3-hour glucose puker: anyone else?

[rels09]

So, I went for my 3-hour glucose test this morning after barely failing the one-hour. I ate a bunch of peanut butter toast right before I had to start fasting, had sips of water after I woke up, and got there at 8:30, so I figured I would be ok. I got my fasting level drawn and then drank the 100g of glucose by 8:55. By 9:45, I was in the bathroom puking orange stuff.

The lab called my doctor's office, and they said I would have to try again on Monday, and if I puked again, I would have to monitor my blood sugar at home for one week. I couldn't see how another try would end up any different, so I asked if I could just skip right to the one week of monitoring instead, and they said yes. So, now I have an Rx for a meter and such, and I am scared shitless of poking myself. I grew up with a terrible phobia of needles, which I conquered through exposure in my last pregnancy (especially when I was in the hospital), but doing anything on myself is the last frontier of my fear.

T1 ladies - any tips for a wimp like me? I want to be as tough as you!

And if anyone else pukes at the 3-hour, come in here and commiserate.

[smilz4782]

I'm not T1, or even T2...
Have you had your finger pricked before giving blood?
It's like that. Tiny needle in a plastic case (my dad's pen you push a button and get pricked you don't see the needle before hand) and you squeeze a drop of blood onto a strip.
HTH some!

[robotpcr]

Ugh, that all sounds awful, sorry.

[smilz4782]

Like this black pen

[CaptainLeela]

I'm sorry . I have my 3 hour on Monday and am scared...it just seems like such a bad idea to make a pregnant woman fast and then chug a shitload of sugar. I feel like it's going to be one of those things that the medical community looks back on in twenty years and says "I can't believe we made women do that."

If it helps, you can't even see the needle on the lancets. And a lot of the time you won't even feel the poke. It's the tiniest thing ever.

[rels09]

Feb 6, 2015 15:04:22 GMT -5 smilz4782 said:

I'm not T1, or even T2...
Have you had your finger pricked before giving blood?
It's like that. Tiny needle in a plastic case (my dad's pen you push a button and get pricked you don't see the needle before hand) and you squeeze a drop of blood onto a strip.
HTH some!

Yes, I know what it is. As I stated, I am intimidated by doing something ON myself (as opposed to having it done to me). I get that that would be no big deal for lots of people, but it's a tough one for me given my history. Obviously, I am going to do it, but I thought maybe one of the ladies who has done this literally thousands of times might have a tip or two to make my first few times easier, until I get used to it.

[robotpcr]

Could you have your husband push the button for you? When I've used MH's machine to test my blood sugar he always pushes the button the triggers the lancet. Maybe that would be easier for you than pushing the button yourself.

[smilz4782]

Feb 6, 2015 15:12:16 GMT -5 rels09 said:

Feb 6, 2015 15:04:22 GMT -5 smilz4782 said:

I'm not T1, or even T2...
Have you had your finger pricked before giving blood?
It's like that. Tiny needle in a plastic case (my dad's pen you push a button and get pricked you don't see the needle before hand) and you squeeze a drop of blood onto a strip.
HTH some!

Yes, I know what it is. As I stated, I am intimidated by doing something ON myself (as opposed to having it done to me). I get that that would be no big deal for lots of people, but it's a tough one for me given my history. Obviously, I am going to do it, but I thought maybe one of the ladies who has done this literally thousands of times might have a tip or two to make my first few times easier, until I get used to it.

Ok well I used to have to give myself injections with medicine for my JRA 2x a week. With a big needle on the side of my thigh or belly.
They showed us how to pinch a chunk of flesh to make it less painful.
And after the first few times it was NBD.

I think your biggest challenge will be psyching yourself up to hit that button.
Honestly, just put that pen to your fingertip and count to three. Have DH maybe do it the first time or so while you look away.

[hotcoconuts82]

I'm so sorry you puked! I didn't puke but I came close. I almost had to lay on the floor at one point. I hope you get through it on Monday!

[rels09]

Feb 6, 2015 15:14:18 GMT -5 robotpcr said:

Could you have your husband push the button for you? When I've used MH's machine to test my blood sugar he always pushes the button the triggers the lancet. Maybe that would be easier for you than pushing the button yourself.

Yeah, I want to start over the weekend so that he can help me. He's already giving me huge shots once a week, so it should be no biggie for him to help with this.

[t1green]

Feb 6, 2015 14:59:47 GMT -5 rels09 said:

So, I went for my 3-hour glucose test this morning after barely failing the one-hour. I ate a bunch of peanut butter toast right before I had to start fasting, had sips of water after I woke up, and got there at 8:30, so I figured I would be ok. I got my fasting level drawn and then drank the 100g of glucose by 8:55. By 9:45, I was in the bathroom puking orange stuff.

