I am having a hard time controlling my blood sugar. It stays in the 200's-400's. The higher number after meals. I'm not educated in the foods I should be eating and am a horrible cook. I just underwent a triple heart bypass and the doctors are saying most was contributed by diabetes. I am injecting Lantus and Regular insulin now, which is keeping the numbers down in the 200's. Could someone share their blood sugar numbers with me. Mama Kay

P.S. Could other diabetics share their blood sugar numbers with me. How low and how high. I know the range I'm supposed to be shooting for, but getting there is a big problem for me. Any help would be appreciated, Any!!!!! Mama Kay

Hi mamak, Here are my numbers from when I was diagnosed:

Fasting: 200-250.
2 hours post-prandial: ranges between 175-225
pre-meal: ranges between 125-160
HA1C: 8.3
This was prior to any medication or changes in the diet. The medication helped control my numbers but resulted in severe hypoglycemia AND other mysterious and uncontrollable symptoms that landed me in the ER at least 3X per week. This went on for several months. Then I worked with my dr to stop the medication and began a strict diet and excercise regimin to gain control of my health naturally. That is what changed my life. Here are what my readings look like now:

Fasting: 90-95
2 hours post-prandial: ranges between 100-115
pre-meal: ranges between 95-100
Recent HA1C: 5.0
I firmly believe that you cannot rely on medication alone to gain control. Diet and excercise are both so vitally important in stabilizing the blood glucose levels. In many cases, once the diet is controlled, medication can be reduced or eliminated altogether.

You don't need to be a good cook to eat right. I happen to be a good cook, but unfortunately for me, my specialties are no longer made because I don't eat like that any more :) Simple is better. Grilled or broiled meat/fish/poultry, steamed veggies, brown rice... this is the menu at my house 5 nights per week. It takes 20 minutes to cook. And its always yummy. I don't even miss the rich and gooey. :D

Portion control is key. Limit carbs to high fiber, natural sources (for me rice and potatoes althouh this does not work for everyone) - skip the bread, muffins, bagels, rolls, etc. Skip sauces and gravies. Definately skip all sugars except for whole fresh fruit (apples, strawberries, blueberries, pears).

More information on diet control in the thread, "Explain Tight Control" - here is the link:
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=213548

Jdimassimo, Thank you so much for your post, numbers and link. I have been so disturbed over what to do because of the recent surgery. I want to live, and a wonderful miracle would be to live without injections or medicines. Thank you so much for your caring time. Mama Kay

Ask your doctor to refer you to a dietician. The dietician can tell you exactly what to eat and how much to eat based on your age, medication, weight, etc. Diet and exercise are your best hope for a healthier life. Remember: Eat to live, do not live to eat.
Jody

Thanks Jody, Right now I'm without insurance. At the time of my bypass my husband was layed off work. So I've been in a panic about what to do. I knew I had diabetes but was in denial for some years. It all caught up with me. I'm 6 weeks post op today and when I took my BS, it was 404, and this is 1 hour after eating a sandwich and nothing else. I have lots to learn, to live.