Gestational Diabetes

mamajudec2018

@CecilB93 Ugh I'm sorry! But at least you're able to up your meds. We can do this!!

I hope so! Thank you!

prudence9-2

@mamajudec2018 glad the numbness feels better and that the pill helps with your numbers. 

@CecilB93 sorry you have to increase your dose. Do they have you increase after one elevation? I’m only suppose to increase nighttime dose if I have elevations 3 days in a row. 

I just ordered a 2 gallon sharps container. The 1 qt containers are filled so fast now that I do 3-4 shots a day...

CecilB93

@prudence9-2 I'm just using an empty metal coffee tin from my husbands coffee for all my needles. I was told as long as I tape it shut really good afterwards and label it "SHARPS" then it's fine. As for my insulin, they didn't really say. Last time I had 2 high readings I told the nurse in my weekly email checkin I had been bad with snacks and was going to try eating my usual snack again. She said that was fine, but if it didn't go down to go ahead and bump up the dosage. She told me to go up to 26 units though, but I'm only at 22 right now so I'm going to try 24 first and see how that goes. I started at 24 so I wonder if she looked at old info maybe? Idk, but I've basically got the okay to increase it. Since I had 3 high readings over 4 days, especially since 2 of those readings were after eating less carbs than normal, I'm going to go ahead and bump it up.

CecilB93

So I'm wondering if there are multiple things at play here. I did 24 units and fasting level was 101. Snack was great, more protein than usual but still some carb. 

1. I'm pretty sure I've passed the month mark and my insulin should have refilled by now, I will be calling the pharmacy later today to check on that.

2. A quick google search shows lack of sleep can increase levels in Type 2 Diabetics. I'll ask my MFM when I send in my weekly glucose readings, but I have actually been sleeping even worse this week than normal, last night especially. Barely managed 4.5 hours last night...

I feel like either of these things plus being further along could really be screwing with my levels, and it's starting to make me mad. Good news though is my meal numbers haven't been affected, just fasting, which is why I think something else is affecting it.

mamajudec2018

@CecilB93 I would totally think that sleep would effect fasting numbers! I am sorry your sleep has been so bad lately. Pregnancy sleep seems like it should be a dream because we're so tired during the day but instead it's like painful with like the most intense dreams and then some insomnia mixed in. Blah.

CecilB93

@mamajudec2018, yea, I'm going to try and get to bed earlier tonight so I can hopefully get more sleep. I may drink some sleepy time tea too and see if that helps. DH also OFFERED to massage my lower back since my sciatica is so bad! Woo!! He hates giving massages, but generally will if I ask, I just don't ask much because I know he hates it lol. So FX sleep is better tonight! I think I'll try 24 units of insulin again tonight rather than bumping up, simply because last night was pretty crappy as far as sleep goes, one of the worst nights I've had in quite a while!

mamajudec2018

@CecilB93 I'm sorry! I really hope the tea and the massage help so that you can get some much needed rest! 

This glyburide they put me on is no joke. I think I may have to switch to half a pill rather than a full one because it's making my fasting numbers real low.

CecilB93

@mamajudec2018 I had that issue with glyburide. I couldn't get it just perfect for me, it was either going over 90, or I'd wake up with low blood sugar (upper 50s/lower 60s I think) in the middle of the night, then be high in the mornings since I'd have to get that back up quickly. The glyburide can be tricky! I hope you can make it work though!

mamajudec2018

@CecilB93 Thank you! Me too!

prudence9-2

@CecilB93 are you having a snack before bedtime? How long are you fasting usually?

CecilB93

@prudence9-2 yea, I eat about 6 cheese and crackers right at bedtime when I take my insulin. It's been working fine this whole time, so I know my snack isn't the issue. Fasting usually ends up being about 8.5 hours between snack and testing at least (I don't eat right after I test, so technically longer). My number has been much better the last two mornings, and I've slept much better the last two nights. I'll send my numbers in to the office today and kind of include/ask about the lack of sleep issue being a cause and how I need to combat that in the future if I just absolutely can't sleep.

mamajudec2018

@CecilB93 I'm glad your numbers are better and you're getting more sleep!

@CecilB93 @prudence9-2 My diabetes educator said I could go 8 to 12 hours for fasting numbers which has been nice for sleeping in. Also, I stuck out the full glyburide pill and it seems my body has adjusted because my fasting numbers are back to normal 70's and 80's.

prudence9-2

@CecilB93 that makes sense. My acupuncturist also told me that if I don’t sleep well my numbers might be higher. Which sucks because I don’t sleep well at all. And probably will only sleep worse as belly grows. 

@mamajudec2018 how’s the numbness?

So we all agree that now managing the diabetes is a little more difficult than earlier.. My OB told me yesterday that from 34 weeks there should be some relief!!!

mamajudec2018

@prudence9-2 I'm still numb... One more pill so I'm praying I have relief tomorrow when I wake up!

Relief from 34 weeks on would be amazing!!

CecilB93

@mamajudec2018 interesting, my educator told me not to go more than 10 hours for fasting. 

Also looking forward to that relief at 34 weeks! I imagined it would just get harder from here to the end!

prudence9-2

@CecilB93 @mamajudec2018 yeah. I’m not sure why but there should be some relief. 

