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Diabetes Q&A | Blood Glucose Monitoring | If you are having really high blood sug
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The Question

01/08/10 02:22 PM

"If you are having really high blood sugar should you try to go to school and tough it out or stay home until your blood sugar goes down?"
Asked By: haras211  
Category: Blood Glucose Monitoring

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Expert Answers (2)

01/10/10 04:34 PM

Well my policy in living with diabetes has always been, that diabetes would not prevent me from doing anything I chose to do in life, and I would NEVER use my diabetes as an excuse for ill behavior, or an excuse to keep from having to do the things I did not enjoy. This may not be what you wanted to hear, but the policy has pushed me to higher accomplishment and greater reward than could ever have been otherwise achieved. In all honesty, I do not recall a day when diabetes has kept me from going to work or school. I have worked when I was so sick I could not stand from dizziness and nausea (due to medications I had to take), and lay down in the office supply room until I was strong enough to see the patients that were my responsibility. Accu-Chek once developed as series of advertisements about life with diabetes, and this one has always stuck with me: “I am in control of my body. I am in charge of my life. I am responsible for my actions. I am aware of my limitations. I am willing to set goals. I am able to achieve them. I am a person with diabetes. But diabetes will not control me.” You can do anything you dream. . . And success comes as the reward of discipline and hard work!
Answered By: Claire Blum
Accreditations: MS Ed, RN, CDE, CPT
Sources Show
02/10/10 12:37 AM

In response to the comments below, I would say that my approach to diabetes is to live in such a way that my blood glucose levels do not get out of control to the point that they impact my ability to work. This does not mean that my blood glucose levels are perfect, but rather that I monitor and address issues early on before they become a problem that could result in a need for my absence. I plan ahead and carry extra supplies and snacks so I remain functional. And I don’t quit because it’s been a bad day. It is certainly necessary to address critically high or low blood glucose. And, you can’t fulfill the duties of school or work if your levels are out of control. Medical attention is sometimes necessary, due to circumstances that may be out of our control, but more often then not those circumstances can be prevented. There are certainly times when there must be delay in driving or operating heavy equipment, and for those times I work to develop relationships with my superiors that promote understanding of my specific needs. . . And they know that I will always make it up to them. They also know that when the going gets tough and there is not enough help, that I will pitch in and do everything possible to fulfill my commitment, without leaving my teammates hanging. . . In the situation mentioned above, we were extremely short staffed, and my supervisors were most appreciative of my willingness to ride out the nausea until I was able to function. When people know you can be depended on they are most often supportive of your needs in caring for your body. Respect begets trust and support, and when you demonstrate an “I can and will do” attitude, most people are willing to work with you. There are of course different types of work situations, and each must be considered on an individual basis. . . Regardless, a perfect work record is not the point. Rather, it is a matter of controlling your diabetes so that it does not control you.
Answered By: Claire Blum
Accreditations: MS Ed, RN, CDE, CPT
Sources Show

Community Answers (4)

02/10/10 10:47 AM

Answered By: hogrider4ever@comcast.net
FLAG
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01/14/10 06:52 PM

First, what is "really high"? If you are doing your blood sugar monitoring properly, and taking corrective medication, then there should not be any problem with continuing on with normal activity. It is more dangerous to be low when operating machinery or heavy equipment. You need to work with your employer and establish that you need to be able to take your meal breaks, check your blood sugars, and take your medications. I have been diabetic for only 2 months (type 1 diagnosis at age 40) and since then, have not missed one day of work and work very hard to keep my blood sugars under control. You're going to have highs and lows, but should not use diabetes or poor management as an excuse to skip work or school.
Answered By: pdewey1969
FLAG
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01/11/10 12:13 PM

I am surprised at this expert's response. I hope that this is not a child asking this question. This person specified "really" high blood sugar. Of course, we may each consider that to be a different reading, but by no means should you TRY to continue with normal activities until you, at the very least, are getting your blood sugar back under control.
Answered By: trysana
FLAG
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01/11/10 11:16 AM

This may be ok for you to lay down till you feel better (to the expert)....but, here where I work, we "have" to be able to come in and do our job or we have to leave. I work in a warehouse where we drive fork trucks and pickers. We are responsible for doing a job but at the same time we have to be able to do it. We are also made to stay home if there are certain medications that affect our driving ability. This might be different in other areas but we do not have the opertunity to lie down for an hour or so here. This is what I was told FMLA is for. So, I guess the answer is different for each person.
Answered By: kaylie12
FLAG
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