Fasting blood sugar

Posted by joanem @joanem, Jan 25, 2018

Last summer following hot weather and/or salty foods I noticed mild swelling in my hands and elevated fasting levels; is there any connection?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.

@gman007

I have just the opposite issue in the summer. Because I am a sweating machine, I have a very difficult time keeping enough carbs in me to keep my blood sugar from plummeting. I am in the process of getting a continuous monitor the will help me on the golf course to eat and drink enough and also sound the alarm if I have any lows. I recently had a very scary 27 that being at home alone could have been disastrous. I am looking forward to have something tell me before I get in a danger zone. Did I understand you to say that you are not on any medications for your diabetes? I may be confused with someone else, but it sounds like a long acting insulin may help with stabilizing, but that is just what it did for me and I have days I only take 4-8 units of short acting because of activity. Don't know if that helps at all, but will try to answer any questions that relate to my experience.

Jump to this post

That’s why I take one day at a time. I know that there are many bad side effects from diabetes. I try to be aware of my body and really know myself. I should be familiar since I will be 74 years old in February. 

I am going to stay away from meds as long as is possible.

retiredteacher

REPLY

My wife is an elementary school guidance counselor who is about 12 mos shy of her doctorate. What you retired from is one of the highest callings for a profession anyone can have. With the pancreas issues and other complimentary issues that accompany that, I will be stealing every day I get past 74, but I will be a happy thief if that is what happens. I believe I will be in a much better place with no pain whenever that day comes, so I don't view it with dread or longing; I too am learning to live in the moment (a long road for me) and still have much progress to make. Thank you for looking after our children for a bunch of years. What age and subject(s) did you spend your days with?

REPLY
@gman007

My wife is an elementary school guidance counselor who is about 12 mos shy of her doctorate. What you retired from is one of the highest callings for a profession anyone can have. With the pancreas issues and other complimentary issues that accompany that, I will be stealing every day I get past 74, but I will be a happy thief if that is what happens. I believe I will be in a much better place with no pain whenever that day comes, so I don't view it with dread or longing; I too am learning to live in the moment (a long road for me) and still have much progress to make. Thank you for looking after our children for a bunch of years. What age and subject(s) did you spend your days with?

Jump to this post

Thank you for your kind words, but teaching was my life and when I had to retire, I lost part of my soul. I still mourn every day that I could not continue, as I had planned to die teaching. The Good Lord had other plans. I have hours beyond my Master's degree to a doctorate, but that, too, could not be completed. I still have a valid teaching certificate, and if there were a miracle, I would walk back into the classroom Monday. I was fortunate to teach in a time when teaching meant an educated person providing knowledge to students. Today, it's mostly fun and games. That makes me very sad.

I attended an excellent private university and received my AB degree in English with minors in sociology and education. There were no diplomas for general education, where a teacher could teach any subject; those exist today and have watered down the strict requirements for learning. My Master's degree is also in English with an emphasis on composition and British Lit. The hours beyond my Master's are also in English with composition and British Lit. My students were seniors in high school and freshmen in college. I taught Advanced Placement English Lit. and Comp. and Advanced Placement English Language and Comp. for my high school students and taught composition for college students. I taught in an exclusive private school. I loved teaching and I miss it every day.

retiredteacher

REPLY
@gman007

My wife is an elementary school guidance counselor who is about 12 mos shy of her doctorate. What you retired from is one of the highest callings for a profession anyone can have. With the pancreas issues and other complimentary issues that accompany that, I will be stealing every day I get past 74, but I will be a happy thief if that is what happens. I believe I will be in a much better place with no pain whenever that day comes, so I don't view it with dread or longing; I too am learning to live in the moment (a long road for me) and still have much progress to make. Thank you for looking after our children for a bunch of years. What age and subject(s) did you spend your days with?

Jump to this post

My daughter-in-law was a HS English teacher, but has become her school's technology expert and she enjoys that as well. I have an MBA and I just loved the learning. I think at age 60, I can audit any class at a state supported institution and if I am able, I plan to become an annoyance to some professor. Were you forced from the classroom because of age maximums or for some other reason? Do you live in an area where there are charter schools of value where your obvious talent and desire would be appreciated?

REPLY
@gman007

My wife is an elementary school guidance counselor who is about 12 mos shy of her doctorate. What you retired from is one of the highest callings for a profession anyone can have. With the pancreas issues and other complimentary issues that accompany that, I will be stealing every day I get past 74, but I will be a happy thief if that is what happens. I believe I will be in a much better place with no pain whenever that day comes, so I don't view it with dread or longing; I too am learning to live in the moment (a long road for me) and still have much progress to make. Thank you for looking after our children for a bunch of years. What age and subject(s) did you spend your days with?

