Hi Amy,

First of all, don't beat yourself over high numbers. It happens, to all of us! Used to be I was good getting down below 200. Now I hover around 110-130. Still not optimum, but better than I was.

I was doing some research on healthcentral and found a couple of things for you to read. None of this is to be taken instead of a doctor's advice. But it will help you when it's time to ask questions of your doctor.

There is much written about stress in general with regard to diabetes. In Ginger's Blog, Ginger is a college student who has had type 1 diabetes since she was a kid. Ginger writes here about how stress has a huge affect, not only on your blood sugars, but if you are on insulin, the insulin sensitivity. Exercise is a great way to relieve the stress, and there are some suggestions here about what to do.  

It's always hard to deal with an issue involving our kids and if your son is having anxiety issues then that will affect you too. Perhaps you could get your son involved in something with you that would help you both destress and relieve the anxiety? My kids were never big on sports, but we would go walking together. Sometimes it was the only time we had to talk about things amongst us. Perhaps you could appeal to your son to "help" you by walking with you? Just a thought.

Mary Cate Cary also discusses stress and traveling (thinking Spring Break) here.

Dr. Bill Quick suggests if you know you have a highly stressful time or task to do, that you can prepare for it by adding some exercize before, or altering what you normally eat when that happens. You can read that article here.  

Well hope this helps some. Stay in touch and let us know how you are doing!!

Vicki M

Stress does have alot to do with being able to monitor your blood glucose levels.  

amy mercer

1/29/08 7:16am

Thanks Vicki for taking the time to respond to my rant! I read Ginger's blog often, she is a great writer! I've actually lived with type 1 for 23 years so I am well versed on the trick of the trade, but it still boggs me down nonetheless! We never become a pro at this do we?

Amy,

I truly believe that stress increases your blood sugar. I was in a temporary job from August to the end of November. I was rarely under 200... Yes it is depressing... My pains also became unbearable, etc. After the job ended I needed to deal with the death of a 13 year old student (I counsel in the schools) ... the stress eased up but it wasn't until winter break that I finally started getting better. Between getting rid of the stress and getting enough sleep the blood sugars were better.

But I have been testing constantly and I do see that when my children are having difficulties I sometimes let it get to me and my sugars are higher.... I have been trying more relaxation techniques... And really trying not to get involved in my children's arguements... Please don't let this get you down... just keep on going (those words were 1/2 for me and 1/2 for you!)

amy mercer

2/ 1/08 6:40pm

Thank you! you are so right on. That's the frustrating part of bs control to me...that it is sometimes totally out of our control! Relaxation techniques are useful, I've been re-learning some deep breathing etc. with my son who is having anxiety about school so I'm learning along with him and I do think it helps...Also exercise is my de-stresser, but still, there are those days that no matter what you do, oh well, I'm trying to let it go. Easier said than done. Thanks for your words of support!

metaour

2/ 1/08 8:38pm

Amy.

It is so much easier sad than done but the one thing that I have learned that helps both me and my children is to do it with them. So if your son will do those relaxation exercises with you, you both will benefit and you will bond even more... The more I do that I ask my children to do, the closer we get... (as in exercise or relaxation things) ...