Gestational Diabetes....feeling Really Bad

Updated on January 08, 2008
L.S. asks from Crane, TX
5 answers

I don't know if I'm really asking a question here or just needing some words of advice and encouragement, but I need to unload this somewhere. I have always had issues with gestational diabetes. This 3rd pregnancy, I managed to escape it up until the start of my 3rd trimester which was just a few days ago. My blood sugar was way higher than normal in the office, so my doctor sent me for lab work. The hospital admissions department went crazy, because my husband changed jobs, and so did his insurance. They didn't want to do my blood work, because they didn't want to call and verify that I had insurance with his new company (we don't have cards yet, but he called and was told that I definitely am covered actually as of that particular day). The business manager was really rude to my husband over the whole thing....here I am sitting there still fasting while they hash all of this out. She then declared that they would no longer do anything for me at that hospital unless it is an emergency. They did do my blood work that day, but made it clear that they weren't happy about it, and it would probably be the last time. Then, while I was getting my blood work done, the clinic called him back and had him sign a paper saying that he would put up a $1700 deposit by March 1st just to cover what goes on in the clinic. Because of gestational diabetes, I am scheduled to go BACK to the hospital to see a dietician, get more blood work, go over my at home blood sugar checks with the doctor, and so forth. I am so angry and embarassed, that I am not wanting to go back....but at this stage in the game, I know that I have to. How can a business office in the hospital decide who will get treatment and who won't anyway? Be that as it may, I have been taking my blood sugars four times a day as instructed. I have always been able to control my own sugar in the past, as this has been an issue in my family since the day I was born, but for some reason I can not keep my sugars down. They fluctuate up and down all day...and I am down to eating almost nothing. Even, last night, my sugar was down to 103 at bedtime, but when I woke up this morning, it was back up to 145. I don't get up and eat at night, and am actually going to bed hungry, so how can it be going up and not down by the time I wake up???? I know that the answer is to see my doctor, but I'm scared that I won't be allowed to, even though I have insurance and am still waiting on insurance cards. I feel depressed and angry that I could not keep my blood sugar under control throughout the pregnancy, and depressed and angry that we were treated so badly at the hospital. I just don't know what else to do or say. I could file a complaint on the woman that started all of this at the hospital, but I know that she will win, because she is the big shot hospital employee and I am just the begging pregnant woman. I hope that I don't sound too emotional, but I'm crying even as I write this. This particular doctor has been my baby doctor since baby number one, and I can't imagine going to anybody else, and can't imagine anybody else taking me when I'm this far along, either. This is just a horrible feeling that I have, and I don't know how to shake it off.

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So What Happened?

Thank you so much for all of your kind responses. I did, after I calmed down, find out how to file a written complaint, and did so. I didn't have the name of the person that started the whole thing, but I gave as good of a description of her as I could. So far I have received two letters of apology. One was from the public relations department. The other sounded kind of like it was from the lady in question, because she was still kind of defending her position. I dearly wish that I had taken time in my anger to get her name, and then I would know for sure. I then called my husband's benefits department, and they emailed information to take with me on my next visit, and said not to hesitate even to call them myself from the clinic or the hospital if I had another such situation. She even said that had they simply made that one phone call to my husband's office like he had asked them to at the hospital, that none of this would have happened. I discovered that my blood sugar was going wild probably because I was so upset, but that I was also waiting to eat until it went down.....and it kept getting higher. I didn't know until I looked it up, that my liver could actually sense starvation and pump MORE sugar into my system. Everything is so different when you are pregnant. I started eating more often, and now my sugar is shaping right up, so I feel a whole lot better physically and emotionally than I did when I posted this. Diabetes has always been an issue in my family, and all too often I had seen family members try to wait out their high sugar episodes before they could have their meals, and I just thought that this was the way of everybody. LOL! Again, thank you so much. I love Mamasource.

More Answers

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B.E.

answers from Dallas on

L., I am so sorry that you feel so overwhelmed. You have a right to respect from the hospital no matter what the situation is on your insurance and this person who was so inappropriately nasty needs to be reported.
Stress can keep your blood sugar high no matter what you eat. Try relaxation exercises, please. The stuff they teach in yoga or tai chi. Eat 6 times a day and mix your protein and complex carbs. Try Cinnamon. Cinnamon (without the sugar!) will help to stablize the blood sugar. Its true! I really hope you get some help from your providers on how to eliminate some of the stressors that are obviously having an impact on your pregnancy. I do not mean to sound condescending when I say BLESS YOUR HEART. Mine goes out to yours.
Sincerely,
Marianne

Just to clarify...You of course still have to test your glucose often, eat right and follow the direction of a good dietitian and your OB's regimen. Ask them, they know about the effect of stress and about the benefits of cinnamon. I know some of you may think that I am offering a alternative to the medical management of GD...and I am not...but these suggestions may be additionally helpful!

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B.W.

answers from Dallas on

GD is serious as you know and it is possible that it is going to stay with you this time......my 14 year old daughter has had type 1 since she was barely 4 and it can be managed.......I would talk to the doc and to a social worker at the hospital as it is their job to help..there should also be a patient advocate at the hospital to help as well..........you need to see your doctor and this woman needs a severe attitude adjustment or a new job or both.......take care.......

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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

I am appalled reading this. I used to work in public relations for a hospital and this is a horrible way to treat patients. Just about every hospital has a board of directors or some sort of reviewing committee. I would call the hospital's main number - ask how to file a formal complaint in writing. I can't remember exactly but I think there is usually a position like a director of Quality Assurance dept. You might try to call this dept or at least send a letter of complaint addressed to this specific department.

This is a serious concern...and I know that hospitals want to know how they are doing in terms of the quality of customer service and health care they give to their patients.
And it's not like you DON'T have insurance...you do. So why are they being so lazy to not check your status? All it takes is a phone call to verify, right? I've had nurses do this in doctor waiting rooms for me...no big deal. Lots of people have your same issue - change in health insurance...new job...and it's so new that you don't have the new cards yet. Surely, you're not the FIRST person ever to bring up this issue with them. I hope you got that woman's name or at least write in your letter what she looked like.

and if no action or response was given after your complaint/letter, I would seriously think about switching hospitals/doctors. If this how they treat you when you're just doing prenatal care....how will they treat you in an emergency or in labor/delivery?? I predict -- not giving you the best quality healthcare you deserve. You guys pay every paycheck for quality healthcare (with your insurance premiums) --- you have a right to take that business elsewhere.
You (and your baby) deserve and pay for top healthcare! Don't settle for less. And don't let this woman/hospital.... who is supposed to be IN SERVICE TO YOU, the patient/customer...think you are putting them out. You are doing them a privlege that you chose/trusted them for your healthcare.

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K.R.

answers from Dallas on

I just wanted to let you know that I feel for you! I don't know much about GD but I am also pregnant and understand the whole Dr. situation. They have no right to treat you like that or make you feel bad. Stand up for yourself, let them know that you will not tolerate that kind of treatment, and do what is best for you and your baby. Emotional stress can play a big part in pregnancy. They are supposed to be there to help and serve you. That is their job. Next time there is a problem, just go to whoever is the highest up immediately. I have found that to be the most helpful when dealing with people like this.
Again, I'm sorry you're going through this but please keep in mind that this too shall pass and soon you will have a tiny miracle to hold in your arms! Take care and know that you are not alone!

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T.

answers from Houston on

Is this hospital in Clear Lake? If it is St. John then there is a compliant line for you to use and I highly suggest that you do so. No person, pregnant or not should have to deal with that type of treatment. Good Luck!

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