Jump to this post

I was not forced (?) from the classroom; I believe age discrimination is against the law everywhere. I had some personal family matters that caused me to have to make a choice. I am not interested in returning; it would only make things worse.

retiredteacher

REPLY
@gman007

My wife is an elementary school guidance counselor who is about 12 mos shy of her doctorate. What you retired from is one of the highest callings for a profession anyone can have. With the pancreas issues and other complimentary issues that accompany that, I will be stealing every day I get past 74, but I will be a happy thief if that is what happens. I believe I will be in a much better place with no pain whenever that day comes, so I don't view it with dread or longing; I too am learning to live in the moment (a long road for me) and still have much progress to make. Thank you for looking after our children for a bunch of years. What age and subject(s) did you spend your days with?

Jump to this post

@retiredteacher I hear you loud and clear about your attachment to teaching. I was in pastoral ministry for about 50 years, and during several years I was substitute teacher. It is the same in many ways. I began to lose it by dementia, and still miss it terribly. It "was my soul!" as you say, but many pastors today have no more attachment today to God's ministry than they would to selling a used Chevvy. That, too, is very sad.

REPLY

I do believe that the major influence groups in our society have discarded all sense and concern and decency for our fellowman. From education to religion to political to medical; all we see is that money is all that matters. Of late, the criminal abuse of young women by powerful men has sealed the deal that we are living in a modern Sodom and Gomorrah. It is not a good time for younger people, but I don't think the problems will ever be solved. It has gone too far.

retiredteacher

REPLY
@gman007

I have just the opposite issue in the summer. Because I am a sweating machine, I have a very difficult time keeping enough carbs in me to keep my blood sugar from plummeting. I am in the process of getting a continuous monitor the will help me on the golf course to eat and drink enough and also sound the alarm if I have any lows. I recently had a very scary 27 that being at home alone could have been disastrous. I am looking forward to have something tell me before I get in a danger zone. Did I understand you to say that you are not on any medications for your diabetes? I may be confused with someone else, but it sounds like a long acting insulin may help with stabilizing, but that is just what it did for me and I have days I only take 4-8 units of short acting because of activity. Don't know if that helps at all, but will try to answer any questions that relate to my experience.

Jump to this post

@gman007 Hi Gary:

You mentioned, "Very difficult to control weight once the insulin becomes required." I did not know that. Can you explain more about that?

Teresa

REPLY
@gman007

My wife is an elementary school guidance counselor who is about 12 mos shy of her doctorate. What you retired from is one of the highest callings for a profession anyone can have. With the pancreas issues and other complimentary issues that accompany that, I will be stealing every day I get past 74, but I will be a happy thief if that is what happens. I believe I will be in a much better place with no pain whenever that day comes, so I don't view it with dread or longing; I too am learning to live in the moment (a long road for me) and still have much progress to make. Thank you for looking after our children for a bunch of years. What age and subject(s) did you spend your days with?

Jump to this post

@gman007 T'would be nice to be physically able to audit classes, volunteer or anything. I am thankful for the internet and still like learning and doing research for my own pleasure. Still do enjoy the feel of holding a book though. I no longer think about the future any more than necessary. Retirement came early for me and I am not one bit pleased at admitting thus. I know many good teachers that are being replaced due to lack of knowledge with the new ways. I went to college with the intent of becoming a teacher and by the time I was close to graduating I realized I could not teach an entire class no matter the age. Way too passive. Even my adult children know this-now.

REPLY
@gman007

I have just the opposite issue in the summer. Because I am a sweating machine, I have a very difficult time keeping enough carbs in me to keep my blood sugar from plummeting. I am in the process of getting a continuous monitor the will help me on the golf course to eat and drink enough and also sound the alarm if I have any lows. I recently had a very scary 27 that being at home alone could have been disastrous. I am looking forward to have something tell me before I get in a danger zone. Did I understand you to say that you are not on any medications for your diabetes? I may be confused with someone else, but it sounds like a long acting insulin may help with stabilizing, but that is just what it did for me and I have days I only take 4-8 units of short acting because of activity. Don't know if that helps at all, but will try to answer any questions that relate to my experience.

Jump to this post

I thought I better check my information and make sure I had not gotten mixed up about something else. https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/tips-for-managing-insulin-weight-gain
I think there are more scientific explanations and there are also issues of some diabetics becoming less active and that is what makes any exercise we feel like doing so important, because the weight problem can become a vicious negative cycle. The more weight we gain, the more insulin we need, etc...

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.