- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
3rd Trimester
kxp004
member
Glucose "Torture" Test
kxp004
member
I am severely needle phobic (medical name is trypanophoia)... it takes approximately 30 min to get me to have my finger poked and it took one hour for them to get me calm enough to draw blood... before anyone is just rude and says just get over it, please realize that this is an ACTUAL medical condition that causes various uncontrollable physiological reactions...wiki it for more info
I was told by my CNM that I can waive the GTT, granted I don't fall under any of the risk factors. The statistical chances of someone actually having GD is 4-8%, but I know it can be dangerous if you do happen to be one of those that falls into that percentage...but then I was also told by them that 85% of women actually test positive in the first test, but are negative for GD in the longer 3hr "torture" test...sooo this kinda scared me away from it
just thought I would get some good thoughts and advice that might be helpful in my decision...weigh the pros and cons etc... Thanks!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Glucose "Torture" Test
Does anything help with needles for you? I'm sure you've tried everything. But looking away? Listening to music? Etc?
I guess I wouldn't skip only because I'd be nervous that I actually had GD. Is there maybe something they could give you to calm your nerves before the test? I have panic disorder, so I know all this stuff is easier said than done but just thought I'd throw some thoughts out there....
I wouldn't risk not doing the test...but I would talk with the lab or doctors to see how they can work with you on this. Can they get a line put in before ever take the drink? That way if it takes you an hour to get that done, you have it in and capped off in your hand/arm wherever they do it, then you drink the drink, wait an hour, and take the test?
My best friend doesn't fit any risk factors, weighs easily 60 pounds less than me at exactly 1 week apart in our pregnancies and she has GD and I do not. It can be dangerous if not treated appropriately.
I'm so sorry you have to deal with this stress. I hope you get it taken care of!!
Actually, I think it's 85% of the people who fail the 1hr will pass the 3hr - not that 85% of people fail the 1hr. A lot more people pass than that!
They might let you start monitoring your blood sugar level rather than taking the actual test. The blood glucose monitor that you use at home has a small spring-loaded device for pricking you finger with -- you don't have to see the needle itself, but you do see the drop of blood. You would probably have to do it 3-5 times a day, while also tracking all your food intake.
Also... they didn't start doing glucose tests until the late '80s. Don't know about you guys, but I was born just fine... just saying.
The whole 'business of being born' seems to be an excessive amount of tests and money spent. Could just be that I am done being pregnant and tired of spending $167 a week so my doctor can take my weight and blood pressure, but seriously- how many tests do they need to do? Could also be that I haven't slept in days- so take what I have to say with a grain of salt.
That being said- I failed the one hour and had one (of four) elevated glucose levels for the 3 hour. IN a normal doctor's office that means you pass, but my doctor would like me to go see a dietician and take glucose levels for a week to see how my 'normal' levels are. But they can't schedule me in until the middle of January.
Also, my sister has the same same needle issue. Since she was two or three... she has full on panic attacks (it's continued into adulthood for her as well) in anticipation of going to the doctor. It's crazy.
I just read this today:
https://www.birthbydesign.org/Files/BBD_Gestational_Diabetes.pdf
Going to talk to my OB about it on Monday and see what she thinks...
Hey, me too!! I had my surgery about 6 and a half years ago, but my docs still insisted that I take the standard GTT. Let me say, it was MISERY, and my results were abnormal - over the limit at the one hour draw and then below the limit at the two and three hour draws. Obviously it was because I was dumping and my body was freaking out, but I still had to see an endocrinologist and dietitian. The whole thing was incredibly frustrating, and I will be requesting an alternative in subsequent pregnancies.
Ooops sorry typed/read that incorrectly...Here is what the book said:
"The [one hour] test is designed to indicate whether you're at an increased risk of having this condition, not to state definitively whether you actually do. In fact, if you test positive there's an 85% chance that you don't actually have [GD]." (Douglas, 2002, p. 242)
So yes I believe you're correct... Thanks!
Awesome info...thanks for the citation
Oh my goodness I have the same phobia and can never remember the name of it. I swear everyone thinks I'm crazy when I tell them about it. I personally get very dizzy and 90% of the time ends in me passing out. I passed out with my tattoo, ear and belly piercing. I even got sick when my Hubby got his tattoo and my SIL got an IV put in, it's crazy I swear.
Anyway for my 1st glucose test I threw up, the 2nd my levels were way too high, and the 3rd (the 3 hr torture test which they drew blood 4 times) showed I was hypoglycemic. in all I passed out 3 time and threw up twice. My office was actually very understanding about the whole thing though, I have a blind fold I wear to help keep me calm and they allow me to lay down on a stretcher.
Anyway I went ahead with the test just to eliminate as many complications as possible and suggest that if your up to it, give the blind fold a try and see if it's possible for you to lay down while they do it. And Lastly, for my own personal comfort, I ask the phlebotomist if she/he will NOT tell me step by step what they are doing. I find that by their telling me "your going to feel a poke, etc" makes me anticipate it more and leads straight to my demise.
hope this is helpful for you. Good luck