can't wait to give my fingers a rest!

beanie1977

My numbers are just so confusing. I was mad that my breakfast (sausage and string cheese) was 124. I ended up super hungry and got Taco Bell for lunch. My blood sugar was 99 after eating 2 tacos. So dang annoying!

FrozenMommy

Confusing doesn't begin to explain GD. Seriously. 3rd timer here, and I will never get the fasting to be right. Fast acting Insulin is fairly fool proof, eat more, take more. But the fasting numbers, never never going to know what to do to get it right. 

LJM0521

My numbers have been fairly low. I've worked HARD to make sure I'm eating correctly with the right amount of carbs and protein.  Last week, the doctor looked at my numbers and said they were actually fairly low so I could eat more. I did and they shot up, so I'm back to eating the way I learned at the class.  That part hasn't been awful. I have food allergies so watching carefully is kind of normal anyway. But I'm SO over checking my blood sugar numbers. Baby seems to be measuring big. I've only had one growth ultrasound and he was in the 75%, so big but not scary big. I had another regular ultrasound Friday and the tech kept asking me how big my other kids were and commenting on how this kid is big and completely out of room. It made me nervous because she just kept talking about it! I'm 38 weeks tomorrow and hoping he decides to come sometime this week.

jenspeake

I have my measuring ultrasound next Wednesday to see what he is measuring at!  Cannot wait to get to see the little guy again!  Only positive thing about GD!

MirandaC1984

Yup! Counting the day to our growth ultrasound next Friday. We haven't seen him since the anatomy scan at 19 weeks!

LLynde5

How is everyone keeping up with all of these appointments? I seriously don't know what I would do if I still worked in corporate America!! Starting next week I will have 4-5 appointments a week!! Currently I have 4 appointments one week and two the next.

Ericawengerd

@LLynde5 4-5 a week? Wow that is a lot of appointments! I only go once a week and have been ever since 31 weeks. My Dr is very pleased with my numbers, but not so pleased with the amount of fluid. I'm measuring bigger than normal, minus a lot of weight gain so he checked it out and said I have way too much fluid and I will be induced Thursday at 39 weeks so excited to meet our little one!

MirandaC1984

4-5 appointments a week? For what? I have the standard weekly appointment starting at 36 weeks and bi-weekly before that. My GD is diet controlled so that might bet the difference. 

LLynde5

I was switched to weekly appointments at my OB at 35 weeks, I start weekly appointments with the endocrinologist this week and I have two NST's a week. Than if need be, my sonograms are at the hospital, same with my dietician. My numbers and BP have been good, our baby hates NSTs so there is always an issue there and I swear my endocrinologist is just money hungry but I am on oral medication so maybe that's why?

beanie1977

I have lots of appointments too. 2 Non stress tests each week and an OB appointment every week. I'm on insulin and 38 so maybe that's why.

I'm lucky I'm self employed because I can make my own schedule. They have so few openings my appointments are all over the map! Monday at 10, Wednesday at 3, Thursday at 8. It's ridiculous!!! If I were working for someone else if have to take disability or I'd be fired!

This week I also see the podiatrist and dentist. I like the NSTs. They let me know my little guy is doing great.

Every NST so far has been text book perfect and he's only in the 59th percentile according to my last ultrasound (at 32 weeks) so I think all is good. I'm scheduled for induction at 39 weeks.

jenspeake

Make sure you eat right before your NST!  It helps!!!  I've been just having weekly appointments.  Last doctor doubled my glyburide because she didn't like that my fasting numbers were not in the 80's even though my booklet said they just have to be under 95.  One GOOD thing about the GD is that I get an ultrasound on Wednesday for measurement.  Then at that appointment because of my age and GD they are going to discuss possible induction which scares me.  I'm hoping he's measuring right on track!

@beanie1977  Just curious as I see that they are inducing you early at 39 and he seems to be measuring on track.  Why did they still suggestion induction?

MirandaC1984

I find it so interesting how different each one of our experience is with GD. I am going to be 36 weeks on Thursday and have yet to have a NST. My doctor didn't feel it was necessary since I have kept my levels under control with diet. I do have a growth scan on Friday morning but it is scheduled with my regular weekly check up so I don't have to make separate trips. Hang in there ladies. Not much longer for all of us!