The lab called my doctor's office, and they said I would have to try again on Monday, and if I puked again, I would have to monitor my blood sugar at home for one week. I couldn't see how another try would end up any different, so I asked if I could just skip right to the one week of monitoring instead, and they said yes. So, now I have an Rx for a meter and such, and I am scared shitless of poking myself. I grew up with a terrible phobia of needles, which I conquered through exposure in my last pregnancy (especially when I was in the hospital), but doing anything on myself is the last frontier of my fear.

T1 ladies - any tips for a wimp like me? I want to be as tough as you!

And if anyone else pukes at the 3-hour, come in here and commiserate.

The finger pricking is not that bad.  I promise you.  Just start with the lowest number on your poker and go from there.  Also, only prick your index, middle, and ring fingers.  Stay away from the pinky at all costs.  I repeat STAY AWAY FROM THE PINKY!

[t1green]

Also, I know some people suggested having your husband push the button for you but I really think you need to get comfortable with doing it yourself. If you end up needing to test your glucose throughout the day then you aren't always going to have someone there to push the button for you. I mean this in the nicest way possible, but it's time to put on the big girl panties and suck it up. You can do this. It's not that big of a deal.

[rels09]

Feb 6, 2015 15:47:13 GMT -5 t1green said:

Also, I know some people suggested having your husband push the button for you but I really think you need to get comfortable with doing it yourself. If you end up needing to test your glucose throughout the day then you aren't always going to have someone there to push the button for you. I mean this in the nicest way possible, but it's time to put on the big girl panties and suck it up. You can do this. It's not that big of a deal.

Yes, I get that it's not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things, but we all have our own hangups tied to our histories, no? I am a pretty tough chick and have done plenty of shit that would probably trigger other people's fears, but didn't trigger mine. Regretting posting now, since I am apparently supposed to be fearless in all things.

Thanks for the tip about the pinky, though. I will stay away from there!

[shmee]

Make sure your hands are warm and just washed, too.

[Ee]

Aw, just chiming in to offer sympathy. That really sucks to have to do that when you're scared of needles. I know you can do it though! Remember it's all for your LO!

[t1green]

Feb 6, 2015 15:54:55 GMT -5 rels09 said:

Feb 6, 2015 15:47:13 GMT -5 t1green said:

Also, I know some people suggested having your husband push the button for you but I really think you need to get comfortable with doing it yourself. If you end up needing to test your glucose throughout the day then you aren't always going to have someone there to push the button for you. I mean this in the nicest way possible, but it's time to put on the big girl panties and suck it up. You can do this. It's not that big of a deal.

Yes, I get that it's not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things, but we all have our own hangups tied to our histories, no? I am a pretty tough chick and have done plenty of shit that would probably trigger other people's fears, but didn't trigger mine. Regretting posting now, since I am apparently supposed to be fearless in all things.

Thanks for the tip about the pinky, though. I will stay away from there!

I didn't mean that you should be fearless about it. Just that once you get going you'll realize that it isn't so bad. The needle is teeny tiny and if you get the clicker then you'll never even see it. Starting on the lowest number will ensure that you'll barely feel anything. Please don't read too much into what I wrote.

But honestly, if someone kept coming up to me asking me to click their clicker because they were afraid of a finger poke then I'd certainly tell them that they need to start trying to get used to it.  It's like learning to drive a car.  It's scary at first but you get the hang of it and you'll look back and wonder what you were ever so afraid of.  Or maybe it's like learning to ride a bike but I wouldn't know because I can't ride a bike so I use the car example instead.

[t1green]

Feb 6, 2015 15:55:59 GMT -5 shmee said:

Make sure your hands are warm and just washed, too.

I swear I'm the worst diabetic ever. I never wash my hands before poking and I've had the same lancet for over a month. I know you're supposed to change them out after each use but who does that?

[queenrichie]

Oh my goodness! You poor thing! I have yet to do mine, sorry I have no advice for you!

[rels09]

Feb 6, 2015 16:24:14 GMT -5 t1green said:

Feb 6, 2015 15:54:55 GMT -5 rels09 said:

Yes, I get that it's not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things, but we all have our own hangups tied to our histories, no? I am a pretty tough chick and have done plenty of shit that would probably trigger other people's fears, but didn't trigger mine. Regretting posting now, since I am apparently supposed to be fearless in all things.

Thanks for the tip about the pinky, though. I will stay away from there!

I didn't mean that you should be fearless about it. Just that once you get going you'll realize that it isn't so bad. The needle is teeny tiny and if you get the clicker then you'll never even see it. Starting on the lowest number will ensure that you'll barely feel anything. Please don't read too much into what I wrote.

But honestly, if someone kept coming up to me asking me to click their clicker because they were afraid of a finger poke then I'd certainly tell them that they need to start trying to get used to it.  It's like learning to drive a car.  It's scary at first but you get the hang of it and you'll look back and wonder what you were ever so afraid of.  Or maybe it's like learning to ride a bike but I wouldn't know because I can't ride a bike so I use the car example instead.

