28 September, 2006

weird day

I've spent most of today feeling not quite 'right'.

I have type 2 diabetes and my blood glucose levels normally seem to be higher than they should be (dietician keeps telling me that perhaps I should be talking to the doctor about medication).

I'm meant to aim for under 5.5 [99] before breakfast and between 6 and 8 [108-144] two hours after meals. Normally I average 6.5 [117] before breakfast and closer to 8 [144] after meals - sometimes higher. I also start feeling a bit strange at around the 5ish [90] mark (hard to concentrate, shaky, hungry, very sleepy and just plain weird), though since I'm not on medication the doctor says I don't have hypos, but I know that I feel strange if my levels get lower than usual.

So far this week, I've managed to be under 6 [108] all week before breakfast. This is unheard of for me, so to be so close to 5.5 [99] four days in a row is very surprising.

This morning I woke up and tested my level - 5.4 [97] - pretty good. I have some breakfast (same stuff as always) and off to work I head. I test myself before lunch because I don't feel quite right - 5.6 [100] - good level so I shouldn't be feeling odd. I have my usual lunch and then an hour later, I feel even less 'right'. 4.8 [86], ok so I figure I can pinch a few hot chips off a mate at work (mmmm, hot chips with chicken salt are the best!). A bit later I test again - 4.2 [72]. This is not usual for me so I have some chocolate and some almonds (all I had handy) and test 20 mins later - 5.8 [104] - good! Forty five minutes later I test again and I'm 4.7 [84]! I'm home again now and just tested at 5.1 [91].

I have spent the whole damn day feeling 'wrong' - feeling like I have to force myself to stay awake and really concentrate, shaking my head to get rid of the wooly brain feeling, shaking my hands since my fingers feel funny, as well as trying very hard to remain calm - I've been very grumpy and even had an urge to throw the phone through the window at one stage. I've had lower readings than today (I had a 3.9 [70] two days ago) but these weird feelings usually don't last very long - unlike today. It's very confusing (and damn hard on the fingers!). It's also a bit depressing to think that my levels today are closer to what is normal than the levels I usually get.

Ok whinge over... I promise to make the next post a happier one.

8 comments:

Dogbait said...

And I'm whinging because I have a bit of flu.

Carmelo said...

Its odd. Everywhere I seem to read I see you commenting as well so I decided I'd drop by and say hi, cool blog. :-)

Anonymous said...

"since I'm not on medication the doctor says I don't have hypos, but I know that I feel strange if my levels get lower than usual."

That sounds screwy to me, although I'm not a doctor. You have lower than normal blood sugars and you feel low. That is a hypo, yes? It's not a dangerous near-coma hypo - but it sounds like a low blood sugar reaction to me.

I know that when you are used to being higher, when you get to more normal levels you feel low. It's also possible something else is going on causing lower blood sugars. I think it's important to pay attention to. I'd suggest tracking your eating and blood sugars and exercise and see if you can find a pattern - and go over the results with the dietician and doc.

caramaena said...

Aww db - flu can knock you around. I hope you feel better soon.

carmelo - same for me. I've seen you post and I started reading your blog the other day. I'm planning on adding you to my links when I get a chance. I really need to update them again.

zazzy - I work with a guy who has type 1 diabetes and he does have a fair few official hypos. What he describes is pretty close to what I feel. I'm just higher when I feel that than him. I wondered if my 'cut-off' was because my levels are usually higher.

As to what's causing it I don't know. I've been eating the same foods as usual (heh, I'm set in my ways sometimes) and I've actually been a bit lazy about the exercise lately. So I don't know. I was 4.4 before bed and then 4.5 when I woke up today - I was diagnosed just over a year ago and I have never had anything under 5.4 first thing before.

Anonymous said...

I hope you feel better soon...

caramaena said...

Thanks Izzy - I found the upside to it, so I'm much happier today :)

Anonymous said...

Hey, feel better. I'm over 40, too, and holdin' it together the best I can...

caramaena said...

Hi rhea, thanks for dropping by. Keep on holdin' it together!