Ah, the weekend!

[DianaB]

Wow!! It sounds like you got some really good buys at Macy's. That's one place that I've never shopped. We have them here.....I think.

I knew that I needed to eat lunch and was headed to the eating area, but I was in a new mall and was shopping as I was going. Pretty soon I broke out in a sweat and got real shaky so I handed my things to the girl at the counter and told her that I'd be back after I ate. It worried me because I didn't know how far I was from the food court but it ended up that I wasn't very far. I have a tiny bag of M & M's in my purse but I thought that I had time to make it. It ended up that I was shaking pretty bad by the time I got there so I just asked them to hand me my cup so I could get a drink first. They were very understanding. I just have to make sure that I eat very regularly. I hate having to worry about it because before I took the meds I didn't have any problem with it going low......of course, it was high!! I hate the feeling of having my blood sugar going low. It just muddles my brain and wipes me out.

[gja1000]

Originally Posted by DianaB

I hate having to worry about it because before I took the meds I didn't have any problem with it going low......of course, it was high!! I hate the feeling of having my blood sugar going low. It just muddles my brain and wipes me out.

Yep, that's the good with the bad! But the good outweighs the bad. Make sense? Uh, NO!

Low blood sugar does absolutely wipe you out and for some time after the event. Also, Gary tends to eat more than he would have it he had not let the low sugar event happen. You will get better at figuring out when it is going to happen - but you are so on track, part of the key is to eat regularly! That will really help. And to lower your med dose or snack when you are shopping (or doing anything that calls for more physical activity than you usually engage in).

When Gary took oral meds for his blood sugar, when he would go hunting he just wouldn't take the meds at all that morning (I am NOT advocating that) because he didn't want to have to eat. You make noise when you are eating in the woods and you might scare off a deer, don't you understand! LOL! The point is that you have to figure out things to do to keep your blood sugar from going too low, that fit into you lifestyle. For him that meant not taking his meds. A better solution is to take 1/2 your meds - because the extra exercise will keep you blood sugar just as low as the meds. Or eat/snack regularly so that your sugar doesn't get low. Diabetes shouldn't rule your life - you need to figure out how to make is a (small) part of your total life - and you will, it just takes a little time to get situated.

So, next time, just eat or snack or whatever - so that you don't have to interrupt the most important thing - SHOPPING!

[judy]

I hope you do learn all of these things easily Diana! It can be a difficult disease, but not if it's managed properly. I would hate to think of you having to restrict any of your life! I am sending you a hug and will keep you in my prayers, my friend.

[Janet]

Diana, I didn't realize it was still so bothersome. I hope Gayle's advice can help you. I don't know anything about diabetes.

I do know that if I wait too long to eat....I get so shaky. Once I find something to eat...I want to eat everything in site. I don't like that feeling.

[gja1000]

Originally Posted by Janet

I do know that if I wait too long to eat....I get so shaky. Once I find something to eat...I want to eat everything in site. I don't like that feeling.

That is classic low blood sugar, Janet.

Sometimes people have a sensitivity to simple carbohydrates (white sugar/flour, etc). And when they eat these foods, especially in larger quantities, then their pancreas secretes too much insulin and a few hours later, they get low blood sugar, feel shaky and have to eat.

And other people just get shaky when they get real hungry. The liver is supposed to release some glucose when we haven't eaten in a long time, so our blood sugar doesn't get too low, but sometimes it doesn't, so our blood sugar DOES get low. It won't go so low that we will die or anything. But someone taking medicine for diabetes, can actually die if they don't eat - that's usually only people taking insulin though, not oral meds.

It feels just like the low blood sugar that Diana had, and when it happens to Gary, he is also massively hungry and eats everything in sight. It happens to me too, occasionally. And when it does, I can't stop eating!

[Blueyes]

That's me, Gayle. I have found out that I do so much better without carbs. My blood sugar drops like a rock if I eat many carbs or much sugar. I carry peanut m&m's so that I get the sugar and protein together. I have learned to identify that feeling and catch it quick..if I don't, I'm done for because mine goes SO low.

[DianaB]

Thanks so much, Gayle. I really appreciate your advice. Like you said....I'm learning. I just need to pay more attention to the signs when they first start and eat regularly.

I already take half of 5 mg. so I think that I'll just not take it at all when I go out and see what happens.

[gja1000]

Originally Posted by Blueyes

That's me, Gayle. I have found out that I do so much better without carbs. My blood sugar drops like a rock if I eat many carbs or much sugar. I carry peanut m&m's so that I get the sugar and protein together. I have learned to identify that feeling and catch it quick..if I don't, I'm done for because mine goes SO low.

My ex-husband had that problem and my daughter (his daughter) has the problem also. It is very maddening!!! Hooray for peanut m&m's!