Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

OK so I've been reluctant on posting about any of this lately. Mostly because I don't want to post a vent or something that makes it sound as though I'm ungrateful for being pregnant, etc.

So I have gestational diabetes. I wasn't happy to find out about it at all. I started the diet immediately after finding out about it. Only, the diet doesn't work for me and I follow it to a T. I roughly fail about half my tests on any given day. I also fail the worst test to fail, which is the morning test. this is the only consistency I have... failing this one test. It's also the hardest one to control.
My numbers are wacky, there's no rhyme or reason to them. I can pass one test one day, eat the same things the following day and fail that very same test with a drastic difference.

So they put me on Insulin shots. I started taking Insulin at night, which is a slow release insulin so it works overnight. It's supposed to help my morning (fasting) numbers because I always fail that test, no matter what. So I start taking that and it doesn't work. The dr also tells me I'm going to probably start day insulin soon as well. OK.

So the night insulin does NOTHING at all. he tells me I have an insulin resistance problem, and increases my dosage along with putting me on a slow release day insulin (eventually I'll be put on a fast release day insulin shot as well to take as needed). So the increased dosage doesn't work either for me.

I guess the next step is to just increase it again...and keep on increasing it until my body accepts it.

I'm just at the point where I'm feeling frustrated beyond comprehension. I'm getting to a breaking point. I keep failing tests after eating perfectly. At one point I had a salad and carrots and I tested at 193. That was by far my worst test.... but just so you get the picture. The diet doesn't work, the insulin doesn't work and I don't know what to do anymore or what will happen. I just want SOMETHING to work!!!

I pray to go early so I can have some relief from the GD. I already know I have to stay on the diet after the baby is born (I was told this). I see 3 doctors a week now.

Has anyone ever had anything similar to this happen? Where you had GD, followed the diet to a T and had an insulin resistance problem?? What did you have to do? Did you ever get it under control?
I know a GD pregnancy under control can be no different from a normal pregnancy. But my GD pregnancy is not under control and getting it there while the clock is ticking is proving to be quite a dilemma.

I'm sorry this is so long. I just get so worked up and upset throughout the day seeing these test scores. I've broken down and cried more times than I can count. I just don't know what to do anymore. I'm at the point where I just want to not test or pay attention to it because it's just insane everyday and it's making me crazy!

And ETA: I'm going on like 6 weeks of this so far...

Message edited 5/13/2011 11:34:29 PM.

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

First, relax. It will be okay, I promise. I had GD too. I followed my diet to the letter but still my numbers were all over the place. After a week of that I was put on insulin shots........4X a day. I took one at night to help with my morning numbers and the other three before meals. I can tell you that even with the insulin shots it was ALWAYS a constant struggle to maintain my sugars because just when they thought they found the perfect insulin dosage it would stop being enough and they would need to increase it again. My dosages were always in flux. I even had different dosage amounts for each meal. It was crazy but I managed.

Then towards the end of my pregnancy, about the last 3 weeks or so, I started having problems with my sugars literally dropping off so low that I would start shaking and getting faint and I would need to eat something sugary super fast. In the end though, my DD was born happy and healthy and as for me............as soon as she was born the GD went away and I've never had any problems with my sugars since. (My DD is now 2 1/2)

My best advice is to just work closely with your doctors to find the right dosages and realize that even though you might find the perfect insulin dosage it can change on a dime too. My numbers would get wacky out of nowhere at times even while eating the same foods I always did with no problems and it just meant my insulin needed to be increased. Also, everyone reacts differently to foods. There were some foods I could eat with no problem, my sugars would be prefect, and then there were foods that would instantly spike my sugars. I also found there were some foods that I was able to eat later in the day but if I ate them in the morning again, my sugars would spike. It's all trial and error. You just have to find what foods and what insulin dosages are right for you.

Don't get discouraged. I know it's frustrating but realize in just a few weeks you'll have your sweet baby in your arms and your GD will be gone and it will all have been worth it in the end!!! Hang in there!!

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

So sorry Kerri. I have no advice, but just wanted to send you hugs I am sure its very frustrating but hang in there.

