How nervous should I be...

Celles

...about getting my blood sugar tested?

Work is making me do it this afternoon as part of our benefits enrollment.  I'm kind of (read: really!) scared.

damaless

Do you have reason to believe you might have issues with your blood sugar levels?

frenchy730

You have nothing to worry about. 

They can't fire you for having high blood sugar... and it will be good to know if you have any sort of problem!

wadingmoose

Probably not nervous at all unless diabetes runs in your family or you're significantly overweight.

pooh8402

nothing to worry about. it's a teeny little prick in the finger.and yea, your job can't fire you for high blood sugar. besides, what it is this afternoon is entirely depending on what you ate for lunch. for it to be any kind of real number, you have to know how much you ate at lunch and what you ate. fasting blood sugars and glucose tolerance tests are more reliable and predictable, and diagnostic. random mid-afternoon blood sugar checks are not diagnostic of anything, really.

Celles

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nervous-should?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:3b5ca379-1a36-42dd-9b58-ee9b35bcdbc9Post:00e74fd6-8821-43bc-a643-fe73e957a71b">Re: How nervous should I be...</a>:
[QUOTE]Do you have reason to believe you might have issues with your blood sugar levels?
Posted by damaless[/QUOTE]

It's the first year I've worked for this company. Insurance is 100% employer paid, which is AWESOME ...  but apparently only if we participate in an annual biometric screenings that are performed on-site.  I'm not worried about my blood sugar, but I am scared of needles, blood and pain.

I'm a wimp.  :(

ETA: Oh, diabetes does run in my family.  My biological grandfather died from diabetes-related complications. 

wadingmoose

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nervous-should?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:3b5ca379-1a36-42dd-9b58-ee9b35bcdbc9Post:296de950-e54e-4cf2-b58a-b09b54b674e0">Re: How nervous should I be...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How nervous should I be... : It's the first year I've worked for this company. Insurance is 100% employer paid, which is AWESOME ...  but apparently only if we participate in an annual biometric screenings that are performed on-site.  I'm not worried about my blood sugar, but I am scared of needles, blood and pain. I'm a wimp.  :( <strong>ETA: Oh, diabetes does run in my family.  My biological grandfather died from diabetes-related complications. </strong>
Posted by Celles[/QUOTE]

Well then.  I sure am glad I could alleviate your concerns...

/facepalm

pooh8402

okay if that's what you're worried about, let me describe it to you.

they hold a lancet up to your finger. they push a button, a teeny tiny needle (that you don't even see usually) pricks your fingertip. to me, this part feels like a mosquito bite. seriously. little. they squeeze your finger until a drop of blood comes out, then put the drop of blood onto a strip. then they give you some guaze and tell you to hold it do your finger for about 30 seconds so it stops bleeding. it's really quick, easy, and simple. I used to do these multiple times a day when I worked in an ER.

noodle_oo

oh, dont' worry!  It will be quick and painless.  And it is worth knowing especially if diabetes runs in your family.  Early treatment is essential.  I think it is very cool of your company to do that.  Good luck!

wadingmoose

If you've ever donated blood, it's pretty much exactly the same as the iron test for that.

Celles

That doesn't sound too bad...

I'd be reassured if a girl in my department hadn't just come back crying.

SarahPLiz

She must be crying about something else. Its just a drop of blood, not a whole vial. Now a cholesterol test is something entirely different.

Celles

I'm being dumb.  I have a tattoo and a nose ring, for pete's sake!

I'm going to go get this thing over with. 

Celles

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nervous-should?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:3b5ca379-1a36-42dd-9b58-ee9b35bcdbc9Post:24e69b48-325b-4b8f-99ce-0175b6235b15">Re: How nervous should I be...</a>:
[QUOTE]She must be crying about something else. Its just a drop of blood, not a whole vial. <strong>Now a cholesterol test is something entirely different.
</strong>Posted by SarahPLiz[/QUOTE]

Waaaaait.  I think they're doing that, too. 

:3

pooh8402

it's really not bad at all. I've had it done several times, letting newbies practice on me. who knows what the hell that girl was crying about.

omg, please tell me they are NOT doing cholesterol tests at 5 in the afternoon. that tells you NOTHING. cholesterol tests are only reliable when they're fasting. I should know, I have high cholesterol.

ricksang

What type of DM did he have? It's a little prick (HEE!) and it hurts but it's over fast. It's important to know your bs if you have a genetic history!

