Is anyone here Diabetic?

[Bina]

My sister is in a regular hospital room today, so I called for a chit chat at lunch.
Before eating her food, they tested her blood sugar.....it was 18...
Why would it still be so high if she is eating their food plan and injecting regularly?
Maybe it is the lack of exercise?

 

[Harrybaby666]

I am Bina...

I am Bina...

My sister is in a regular hospital room today, so I called for a chit chat at lunch.
Before eating her food, they tested her blood sugar.....it was 18...
Why would it still be so high if she is eating their food plan and injecting regularly?
Maybe it is the lack of exercise?

Did she just find out that she has diabetes? If this is the case, they could be just trying to get her insulin regulated and it can be tough in the beginning. I certainly would be asking questions (not only for your sister's sake, but for your own knowledge as well, because your sister is going to need all the support and encouragement she can get-she will be frustrated and probably cry a few times, but with family support, she will get things under control.) I hope you ask just as many questions as possible and if the doc's get upset with you, too bad. It's been a long hard struggle for me Bina, but even though I have some complications, I have managed to keep myself out of serious trouble, and I have been diabetic for 14 years). My prayers and ((((((((((((((((((((((big hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))) to you and yours during this trying time. I hope this helps you Bina. Harrybaby

 

[Superbob]

Bina,

Unless I am missing something, a reading of 18 for blood sugar is amazingly, stunningly low. I am a type 2 diabetic and the lowest reading I've ever had is something like 92. The usual danger point for a fasting blood-sugar reading is above 126. Are they treating her for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)? With diabetes there can be wild swings between high and low.

 

[Mike]

blood glucose

blood glucose

I think the unit of measurement is different in US and Canada--- mg/dLvs mmol/L---which would make 18 about 300....and that would not be unusual while diet, insulin, exercise and other issues are being put in balance---and it surely is a balancing act! As your sister gets back to normal activities and learns how food and exercise combine with her insulin to control her blood glucose, she will be able to keep it much closer to a normal range. It will take some time and a lot of effort, but she can do it!

Diana (type 1 diabetic for 45 years speaking here)

 

[Adrienne]

Here is a link for the conversion between the two systems:
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/diabetes/faq/part1/section-9.html

 

[Bina]

Harry, she crashed 8 days ago and was found to be a new diabetic. This is why I am asking these questions so that I can be supportive instead of just a nagging little sister thank you.

Rob, I believe with the finger test a normal reading is around 7. I was hoping that this week she would have been stabilized, but then again, post op my own INR took 16 days to balance before I was released. thanks.

Diana, my daughter's fiance is a type 1 diabetic and exercise really makes a difference in his levels and how much he needs to dose. I'm concerned for when my sister gets home and has to make her own decisions. thanks.

Sis and her hubby love to "live life to the fullest" in all the bad ways, this will be a huge challenge.

 

[Bina]

Here is a link for the conversion between the two systems:
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/diabetes/faq/part1/section-9.html

Adrienne, thanks.
That is what I was needing....her reading of 18 was getting up there as a before meal level. Her nurse did bump up her dose today.
Sis also bought her own glucose meter today, that will help.

 

[Superbob]

Oops, sorry, I didn't mean to confuse the issue. Didn't think about the conversion. If it's approx 300 in readings I am used to, that is rather high, but as others have said, it could be just a matter of getting the treatment at the right levels. Best wishes to her and to you.