Comment by Gerri on July 16, 2009 at 8:38pm

Hi Crystal,

Sorry, can't answer the question about hallucinations. Been high, been low & never had hallucinations, so something worth discussing with her endo.

My two nephews have CF, so know about this. Sadly, CF & diabetes can go together.

She needs to test more than twice a day. Testing should be: morning fasting, before each meal, two hours after each meal & before bed. She should also test if she feels high or low, before & during exercise, before driving distances. Without testing & recording these numbers, her endo can't set her insulin doses.

Normal BG is in the 80's. BG of 169, 124, etc. is diabetic. You didn't mention if the readings listed were before or after meals. Newly diagnosed diabetics may have some insulin production (some functioning beta cells), but not enough to bring BG to normal levels. The best way to save remaining beta cells is with insulin to prevent further burn-out.

Comment by Salty and Sweet on July 17, 2009 at 2:33pm

Hey Crystal,
I am curious. Has she tested positive for Type 1 diabetes (as in she has the antibodies) or are they saying it is Cystic Fibrosis related? Because they are two totally different things... well, there are a lot of differences I should say.

Does she go to a CF center recommended by the CF Foundation? It almost sounds like her doc doesn't know what they are talking about. CF related diabetes is relatively new (like the past 20 years or so) and it seems like there is a lot of old/bad info out about it. There are some great resources out there for CF related diabetes (CFRD is not Type 1 or Type 2, it literally falls into the "Type Other" category). Even if she has Type 1 (with the antibodies) then the treatments may be similar to CFRD rather than straight up Type 1. I've been very lucky to have great docs for CF and they have an endocrinologist at my CF clinic. I try to pass on the info I learn to everyone else who doesn't get such good information.

As for the high blood sugar levels, they really (to me) don't seem all THAT high. Yes, high, but not too bad. Here is the info about a CFRD diagnosis: http://saltyandsweet.org/2009/02/10/oral-glucose-tolerance-test/
It's kind of wordy, but I can try to answer any questions you have. I'll try and gather a few good web links for you in the mean time.
Here's a start on my website: http://saltyandsweet.org/2007/12/27/what-is-cystic-fibrosis-related...
I have tried to translate all the doctor talk into something that actual people can understand. :)
Take care! Stay in touch!

Comment by Salty and Sweet on July 17, 2009 at 2:44pm

After re-reading your blog post I wanted to add a few things. I really don't think a blood sugar of169 would cause hallucinations. I think it can be normal for someone with a perfectly working pancreas to get that high after a high carb meal.

To get a good understanding of those blood sugar levels it would be important to note if it was before or after (and how long after) a meal. It looks like the doc is trying to get just a general idea where her numbers are. I am kind of surprised they already have her on insulin though. Maybe it is to help her gain weight? Insulin REALLY helped me gain weight, and a LOT of it! :)

Also, for a 169 bg to drop down to 124 on it's own kind convinces me she is "suffering" from what we call sluggish insulin. What happens is our (us cystics) thick secretions make it take a longer amount of time to get insulin into the digestive system. Since it takes longer, the blood sugar goes higher, and sometimes ends up producing too much natural insulin, and it can produce a low blood sugar. With a low blood sugar she could feel dizzy and weak.

One last question... is she on any steroids right now? Steroids (even the body's own natural steroids) cause blood sugar to go higher. I don't think inhaled steroids (pulmocort, advair) have much of an effect, maybe a little, but prednisone and other pills have a HUGE effect on blood sugars.

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