358 Blood Sugar - Never Easy

by Deb
(Lansing MI)

I was diagnosed as diabetic about 2 1/2 years ago, have never really reached a stable point with my blood sugars. Doctors apparently consider me a "complicated case," as the diabetic meds I have taken don't work very well for me, I'm Stage 3 CKD so have to be extra careful about the meds I take.

I have been having procedures done on my lumbar spine for stenosis. The procedure includes injections of cortisone into the spine. Of course, the doctor's staff told me that the cortisone would probably "run up" my blood sugars. The first procedure was a week ago; I have another one tomorrow.

I've become aware in the last few days that my blood sugars are at their all time highs (at least according to my One Touch readings), i.e. 338 this morning two hours after breakfast. But in the last 24 hours, it was 358 and I think that is my "personal high." I also noticed that I am very thirsty, I feel foggy-headed (which is affecting my work), and yesterday I just felt sick all part of the day, e.g. achy all over my body, kind of like the flu but with no fever or other symptoms. Am also falling asleep easily, especially in the evening watching TV 2 or 3 hours before my normal bedtime.

I've never been told how high blood sugars can get that I should worry about, nor what to do during those times that I have the highs. I am on Victozo and Amaryl, so it's not like I can adjust insulin doses. My doctor doesn't seem alarmed that I get up over 300 fairly often. Nevertheless, I have called my doctor's office and ask that a nurse call me (it's a diabetes center at a hospital that has staff specially trained to treat diabetics). I'm supposed to hear back from a nurse sometime this afternoon. It's currenty noon.

So, now you know my "personal best," if high blood sugars were a competitive sport. But they aren't; so I feel very unsure about what to do and a little worried. Thanks for "listening."