WHO KNEW WHAT HAVOC A BEE STING
COULD BRING??
YES, INDEED...THIS LITTLE HONEY BEE SURE GOT MY ATTENTION IN MORE WAYS THAN I COULD HAVE IMAGINED!
Last Monday as I drove home from grocery shopping, I felt a sudden sharp sting on the lower portion of my upper arm muscle. I tried to look, drive, and brush away whatever was obviously stinging me all the while trying to stay between the lines of the approaching curve in the road. I kept control of the car, however, I got the full force/dose of the bee venom. The little sucker was trying to fly out my left side window while it's entire patootie,stinger and all, was pulsing it's poison into my right arm. Folks, can I just say IT HURT!!! IT HURT LIKE CRAZY!!!
I got home within 10 minutes, sprayed some benadryl spray on the bee sting and grabbed an ice pack from the freezer. AAAHHH....Instant relief. However, I couldn't get any relief without holding the ice on the sting at all times which was impossible as the day wore on and I needed to do other things with my right arm!!!
Flash Forward to Tuesday morning...
I wake up with a HUGE RED KNOT, Hot with fever and progressively getting bigger and itchier!
It got MUCH WORSE!
I called my doctor and got the nurse practitioner to tell me what to take OTC for a bee sting. I took every potion known to man, OTC, Home remedy, you name it, I tried it. By now you're probably thinking, WHY DOESN'T SHE JUST GO TO THE DOCTOR???? I DON'T KNOW, I KEPT THINKING IT WAS GOING TO GET BETTER...
SO...
BY THURSDAY, I GO TO MY SASSY SEWERS GROUP AND BY 2:00 I'M IN THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE!
THE REST OF THE STORY...
MY TYPE II DIABETES COMPLICATES THINGS WHEN I HAVE TO TAKE ANY KIND OF STEROIDS. THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE TYPE II DIABETES ALREADY KNOW THIS FACT.
THE TRUTH IS, I HAVEN'T BEEN TAKING MY *BORDER-LINE DIABETES* SERIOUSLY
UNTIL NOW...
SINCE THURSDAY, MY BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS HAVE BEEN AS HIGH AS 308, 274, 275, 288, 301, 168, 253, 280!
GIVING MYSELF AN INSULIN SHOT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE HAS DEFINITELY, WITHOUT A DOUBT,
GOTTEN MY ATTENTION.
LONG STORY SHORT............
THIS LITTLE "FLUFFY" GAL IS GOING TO BEAT THIS THING. I WILL NOT LIVE MY LIFE FROM INSULIN SHOT TO FINGER PRICK IF THERE IS SOMETHING I CAN GO TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING.
When I truly set my mind to do something, I'm usually quite successful. The key WORD is TRULY, the sold out kind of TRULY!
I NEED CHEERLEADERS!!!
I've cut and pasted some Type II Diabetes info from WebMD just in case some of you my dear friends and followers need a good BEE STING to get YOUR ATTENTION.
P.S.
I NOW HAVE TO CARRY AN EPIPEN
OUCH!!!
TYPE II DIABETES
Type 2 diabetes, once called non-insulin dependent diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 90% to 95% of the 26 million Americans with diabetes. In this article, you'll learn the basics about type 2 diabetes, including symptoms and causes, as well as learn about type 2 diabetes in children.
What Is Type 2 Diabetes?
Unlike people with type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes produce insulin; however, either their pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot use the insulin adequately. This is called insulin resistance. When there isn't enough insulin or the insulin is not used as it should be, glucose (sugar) can't get into the body's cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, the body's cells are not able to function properly. Other problems associated with the buildup of glucose in the blood include:
- Damage to the body. Over time, the high glucose levels in the blood may damage the nerves and small blood vessels of the eyes, kidneys, and heart and predispose a person to atherosclerosis (hardening) of the large arteries that can cause heart attack and stroke.
- Dehydration. The buildup of sugar in the blood can cause an increase in urination. When the kidneys lose the glucose through the urine, a large amount of water is also lost, causing dehydration.
- Diabetic Coma (Hyperosmolar nonketotic diabetic coma) .When a person with type 2 diabetes becomes very ill or severely dehydrated and is not able to drink enough fluids to make up for the fluid losses, they may develop this life-threatening complication.
