GD (Gestational Diabetes) check-in 11.April

anna.oskar · April 2016

I know it's early for many but I've seen that a few of us received early diagnosis and thought it might be nice to have a weekly check-in since it can be really confusing and even difficult.

* How far along are you?

* How'd you do on the glucose test? Was it the 2 hour?

* What's your current gameplan?

* Questions?

anna.oskar · April 2016

* How far along are you? 14w3d today but got the news at 12w3d

* How'd you do on the glucose test? Was it the 2 hour? I did the 2 hour glucose tolerance test (blood draw fasting, drink 74mg Glucola, test at 1 hr and 2 hour) and although my recovery numbers spiked and dropped at a normal pace, my fasting number was apparently WAY high at 111

* What's your current gameplan? I've been seeing a nutritionist for a week and a half now. Logging everything I eat, using keto-sticks for a morning urine check, and testing BG after each meal. I'm not seeing any big correlation between what I eat and what my BG is, in fact, my fasting in the morning is SO much better if I eat crap for dinner like french fries or fried cheese curds. Apparently I'm a likely candidate for a before bed dose of insulin. I shall find out the next step Wednesday afternoon though.

* Questions? I'm just trying to figure out this mess. It's got me so stressed with the constant "you need to fix this lest your baby have troubles"

br0co1ii · April 2016

I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this. I don't have anything much to add as I have no experience, but hopefully things stay under control for you!

UponAStar16 · April 2016

I don't have GD but Type 1 so I'll participate in this check in if it makes sense to you girls...I don't know much about GD but am guessing there are a lot of similarities?

anna.oskar · April 2016

UponAStar16 said:

I don't have GD but Type 1 so I'll participate in this check in if it makes sense to you girls...I don't know much about GD but am guessing there are a lot of similarities?

Lots of similarities! The differences are normal differences from person to person like individual triggers for a BG bump. Some of those REALLY don't make sense! Everyone's welcome to join in!

I figure there won't be many takers until 28 weeks ish (and hopefully very few in general FX) but I'll make this post available for any wanting/needing it.

UponAStar16 · April 2016

Ok I'm in. Just wanted to say diabetes sucks a lot so I'm glad for most GD moms it usually goes away after pregnancy and in the meantime you're not alone, even this early. Fx there won't be many to keep us company though!

* How far along are you? 15w 1d

* How'd you do on the glucose test? Was it the 2 hour? No glucose test but my post-meal spikes are frustrating...all of a sudden my body is not as sensitive to insulin but, with my insulin levels already upped a lot and me being more careful, my control is still a little better than before. And to me, "better" is extremely relatively speaking

* What's your current gameplan? Using my insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor (and testing with monitor of course), twice-monthly endocrinologist appointments, regular bloodwork, occasional check-in with nutritionist, and just trying to be more aware of what foods are affecting my blood sugar.

* Questions? Is a GD diet just generally low-carb?

anna.oskar · April 2016

@UponAStar16

That was the original impression I was given (and my step-dad with type 2 agrees) but we've found the opposite with me. It isn't necessary restricting carbs as finding a balance between the amounts of protein plus carbs. Also, carbs seem to react with me differently depending upon the time of day. I can have a breakfast of single slice of toast with 2 eggs, sausages, and water and my BG is 140 an hour later. Or I can have the dinner I just had of a cheeseburger, small baked potato plus cheese and sour cream and have a one hour BG of 114. Just makes no sense to me.

UponAStar16 · April 2016

Yea...I can relate to the making no sense part. I'm not sure all the reasons but, in addition to BG levels just flat out varying throughout the day unrelated to food, our bodies can react to carbs differently at different times of day, days of the week (depending on work/other schedules, stress, etc), stage of pregnancy, types of carbs, amount of fiber, water intake, and so on. It can seem overwhelming to try to figure out what all of the "it depends" means for you individually and of course none of us want to risk anything, and I'm guessing you probably are also trying to cut down on your risk for type 2. I'm not a medical doctor but what I've been told, for what it's worth, the kind of levels you're mentioning aren't in the range that major problems/defects tend to happen. Definitely is a lot of work to get in control but the peace of mind will be worth it!

Hunterloren · April 2016

I failed a 1 hour and am waiting on a three hour at some point in the near future. I had GD with my first and not with my second so who knows. I'm very aggravated by it because I am trying for a very non-intervention birth since my first was an emergency c-section and my second was a highly monitored VBAC. Now, if I have GD, they are going to consider me a high risk pregnancy and monitor growth big time and freak out about size along with them already calling me a repeat VBAC. I'm just already frustrated and starting to contemplate a birth center birth instead so I can just make everyone chill out.

mrszoess · April 2016

sort of on topic: do you have to schedule this test w the lab? my insurance uses labcorp and typically the wait is from hell, do you just tell them you're there for the test and maybe they take pity that you're pregnant and let you go first or is there a special number to call? I really don't wanna have to sit there for an hour just to get seen to check in.

