Stress & Blood Sugar Levels

[Mrs Mad Ronin]

I know stress can impact our blood sugars but i'm wondering by how much roughly?

As you know i have an anxiety disorder, i do take meds for it but it will always be there. To make it worse i have the sub conscious anxiety disorder on top of it which is why no amount of meds will ever keep it calm, so to speak.

I also have a partner who has Bipolar disorder, who is untreatable. So life is always stressful, no matter how i am because i never know what 1 hour to the next will bring with my partner unfortunately.

Now no matter my hobbies, or things i use to keep calm i am still stressed. Even if i don't realise it and i can't help wondering if this is adding to keeping my blood sugar levels higher than normal.

I've upped my dose to 4 metformin a day 2 weeks ago now and im still running high. I know some of it is food related as i have gone back to the blackboard so to speak to work out exactly once and for all what makes them high and what not. That i can control long term, but stress i can't.

So now i'm worried, that no matter what i do it's not going to be enough. So yeah, stressing more even though i am trying my hardest!!

It's all swings and roundabouts, up and down and round again 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear this Mrs Mad,

It's one of those really difficult things, because it varies so much from person to person.

I think you are doing just the right thing, trying to keep a bit of an eye on things. Try not to get too anxious about it (ha!) and be kind to yourself when you have odd levels that you can't really explain.

Personally I find that some stresses send my levels high, while others drop them low, so it just adds to life's rich tapestry and the general unpredictable nonsensey-ness of living with diabetes.

We can only do our best, and work to control the factors that we *can* influence as best we can. Looking for patterns and avoiding certain problem foods/situations might be helpful, but not if it takes all the joy out of life - you have to find a balance that suits you. 🙂

 

[HOBIE]

Hi Mrs Mad ! I don't think I have had a pattern in my life, Everyone is a little different 😱. I have read a few post on hear where stress puts bg up. Deff not with me as I go down hill. Good luck 🙂

 

[Amigo]

Hi Mrs. Mad Ronin,

I certainly suffer with elevated glucose levels due to stress response. Even when I'm not aware of things chewing me up, my body is still churning out the hormones it seems preparing me for battle! The meter shows me it's happening.
A bad dream pushes up my morning levels.

Trouble with an enduring anxiety problem is your body must feel constantly under attack, hence the difficulty in keeping your levels steady. Just my theory.

Try as many relaxation techniques as you can, get as much support, talking and laughing as you can find (it's proven to work). Exercise if you can manage it will counteract many of the excesses. But it sounds like you live under immense pressure so your battle is going to be a harder one