So Confused and Don't Know What To Do

rajuncajun9320 · 01-26-2006, 05:41 AM

Please forgive the length of this post.
I went to the endo about a year and 3 months ago. He put me on Metformin 1000MG. I asked if I could go to a nutritionist and he said you don't need to you are not Type 2, you are IR. Well, I took the Metformin (never monitored blood sugars because he wouldn't give me a machine either) and have taken it since then. I quit taking my BC pills in October and I am now 9 weeks (planned) pregnant.

Well, my ob/gyn got me a testing machine and wants me to test 5-6 times a day. Well I have been doing that. My levels are all over the map. Yesterday it was like 197, 135, 160, 125, 77, 140. It is crazy. So you can imagine how I feel.

Today I went to the maternal fetal specialist, expecting the speech about diet and I need to go see a nutritionist. WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!! He was so upset with the endocrinolgist, and he said that if he had sent me to the nutritionist a year ago and I had followed the diet then I wouldn't be having this problem now. He said it is too late for just diet. He told me to stop taking the Metformin (He called it crap) because it hasn't done anything for me. The endo never raised the dosage from 1000, and I only got my sugar checked every 3 months with him. Starting Monday I have to start giving myself insulin shots twice a day in the stomach. (I can't begin to tell you how terrifying that is to me.) He told me to call my sugars in on Friday and if they are still all over the map then he is admitting me to get everything regulated.

I am scared to death. More so for my baby than myself. I guess my questions are if I am IR why would I need more insulin? He told me that I have Type 2 and that telling me I have IR must be some kind of politically correct crap from the endo. He was furious with the endo and was calling him when I left. I am glad that finally someone is willing to help me figure out what I really need to do, but I am just terrified at this point.

Were you scared when you had to start taking shots? I have to go to the nutritionist Monday morning and then to the person that will teach me how to do the shots. The fact that I haven't been to a nutritionist blew him away. That made him more upset.

This doctor was so nice to me. I finally didn't feel like I was stupid for the way I was feeling. It isn't in my head. I really am going from extremely dizzy to about to pass out in a few hours time. I couldn't even bring my son to school yesterday morning because I was so dizzy and my husband is working 2 hours away during the week.

I am so sorry for rambling on and on but I know that you guys are the only ones that will understand my questions and fears.

Thank you for listening (reading)
Amy

nobimbo · 01-26-2006, 12:20 PM

Well, your numbers don't mean much without saying when they were taken. For example, it's not that bad to have a pre-meal reading of 70 and a two hour post-meal reading of 125. The 197 is high no matter when it was taken, though. I'm surprised the doc didn't give you a glucose tolerance test.

Since you are pregnant, it's even more important to keep your blood sugars low. I've never taken insulin, but it is the most effective way to take the pressure off of your pancreatic beta cells. After the baby comes, you will probably be able to go off the insulin and back on an insulin-sensitizing med. Hang in there; it will get easier once you get used to it.

Linda

disco75 · 01-28-2006, 12:34 AM

Hi Amy

I hope the doctor lays into that endo. It is frightening how incompetant he is. I take Byetta, which uses the same needles as insulin shots. It's a whole lot easier than you think. When I first started doing finger sticks I hesitated for 1/2 hour, with the injections I just did it & it didn't hurt. Sometimes I'll feel a little pinch, but really it's nothing.

Congrats on the baby! I'm really glad to hear that you now have a wonderful doctor. I know it's easier said than done, but relax. It sounds like you're in good hands. It is very common to treat pregnant women with diabetes, so the doctors & hospital have lots of experience.

rajuncajun9320 · 01-29-2006, 03:13 PM

Thank you so much for the help. I am going to find out how to do everything tomorrow and I am really looking forward to having all of my questions answered. I am really hoping that the insulin will help me feel better and I know it is important for the baby.