My daughter's bs is 349!

I hope and pray she's ok. Is she on meds? Please tell us how she is.
Lanie

After her supper of steak and salad she was 109. I gave her celery and peanut butter for a bedtime snack. This morning her fasting is 118. She has been doing so good about testing her blood sugar and wanting to eat food that will help her. This morning she had to go through a whole list of foods. She would tell me the food and I had to tell her if it was bad for her, good for her or something she could just eat a little of. I am keeping a record of everything she puts in her mouth and all the blood test results to take to the pediatrician. I don't think her fasting should have been 118 this morning, especially on just celery and peanut butter.

Lanie, No she is not on any diabetes medication. She is on a medication that diabetes is a risk factor of taking it. We tried many other drugs to help with that problem, but the only one working is this one. With our family history of diabetes I really didn't want to put her on it. We tried other meds and we tried unmedicated. After consulting with several doctors I allowed her to go back on it. She has a brain disorder and it causes violent episodes where she can hurt herself or others. The risk of her being badly hurt or hurting someone else was worse than diabetes. It was a choice I didn't want, but had to make. I was certainly hoping that it wouldn't happen to her, but the risks were not in her favor. Everyone is telling me that at least she is in good hands since I have been a diabetic most of my life and am very active in diabetes awareness in the community. I know I will do my best to take care of her, but my heart is breaking. They gave no definate diagnosis until after all the tests come in, but I know what signs I am seeing and that 349 scared the crap out of me.

I'm so, so sorry to hear that news, AMM. It does seem like something is definitely going on with your daughter's metabolism. I hopeful that you will get those answers ye seek and that all will become manageable as quickly as possible. I just hate hearing about the youngins' having to deal with this stupid disease. My thoughts and prayers are with you <hugs>.

Kris

My heart goes out to you AMM. It is hard enough worrying about my own readings... I can only imagine the stress you must be dealing with! How old is your daughter? I just want you to know I'm sending (((((Hugs))))) to you both.

Bear

Please add my prayer to growing list of prayers on this thread!

Kids love snacks. I have been eating these Atkins advantage bars with one gram of sugar, no sugar alcohol, and lot of other good stuff.  My favorite are the Chocolate Peanut butter bar, and the chocolate coconut bar. They taste awesome!  Just like a Reese peanut butter cup. Actually better, since I dont like the taste of that much sugar anymore. LOL.

Some of the other flavors made by Atkins have a couple more grams of sugar so don't forget to read the box if you try them.  

They are expensive, but a five pack at Walmarts is under 8 bucks.

Oooooooo, AMM, my heart goes out to you!!! I'm proud of your daughter AND proud of you. You're doing such a great job and raising such a terrifically responsible kid. I hope you're able to get some emotional rest soon!!

The past couple days have been really nuts. Monday morning I called to get an appointment with her pediatrician as I was told to do at the hospital. They told me to come in at 10, so I did. When I got there the pediatrician asked me what made me worried about her blood sugar. So I told her she was drinking alot, peeing alot, tired, etc. Then she turned to me and said, "Well, what business do you have with a blood testing meter?" (I have told her many times that I have diabetes.) I said, "27 years as a type 1 diabetic is what business I have with one, not to mention you can buy them anywhere." So then she asks me what right I have to take her blood. I am thinking, "Lady, you are acting like I am giving my child narcotics, not taking a drop of blood out of her finger!" I told her the hospital recommended a glucose tolerance test. So she writes me a prescription and tells me to schedule one at the front desk. After I schedule the thing I notice on the slip the receptionist gave me it says, 1 hour glucose tolerance test! So, I am wondering what good is a one hour gtt since your bs spikes 2 hours after you eat. So, I just drive on home and call the Joslin Diabetes Center. I got lucky and the CDE had actually been the one to answer the phone. I told her everything that happened at the pediatrician. She told me to take her to Children's hospital either that night or the next morning. She said it could wait until the next morning as long as I was keeping her numbers reasonable by her diet, but if it went over 200 to leave immediately or if I saw any ketones. My husband was really tired and I wasn't feeling well by that time, so we waited until morning. Yesterday morning I took her to Children's with my Dad. At the ER desk they asked me what had brought us to the ER. I explained what had happened and that I wasn't real comfortable with trusting the pediatrician at that point. When I told them what she said about me testing her blood sugar every staff member turned around and looked with a completely amazed look on their faces. When the ER doctor saw her and I told him what had been going on he actually apologized to me on behalf of the entire medical profession! LOL Then he told me that first off I have EVERY right concerning my child. That doctors and nurses get the privilege of caring for my child only if I give MY consent. Then he said and as for the business you have with a meter, beyond knowing you are a diabetic for your daughter's history, it is none of her business. Then he said he couldn't believe she was offended that I was doing something to help my daughter and make the job of the doctor easier. I had kept a log of every before meal and pp reading I had on her along with a food log with every bite she consumed, including how much. He told me it was wonderful information that would help them to help her. He said with my careful monitoring of her diet and her blood sugar readings as well as that I was checking for ketones if I saw a higher number he didn't feel she would need hospitalized. I have managed to keep her numbers mostly good with her diet. So, he sent us home, told me to continue doing just as I am, make an appointment with the endo for 2 weeks, and good luck in getting another doctor! LOL They didn't start her on meds since her numbers have been good on diet. He said they may add a med in two weeks after all the labs have come in and we see how she does on the diet only for two weeks. Of course, if she starts having a lot of highs or won't come down or spills ketones we are to go back to the ER.

Oh, I see you! You look lovely! Oh and here is another one for you. When I said I was type 1 she ASKED me if I take insulin. I said, "Yes, I use an insulin pump." as I pointed to it. She said, "Oh that thing. I thought it was a pager." Then when I told her that the night before Amanda had gone to the fridge and ate an entire pound of lunchmeat and an entire pound of cheese right there in front of the open door she said, "Oh my! What would cause her to do that." I said, "Oh, maybe she felt very hungry. And just so you know, excessive hunger is a symptom of diabetes." (I was beyond p.o.ed)

You don't know how many times I find myself educating doctors. One time I was in an ER for high blood sugar with vomiting and ketones. I was clearly in DKA. The doctor refused to give me an IV until I would consent to a rectal exam! I asked him what the h*ll he wanted to do a rectal exam for since I was in DKA. I called an ambulance to the ER and transferred myself to a different hospital!

They are the byproduct that can spill into the urine when high sugars are present. They can lead to what is called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) which can be fatal. It is not really common for a type 2 to spill ketones, but it can happen. It is most often a problem with type 1 diabetes because we very little to no insulin of our own. You can check for them with a urine test strip. You can buy them over the counter in most pharmacies or walmart. Some places even carry a store brand. I think they cost about $10-15. I was airlifted to Children's hospital when I was 16 due to DKA. It is not fun. It causes nausea, excessive vomiting, peeing, trouble breathing, etc. Untreated it leads to coma and death. The first stages of the high that goes to DKA are the typical thirsty/peeing thing, sometimes diarreah (I never could spell that), then vomiting, then what is called kusmal (spelling?) breathing. The breath is measured by how far away you can feel the breathing. Mine was 6 feet. My heart rate was 180 beats per minute while lying perfectly still. I lost 14 pounds in 8 hours from dehydration. I barely survived.

Thanks so much, AMM.  (You're a natural born teacher!) That explains it to me. 

Lanie