Lindsey Guerin

While in Mexico, my previous pleasant numbers took a turn for the worst. My averages jumped from 130 to 170. Despite proactive measures and many reactive measures, I could not seem to control any of my blood sugars.

My blood sugars ran fine the first two days. I actually ended up low for the majority of the time, so I lowered my basal. We were walking all over the city, in the heat for extended periods of time, and eating at unusual times (11 pm for dinner).

The third day had a few bumps. I started getting readings like 150 or 180 instead of 100 or 130. They angered me, so I returned my basal to its normal setting. Now I was worried about walking the fine line between highs and lows.

By the end of the third day, I was checking in at 200 or 290 even. I reacted like normal: bolusing to bring it down, watching my carb intake at the next meal, and trying not to let it stress me out. I considered raising my basal, but I was still occasionally getting low. I didn't want to send myself to the hospital (in a foreign country!) just to protect my A1c.

The fourth and fifth day kept my averages above 180 despite a period of "untreatable" lows and increased activity. When I bolused, my blood sugars wouldn't come down from their pretty 200 perch. Even when I added to the standard bolus, nothing seemed to make them move.

Even though we were on the last day of our vacation, I was racking my brain for why my blood sugars were running so high. Was it the increased medication last week? Was I stressed about something? Maybe the heat was giving me a weird reaction.

When we finally landed back in Texas, my blood sugar seemed to magically know. I dropped to 67 within half an hour. The next few hours were a little tricky with a few more highs that wouldn't come down. By the next morning, my fasting blood sugar was 91.

The only thing that makes sense is the type of food that we were eating while on vacation. It certainly was not my regular meals (or regular portions). From strawberry daiquiris (no alcohol for me) to chicken fajitas, I only occasionally splurge on these foods.

It amazes me how my diet can throw my entire system completely off balance and I don't even notice. I guess my blood sugars assumed since I was on vacation, they would take a little vacation too. I just hope those five days don't affect my A1c too much.