Diabetes and Medication

I understand. I barely passed the second diabetes test last pregnancy. I am pregnant now and they said my sugar has been high so they are giving me my test early. It is in two weeks. I am also incredibly scared of needles.

My dad is a diabetic. He was diagnosed about 4 years ago. I know he can only have 30 carbs with each meal i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Also, he can only have 15 carbs for two snacks a day.

If I can remember correctly the carb count is based on the carbohydrates - fiber = carbs.

I know diet sodas have no carbs and regular peanut butter is lower in carbs vs. reduced fat peanut butter.

There are some cookbooks you can buy which will help you cook according to the needs of a diabetic.

I hope this helped.

Hey S.,
I had GD with my last 2 kids. It sounds like you are following your dieticians' orders, but it also sounds like your stressing. Stress can also influence your sugars. Something to add, if you are not already doing, would be some exercise. This will help not only the blood sugars but stress too. Something like a walk around the block to get started. I am not a huge needle fan either and I have seen commercials that advertise such easy ways of testing.

Emotions also affect blood sugar levels. You sound stressed out. You must find a way to relax. Your stress is contributing to the levels.

I doubt that the doctor would put you on inject able insulin. That is the last choice to aid control. There are many effective oral medications. However, if you're only a point or two over what is acceptable there is no reason for worry. So take several deep breaths every time your anxiety shows up and tell yourself that you are OK, stopping the circle of worry that gets started.

I'm prediabetic. My doctor told me that most damage occurs with chronic levels over 200. I'm not sure of the exact level. I strongly urge you to talk with your doctor more about diabetes and what is reasonable for you. You must stop this extreme anxiety. Being anxious makes it more difficult for your body to manage glucose levels and is detrimental to your baby's health.

I use a lot of positive affirmations and they do help. Talk to yourself, saying that you are OK in several different ways. "Fake it until you make it" does work. We do believe what we tell ourselves. That's why it's so important to tell our selves positive things. Focus on the positive. Yes, the negative is there and in some cases, such as having diabetes, need to be acknowledged so that you do have a good diet and take care of yourself. Focusing on the positive is an important part of taking care of yourself.

Have you made and changes in your excercising habits? This can be a huge factor.

Calm down. Everything is going to be ok. Reducing stress will help the blood sugar levels.

Sometimes it doesnt matter how well you eat. Your body just isn't working properly and you may need the help of medication. There are several oral medications that are used to treat diabetes (I'm not sure what they use for GD). Just remember if you do start on medication you still need to stick to you diet.

Hi S., I just went through this. I would also spike anytime I had fruit (6 measly berries would do it) or milk. Shot me to the moon even with the protein with it. My doc put me on 5mg of gluburide 2x/day. It's the lowest dose and it did the trick. Also be sure you are eating protein (cheese, nuts, salami or other meat) EVERY time you eat.

ADDED:
Balanced meals are essential. I met with a nutritionist and this is the carb guideline she put me on:

Breakfast: 15-20 g carbs. I had an egg plus 1/2 c regular oatmeal (measure 1/4 c plus 1/2 cup water - use the natural oats oatmeal and fyi, can buy an enormous one at Costco). If my fasting was 85 or less, I would add 2 slices chopped apple. Microwave for 1 min, 40 sec.

Snack: 15 g: nuts and 0 cal flavored water. Crystal Light usually. (I'm not big on water but I kept these and PureVia pkts with me as they are all natural, easy to add to ice tea when out).

Lunch 15-30g: Salad with meat, cheese, lt dressing, nuts, berries. 1/2 c milk.
or sandwich with lunch meat, lettuce with Light bread; Pepperidge Farm has several that are 17g.

Snack: 15g: nuts or granola or cheese, flavored water.

Dinner: 15-30g. Steak, chicken, or shrimp, broccoli or other steamed vegetables. 1/2 c milk OR roll.

Snack: 15g Nuts or cheese. Water. Nothing sugary at night, shoots the sugar.

I also recommend the book "The Insulin-Resistance Diet".

S.,
Has anyone really explained to you about diabetes and how you should eat? Healthy is almost a mathematical equation in regard to balance of carbs, fats and proteins. My husband is diabetic, and I am a Shaklee Independent Distributor. So I help people to gain health through natural remedies and healthy diet and exercise. Diabetes is all about this balance of eating. it's also understanding carbs (forget about sugar.... pay attention to carbs).

