Stress and illness

[kellywelly]

Hi

I've read on the site that stress and illness can have an impact on BG levels. What I would like help with, is understanding if this can be a significant impact, or whether it is likely to just cause a small increase.

I have been having ongoing sickness since before Christmas, with vomiting every few days and nausea. The hospital has been running various tests and are looking at various possible gastro causes. So far I have been diagnosed with Gastritis, a hiatus hernia and they are currently checking for Chrohns.

When the illness started, my hba1c jumped from 53 to 70. My doctor thought the sickness was causing the rise, and I was seeing spikes of 17.9 and lows of 6 when I was testing through the day (my average was usually pretty steady at around 8-10). My Metformin was then doubled to 1000 twice a day and my levels did stabalise and drop to around 6-9 and my HBA1c then dropped to 63.

Now 4 or 5 weeks later though, I am seeing spikes again. Last night I had a reading of 18, the highest I have ever had (just before bed and over 3hrs after eating). I've not been absolutely perfect with my diet, but I am actually eating less than normal, because I don't feel like eating. It is also not a disimilar diet to before when I was stable.

My gastroentorologist thinks some of the issues (Gastritis) may have been triggered by stress and this would make sense, as the start coincided with the end of a relationship. For the last month I have also been caught in a round of redundancies at work and I'm still waiting to find out if I have to leave, which has been hard.

I'm struggling to understand what is happening with my BG levels, as they don't seem to correlate with what I'm eating. It's starting to get me down a little bit and I'm worried I'm going to get so fed up with my attempts to work it out that I go off the rails and make things worse. I did wonder if stress and illness is having an impact, but it seems like too big a change to be just that.

Can anyone advise if they have seen any similar patterns?

Thanks

 

[Lynz84]

Hey there
If you have been this ill with no resolution, the illness itself could be contributing, however, do not underestimate the power of stress on the body. Releases adrenaline which drives up the sugars whether you're eating perfectly or not. I know this from experience!
Sounds like you're having a horrible time and its being compounded by worry about your diabetes.
My advice would be to learn relaxation techniques for when your mind is wandering with worry. Once you know exactly where you are with job and health the rest will fall into place.
Xxxxx

 

[kellywelly]

Thank you. I should find out about the job on Monday, so hopefully that will help. I've had some more odd numbers today.

I think you might be right on the relaxation techniques. I'll have a look into it and give it a go.

xx

 

[Lamont D]

Hi

I've read on the site that stress and illness can have an impact on BG levels. What I would like help with, is understanding if this can be a significant impact, or whether it is likely to just cause a small increase.

I have been having ongoing sickness since before Christmas, with vomiting every few days and nausea. The hospital has been running various tests and are looking at various possible gastro causes. So far I have been diagnosed with Gastritis, a hiatus hernia and they are currently checking for Chrohns.

When the illness started, my hba1c jumped from 53 to 70. My doctor thought the sickness was causing the rise, and I was seeing spikes of 17.9 and lows of 6 when I was testing through the day (my average was usually pretty steady at around 8-10). My Metformin was then doubled to 1000 twice a day and my levels did stabalise and drop to around 6-9 and my HBA1c then dropped to 63.

Now 4 or 5 weeks later though, I am seeing spikes again. Last night I had a reading of 18, the highest I have ever had (just before bed and over 3hrs after eating). I've not been absolutely perfect with my diet, but I am actually eating less than normal, because I don't feel like eating. It is also not a disimilar diet to before when I was stable.

My gastroentorologist thinks some of the issues (Gastritis) may have been triggered by stress and this would make sense, as the start coincided with the end of a relationship. For the last month I have also been caught in a round of redundancies at work and I'm still waiting to find out if I have to leave, which has been hard.

I'm struggling to understand what is happening with my BG levels, as they don't seem to correlate with what I'm eating. It's starting to get me down a little bit and I'm worried I'm going to get so fed up with my attempts to work it out that I go off the rails and make things worse. I did wonder if stress and illness is having an impact, but it seems like too big a change to be just that.

Can anyone advise if they have seen any similar patterns?

Thanks

In my experience of testing and finding out what happens when stressed, ill, anxious and probably everything else you go through.
Little things raise and sometimes lower blood glucose levels.
A good way to de stress is by going for a half hour walk, for some reason it helps lower your blood glucose levels. It is good exercise and can help with getting your hba1c levels down.

 

[Mep]

In answer to your question... yes your BGLs can certainly substantially increase or decrease with illness and stress. I have this issue with illnesses because I can't seem to get a long break without additional illnesses at the moment. So what that means for me is crazy sugar levels. Some days I get good numbers, other days mostly high, other days mostly low, other days it swings either way. I get the same type of thing with my blood pressure and heart rate too. I think between the 3 they all show that your body is fighting and is stressed. Do you tolerate metformin well usually? If not, it may be exacerbating your gastric symptoms too. If this is the case, I would think your doc should be considering something that wouldn't upset your stomach further at this point until they can work out what you're dealing with. I know it's horrible being sick and not knowing what you're dealing with exactly.... I wish you the best.