SarahPLiz

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nervous-should?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:3b5ca379-1a36-42dd-9b58-ee9b35bcdbc9Post:f3f5f508-49d1-4af5-906f-1830413ed455">Re: How nervous should I be...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How nervous should I be... : Waaaaait.  I think they're doing that, too.  :3
Posted by Celles[/QUOTE]

See, I didn't think they would do that because its so late in the day. Sorry to scare you. I hate needles too.

katiewhompus

Ang I love the new pic

I'm absolutely terrified of needles but had to get the finger prick every year for school. Just close your eyes, count to 10, and it will be over.
I also used to start crying before I got the shot, just out of anxiety over getting the shot, maybe that's why she's crying.

ricksang

TY Katie!

thesuninherhead

I'm presuming they're doing the simple pin prick test. My H has to do it multiple times a day and is fine! I've used his tester a couple of times to see what it's like, and it's totally fine. Hurts a tiny touch, but the anticipation is certainly worse than the pain!

thesuninherhead

Are you fasting for these tests? Doing a simple pin-prick isn't going to tell them anything (unless what they're actually doing is HBa1c tests, which need a normal blood test to establish your long-term glucose levels) if you're not fasting.

Celles

I survived!  It wasn't nearly as bad as the anticipation.  Thanks for the reassurance!

They did do the cholesterol test, which I'm really irritated about now that I know it's worthless in the early afternoon, two hours after lunch.  =\

ricksang

EDIT! Yeah a Hba1c test for a 2-3 month period. I agree Sun. It seems like they would make her fast.

ricksang

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nervous-should?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:3b5ca379-1a36-42dd-9b58-ee9b35bcdbc9Post:34f19c5b-72cb-4405-bb98-20bfc4fb8c55">Re: How nervous should I be...</a>:
[QUOTE]I survived!  It wasn't nearly as bad as the anticipation.  Thanks for the reassurance! <strong>They did do the cholesterol test, which I'm really irritated about now that I know it's worthless in the early afternoon, two hours after lunch.  =\</strong>
Posted by Celles[/QUOTE]

What a waste of money! Glad it was okay though!

pooh8402

ditto it's a waste of money. but whatevs, your insurance is paying for it, right?

ricksang

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nervous-should?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:3b5ca379-1a36-42dd-9b58-ee9b35bcdbc9Post:955b5300-65bd-46ce-96fc-15643fd9d764">Re: How nervous should I be...</a>:
[QUOTE]Are you fasting for these tests? Doing a simple pin-prick isn't going to tell them anything (unless what they're actually doing is HBa1c tests, which need a normal blood test to establish your long-term glucose levels) if you're not fasting.
Posted by thesuninherhead[/QUOTE]

Sun I didn't know your H had diabetes. I find diabetes fascinating. I may even specialize in it!

thesuninherhead

Even the finger prick test is pretty worthless without fasting. If you'd just eaten a sugary snack, your reading would be high even if you were perfectly ok. Seems a bit odd to bother doing these tests if they're not going to be run properly!

thesuninherhead

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nervous-should?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:3b5ca379-1a36-42dd-9b58-ee9b35bcdbc9Post:315e62b8-57ce-430a-ace9-28b09591e42d">Re: How nervous should I be...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How nervous should I be... : Sun I didn't know your H had diabetes. I find diabetes fascinating. I may even specialize in it!
Posted by ricksang[/QUOTE]
<p> </p><p>I find it fascinating too! H developed type 1 when he was 21 (late for the 'juvenile' form of the illness, but not unheard of). He's very well controlled, though- his hba1c level is 6 (or under- 6.2 is the highest test he's ever had, but then, he didn't fast for that and apparently fasting does make the test more reliable even though it's a long-term measure, according to his endo). He's never had much difficulty in controlling it, because he can look at a plate of food and roughly calculate the amount of units of insulin he'll need. The only time he has any issues is at events where there's snacks only, because it's difficult for him to keep track of what he's having.... oh, and spirits are a no-go for him because they spike his sugar levels and later bring them down as the alcohol is metabolised. Other than that, he's completely fine. Most of our friends are surprised when we mention the diabetes as they never actually notice him testing/injecting etc. </p>

ricksang

I like that I understood every single word you said, Sun. I just learned about DM 1 and 2 last semester, so before then I would have been clueless. I didn't realize it was such a complicated disease. I am glad he keeps it under control. Type II is a huge problem in the USA.

thesuninherhead

Type two is a huge problem here too; mostly because overweight is a huge problem!

 

My father has type two. He's poorly controlled, not because he doesn't know what to do so much as because he's not highly compliant. He has changed his diet somewhat, but not nearly enough. For months he knew he had developed type two, yet refused to get tested because he was losing weight (thanks to poor sugar processing- thus he had high sugar risking internal organ health) and figured he would just lose a certain amount before he got the treatment for it.... Just ridiculous!

 

Both type 1 and 2 have issues with compliance- particularly in type 1 for some teens/young adults... I would imagine it'd be a rather frustrating area to work in because in many cases simple changes are required yet clients are unwilling to make these lifestyle adjustments. Certainly, it has been frustrating to watch my father go through this and refuse to do the things he needs to do to be healthy- even though he's otherwise a very smart guy. I think you'd have some interesting work for yourself if you were to go into the diabetes area!

ricksang

Yeah, they say it is a difficult area to work in but they also say NO ONE listens to a dietatic's advice anyway :P

I don't know anyone with DM. I had to get my best friend to introduce me to someone last year who was a type II so that I could do a case study for class.

I hope your father stays well!