Question:
blood sugar levels 300 and higher
I was just told that i have diabetes but was given no information about it instead was sent home and told to come back later in the week. The next day my blood sugar was reading 312. the day before it was over 400, why are my eyes affected when the numbers go into the 400 like that? my dr doesn't like to ansere questions or seems irratated when i complain and want to know things. what is the highest the numbers can go before i should get to the clinic? Also what can i do to bring the blood sugar level back down? this one is very important for me to know. Thank you all who answer. — candy L. (posted on February 9, 2008)
February 8, 2008
You should have been treated better. I would return to that medical
facility and complain, asking to see a different doctor. You should have
been given some information on diabetes, and your doctor should be more
than willing to answer questions. DAVE
— Dave Chambers
February 8, 2008
I don't know if you are referring to your surgeon or family doctor, but if
you are referring to your surgeon, you need to get to your family doctor.
You also need to see an endocrinologist--RIGHT AWAY!!! My husband's blood
sugars were in the 400s. Diabetes affects all the major organs of the
body, including, but not limited to, the eyes, kidneys, liver, etc. It
sounds like you need insulin like my husband does. His sugars now range in
the mornings from 125 to 155 and in the evenings from 175 to 210. He still
needs better control, but at least it is better than the 400s. My family
doctor told us he has seen people's blood sugars go as high as 1000 and
they are still walking around, but he also said anything over 400 is
dangerous. You also need to have blood tests done to check your liver and
kidneys too. I definitely recommend you get to an endocrinologist ASAP.
My husband dealt with our family doctor for years to try to help control
his diabetes and he got frustrated and stopped taking care of himself. We
have had only visit to the endocrinologist so far and within 3 days of the
medication she prescribed, his sugars cut in half. Make sure you call
first thing Monday morning to get in to the endocrinologist. Also, any
time a doctor won't answer your questions--it's time to move on to a new
doctor. That is what doctors are supposed to do--answer ALL of your
questions and take time with you. This is your health and your life--don't
mess around with a doctor who won't help you or seems "annoyed"
by your questions. There are plenty of doctors out there who WANT to help
you and are willing to spend the time with you. Good luck and please feel
free to e-mail me or keep us posted here.
— ALafferty
February 8, 2008
GET A NEW DR. !! YOU ARE PAYING HIM FOR YOUR CARE!
— Reelbaby
February 8, 2008
i am a nurse and work on a diabetic/renal unit at a hospital. first of
all..... diabetes is very serious and can cause very serious problems, so
your doctor should not have just told you to come back later in the week.
did they put you on any medication? you need to meet with a diabetic
educator and soon. check your sugars often and if it gets greater than 450
go to the clinic or emergency room. the highest sugar i have personally
seen was 1200 and that man was drunk off liquor- needless to say we were
giving him insulin all day long to get it back down. as far as what you can
do to get the sugar down, basically nothing at the time will bring it down
other than insulin. you need to focus on keeping it down and trying not to
let it get high. are you eating right? if you haven't had any education on
diabetes and diet then you probably don't know what will effect your blood
sugars. 1) of course stay away from concentrated sweets like, candy,
chocolate, cakes, pies, regular soft drinks, etc. and the next step 2) is
to limit carbs- breads, rice, pasta, potatoes, cereals, etc. 3) exercise is
good to keep your sugars at lower levels too. you don't have to do much,
but something every day will help. please don't let this go too long
untreated, because you need to see a doctor and be either put on oral
medications or an insulin regimen. the problem with diabetes is alot of
times it is doing damage that you don't even know about. it effects your
eyes, heart, veins and arteries, blood pressure, cholesterol, circulation,
kidneys, and if left untreated can be fatal. please follow up on your
diabetes and don't let the doctors push you away from your treatment and
education. good luck and i hope this helps...Holly P.S. you can
also go to the American Diabetic Association's website and see what they
have to offer as far as education and advice is concerned.
— RNlvnCARSON
February 9, 2008
I THINK IT'S TIME TO FIND ANOTHER DR. THERE'S NO WAY I WOULD HAVE LEFT
THERE NOT KNOWING WHAT I WANT TO KNOW FROM A DR. DIABETES IS SERIOUS AND
I'D COMPLAIN TO THE COMPANY THAT HE WORKS FOR AND START LOOKING FOR ANOTHER
DR IF I WERE YOU. YOU SPEND HARD EARNED MONEY GOING TO THE DR AND YOU
DESERVE ANSWERS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEALTH. GOOD LUCK, I'LL
BE PRAYING FOR YOU. GOD BLESS, DEBI
— DEBI R.