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

No advice Kerri, just . I can't imagine how frustrating that must be!

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

Posted by Hofstra26



First, relax. It will be okay, I promise. I had GD too. I followed my diet to the letter but still my numbers were all over the place. After a week of that I was put on insulin shots........4X a day. I took one at night to help with my morning numbers and the other three before meals. I can tell you that even with the insulin shots it was ALWAYS a constant struggle to maintain my sugars because just when they thought they found the perfect insulin dosage it would stop being enough and they would need to increase it again. My dosages were always in flux. I even had different dosage amounts for each meal. It was crazy but I managed.

Then towards the end of my pregnancy, about the last 3 weeks or so, I started having problems with my sugars literally dropping off so low that I would start shaking and getting faint and I would need to eat something sugary super fast. In the end though, my DD was born happy and healthy and as for me............as soon as she was born the GD went away and I've never had any problems with my sugars since. (My DD is now 2 1/2)

My best advice is to just work closely with your doctors to find the right dosages and realize that even though you might find the perfect insulin dosage it can change on a dime too. My numbers would get wacky out of nowhere at times even while eating the same foods I always did with no problems and it just meant my insulin needed to be increased. Also, everyone reacts differently to foods. There were some foods I could eat with no problem, my sugars would be prefect, and then there were foods that would instantly spike my sugars. I also found there were some foods that I was able to eat later in the day but if I ate them in the morning again, my sugars would spike. It's all trial and error. You just have to find what foods and what insulin dosages are right for you.

Don't get discouraged. I know it's frustrating but realize in just a few weeks you'll have your sweet baby in your arms and your GD will be gone and it will all have been worth it in the end!!! Hang in there!!

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

I had GD. My PCP actually found it by running a blood panel on me when I was about 12 weeks along. The diet didn't work for me either. I had to take insulin shots 4 times a day from early on in my pregnancy AND I had to stay on the diet. It sucked at times but the entire pregnancy went by fast. I know it's hard and it sucks but you will be fine. I was upset about it too but in the end you will be fine and so will your baby.

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

Posted by jacquig

I had GD. My PCP actually found it by running a blood panel on me when I was about 12 weeks along. The diet didn't work for me either. I had to take insulin shots 4 times a day from early on in my pregnancy AND I had to stay on the diet. It sucked at times but the entire pregnancy went by fast. I know it's hard and it sucks but you will be fine. I was upset about it too but in the end you will be fine and so will your baby.

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

Im so sorry Kerri... i dont really know what much of this means... but i hope you figure it out soon

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

No advice, but lots of hugs and prayers. I can imagine how frustrating this is for you. I hope your doctors are able to get your numbers stable and in control.

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

Posted by MrsKS

Posted by Hofstra26



First, relax. It will be okay, I promise. I had GD too. I followed my diet to the letter but still my numbers were all over the place. After a week of that I was put on insulin shots........4X a day. I took one at night to help with my morning numbers and the other three before meals. I can tell you that even with the insulin shots it was ALWAYS a constant struggle to maintain my sugars because just when they thought they found the perfect insulin dosage it would stop being enough and they would need to increase it again. My dosages were always in flux. I even had different dosage amounts for each meal. It was crazy but I managed.

Then towards the end of my pregnancy, about the last 3 weeks or so, I started having problems with my sugars literally dropping off so low that I would start shaking and getting faint and I would need to eat something sugary super fast. In the end though, my DD was born happy and healthy and as for me............as soon as she was born the GD went away and I've never had any problems with my sugars since. (My DD is now 2 1/2)

My best advice is to just work closely with your doctors to find the right dosages and realize that even though you might find the perfect insulin dosage it can change on a dime too. My numbers would get wacky out of nowhere at times even while eating the same foods I always did with no problems and it just meant my insulin needed to be increased. Also, everyone reacts differently to foods. There were some foods I could eat with no problem, my sugars would be prefect, and then there were foods that would instantly spike my sugars. I also found there were some foods that I was able to eat later in the day but if I ate them in the morning again, my sugars would spike. It's all trial and error. You just have to find what foods and what insulin dosages are right for you.