LLynde5

I agree @mirandaC1984!! My OB is part of a Hospital group and has to follow their set protocol if she likes it or not. Until two years ago she was able to manage her GD patients in office but now we have to be referred to this one endocrinologist group associated with the hospital. It's not that she out right disagrees with how they do things but I can tell she is annoyed when I give her my updates. I think my OB would rather see me on insulin with lower numbers and the endocrinologist keeps telling me I'm going great. Lol

FrozenMommy

I was just put on Lantus last week for my terrible fasting numbers. It's supposed to be a 24 hour insulin. But guess what? Not only have my fasting numbers been worse, but because she told me to take less Humalog with meals since the Lantus would be working too, now my meal numbers have been out of whack too. WTF? I am done with this bull crap. Done with them making me feel bad as if it's my fault that my fasting numbers are bad. There is NOTHING I can do about it. I have told them this the entire pregnancy. Both my girls were like this, my fasting number was only under 90 a random handful of times, and there was no rhyme or reason to it as I eat the same damn things for snack pretty much. I remember with my 2nd, I got under 90 around a week before induction, so at like 37 weeks. They keep complaining he's going to have all these problems because of my sugars, yet still want to keep him in until 2 days before my actual due date! This I don't understand. At this point, if I am having such a hard time controlling sugars, wouldn't it be safer for him to come out early? I go in twice a week, today and Thursdays. She told me last week if I wanted to deliver early, I would need to do an amnio, which also scares the crap out of me. But I am just so miserable and if he's going to just get bigger and bigger because of my fasting, it needs to end. It's scaring me to the point where I want to just quit all insulin and not eat. 

jenspeake

I have to do NST's due to age.....not GD.  They consider me old balls at 38!

The day after I started glyburide my numbers were all sorts of high (except my fasting) then they went back to normal the next day.

LLynde5

@FrozenMommy I don't understand why they would do an amino? Or wait two days before... I was offered to be induced anytime after 39 wks (Hospital groups earliest allowed non emergency induction) if I wanted but no longer than 40 wks +2 and that's only if our health is perfect. If anything shifts negatively then she will make the decision for us before. Best of luck!

FrozenMommy

She said if I wanted to deliver after 37 she would want an amnio to make sure his lungs are functioning. But like I said, both my girls were fine at 38, yes DD2 spent a few days in NICU because her breathing was 95% oxygen, but if it's unsafe to continue to carry because of my high sugar, I don't know what difference it makes. 

beanie1977

I am being induced at 39 weeks. They said that it was kind of the perfect window. Lungs are better developed but placenta hasn't "aged." I'm on insulin but my numbers are good.

FrozenMommy

Right the placental aging thing. I am sure mine is near dead at this point, considering I've been on insulin, and quite a bit, since May. 

FrozenMommy

So my docs just put me on metformin as well. So now I am taking Fast acting insulin 3 times a day, 1000 mg metformin at breakfast and dinner, and 90 Lantus at night. Last night, I literally took 80 units of insulin for dinner, which is normal, plus my pill. Had 3 slices of thin crust pizza, and my 1 hr number was 66. Had a sugary snack, and still only got it back up to 77. So the whole point of adding metformin, to get my FASTING numbers down...I fell asleep on the chair last night, and when I awoke it was at midnight it was 100. Fasting at 6 am,  friggin 110!!! Damnit, so going super low after dinner and still the fasting cannot be controlled. It's never going to be. 22 days cannot come fast enough. It's like my sugar rises when I sleep, and there is no medicine in the world that's going to stop it. 

stmorgan

FrozenMommy said:

So my docs just put me on metformin as well. So now I am taking Fast acting insulin 3 times a day, 1000 mg metformin at breakfast and dinner, and 90 Lantus at night. Last night, I literally took 80 units of insulin for dinner, which is normal, plus my pill. Had 3 slices of thin crust pizza, and my 1 hr number was 66. Had a sugary snack, and still only got it back up to 77. So the whole point of adding metformin, to get my FASTING numbers down...I fell asleep on the chair last night, and when I awoke it was at midnight it was 100. Fasting at 6 am,  friggin 110!!! Damnit, so going super low after dinner and still the fasting cannot be controlled. It's never going to be. 22 days cannot come fast enough. It's like my sugar rises when I sleep, and there is no medicine in the world that's going to stop it. 