February 9, 2008
Candy,
If it were me - I'd go to the ER and describe your symptoms, tell them that
you've been advised that you are diabetic but not how to deal with it.
They will set you up with appropriate care immediately. In the meantime -
yeah, what they said! (The other responders to your post.) Get a new PCP!
Find a reputable endochrinologist! Learn about diabetes online - there
are so many resources available nowadays. And push forward with WLS. If
you haven't checked it out yet, see what you can find about the DS - it has
the best results with resolution of diabetes in post-ops. In fact, my
surgeon offers the surgery to non-MO patients with severe diabetes to
eliminate metabolic syndrome (diabetes, htn, high cholesterol,
triglycerides, etc). It's pretty amazing.
Just from my own experience - yep, been there, done that. My fasting blood
sugars WITH five meds were in the high 200s and low 300s. My diabetes was
quite severe, I also had congestive heart failure so my docs wouldn't put
me on insulin - I was already having little heart attacks and they felt
that the move to insulin would do my heart in. So I had my WLS and within
days my blood sugars were normal - and have been for over 5 and a half
years. I enjoy an amazing quality of life and the incredible benefits that
have come with the resolution of so many severe co-morbidities.
I hope the same for you, friend!
Blessings,
dina
— Dina McBride
February 9, 2008
I went through something similar when I first found out I had diabetes,
only my Dr was ok. First off, until you get the right help, lay off of the
carbs! They will kill you, honest. As your blood sugar goes down, your
eyes will feel better. Watch ALL carbs, even the good ones. Fruit juice
and soda pop is a no-no. Lean meat and low starch vegies until you can get
a proper diet. Also, no one told me carbs in dairy products also count.
Try to keep your carbs at about 190 grams and it will help. From now on
you will always have to count your carb grams, so learn your labels. AND
FIND A DIFFERENT DR!
— Bec Wal
February 9, 2008
THESE ARE ALL GREAT POSTS TO YOUR QUESTION, SO I WILL TRY TO NOT REPEAT
ANYTHING :) ONE THING THAT I WANT TO SAY IS THAT, I KNOW YOU ARE CONCERNED
ABOUT YOUR DR. GETTING ANGRY AND NOT APROVING OF THE SURGERY (FROM YOUR
EARLIER POST), BUT RIGHT NOW THIS IS MORE SERIOUS, IF YOUR BS LEVELS GET
TOO HIGH YOU COULD GO INTO A DIABETIC COMA!! IF YOUR INSURANCE HAS APPROVED
YOU FOR SURGERY, GO TO ANOTHER PHYSICIAN!! THERE ARE MANY OUT THERE AND
OTHER PCP'S WILL APPROVE YOUR SURGERY AS WELL... ALSO LISTEN TO ALL THESE
GREAT POSTS THEY HAVE GIVEN YOU SOME GOOD INFORMATION. IF YOUR BS GETS TOO
HIGH THIS WEEKEND, GO TO THE ER!! I REALLY DONT LIKE THE ACTIONS OF THIS
PCP THAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW, I WOULD TELL HIM OFF......
— Melissa F.
February 9, 2008
Hello Candy,
I'd get another doctor if they feel that answering questions are beneath
him/her and as suggested by others-- get to a physician QUICKLY that is
going to treat you with respect and treat your condition. Diabetes can
cause blindness and one could go into what is call diabetic coma. I hope
you have recv'd medical attention because the higher your numbers go up the
more danger you are in.