I would have hoped your doctor would have sent you to a course to educate yourself, but unfortunately I see this is not always the case.

If I can help, let me know. I would be glad to send you some info on just how to find that balance. Diet and Weight are huge factors when it comes to diabetes in general. Pregnancy and diabetes may be a little different. I know our hospital offers these courses.

Best,

P.

Yes, there are oral medications your doctor can prescribe. I have taken Janumet for years.

If your doctor has not told you to stop stressing she should. Stress doesn't do you any good nor is it good for your baby. That's easy for me to say but I have been there and had a husband in a war zone to boot. Try to take it one day at a time.

Hi S.,

I had 2 pregnancies and 2 cases of gestational diabetes. During the first pregnancy, I actually did have to inject myself with insulin. That freaked me out and I don't even have a fear of needles! I kept telling myself that it was for the baby and that helped. :-) But by the second pregnancy, I had researched about gestational diabetes and was way more prepared! I didn't want to do those injections again. (This was 10 & 7 years ago.) I learned that if I stayed away from foods that were high on the Glycemic Index level, then my blood sugars would stay low without any medical intervention. For example, I wouldn't eat a banana but I could eat berries. Or I didn't eat white bread but I could eat small amounts of sprouted bread or whole grain wheat bread, etc. Rice, crackers, white bread, potatoes, corn really, really shot my blood sugar up. If your interested in learning more, you can Google Glycemic Index created by Dr. Mendoza (I think) and you can learn more. Now that I'm not pregnant, I still can get whacked out high blood sugar levels. (Some people with gestational diabetes will go on to develop diabetes in general. I'm on that slippery slope.) Now-a-days, I just stay away from foods with high carbohydrate counts in general and that helps, a lot! This idea is not without skeptics though, but I thought I'd share my experience with you since it worked miracles for me. Little to no bread beat out needles every time!!!

Take care of yourself. BTW, both babies turned out healthy, happy and normal sized as I'm sure yours will too!!

Hey there,

I'm really sorry you're having to deal with this. I just want to make sure you understand that actual sugar is not the only thing that spikes you blood glucose. It's "all" the carbohydrates, some are good like fruits and veggies, use Agave Nectar instead of sugar.....insulin will be your friend to assist in getting your levels down. Just think of it as you taking care of your baby and doing what's best for the little one.

Best of luck,
DH

I had GD with my first child. Your doctor should of sent you to a diabetic nutrialist, they help you plan everything out with your eating. I went with tears and crying and an "attitude" of make this easy.
It takes longer than 2 to 3 weeks to get it right as you are having to change the way you eat.
You need 25 to 30 grams of carbs per meal, 15 or less for your snacks (snack before lunch, afternoon and before bed). That means half a sandwich, bread makes your levels go WAY UP. You need to keep a diary for the first few weeks and your blood counts. It sounds harder than it is. But once you do it, it becomes habit. You also need to excerise at least 20 to 30 minutes a day, ride an exercise bike or walk or swim laps. I only gained 12 lbs with my first and he was 7 1/2 lbs. YOU CAN DO IT!

yes there is a pill. I take Janumet but its expensive. There are generics. I had bad side effects with the generic. It might help yours since you are barely above, to just get out and walk every morning or evening. Not fast, just regular. Just 30 minutes.That helps mine stay down. Stress makes it go up too, so you need to try to tone that down, Don't worry so much. I know thats not easy to do..... good luck

Not sure about medications, but for me what seemed to make the biggest difference was getting more active. I had GD with my 2nd pregnancy and I work in an office job where I sit on my butt all day... I started doing little things like either going upstairs or down the hall to the restroom instead of to the one right across the hall, walking around the house at night more, etc.
I didn't always stick to the diet as strictly as I should, but I knew to just be more active if I ate white bread at a meal instead of wheat or whatever and it would help keep my blood sugar down...

Yes, they will probably give you a pill of glyburide before they put you on insulin. Stress will cause your BSL to go higher, so calm down. I had diabetes with both my pregnancies, and both of my children came out just fine. Your doctor will make sure that it is in control. Relax and enjoy being pregnant