I'm so sorry! I don't know how you're keeping up with all that. I have a hard time keeping up with the testing throughout the day. I don't have any clue why they put you on so many different types of insulin, the whole thing sounds ridiculous and I'm sure its stressing you out more which messes with your hormones more. I hope the rest of the pregnancy goes fast for you

LLynde5

@FrozenMommy I was told the metformin can take a few days to regulate. I started out with 500 once a day and now take 500 in the morning and a 1000 at night. It helps but is not perfect. I find the only thing that really helps for me is making sure my protein and carbs are balance. For example the yogurt I eat has 14 carbs and 14 protein and my reading will barely move. I hope the rest of your pregnancy flies!!

whitemn04

4 more weeks of poking fingers for me. I find it disturbing some of you ladies are getting lectures for fasting not being under 90 at least. I've had a couple 105-110 but normally I'm around 85-95 and get told my numbers are great. I haven't been told of needing a growth US either yet. Last week I measured a week ahead, the time before a week behind. I know that can all vary with baby's position. I passed all NST with flying colors. I'm still diet controlled and I haven't had a single number above 180, but have had a couple below 70. I wish they had one standard with the same rules so everyone could be on the same page and not all this confusion.

burstingmoons

My numbers are beyond confusing! I'll eat really healthy, right portion sizes and my sugar will be 150. But I ate In-n-out Burger and my sugar was 119. My husband joked I should stop eating healthy cause it just raises my levels.

ChrissyLady1115

@burstingmoons This is me too!! I will have the healthiest breakfast in the world and sugars will be 145... Had a sandwich and a peanut butter cup for lunch and I'm at 98.... I just don't get it!!

FrozenMommy

Breakfast is ALWAYS a high reading, no matter what I eat. Yesterday since I had all the medicines in me, I went out on a limb and ate waffles, and my number was 132. So not too bad. Combined with 2 whole eggs and 2 egg whites. Normally I have a protein power bar, which is like 5 net carbs. 

Anyways, exactly 3 weeks until my c-section, so at least I have an official countdown, and enough to keep me busy until then. Still need to put his crib together and wash and put away all his stuff, pack bags etc. Glad I waited to do these things lol. 

Day 5 on Lantus and fasting was 99 today, best it's been. 

jenspeake

The later in the day it is it seems the more carbs you can eat!  Seems I can eat whatever all afternoon at this point and have fine numbers after dinner.  For dinner last night I only had a salad and one slice of pizza and had a reading in the 60's!  I obviously did not eat enough for dinner!  I find that I need to at least eat a salad or have some type of vegetable with each meal to get better numbers.

whitemn04

Fasting was 90 today. Had s huge cinnamon roll tested 102. For lunch I had chicken breast and 5 strawberries 122. What the hell?!

FrozenMommy

@whitemn04, curious, have you ever tested 2 hours after eating something like a cin roll? I have noticed for me, if my medication wears off, my sugars will continue to climb up to 2 even 3 hours if I ate something with a lot of sugar or carbs. It could totally be that you were continuing to rise before lunch. Just a theory though. 

FrozenMommy

20 days until baby day! You know what makes it sound worse, 80 more insulin SHOTS until baby day. Geeeeeez that just sounds terrible doesn't it?

LLynde5

@FrozenMommy wow!! It really does:(

I think my body finally adjusted to my medicine. My numbers have been good for the last two days...praying this combo will work for the next 23 days!!

jenspeake

Due to my GD they want to induce me on the 10th or 11th!  Yikes!  Yesterday I took my sugars and I was at 177!  I didn't even eat anything that bad for lunch (half a chicken salad sandwich, broccoli salad and a very small bowl of chicken tortilla soup).....so I decided to take a sample on my other hand and it was 128 which was much better but still not under 120.  

ChrissyLady1115

@jenspeake They are inducing me a week early at 39W too... my numbers have been a little whacky and I'm over 35, and they don;t want him in there past 40W!  I'm excited though... Happy I can prepare and plan at least a little... although who knows?  I could go into labor tomorrow and all that planning could go out the window!