Diabetes Support - Type 2 Blood sugar confusion.

Please explain to me how my blood sugar is 140 two hours after I ate dinner, and I had NOTHING else to eat after that, but I wake up with it being 215?!!! grrrrrrrr How is that even possible? I am so frustrated with this! I didn't even have a lot of carbs yesterday. I had like 132 carbs the entire day! Trust me, this is low for me. I was such a good girl yesterday, stayed OP and everything. I am trying to get back on track with the calories and I try to keep my carbs below 150, so I just don't get it. :(

Your body (the liver) is producing glucose during sleep, so that even when you're not eating, your brain has a constant supply of glucose. In diabetes, especially Type II, this is sometimes out of whack and glucose is overproduced, leading to a high blood sugar level. Talk to your doctor about your high fasting levels if this continues.

Thanks Anne.

There is something called the Symogi (sp?) effect - if your blood sugar drops too low, typically happening around 2-3 am, your liver will dump glucose into your bloodstream in a much greater quantity than usual and you will awaken with abnormally high fasting readings.
Most people find that a light protein snack just before bed helps. A few I've heard have fruit or some other carb snack and it works. I've had a small bowl of ice cream and woke up with 87 bg, so it may be a trial and error thing for you, but I'd try it at least.

Thanks pkmom, I will look into that. :)

Here is a link (http://www.dlife.com/dLife/do/ShowContent/inspiration_expert_advice/expert_columns/garnero_0106.html) which explains the Somogyi effect and also the Dawn Phenomenon, which are two different things. But have the effect of raising your blood sugar so it is higher in the morning.

Thanks CJ. it's been 3 days in a row now that I've been OP, didn't eat anything after dinner at night and have awakened with Blood sugar of 200+. Then after Breakfast, and activity, like cleaning the house or working out, it's down to 139-140, so I dunno...It's just weird to me and I'll def talk to a doc about it, just as soon as I find one willing to take my insurance. And THAT'S a whole other issue. *Sigh*

I'm no expert, Diva, but like some other posters said -- maybe eat a small snack before bed with a protein and carb component (like cheese and crackers).

Diva,
Your BS of 140 2-Hours after eating is perfect.Post-Prandial should not be higher than 140.MHO of the 132 GM's of Carbs is: Your eating waay to many Carbs.Are you following an ADA?I distrust ADA Diets..

I don't even know what ADA is.

On a good day and I have those more times than not, my carbs for the day is no higher then 150 to 160 mg and I count calories too. What trips me out is the other night, I was a bad girl, and I didn't care, it was just "one of them days", and I knowingly ate carbs right before bed, and woke up to my sugar being less than 200. it was 163 to be exact. Guess it needs some tweeking, and it would be helpful if I could get a doctor and keep one longer than a month. :dizzy: I can't find anyone to accept my insurance so I may have to go to the er just get get my meds refilled. How sad is that?!

ADA is American Diabetic Association. I do not like their recommendations for diabetics or that of the Canadian Association(CDA). Too many carbs!

My carbs are usually around 100 or less and my BGL is very stable. Everyone is different but perhaps you could post some menus with amounts and we could spot something.

also, if you have something with fat along with your carbs it can take longer to process your carbs.

I used to get this a lot when my Diabetic Consultant said that if my BSL was a certain level I could have a 1/2 cup of icecream as a bedtime snack. X___x

Diva,
Like Ruthxxx mentioned,ADA is American Diabetes Association,and I dislike them for the same reasons Ruth does-too many Carbs!

I couldn't get away with eating 150-160 G's of Carbs.My BS would run from bottom of my Feet out the top of my Head!I believe small servings of Complex Carbs are good,because they give our Body Fuel for Energy,but I would eat no more than 50 G's Daily (if that many)..

It is imperative that you find a Doctor.Have you had an A1C?Do you take Oral Medication or Insulin?

I think I am gonna cut my carbs down to 100mg's a day and see what happens. I've been having a small bowl of raisin bran about an hour before bed and my fasting number seems to be slowly going down.

Butter Butt (LOL! I Love that name), I had a doctor (a brand new one) right here in town (10 minute drive)that we LOVED, and it meant no longer having to drive an hour one way to see a mean NP. Instead of educating me or giving constructive criticism, she'd belittle me and make me feel bad.We had her all of a month in June and she had to leave to move out of state because her G'ma was ill. She left me with enuff meds to get me through until October. So I thought I could just go back to the mean NP, which I didn't want to, but ya gotta do what you gotta do. Well I've been calling around trying to find someone else closer or just different because I really don't like her, then last week I get a letter from my insurance co saying I can no longer see her....break my heart...;). I really don't care, but I am still getting rejection phone calls which means if I can't find a doc by Oct, I'll prolly have to go to the ER just to get my refills. Gotta love Health care in the good ole USA. Also, I've requested that I get to see a dietitian or whatever to help me out and my insurance won't cover that either. We sure can't afford it...

