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Stress and high bg

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Katieb

Katieb

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi all

Went for a job interview today. Ate a banana at 11 am followed by a tin of good quality soup (carbs 5g per 100g) at 12.00. Tested my bg at 1pm just before I was leaving for interview and was horrified to see a reading of 10.3😱 Never, ever had one that high before!!! Can stress really make my bg rise so high, so rapidly? Was it the banana and should I be worried? Was a mistake to do the test cost all that was on my mind from then on was the high bg, so didn't feel the interview went as well as it could😡 Still, never mind, already have a job and this interview was just a 'look and see' exercise! Katiex
 
Yes stress can raise BG in some people (and lower it in others).

As for bananas... ask your meter.

I find them very difficult (even with insulin), but other people eat them with barely a BG wobble :confused:

Also bear in mind that you tested at the likely peak of BG. If you are not used to testing at 1 hour this may have come as a surprise. By 2 hours after eating your 'second phase' insulin has probably taken your levels down a bit.
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Yes stress can raise BG in some people (and lower it in others).

As for bananas... ask your meter.

I find them very difficult (even with insulin), but other people eat them with barely a BG wobble :confused:

Also bear in mind that you tested at the likely peak of BG. If you are not used to testing at 1 hour this may have come as a surprise. By 2 hours after eating your 'second phase' insulin has probably taken your levels down a bit.
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I do (tho not always) test at 1 hour and have never got above late 7s which is why this came as a shock. 2 and a half hours later (next chance to test) 5.8. Is it the spikes themselves that cause complications or the length of the spikes if you know what I mean? Ie. is the odd spike not likely to cause problems if it comes down again quickly? Also, 10.3 seems awfully close to full blow diabetic levels. Thanks for your support. Katie
 
I cannot cope with bananas, it's a bit annoying but they definitely have a big effect on my bg so I have given them up! Cherries and strawberries are fine though, so I'm good during the Summer but it is getting a bit challenging now!
 
Barb3234 said:
I cannot cope with bananas, it's a bit annoying but they definitely have a big effect on my bg so I have given them up! Cherries and strawberries are fine though, so I'm good during the Summer but it is getting a bit challenging now!
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Thanks for the repy Barb. When you say you can't tolerate them, what levels do they push your bg to? I used to always have a banana a day (still often do, but don't always test!). Think I might give them up!! Katiex
 
Just into the late 9's at 1 hour but at two hours still in the late 8's, so I think that is too high. I like to be under 8 after 2 hours if at all possible.
 
Hi KatieB

My experience is that the odd 10.x is not going to do you any long-term damage. (I've been T1 for 20 odd years and have had *lots* of readings above 10 in my time, so far no significant complications).

I'm not saying you should ignore them completely, but don't beat yourself up about it every once in a while. If it starts to become more regular/more of a pattern you would want to look into why that is (if it's related to a particular food for example), adjust your menu and/or discuss it with your Dr as your metabolism may need some support at some stage.

The ideal is to try to reduce your overall level AND your variability to as close to non-diabetic range as possible - but this isn't going to be 100% possible all the time.
 
The riper the banana, the higher it is likely to send your blood sugars. However, stress can certainly raise levels. Stress causes the hormones adrenaline and cortisol to increase and these in turn trigger a release of extra glucose into the bloodstream, ostensibly to give you an energy 'boost' to cope with your stressful situation. So, I imagine in this particular case you had the combined effect of the banana and the stress raising your levels. Try a banana again when you are more relaxed 🙂 I had a banana sandwich for lunch today and was fine with it, so it does vary from person to person 🙂

Hope you get offered the job! 🙂
 
Thank you all for your support. I will take your advice, Alan, and try another banana then test! If the same result, will avoid!!!Katiex
 
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