— the7thdean
February 9, 2008
HELLO jUST WANTED TO SAY, i WAS A INSULIN DEPENDANT DIABETIC FOR 15 YEARS,
THANKS TO GASTIC BYPASS I NO LONGER DEPEND ON INSULIN, BUT YOU BRING UP
SOME VERY IMPORTANT POINTS, I TRY AND PREACH TO PEOPLE I FIND OUT THAT HAVE
DIABETES THEY NEED 3 THINGS, NUMBER 1 AND MOST IMPORTANT A DR THAT YOU CAN
COMMUNICATE WITH AND UNDERSTAND, WITHOUT THAT YOU WILL STRUGGLE TO
UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR CONDITION, #2 YOU SHOULD TAKE A DIABETES
EDUCATION CLASS TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DIABETES PERIOD, AND LAST BUT A VERY
GOOD THING TO DO IS SEE A DIETICIAN, A GOOD DIETICIAN WILL NOT ONLY HELP
YOUR GLUCOSE READING BUT WILL RELAX YOU AND MAKE YOU NOT AS FEARFUL ABOUT
WHAT YOU CAN AND CANT EAT, BUT FROM WHAT I READ THE LAST 2 DAYS YOUR DR
DOES NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT DIABETES AND DOESNT CARE ABOUT TREATING IT, BACK
BEFORE I WAS ON INSULIN i HAD A SIMILAR DR, AND I WAS TO SCARED TO EAT
ANYTHING AND MADE MYSLF WORST BECAUSE I WAS SO CONFUSED, I MET ANOTHER DR,
AND HE HELPED ME UNDERSTAND AND HE ALWAYS, ASKED ME IF I HAD QUESTIONS OR
CONCERNS, I CONTROLED IT FOR 12 YEARS AFTER MEETING HIM, HE ALSO WAS
INFAVOR OF ME HAVING GASTIC BYPASS BECAUSE HE KNEW WITHOUT IT I WOULD NEVER
GET RID OF INSULIN. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I MAY CAN HELP WIT EMAIL ME
ON HERE OR [email protected] IM ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP DIABETICS THE
MOST I CAN, BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND AND COME TO TERMS WITH
SOME TIMES....
— dapoohster38
February 9, 2008
You need to see an endocrinologist ASAP ! Change doctors, this one doesmn't
seem very responsible!
Take control and take care of yourself!!! Keep in touch, let us know!
— JackieK
February 9, 2008
Oh My Goodness!
If you cant ask your Dr's questions,you need to get a new one ASAP. High
blood sugar is nothing to mess around with. Im a RN and I see people like
this all the time and my advice is to get another Dr. The best way to make
change is by education and learning and your Dr. should be providing you
with this!
Best of luck
TracySue
— [Deactivated Member]
February 9, 2008
you need a different dr. my wife is diabetic and hers goes up like that
also. She is on insulin and pills. You sould have been treated right then
and I don't care if he of she does not like questions or not that is what
they are there for. You need a different dr this is not just anything it
can cause coma and kidney failure among other things. I am not tring to
scare you but find another dr. My wife had one like that and he like to
have killed her. She found on that would listen and answer questions and
she is doing better. Watch what you eat nothing starchy or packed with
sugar or carbs because that turns to sugar in the body. when it goes over
200 lay down because your blood thickens due to all the sugar trapped in it
drink plenty of water when it is high because of the excessing urination.
That is your kidneys tring to filter the blood of all the sugar and you can
dehydrate easily. See a nutritionist also they can help you know how to
eat. Your eyes are affected because the sugar also builds in the eye
fluid. It should straighten up when your sugar levels out if it has not
been too long go also to a eye dr every year. Good luck. GET A DR THAT
WILL LISTEN AND REFUSE TO LEAVE UNTIL YOU GET ANSWERS. THAT IS YOUR RIGHT
YOU ARE PAYING THEM FOR CARE AND DEMAND IT.
— JohnK334
February 9, 2008
Many people don't realize that they have the right to fire their physician.
I would fire this physician immediately and either find another one who is
in the same clinic, or a totally different clinic. I would also complain
to the higher ups of the clinic. Some people are in rural settings (I am)
and have limited access to good physicians. Many people are saying get to
an endocrinologist. Also, if you are in a rural setting that may not be
possible at the drop of a hat. And I know many people who are managed very
well with their family physician and getting education through a diabetes
center. Also remember, just because someone graduated medical school
doesn't make them a good doctor. There is a top half and a bottom half of
the class. This doctor sounds like a bottom half kind of doc. Take care.
— ajinmn
February 9, 2008
This is unacceptable behavior by you physician! Make an appt to see and
endocrinologist .Since you are online begin learning about Diabetes there.A
blood sugar of 300 is a great concern!By all means DO complain !See a MD
asap!
— Lori M.
February 10, 2008
You should never let anyone you are paying treat you like that. I have and
endo appt tomorrow and I know my doctor would never send me home if my
fasting sugar was over 200 with insulin or some sort of directions. This is
a very scary disease you need a new doctor in Endocrinology or Intenal
medicine that has time to talk to you about your future and this disease.
— 070510
February 10, 2008
I quickly skimmed your profile and, unless I missed something, it sounds
like you have not had any weight loss surgery.
I too was diagnosed with diabetes July 5, 2007. My BMI was similar to
yours. My A1C was 7.6 (way too high) -- BTW, this is the best blood test to
get because it shows the average of your blood sugar range over 3 months,
not just the moment in time shown by glucose tests.