At present, the diagnosis of diabetes or prediabetes is based in an arbitrary cut-off point for a normal blood sugar level. A normal sugar level is currently considered to be less than 100 mg/dL when fasting and less than 140 mg/dL two hours after eating. But in most healthy people, sugar levels are even lower.
During the day, blood glucose levels tend to be at their lowest just before meals. For most people without diabetes, blood sugar levels before meals hover around 70 to 80 mg/dL. In some, 60 is normal; in others, 90. Again, anything less than 100 mg/dL while fasting is considered normal by today's standards.
What's a low sugar level? It varies widely, too. Many people's sugar levels won't ever fall below 60 mg/dL, even with prolonged fasting. When you diet or fast, the liver keeps sugar levels normal by turning fat and muscle into sugar. A few people's sugar levels may fall somewhat lower.
THANKS for the WAKE UP CALL!
ReplyDeleteAaargh! How horrible! I've never been stung, and I live in fear, and you've just reminded me why! I'm so glad you got things back under control.
ReplyDeleteOh no...this was horrible for you! So glad you eventually went to the doctor...I would have been like you...waiting for it to get better. Thank goodness you are on the mend, but very unfortunate that you have another situation to deal with. Thank you for the info and take care of yourself!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Lesley
I'm so sorry for the nasty bee sting but I'm glad that you are going to take better care of yourself. There is only one you in this world and your family needs you to stick around for quite a while longer.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info...very important stuff. Take care and I know you will beat this. You are tough!!
ReplyDeleteYes those of us with type II do need to be more aware of our risks.
ReplyDeleteI guess that bee sting was really a divine message, although a painful one. I will be happy to be a cheerleader for you.
ReplyDeleteOh ouch Jane!! I'm so sorry you got stung and hurt so. But I'm glad it gave you the kick you need to take better care of your diabetes!! Eat whole grains instead of white, and use honey in place of sugar where you can. That will help a lot. Here's cheering for you! I know you can take control.
ReplyDeleteOUCH!!!! That looks very painful, Jane. So sorry this happened to a sweet lady like you. :D Praying that you get better soon. Get that sugar back down!!!
ReplyDeleteOuch!! That was definitely a wakeup call. Hope it is now resolved.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the Epipen Club! I am allergic to bees too and have to carry the lovely pen - spendy littly buggers too! When your current pen goes out of daye, don't throw it away, stick it in your car for a "just in case" - won't be as potent, but if you forget to carry your new one, it might save your life. Hate to tell you, but every time you get stung the allergic reaction is much more severe. Now, on the diabetes side...hubs has Type II and has been great about watching what he eats and when he knows he ate a bit too many carbs, he will go for a walk or do some other exercises to burn it off. He has little Tupperwares of nuts in every car, as well an energy bars, for those times when we just can't get real food when he needs it. Cheese and meat sticks, as well as nuts, are also a favorite snack at home and at work. You can do this but you are right, you need to decide you are going to do it...IT'S TIME!!!!! I don't get to nag (I think of it as loving and caring...surprise, he doesn't!!) my hubs because he has taken control of his diabetes...so I have some extra time here and I always wanted to be a cheerleader!!!
ReplyDeleteGirl you need to take care of yourself! blessings, marlene
ReplyDeleteGod bless you! I'm allergic to bee stings but not (yet) to the point of carrying an EpiPen...
ReplyDeleteYou CAN tackle that diabetes stuff... my brother did and is off the shots now!
Yes, my husband, also diabetic, ended up in the hospital with a bee sting. I wish he would get as serious about his condition as you are. He has had two strokes but never passes up a sweet.
ReplyDeleteJane, my Mom is also a diabetic. She has drastically changed her diet and sometimes exercise and Thank God she now is off her medication. This disease is definitely not something to mess with! I hope you and your family take exceptional care of you! Cheering from Ohio!
ReplyDeleteI do not ever remember being stung and am not diabetic. My daughter is allergic to peanuts so we all know how to use an epipen. I need to remember to carry it around with us more as it can help save the life of others that may need it.
ReplyDelete