If you are diabetic or have low blood sugar....

lol that is about my Doctors age, that is why I had a few simple questions for someone that deals with sugar problems first hand and has to use a glucose monitor.

are you that liberty spokesman who's trying to sell me that package on TV?

shit, I'm busted.

On a serious note, the machine I have makes me bleed like I was stabbed with a sword, I was wondering if anyone could recommend one that is easier to use, and if it's normal for the reading to jump from the 60's to 160+ within hours. (Maybe the monitor I purchased is faulty?) I have checked on google and 10 sites say 10 different things). I'm eating, but not much because I've had the flu and I don't eat candy/cake or any sugary foods, nor do I drink alcohol anymore. It's another week before I see the Doc, just a question, not a medical emergency. The only "symptom" is that I'm very tired and instead of sleeping like most people, I have been sleeping in 1-2 hour spurts throughout a 24 hour period.

i wished i could help. my uncle is a diabetic, but i've never seen how he takes his blood tests

You should not bleed like a pig. Use the smallest sized lancets you can find. They will say they are painless or will brag how small the prick is (no comments here!). I can't think of the brand I use, but they're bright purple.

Do you fingerstick or armstick? With many of the newer glucometers you can actually stick your forearm rather than your fingers and it's supposed to give you a smaller drop of blood that's less painful to pull out. I've always done the finger as I've just gotten used to it. The one I use now says to use the forearm but I stick with the old finger.

Are you type I or type II?

Your sugar is out of whack when you're sick. I had bronchitis a few months ago for 7 weeks, and my sugar was like a rollercoaster, the minute I ate anything it would spike sky high and I felt like crap for weeks. The doctor simply reminded me ("Diabetes 101") that your sugar will be strange when sick. Also, don't skip meals. Your pancreas will think your sugar is low and will send more insulin into your system, pushing your sugar up higher.

Also, sugar isn't the only thing that will make it spike. Anything high in carbs, which convert to sugar in diabetics, will spike it. White bread, white rice and white potatoes are 3 of the worst foods a diabetic can eat.

Also, let me know if you have leg cramps at night ....

I'm not a doctor. That's who you should be talking to because every person with diabetes is different. I'm also a non-insulin dependant diabetic and have been so for about 10 years. Those on insulin will have totally different reactions.

My father is diabetic and he's injecting insulin twice a day

I agree with HairToStay. When you are ill eveything goes whacky. Also, for me when I am not sleeping properly my sugar gets to be a rollercoaster.

I have been Type2 for a couple of years and seem to have it under control. But, talk to your doctor... HairToStay is correct again... every diabetic is different.


Take care of yourself... this is a serious issue.

Nice help for those suffering with diabaties