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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Depression Or Stress Cause High Blood Sugar Levels?

Hi Doctor, I am writing this long scenario of how my blood sugar run high- with hopes that you may advice a better approach and this might even help another diabetics who may be going through this too. I am what they call a Brutal Diabetic . I am a 29 yr old female and have been a Type I diabetic since I was 12. I was put on a Medtronic Minimed a Insulin Pump a couple of years ago after my sugars have been out of reach to make them normal years. I have had my share of ups and downs with or without the pump-but on the positive side thanks to my pump and it s sensor -at least now I can visually see where I am with my sugars rather than walking around clueless until I do a glucose meter check. Of course, I do check my accurate glucose by meter and calibrate when the pump alerts me to. I m normally within my range which is 80-140 fasting 40% of the time of my normal days. But lately, my fasting sugars run high starting at 12a.m til mid day. For example today-I woke up with 448 and I battled trying to cure my high sugars to bring them back to normal, by doing all the following alternatives: drinking water, check my glucose readings every hour to see if its dropping, taking 5 units of insulin by shot (im on Novolog), set a temporally basal on my pump to .90 units per hour, and even continued taking my bolus after each meter check. I am very exhausted and this has been happening for more than a week. After the morning hurdles, the rest of my day are not as bad, because I have more control of what I eat and I m more alert to see my sugars compared to when I m sleeping at night. My carb ratios is 15 BG Units and my sensitivity is 70. I need help desperately: my high symptoms make me fatigue, tired, dry mouth, extreme blurry visions, neck and shoulder aches, and irritable. I already know I m losing protein in my urine so I don t even bother checking my keytones. I am very athletic and weigh 140 so nothing is wrong with obesity- if I enjoy a sweet treat I definitely cover my carb bolus intake so this doesn t happen. I ve been feeling a little sick: maybe a summer cold-so last night I drank an 8 ounce class of orange juice for Vitamin C and of course I checked my BG first and it read 190 before bedtime- so I took what my pump calculated for the OJ which is 35 units of insulin per serving. The aftermath lead me to wake up with a depressing 448 BG reading and raising. I can t wait for my sugars to be normal again so I can get back to my workout schedule but when its high like this I was advised not to do so, until my sugars are at least in the 200 s. Diabetes is a struggle for me, I learn everyday from my BG readings and I try to improve the following day. But, when I wake up with highs it s a much harder challenge to beat because the diabetes has more control. I completely understand why doctors like diabetics to start on a right foot at fasting in mornings-because it gives us a jump start grasp on how the rest of the day will go...better sugars better control of life. That is my everyday dream Thank you in advance!! Please help: Now that you have an idea of my high sugar ellipsoid, I m I doing something wrong? Or could I be battling and infection causing my sugar highs? Does depression or stress cause high sugars?
Tue, 8 Jul 2014
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Diabetologist 's  Response
Dear Madam,
I would like to point out a few things first. Being on insulin pump is good but definitely not an excuse for indulging in sweets. I understand that you are covering it with bolus dose of insulin but still i would always advice against it. Now that your sugars are peeking up please avoid any extra carbs. for vit C right now you can substitute with tablets (No need for orange juice). Once your diet is controlled your sugars will settle at a particular level. after that you can program your insulin pump. Am sure metronics pump gives you the flexibilty of splitting your day regimen into hourly insulin dose. So based on your hourly readings we need to program the insulin accordingly and I am sure you will do fine.
All the best!
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Does Depression Or Stress Cause High Blood Sugar Levels?

Dear Madam, I would like to point out a few things first. Being on insulin pump is good but definitely not an excuse for indulging in sweets. I understand that you are covering it with bolus dose of insulin but still i would always advice against it. Now that your sugars are peeking up please avoid any extra carbs. for vit C right now you can substitute with tablets (No need for orange juice). Once your diet is controlled your sugars will settle at a particular level. after that you can program your insulin pump. Am sure metronics pump gives you the flexibilty of splitting your day regimen into hourly insulin dose. So based on your hourly readings we need to program the insulin accordingly and I am sure you will do fine. All the best!