UponAStar16 · April 2016

@Hunterloren fx for you and your baby's wellbeing that you'll skip GD this pregnancy too, and that you can have the birth experience you want. I'm actually really glad that the doctors will be monitoring closely and intervening in whatever ways they can - not glad to be high risk though, and I hope you don't end up!

@mrszoess sorry I'm not sure where the test is done but when you do go to labcorp maybe try going right when they open or making an appointment on their website? Mine has super long waits a lot of times otherwise too. It sucks when you're fasting and waiting at least an hour before checking in!

anna.oskar · April 2016

@Hunterloren positive thoughts! According to my doctor, a LOT of women fail the one hour and go on to pass the 2.

breweber2010 · April 2016

I had to have the 3 hour test last Thursday and haven't heard anything back about my results. I'm taking it as no news is good news

update: Heard back from the doctor this morning. 3 hour test was normal...woot! Now I guess its just waiting for the test later on to see if anything changes. Good luck to everyone here!

westcoastfoodie · April 2016

@mrszoess I have to go to labcorp too! They have an online scheduling system that I try to use every time because the waits are HORRIBLE. Just go to their website and there should be a link to schedule an appt. Also, they now have the test results available to patients online through a portal, which I find really convenient and interesting. It sometimes takes a while for them to be loaded on there, and usually it's after the doctor gets them, but I like to go back through and see what my exact numbers are for stuff.

* How far along are you? 15 +1

* How'd you do on the glucose test? Was it the 2 hour? I did the 3 hour, and did alright with my resting, but apparently not so great on the follow up draws.

* What's your current gameplan? I have NO IDEA. I have my appt with the dr to get all of my instructions and stuff today. My gameplan is just to follow what she says!

* Questions? I'm sure I'll have a ton, but I'm just waiting to see the doc for now!

mrszoess · April 2016

@julia70286 I called today and they said when you check in tell them you're there for glucose and the clock can start then!!!!

also so I have lupus so I'm familiar w the portal, it's fantastic and it's usually a 2 day turnaround! fx for both of us and this miserable drink lol

anna.oskar · April 2016

I go in for my 2 week check-in with the nutritionists today. Hopefully I can make them see reason and officially explain to me which is worse, a higher fasting BG number or the ketones in my urine when I follow their diet plan.

UponAStar16 · April 2016

Good luck at your check-in @anna.oskar! What levels of ketones are your test sticks showing? I always have the impression ketones are bad but they also can result from fat breaking down, so I guess it depends why your body is burning fat and what your blood sugars are running. If it's a result of high blood sugars that's not a good thing since I think it means the body keeps breaking down fat to try to get energy it can use because there's not enough insulin to let your body burn sugar for energy from what's already in the blood. I'm curious what they'll say - if they have a diabetes educator they work with, s/he would definitely know. Hope you get some answers!

anna.oskar · April 2016

UponAStar16 said:

Good luck at your check-in @anna.oskar! What levels of ketones are your test sticks showing? I always have the impression ketones are bad but they also can result from fat breaking down, so I guess it depends why your body is burning fat and what your blood sugars are running. If it's a result of high blood sugars that's not a good thing since I think it means the body keeps breaking down fat to try to get energy it can use because there's not enough insulin to let your body burn sugar for energy from what's already in the blood. I'm curious what they'll say - if they have a diabetes educator they work with, s/he would definitely know. Hope you get some answers!

Pretty sure it's starvation ketones since I literally can not eat enough when i follow their diet. It ranges anywhere from 40-60 mid to large on mornings after i followed the diet exactly to trace 5 and zero like today after I eat something spluge-ish like the gelato I had last night.

westcoastfoodie · April 2016

I never realized how many carbs and how much sugar I eat. I want all of the bagels, fruit and candy right now.

UponAStar16 · April 2016

Julia70286 said:

I never realized how many carbs and how much sugar I eat. I want all of the bagels, fruit and candy right now.

Hehe those bagels tho! They're super-carby but I kinda got attached to them when they became a survival tool for weeks. I'm not usually a big sugar person but lately want all the ice cream and pastries

anna.oskar · April 2016

Well, had my check-in today and it looks like I'm in need of an at bedtime insulin dose to get that fasting sugar down. *sigh*

UponAStar16 · April 2016

Aw @anna.oskar I'm sorry you have to start insulin. Hopefully it gets your levels back to normal though!

anna.oskar · April 2016

Worth it if the prize at the end is no diabetes + a baby!

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