 

[terryfisher]

Stress and Diabetes are closely linked.
20 years of Type 2 Diabetes, insulin dependent and I have discovered in the last 5 years a direct link between diabetes and my back problems and trapped nerves.
These back problems were present before being diagnosed diabetic.
Visiting a Chiropractor for 4 years and I am making excellent progress.
The amount of insulin I take is down by 80%, which occurred in stages over 4 years.

Visiting a chiropractor has its ups and downs which reflect on the diabetic control, but I stuck with it for the long term benefit.
Within the last month I had 3 days during which I took no insulin (Fast acting and slow acting).
Back on insulin in a down period, as my body gets used to its new adjustments in position.
But I experienced a reduction in total daily insulin of 10% in the last 6 weeks

I am off to see the Chiropractor next week, and expect to achieve a further improvement.

Obviously the stress our body see's is not quite the same as the daily stress we may feel at home or work etc.
Despite my back problems, which had been raised with Doctors, I continued life and put up with it, as there appeared to be no solution.
But the stress was obviously enough to upset my Pancreas, and to subsequently malfunction.
But I can see this is not a permanent malfunction, or at least it may be good enough to give me a much better life.

I often wondered why I became diabetic, because I was not overweight at 11 St 4 lbs, and 6 feet 4 inches.
When queried at the time they said, 'that's the way it is '.

If you are ill such as flu etc then you have to cope as I see it.
But I did get a nasal spray, which can only be prescribed, which I use as soon as I get any indication of cold or flu type infection.
One or two days use and it's finished.
And those 6=12 week infections have disappeared.

If you have body structure problems such as Back ache, walking difficulties, hip joint difficulties etc etc, then consider with your Doctor using a chiropractor. They will not recommend one, but ask who they or another Doctor uses.
You can try Physio at the Hospital, but they are, in my case, very negative about it, and don't really understand the possible relationship between structure problems and Diabetes.

It is amazing how many people with diabetes can be seen to have walking and other body structure problems.
The problem is, when in this situation, exercise stops, eating becomes a comfort factor, and diabetes then becomes a problem.
If you fit into this scenario, and you want to improve your situation, and it is not easy but you want to win, then go and talk to your Doctor, and politely keep on until you get the stress out of your body.
The rest is up to you; exercise and diet improvement, and again, and again, until you win.
If you are getting the results, how can the Doctor not continue with the treatment.

When you get that lovely feeling back in your feet when you are walking or running, because the nerves are getting better, remember to encourage others.

I have to say thanks to the Doctors and Nurses at the Summervale Surgery , Ilminster that I attend for their patience and the advice they give, especially with some of the 'bridges I have crossed' recently.

If I eventually do not have to take insulin it will be fantastic, but it is equally as fantastic where I am now.
The dog does not have to wait for me now, the situation has reversed.

 

[Squeakal3393]

Hi

I've read on the site that stress and illness can have an impact on BG levels. What I would like help with, is understanding if this can be a significant impact, or whether it is likely to just cause a small increase.

I have been having ongoing sickness since before Christmas, with vomiting every few days and nausea. The hospital has been running various tests and are looking at various possible gastro causes. So far I have been diagnosed with Gastritis, a hiatus hernia and they are currently checking for Chrohns.

When the illness started, my hba1c jumped from 53 to 70. My doctor thought the sickness was causing the rise, and I was seeing spikes of 17.9 and lows of 6 when I was testing through the day (my average was usually pretty steady at around 8-10). My Metformin was then doubled to 1000 twice a day and my levels did stabalise and drop to around 6-9 and my HBA1c then dropped to 63.

Now 4 or 5 weeks later though, I am seeing spikes again. Last night I had a reading of 18, the highest I have ever had (just before bed and over 3hrs after eating). I've not been absolutely perfect with my diet, but I am actually eating less than normal, because I don't feel like eating. It is also not a disimilar diet to before when I was stable.

My gastroentorologist thinks some of the issues (Gastritis) may have been triggered by stress and this would make sense, as the start coincided with the end of a relationship. For the last month I have also been caught in a round of redundancies at work and I'm still waiting to find out if I have to leave, which has been hard.

I'm struggling to understand what is happening with my BG levels, as they don't seem to correlate with what I'm eating. It's starting to get me down a little bit and I'm worried I'm going to get so fed up with my attempts to work it out that I go off the rails and make things worse. I did wonder if stress and illness is having an impact, but it seems like too big a change to be just that.

Can anyone advise if they have seen any similar patterns?

Thanks

I have experienced huge differences between sugar levels during illness and stress. My specialist believes that these two enemies do play a part, increasing problems with managing stability. Also cold weather and feeling cold can cause the body to supply glucose to the system from its stores, to burn to keep warm. Shame that the internal temperature system does not realise that the pancreas is dysfunctional and cannot produce the correct amounts of insulin as folk without diabetes are able to do so. Best of luck and stay calm and warm.