Got sick during glucose testing :(

lissbright · July 2014

I'm 29 weeks pregnant with my first baby. Today I went for the glucose screening test. My doctor had told me it was a simple blood test and that I just have to fast, but I'd have to drink a sugary thing when I got there. I figured no problem, I do ok with blood tests....well within 15minutes of drinking the sugary drink I got extremely hot, really dizzy, could barely walk (really felt like I was going to pass out-even had color spots in my vision), and ended up throwing up really bad. Of course I went by myself, because no one told me that getting sick was a possibility. The tech lady told me it happened a lot and she usually tells people to make sure they bring someone with them just in case. Unfortunately I didn't get her on the phone when I scheduled the stupid appointment. There was another pregnant lady there doing the same test with her husband. She said with her first pregnancy she got real sick too during the test, even passed out! Her husband helped me to the bathroom. The tech called my doctor, the doctor wouldn't get on the phone, and the secretary wasn't much help. She just said I'd have to try the test again on another day. The tech asked if I should follow up and make an appointment to see the doctor, the secretary just said "uh I guess if she wants to." So needless to say I was extremely embarrassed for getting so sick. I am beyond appreciative of the stranger husband who helped me to the bathroom and the kindness of his wife who tried to help me feel better. I am really angry that my doctor's office didn't properly prep me for the test-they didn't tell me anything! I never would've gone alone if I knew there was a chance of this happening. Oh and I wasn't ok to drive, I'm still dizzy and feel awful hours later, so I had to call my brother in law to get me, which totally inconvenienced him. He didn't mind and he was very concerned for me, but that's not the point. I don't understand why there's not a better way to do this test? Can't they just do a normal blood test to see my sugar levels? Or even those diabetic test strip kits-can't we just monitor the sugar levels with that? I am going to call the doctor eventually today...but I'm soooo afraid they'll make me just try again. If my body rejected it that bad the first time-won't the same thing happen the second time?? *sigh* please tell me I'm not the only one going through this.

tbarker14 · July 2014

Ouch, I didn't get that sick but I did throw up. The nurse just had to check how much I threw up to make sure I still had some in my system to effectively take the test. Thankfully I was able to keep some down. I did ask if I threw up a lot more if I would have to redo the test. The nurse said she wouldn't make me do it that day. But my dr would want me to come back in another time.
So I'm thankful it wasn't as bad as yours. Hopefully you will be able to get a better answer from your dr and if you need to go in again... be prepared to have someone with you.
I think you should also question your dr a lot more prior to any testings etc... ask a zillion questions even if you feel they are "stupid" questions. The best time to ask is when you are with the dr. If you are asking questions and not getting any answers... you may want to rethink your decision with sticking with that particular dr.
Dr's see a zillion different people a day, they won't know how much each patient knows about a particular test. So they just give the basic information out. Its our jobs as patients to advocate and ask.
Again, really sorry you had such a crappy day. Hopefully it will get better.

Whitwankstah · July 2014

I had my glucose test last week. They gave me an orange thing to drink. It didn't taste bad at all. To me it tasted like a Sunkist, so I chugged it real quick lol, but about a few minutes later I started feeling a little dizzy. Luckily I didn't throw up but it did make me feel weird, I can definitely see how people can get sick off of it. It must be whatever was in the drink. If you had a hard time drinking it the first time they probably want make you drink a lot of it next time. When I went the first time to do my glucose test I was sick and could not do the test, not because of the drink but because I had strip throat and could not eat or drink anything that day so they rescheduled me. When I went in last week they gave me a smaller portion of it, so I am sure they want make you drink alot of it. I am sorry you had such a bad time with it. I'm sure they will figure out something to get you through it.

lissbright · July 2014

thanks ladies

the doctor finally called me back...she's going to have me do a "2 hour glucose test" where i fast, have blood taken, then go eat, then go back a couple hours later for more blood to be drawn....but i have to do it 3 times. it sounds ALOT easier and better than what i went through the first time. i'm going thursday morning.

i should really ask alot more questions when i go for appointments, but (as dumb as it sounds) i don't really know what to ask sometimes. i'm 27 but i'm the first of all of my friends to get married and now have a baby, so i don't really know anyone who had kids. my family really isn't in the picture so i don't really have anyone to kind of guide me through this

lissbright · July 2014

Your way sounds so much easier lol why don't they just do that to begin with

baloneydisc · July 2014

lissbright said:

thanks ladies the doctor finally called me back...she's going to have me do a "2 hour glucose test" where i fast, have blood taken, then go eat, then go back a couple hours later for more blood to be drawn....but i have to do it 3 times. it sounds ALOT easier and better than what i went through the first time. i'm going thursday morning.
i should really ask alot more questions when i go for appointments, but (as dumb as it sounds) i don't really know what to ask sometimes. i'm 27 but i'm the first of all of my friends to get married and now have a baby, so i don't really know anyone who had kids. my family really isn't in the picture so i don't really have anyone to kind of guide me through this

You might want to verify this with the lab. Once I was checked in for the glucose test I was not allowed to leave.

tbarker14 · July 2014

Its really hard to know what to expect since each lab and dr's office do things slightly different. Also the area you are in as well plays a factor. This is my first one too and I've done so much reading on the bump. You will see the variations in people's comments of what to expect or not.
Basically I do a bunch of research then I ask my dr which of these methods will be done.
Bring some food with you in case you are unable to leave. Always better to be prepared than not.
Good luck with the test and hopefully it will be better the second time around!

