Diabetes Can Make a "Bad Day"

For people with diabetes, having a bad day is a whole other ball game. Often when your blood sugar levels are elevated or too low it simply wreaks havoc on your body.  I could define that as a “bad day”, and that is today.But, by keeping good records of my blood sugar readings and exercise routine I was able to figure out why I woke up with a 55 mg/dl blood sugar reading…. feeling very anxious, sweaty, and at the same time like I was moving in slow motion.  When I went to sleep last night, I hoped today I would be able to get into the office early, but that plan did not work out with a low blood sugar as the start of my day. Diabetes will mess up plans now and then no matter how careful we are.What did I do? I “kicked it into gear” as the saying goes…instead of following my usual pattern of getting completely ready for work (getting dressed, putting make up on, packing my lunch and water bottles, and packing up my work bag) I went straight to the kitchen. I started my breakfast with the fruit portion first to begin raising my blood sugar before bolusing for breakfast.  As soon as I get some faster acting carbohydrates in my system I start to feel better and think more clearly. I know that a second wave of “bad day” may happen a couple hours as a rebound effect of my blood sugar readings elevating to compensate for the low blood sugar earlier in the day.  But, I will continue to keep good records of my blood sugar readings so I won’t’ be shocked or angered.  I may even change the attitude of “a bad day”!It’s just another day in the life with diabetes, and I know that my blood sugar readings can be controlled. And, I know that perfection is not possible. More important, I also know that perfection isn’t necessary to reap the health benefits of diabetes self-management done well……maybe today isn’t such a bad day after all.For people with diabetes, having a bad day is a whole other ball game. Often when your blood sugar levels are elevated or too low it simply wreaks havoc on your body.  I could define that as a “bad day”, and that is today.But, by keeping good records of my blood sugar readings and exercise routine I was able to figure out why I woke up with a 55 mg/dl blood sugar reading…. feeling very anxious, sweaty, and at the same time like I was moving in slow motion.  When I went to sleep last night, I hoped today I would be able to get into the office early, but that plan did not work out with a low blood sugar as the start of my day. Diabetes will mess up plans now and then no matter how careful we are.What did I do? I “kicked it into gear” as the saying goes…instead of following my usual pattern of getting completely ready for work (getting dressed, putting make up on, packing my lunch and water bottles, and packing up my work bag) I went straight to the kitchen. I started my breakfast with the fruit portion first to begin raising my blood sugar before bolusing for breakfast.  As soon as I get some faster acting carbohydrates in my system I start to feel better and think more clearly. I know that a second wave of “bad day” may happen a couple hours as a rebound effect of my blood sugar readings elevating to compensate for the low blood sugar earlier in the day.  But, I will continue to keep good records of my blood sugar readings so I won’t’ be shocked or angered.  I may even change the attitude of “a bad day”!It’s just another day in the life with diabetes, and I know that my blood sugar readings can be controlled. And, I know that perfection is not possible. More important, I also know that perfection isn’t necessary to reap the health benefits of diabetes self-management done well……maybe today isn’t such a bad day after all.