As for fasting i was also told no more than 10 hours. 

mamajudec2018

I just got 192 after dinner. I knew I had splurged but did not think it would be that high. I feel so bad.

prudence9-2

@mamajudec2018 yikes! What did you have?

mamajudec2018

@prudence9-2
I may have had some cake because we were celebrating my birthday ... I walked for 30 minutes after I got the number because I felt like such a horrible mom. Man the stress is real. I'm so ready for this baby to come so I can stop feeling guilty and nervous all the time.

CecilB93

@mamajudec2018 sorry it was such a high reading!! But just remember, it was only one time. Your numbers aren't ever that high, one reading isn't going to do that much harm. It's your birthday, you're allowed a piece of cake!! 

mamajudec2018

@CecilB93 Thank you for the encouragement. I have really been beating myself up. 

prudence9-2

@mamajudec2018 I agree, it’s only one bad reading. Don’t worry about it. And happy birthday!!!

mamajudec2018

@prudence9-2 Thank you!

You guys I tried this really good flatbread pizza recipe tonight and actually made it for my whole family that was over! Its low carb, filling, and so yummy! Thought I'd share! 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.flatoutbread.com/2010/11/11/how-to-make-the-perfect-flatout-pizza/amp/

prudence9-2

Thanks for the recipe @mamajudec2018 but I don’t think I can have pizza. Even when I make pizza on a piece of bread my numbers go crazy high. I’ll wait for the perfect pizza once my LO is out.  

mamajudec2018

@pru@prudence9-2 Ok!

mamajudec2018

Do you guys have anything that you are drinking that you would recommend? I drink unsweetened vanilla almond milk, purely peppermint tea, la Croix, Arrowhead and Dasani flavored water, and of course plain water.

prudence9-2

@mamajudec2018 just water here....

CecilB93

@mamajudec2018 I just started drinking La Croix. I do drink Diet Coke occasionally and it doesn't effect my numbers, but of course it does have caffeine. I also get this flavored sparkling water, I think it's called Sparkling Ice, and it has no effect on my numbers!! Tons of flavors, and much more flavor than La Croix lol. And of course water. Sometimes I'll drink sleepytime tea at night to help me sleep, I haven't noticed it affecting my numbers at all. And just as a side note, I'll have a half glass of wine here and there with dinner and I do notice if I'm taking too long to drink it (still drinking after I'm done eating) it can make my numbers slightly higher, especially white wine. Red wine has less effect than white. 

mamajudec2018

@CecilB93 Does caffeine effect numbers? I was really hoping to start drinking a cup of coffee everyday as long as my fetal echocardiogram is cleared tomorrow. I'll have to look into sparkling ice! La Croix definitely doesn't have much flavor which is why I branched to Dasani even though it has sodium. I needed something more haha! I think I'm going to ask my OB if there are any teas she would recommend. With it being fall I'd love to be able to have tea sometimes and not just purely peppermint.

CecilB93

@mamajudec2018 I haven't noticed it effecting my numbers at all! And I'm usually still drinking on my Diet Coke 2 hours later when I'm taking my blood sugar. With coffee the only concern is sugar and creamer and flavoring.

mamajudec2018

@CecilB93
I like my coffee black. I do get like flavored coffee pods but just drink it black so there isn't any sugar or carbs or anything. Hopefully I will have the courage to try caffeine if they say the echo is good this time! 

prudence9-2

I was wondering the same about coffee. Kinda feel like I’m ready to have one cup a day. But afraid of the numbers. 

I just scheduled 2 weekly tests (nonstress and another one) from week 32. I think you have to do it if your diabetes needs medication 

mamajudec2018

@prudence9-2 Let me know if you decide to try coffee! I think I'll ask my OB tomorrow if all goes well at high risk. 

Yea, my OB said I'll be doing twice weekly fetal monitoring starting at 32 weeks so I assume it's similar to what you had to schedule. What does a nonstress test entail? I'm honestly so ready for those twice weekly's to get here. Let's get this show on the road. Has your doctor mentioned if you are still looking good for vaginal delivery and how far they will let you go?

prudence9-2

@mamajudec2018 I think they measure LO’s HB while moving and while not moving. So they want to see increase heartbeat when moving around. 

And yes, they will induce me at 39 weeks. 

mamajudec2018

@prudence9-2 Oh ok. Interesting.

prudence9-2

@mamajudec2018 did they tell you how Long they will let you go?

CecilB93

@prudence9-2 interesting, I'm on insulin once a day in the evening and my dr hasn't mentioned two appts per week, just once a week from 32 weeks on, and those are all scheduled already.

I'm also being induced no later than 39 (+1 because OB is off on Wednesdays) weeks. I'm really hoping baby decides to come out on his own though, I'd really like to avoid induction! 

mamajudec2018

@prudence9-2 She said I definitely won't go past 39 weeks but she is going to keep doing sizing ultrasounds to see if he needs to come out sooner and/or if I need a C-section.

mamajudec2018

Well I passed my fetal echo, or I should say Booker did, but I think I'm still too scared for caffeine haha! Maybe decaf?

CecilB93

@mamajudec2018 did you ask you dr how s/he feels about you having a cup of coffee? I would either listen to what they say or just go with what you're comfortable with. I've been drinking Diet Coke here and there this whole pregnancy and my fetal echo didn't show any issues either.