ASmallWonder · July 2014

I reacted this way to mine and my doctor had the lab run an A1C test instead. Most people don't react that way. You're just one of the "lucky ones."

blushingbride_08 · July 2014

It took everything in me to not puke during my 1 hour but my 3 hour was worse. I ended up passing out on the kitchen floor when I got home. I broke out into a sweat and was shivering. My dh helped me to the bed and I woke up 3 hours later. It was scary. Ask your doc for alternatives. There's got to be a better way.

Texasgurly0313 · July 2014

I threw up the first time I tried to take the three hour test. The lab techs suggested that I try and get a Rx for Zofran to take before trying the test again (and my OB office okayed it). I was just fine the second time I took it, but if the Zofran hadn't worked, I was gonna talk to my OB about just testing my sugars for a little while.

makaelashook2 · July 2014

I did the three hour test yesterday and got sick. It was after drinking the drink and the second time getting my blood drawn. I stood up to fast, got hot, really dizzy and nauseous. I didn't throw up though. The nurse who drew my blood was a student and practically butchered my arms.

chase16 · July 2014

Mine was pretty awful too.. I didn't throw up but had to lie down (in the lab waiting room!) because I got so dizzy. I have been thinking the same thing based on everyone's stories.. there has to be a better way!

lissbright · July 2014

Today I had the glucose test again, but my doctor ordered a different type :-D!! This time I had to fast (nothing to eat/drink past midnight the night before). I went to the lab, the tech took my blood, I left to eat a normal meal, then went back and had blood drawn exactly 2hours later. That was it. MUCH easier and more pleasant then the first one!! Why don't they just do this type of test to begin with!? It's good to know I'm not the only one who got sick, but at the same time it stinks you all had to go through that

DaddysHeart · July 2014

Not quite sure I've introduced myself on this board yet, but I couldn't resist replying to your post. I had my glucose test today and became extremely sick. This is my second child and I wasn't sick at all with the first. I was a little disappointed because I didn't realize the dizziness and overall crappy feeling was common until I read your post. It would have been nice for my doctor to give me a heads up. I'm lucky my husband was there with me.

linnae939 · July 2014

At my office, the test is scheduled so you meet with your OB or MW during the 1hr wait after you take the drink. It's so logical I don't understand why all offices wouldn't do this? Before my 1 hr test I was told I didn't have to fast but not to eat or drink to many carbs/sugar before the test. I had a grilled chicken salad for breakfast, string cheese for a snack, then my test at 130 so I ate lunch afterwards. (I was STARVING by then and the drink was pretty good I was so hungry haha) I don't know what they do for the 3hr test because thankfully I passed my 1 hour! I guess it depends on the Dr. It sucks you felt so awful though, I didn't get a warning about that either and went by myself too.

lissbright · July 2014

at least you had your husband

but i agree, it'd be nice if the doctors gave a heads up that this was a common issue so you can be prepared for it!

lissbright · July 2014

the test came back all good so i don't have to do anything else lol thank god!! i appreciate everyone sharing their experience

Arwen78 · July 2014

When I had to do mine I knew I might get sick. I had been having problems keeping things down in the mornings if I ate or drank anything too fast or the wrong way. So, I was like okay we can try it and is if I'll keep I down. I of course didn't but it was like as soon as I walked out to the waiting area I got sick in my hand when I sat down. Rushed for the bathroom then was sick on the fall in front of the bathroom door as a nurse was coming out. It sucked but I had to try again the next week. I asked if there was anyway I could eat something like toast or a few crackers before, nope! I had to get an Anti-Nausea pill while helped me keep it down but not with some dizzy nausea that came with in. I just set my phone for the hour blood checks and slept in the waiting room.

Oh BTW that stuff they make you drink. The 1hr test they try first has like 50g of sugar in it and the 3hr test one has like 100G of sugar in it. So if you not use to having a lot of sugar it's going to send your body into crazy mode. I use to eat a lot of sugary stuff but now I don't! So, it just made me dizzy and sleepy. The guy doing my blood test told me that some women's hearts beat races, they can become dizzy and lightheaded, their blood presser can go up and so on

hdall0807 · July 2014

I get so nauseous and gag the entire time I drink it, I had to do it like 4 times during my last pregnancy due to my PCOS and insulin resistance. You have 5 minutes to drink it and I usually took 15 while gagging and trying not to throw up, they make me wait in the lab while I do it, (probably so I don't freak others out haha). I never got GD. I really hope I can just skip to the 3 hour this time so I don't have to potentially do it twice.

lissbright · July 2014

@arwen78 OMG i didn't realize it had that much sugar in it!!! no wonder i got sick! i really don't eat a lot of sugar. i can't believe the 3hour test has 100g of sugar in it!! that's just crazy!

@hdall0807 awww that's terrible!! i can't believe they couldn't do another test for you

i can't imagine having to do it 4 times.

Asivec · July 2014

@lissbright‌

Ask to lay down and bring something to distract you (movie on phone,iPad). Also smelling the alcohol wipes helped me from throwing up. One of the nurses gave me that trick. Good luck!

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