Don't get discouraged. I know it's frustrating but realize in just a few weeks you'll have your sweet baby in your arms and your GD will be gone and it will all have been worth it in the end!!! Hang in there!!

The endocrinologist told me about the possibility of the insulin working and then not working in the upcoming weeks and having to be increased. Basically because the hormones are rising so it's a constant struggle to find the dosage.
BUT I thought at least some of the insulin would work... and so far I have yet to take an insulin shot that has worked at all.

And knowing all I know about the side effects... then seeing my numbers along with the insulin resistance problem I have... I'm just getting really scared that something bad could happen. So your story does actually help me. Knowing that others had some issues with insulin and all turned out OK in the end with their baby and their own diabetes outcome.

I see a nutritionist each week who helps me with the food aspect. But nothing we try works. I pass roughly 3 of the 6 tests a day... (sometimes less than that) and of the 3 I pass... at least 2 are BARELY passing... so even those are high. The endocrinologist wasn't too thrilled with my "passing" scores either.

I was really scared something bad would happen too if I started to have low blood sugar from all the insulin (I suspect my insulin dosage will eventually get really high due to the resistance). So to hear you had that happen and although you got dizzy and needed to eat sugar asap... your baby was still fine in the end... is helpful.

Did you deliver early? I'm sort of hoping/expecting to deliver earlier than my dd at this point.

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

I've been dealing with diabetes in PG, but luckily haven't had to start insulin...yet. I'm on Metformin (started it during IF treatments) to help regulate my sugar levels. All of my fasting numbers have been high, as well as a few meals here and there. If my numbers get really bad their plan is to increase my Metformin before starting me on insulin. Is taking Metformin a possibility for you?

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

As someone that comes from a family of diabetics I can tell you it's not that hard to deal with. Yes, there are adjustments, but the longer you do it the easier it gets. Yes the testing is annoying. But trust me, it gets easier and you get the hang of it. You will be okay. You just need to deal with this for now. You will be healthy and so will your baby.

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

Sending you lots of hugs Kerri!!!

You are so strong, I know you can get through this. I'm so sorry you have to deal with it.

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

good luck!

one of my friends had GD although she somehow passed the 1hr and never had to take the 3hr. it was only obvious she had GD AFTER the baby was born. the baby was 10lbs 12oz at birth and had to go to NICU for fluctuating sugar levels. they all left the hospital together and he his a perfect baby with no long term effects from untreated GD. everything will be ok!!

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

Posted by Cheeks24

As someone that comes from a family of diabetics I can tell you it's not that hard to deal with. Yes, there are adjustments, but the longer you do it the easier it gets. Yes the testing is annoying. But trust me, it gets easier and you get the hang of it. You will be okay. You just need to deal with this for now. You will be healthy and so will your baby.

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

Posted by gina409

Posted by Cheeks24

As someone that comes from a family of diabetics I can tell you it's not that hard to deal with. Yes, there are adjustments, but the longer you do it the easier it gets. Yes the testing is annoying. But trust me, it gets easier and you get the hang of it. You will be okay. You just need to deal with this for now. You will be healthy and so will your baby.

gotta crash and have to say..and i only say this bc i KNOW how hard kerri is trying..i know bc she is my friend outside of lif..and the way u posted this is exactly why she was hesitant to even ask

maybe for you and your family it is not hard to deal with, but it is for her..she is doing everything right with no result..she was just looking for advice and support

not not trying to start drama just trying to be there for my friend who is having a really rough time

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

I have no advice but I did just wanna send some hugs and tell u to hang in there!

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

awww Kerri, hang in there!! it's got to be so frustrating but in the end you will have a beautiful baby and forget all about the struggle you went through.
hope it starts working for you!
lots of going your way!!

Re: Gestational Diabetes and Insulin Resistance....

Posted by MrsKS

If the insulin shots would at least work... I'd feel SO much better. But they don't even work and never have. At first I was just worried about sticking myself so many times a day. Now I just want something to work.

Thank You for responding.