I have gestational diabetes.My fasting is averaging 92-95.they want to start pills if this continues..why?

Question

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with GDM 2 weeks ago and i have been on diet ever since.I was happy that my levels are in range with 1 hr after meal value being under 128 and fasting around 92-95.But the RN said that they will put me on pills if i run at this fasting value.Do you think i should take meds.At what value of fasting did they start medicines for you...i do not want to take glyburide and become hypoglycemic and upset my system which is going ok so far.what are your comments, please share.

Answer 1

Did they tell you what normal is and how high you are relative to normal?  Do you exercise?  Just a half hour walk every day can make a difference.  Two walks a day would be even better.  See if they will let you try exercise before they put you on medicine.  If you do end up needing the medicine, take it, but hopefully changes in diet and exercise will make the difference. As to diet, eating high fiber can really make a difference.  

My husband was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes last year.  He has done so well by changing his diet and running.  I think that you won't want to run while you're pregnant! Try to find good exercise for you, walking, swimming or biking.  Be disciplined about getting the exercise done and you'll be healthy all around and bring your child up to be healthier, too.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I had GD when I was pregnant also.  They like your fasting levels to be under 90.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take pills.  I was on the diet, and insulin shots twice a day.  UGH!

Answer 3

Umm, yeah u should take the meds if they tell u too!

I was supposed to be at 90 and 120...then put on insulin FIVE times a day (2 long acting: waking up and going to bed/3 short after each meal)

Answer 4

Cinnamon is one of the best thing to take to rid your body of diabetes!!

Proper diet is critical for treating diabetes. One of the most important dietary precautions you can take is to eliminate all refined sugars and sugar products from your diet. Such products include refined sugar, corn syrup, cornstarch, dextrose, dextrin, fructose, fruit juice concentrates, glucose, lactose, malt, maltodextrin, maltose, mannitol, sorbitol, sorghum, sucrose, and xylitol. Honey, Maple syrup, Agaves or Chicory syrup must also be eliminated if you are pre-diabetic or diabetic. Also reduce or eliminate your intake of alcohol and caffeine. Remove fast food, refined foods, processed "junk" foods, soda, fried foods, and all products containing white flour. Choose quality protein snacks between meals, or soaked nuts, and fresh vegetables and vegetable only juices as between meal options.

To help your body better regulate blood glucose levels, also reduce your overall carbohydrate intake, replacing simple carbohydrates with complex carbohydrate foods. This means use whole flours and grains, beans, legumes, and fresh fiber-rich vegetables, rather than choosing to eat refined foods. Eating five to six small meals a day, instead of the traditional three larger meals, can also help balance blood sugar levels and prevent excessively high insulin spikes after eating. In addition, a vegetarian diet high in organic vegetables and complex whole grains, along with small intakes of whole fruit that contains seeds or pits, rather than fruit juice, has been found to be helpful for many people suffering from diabetes. Jerusalem artichoke is another food that can help diabetics control blood sugar levels. A diet rich in healthy fats, such as avocados, nuts, seeds, extra virgin olive, raw virgin coconut butter and high lignin flax seed oil also supports you in maintaining level and stable blood sugar levels.

Many diabetes patients fare well on a diet that consist of 55 to 60 percent complex carbohydrates, 15 to 20 percent protein (with a minimum of 45 grams of protein per day), and 20 to 25 percent healthy fats. In addition, you should increase your fiber intake to a daily level of 40 to 50 grams of fiber, with 10 to 15 grams of soluble fiber. High-fiber foods like beans and whole grains can be added slowly, perhaps at a rate of one serving per week, along with an increase in your intake of pure, filtered water.

Eating According to the Glycemic Index: Eating foods that have negligible impact on insulin levels can be especially important for people with diabetes. A scientific system of measurement known as the glycemic index was developed by researchers at the University of Toronto specifically for this purpose. Foods that have a high glycemic rating cause the greatest spikes in insulin levels, while foods with a low glycemic index are much more appropriate choices for diabetics because they do not produce significant impacts on insulin levels. By eating meals that contain an abundance of low-glycemic foods, you can significant improve your body`s ability to maintain low insulin and blood sugar levels.

Low-glycemic foods include raw, organic leafy green vegetables, fruits that contain seeds or pits, sweet potatoes, yams, organic whole-grains and whole grain breads, most legumes and nuts, yogurt, buttermilk, poultry, many types of fishes, and lean cuts of beef, bison, or lamb. In general, cooked foods have a higher glycemic rating than raw foods.

Foods with a high-glycemic rating include white breads, bagels, English muffins, commercially packaged cereals, cookies, pastries, and most other desserts, raisins and dried fruits, white potatoes, whole milk and cheeses (both of which are high in lactose, a type of sugar), peanuts, peanut butter, and all processed flesh foods such as hot dogs and luncheon meats. Such foods are best avoided altogether.

Answer 5

that medicine is one of the best you can take one of them and you check your blood check it after each meal and before bedtime and you will be ok. yes you take it cause if you don't' could get higher. i am assuming that when you are pg you are diabetic? well that is meaning when you are older you will become one. so if you take meds that is fine. take care.

Answer 6

Have you tried having more protein with your bedtime snack? Don't make it a dessert, make it more like toast and cottage cheese, or turkey & apples.  Sometimes having a good snack with protein right at bedtime will keep you from dipping low in the middle of the night. If you dip low, your liver will release stored glucose to compensate which results in you having a higher fasting blood sugar when you wake up. So if you have something that takes all night to break down such as complex carbs + protein + fat you don't dip low enough to trigger your liver.  

I'm on metformin (glucophage) and lantus (long-acting insulin) but I'm a diabetic even before pregnancy, not able to go it with diet alone.