Haha, I haven't ridden a bike in over 10 years either, so I hear you there. I definitely will have to conquer this, as I stated. If I end up feeling more comfortable with H doing it the first couple times, so be it, but we both have to go to work on Monday, so it's not like that would be a long-term thing (more than a day or so) anyway.

[ndracer]

I almost puked that first hour. I was thinking hiow cruel it is to do to women. Then found out my lab lets you bring in water to drink after. The lab I went to the first time wouldn't let me do that so I had no water with me. I think that may have helped.
Good luck with the self testing.

[orangepickle]

I skipped the glucose test completely because I had gastric bypass about 10 years ago - went straight to measuring my blood sugar at home for a week, and it's really no big deal. You hardly feel the finger prick - the hardest part for me was remembering to test an hour after each meal... there were a few times where I wouldn't remember until 3-4 hours later.

Good luck!

[sarahchrismck]

I'm sorry that happened. I'm terrified of needles as well, so I completely understand how terrifying it must be to have to poke yourself. I don't have any advice to offer, but hoping you can get through it. Good luck!!

[Renarene]

One good thing about already having diabetes is that I get to skip those nasty drinks!

I also have a fear of needles. As a child I had to be held down. I got better as I got older because I knew it was just something I had to deal with. Getting blood drawn and seeing any part of mine or someone else's IV's being put in makes me get light headed. A lot of the time I have to be talked through the blood draw just to stay conscious. I don't want to talk about the one time I gave blood.

Last year I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I was scared shitless of pricking my finger. I thought about asking my husband to do it but decided it was something I had to just get over and do it. The first 8 months or so I literally counted to three before I pricked myself. I did not let myself hesitate more than that. I took the same approach when I had to start insulin at 12 weeks pregnant.

For me it was a mental thing, I knew it wouldn't be that painful! So I gave myself the count to three and then did what I had to do!

Good luck and I hope your numbers are look good!

[Renarene]

Feb 6, 2015 16:28:30 GMT -5 t1green said:

Feb 6, 2015 15:55:59 GMT -5 shmee said:

Make sure your hands are warm and just washed, too.

I swear I'm the worst diabetic ever. I never wash my hands before poking and I've had the same lancet for over a month. I know you're supposed to change them out after each use but who does that?

Haha! Good to know I'm not the only one!! A couple weeks ago I had touched powdered sugar right before I tested, not thinking, and it was almost 400! I about fell over. Then I remembered the powdered sugar, washed my hands and tested again at 89.

I should seriously change my lancet more often though!

[jerseyakl]

So sorry you got sick! I took my 3 hour this morning and got lightheaded a few times, but that's it.

If you are really worried about the needle, you might want to try again just in case. Maybe you chugged it too fast. Use more of the 5 minutes if you can. And be sure to hydrate the night before and before you go in to see if that helps. And maybe go earlier than you did this time. It sounds like you might be more comfortable with that even if it sounds awful.

Either way, good luck. What an awful process all around.

[rels09]

I just wanted to pop back in and thank everyone for their support and tips. It's going pretty well so far (on day 3), especially now that I've learned a few things through trial and error. My numbers look perfectly normal so far based on all the published guidelines, so that's a relief. I will send in my log on Friday night and hopefully be good to go!

[shmee]

Feb 6, 2015 19:08:22 GMT -5 Renarene said:

Feb 6, 2015 16:28:30 GMT -5 t1green said:

I swear I'm the worst diabetic ever. I never wash my hands before poking and I've had the same lancet for over a month. I know you're supposed to change them out after each use but who does that?

Haha! Good to know I'm not the only one!! A couple weeks ago I had touched powdered sugar right before I tested, not thinking, and it was almost 400! I about fell over. Then I remembered the powdered sugar, washed my hands and tested again at 89.

I should seriously change my lancet more often though!

Something similar happened to me when I had GD last pregnancy, so that's why I mentioned to wash them. I freaked out over my level being super high and then realized why. Just trying to save her some potential panicking! I am sure I would get lazy with it after a while

[silentsara]

Feb 6, 2015 16:28:30 GMT -5 t1green said:

Feb 6, 2015 15:55:59 GMT -5 shmee said:

Make sure your hands are warm and just washed, too.

I swear I'm the worst diabetic ever. I never wash my hands before poking and I've had the same lancet for over a month. I know you're supposed to change them out after each use but who does that?

My son tells me that all the time. He has a stockpile of the multiclick cartridges now that I just found. I was like just tell me these things so I stop buying them for awhile!

[silentsara]

Also, I totally puked during the 3hr last pregnancy, took it a second time and made it through. Walking around and sipping cold water got me through the second time. I had the gd and the finger pricks weren't bad after a couple days. I let my son do them for 2 days (it meant a lot to him) but after that I did it.