I was sick of the years of struggling with my weight, but the diabetic
diagnoses is what really freaked me out. It seemed like every lab test
revealed some potential complication --the beginning of kidney problems,
heart disease, etc. My (new) primary care doctor, who is an
endocrinologist, suggested gastric bypass -- and I was in total agreement.
(I chose bypass vs lapband because the weight loss and improved blood sugar
results come much more quickly than lapband).
Because of my diabetic complications (and high blood pressure, acid reflux,
high cholesterol, etc etc), my (tough) insurance co. approved the surgery.
I had surgery 10/22/07. It has totally changed my life since. By blood
sugars returned to normal within 3 days after surgery -- and have stayed
that way WITHOUT meds since. My 3 month labs showed normal functioning in
all categories, no kidney problems and my A1C is 5.5 !!!
As of yesterday, I am down 100 lbs since July 5 -- and 70 lbs since
surgery!! I feel like a new person, am active, etc. and don't hesitate to
do things (even simple things I avoided before, like walking through any
store, go to any event, etc and not be suffering back pain, pounding heart,
breathlessness, and sweating.)
My surgeon offers very good education and support groups -- which are
necessary because this surgery is not a "get out of jail free"
card. After the initial healing period and re-introduction of
"real" food weeks later, work absolutely is necessary (planning
healthy eating and regular, intense exercise).
My best wishes to you in finding a better doctor and taking care of
yourself. Better health can be a reality. Gastric bypass has worked for me
and I think can for anyone truly motivated.
— Cathy 1.
February 10, 2008
You need to go to the doctor or emergency room NOW! That is very very high
and dangerous. Don't call GO!
— jonicorona
February 10, 2008
It is time for you to find a new doctor Sweetie...this is your life that
you are talking about and that Doctor is working for you!! You have to get
aggressive.
Joy
— MadameJoy
February 10, 2008
In having wls I still am diabetic, but my blood sugar is controled with
diet. It does spike sometimes to over 200 plus. Last week it was 319 and I
was told to come fasting when I come to see my dr. When during your visit
had you eaten something before coming to the office? I always do not eat
before or drink anything except a very small amount of fluid to take my bp
meds before I get to the drs office. If it is high then she tells me to
keep a track of my blood sugars for 1 week and if they are still high over
200 to come back in and see what she can do to get it lower. I also have to
keep check on and record what I eat so not to spike my blood sugars. Now
there are times when I will exercise and or clean up kind of all day and
with a steady pace and my blood sugars will drop very low, unreadable and
cause me to almost pass out until get something to eat and bring it back
up. You need to consult with the dr and see why he/she told you nothing and
or why he/she did not act concerned it being so high. Others posted good
answers and I say consult dr and or seek other professional. Your eyes are
affected due to high blood sugars causing blurred vision. Being morbid or
super morbid obese affects the eyes. It did mine as well as having
Rheumatoid arthritis. Cut out carbs sugar sodas exercise more and drink
plenty of water to flush out any impurities in your body.
— mspisces
February 10, 2008
Hopefully you go to the ER and have an appt with another family dr or
endocronologist to get the help you need. You shouldn't have to deal with
high blood sugars. I'm a type 1 diabetic, was admitted at age 27 yrs old
with a blood sugar of 375. I know the feelings of high blood sugar, keep
off the carbs and the best of luck to you!!!
— SJWendy
February 10, 2008
Candy, I would be making a complaint to the AMA on that doctor. For one
thing, you are the person that should be in charge of your health. You
have a right to know anything and everything. It is up to you to get the
best care and obviously this doctor is not giving it to you. I agree, go
to an endconologist. You know what is wrong and you need some care and
education about it. One of the best ways to take care of Diabetis is
education. Most doctors will send you to classes. I had one doctor treat
me that way and she wasn't my doctor very long. Judy
— jk_harris
February 10, 2008
As a nurse if what you say is true, I would express these concerns to your
Dr. If he does not listen, get another Dr. You should also see an
endocrinologist (diabetes specialist) and get to classes right a way. If
there are no classes in the next week or 2 ask to see a nutritionist.
— Donna O.
February 11, 2008
I was in your situation. diabetes, very bad. 160 units of insulin shots ea
day. but after rny surgery 4/06, i have not taken another shot since that
day. no pills either.my blood sugar today was 92. the "cure" for
diabetes is weight loss, exercise, and continuing to eat right. more
protein, less carbs. get the surgery !!
— shalmar
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