So yesterday I had a test to determine whether I had gestational diabetes. I was told it would take one hour and that was all. Here's what happened and what I wish I would have been told ahead of time...
I got there on time at 8:00am. I then sat there and waited. Around 8:15 I was called into the lab draw area and they drew my fasting blood. It was 138 on an accucheck meter. The phlebotomist then said (very annoyed, I might add) that she wasn't going to be able to do the test because I did not fast. I had. When I spoke up and said so, she did not seem to believe me and went back to talk to her manager. She came back out and said that the cut-off was 140 and they were going to go ahead and do the test.
I was handed an orange drink in a small bottle (I assume it was an 8 oz. bottle). I tasted like the freezer pops I used to get a child (the orange flavor) that had melted, only more sugary. I was able to get that down in the 10 minutes required by my annoyed phlebotomist and told not to get sick to my stomach or they would have to postpone the test to another day. I was pointed back out to the waiting room.
This was the worst part. Not only do you have to sit there for an hour (better bring something to do!), but if you have a reaction like I did, you feel it start to creep up. I felt my fingertips start to get tingly, but I kept telling myself that it was just because I was already nervous about the test. I had to put my phone down from the game I was playing because I was having trouble focusing on the letters (Ruzzle, gotta' love it). I then focused my attention to one of the magazines I had with me. I couldn't seem to focus on the articles, but lucky for me it was a photography magazine and the pictures are wonderful. I looked through it as long as I could and just started watching the Today Show when I could not focus anymore. I looked down at my hand and realized that the tingling feeling had led to a complete shaking of my hands.
When the timer in back had finally gone off, they called me back to get another blood draw in. When I stood up, I realized how dizzy I was. I only had my purse and my jacket and still almost toppled over. I told them how I was feeling when I went back. I had a different phlebotomist this time (Thank goodness!). She told me to sit back and try to relax. I did my my best. She draw my next round of blood and ran it through the accucheck before labeling it and sending it to the back. I didn't get to see the final number, but I know it started with a 2 (blood sugars in the 200's are not good, for those of you who don't know).
I still was not feeling well so I was given a pack of cracker and an orange juice and told to sit in the back of the room. They advised me to either call for a ride or be prepared to wait until I felt better to drive.
While I know I am lucky enough to have someone to come get me, I was very upset that I was not warned about the test before I did it.
So if you take this test, there's some things you need to know:
1. It does take a little more than an hour, so bring something to do or even some headphones to relax and listen to music.
2. It can cause reactions like mine. You may feel sick or shaky. If you are, tell someone!
3. Have a backup ride, just in case.
4. You may want to take off from work if it does make you sick. I was exhausted for the rest of the day because of it.
5. Finally, you may feel ill effects for days. Some aversions to certain foods (especially sugary ones). Even an a dull achey feeling in your body. This can happen and I am told by the doctor's office that this is normal.
I hope that this helps someone out there!
You forgot the best part
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