What I REALLY want and hope for is to lose enough weight to where I can control this Type 2 Diabetes with Diet & Exercise alone and not have to take these oral meds anymore. I am easing myself and my family (unbeknownst to them) into a Mediterranean lifestyle. I've read really good things about it. I know it can be done, I've seen it first hand with a couple of peeps I know personally and also on The Biggest Loser. Not only that, I start beauty School in the Spring, and being a good 40 to 50 pounds lighter will sure be nice on the feet and lower back. ;)

Diva,
Can you afford Test Strips and Lancets to Test more frequently?As many Carbs as your eating,you need to Test more often,and especially 2-Hours after eating (Post-Prandial).If your BS is above 140,then you will know whatever you ate elevated your BS and not to eat.

Thanks!I'll still be a Butter_Butt when I reach my desired WLG! :)

I am gonna break this to you as gently I can :) The Raisins in your small Bowl of Raisin Bran is a High-Glycemic Food meaning they rapidly elevate BS unlike Low-Mid Glycemic Foods.

Believe you me Girlfriend,I know the down low on mean Doctors.My Doctor was HORRIBLY mean and nasty at my April Appointment!He is an MD specializing in Family Medicine and Obstetrics/Gynecology,and doesn't know his A$$ from a hole in the Ground about Diabetes.I have to Drive 15 minutes to see him.

I searched and found an MD,Internist who treats and manages Diabetes,but he's an hour to hour and 1/2 Drive away.He is a Middle-Eastern Indian,and when I told my Doctor his name,he disguised his voice to sound Foreign.This is what a jerk he is and can be!:mad:

Since we don't take Insulin,Endocrinologists are out of the question.If my late Father had had a Doctor (non-Endo) who specialized in the Treatment of Diabetes soon after his Diagnoses at age 41-42,then perhaps he wouldn't of developed other Health problems.

At least you have enough Medication to get you through until October.I went it alone until late April,when my Doctor Prescribed Metformin.Right before I began my 3rd Bottle,I started having excruciating Leg Pain.I tried EVERYTHING to no avail.It hit me to stop taking the Metformin and the pain immediately went away!

Couple Months ago,I received a Letter from my Pharmacy stating that since my Doctor orders me to Test above the Guidelines of my Insurance Company,I need to submit my BS readings once per Month for 6 Months.I thought to myself,"Screw that,I ain't gonna let my Insurance Company control how often I Test my BS!".I now have to pay the ENTIRE amount for Test Strips.Luckily,I have 5 Meters (4 free bought 1),so won't need Lancets for awhile.

Diva,if you were to see an RD or CDE,they would devise an Eating plan with a TON of Carbs,and you do NOT need or want that!

With Diet and Exercise alone,you CAN control your Diabetes if not get off Medication,but it takes hard work,persistance and believing you can do it.A drop of 15-20 pounds is enough to lower BS!

I've read about Mediterranean Diets..the Food sounds delicious,but make sure it's a Diet/plan that will work for you and your needs.

I wish you ALL the very best in Cosmetology School!I'm returning to School soon myself at the ripe old age of 36-1/2!

Thanks and good luck to you too. I spent this yr getting my loans out of default so I go go back to college for Psychology and finish it, but then I got back into touch with an old Stylist friend of mine. We both did hair back in the day and I haven't seen her in 20 yrs. I found her on Facebook, and I see how happy and successful she is, STILL doing hair, and it got me to thinking about how I used to feel doing it as well. I miss it, and the schooling (yeah. let my license expire a LONG time ago) only takes 10 months so I am ALL about that! Even at my ripe middle age of 42! hehe ;)If I should decided at a later date to go back to college I will, but I don't think I'll want to.

I just looked. I have 5 refills of lancets & strips, 2 more refills on Metformin (and I just got those refilled last week), so I have some time. I just need to find a doctor. *sigh* Boo-hoo on the raisin bran! I love that stuff. It makes my tummy feel better (I have tummy troubles too) and I figure the potassium can't hurt... My Fasting BS has gone down though...I do have some yogurt so...

Your Doc sounds as much an A-hole and my ex NP. Why must they behave this way? :dizzy:

Ah Diva and Butter-Butt, I am so glad to be in Canada. I can't imagine fighting to get a doctor.

Butter-Butt, you know your stuff and took the words right out of my mouth on the raisin bran! Bananas are another "bad" food although. I limit myself to 1/2 once a week and mash and freeze the other half for a shake later.

Ruth we've talked about moving up to Canada just for the health care. I don't know why we can't just get it that way here. I think if more people were to watch Michael Moore's "Sicko" they'd change their way of thinking...I know I sure did.

Also, is there a list some place online where I can see a list of good vs bad carbs? I always thought Fruits were the "good" carbs and especially bananas and raisins for their potassium. And Especially if eaten before exercise...it's a shame I know so little. Thank you both for enlightening me. :hug: