when to check my post-dinner blood sugar?

What time should I check my after dinner blood sugar?

Shortly after I was diagnosed (around 10 May 2004), my Family MD told me to test my blood sugar twice a day, twice a week. He said to test my blood right after I got up in the morning and two hours before eatting dinner. This did cause me scheduling problems and I've since wondered if he forgot to mention testing the blood 2 hours after eatting as well. (Oh, well...)

Blue Cross had a Diabetes Nurse Education calling me every three months for a year. She wanted to teach me survival skills. Something interesting happened: she told me to test my blood sugar 2 hours after finishing my evening meal. So, I started doing this. My Family MD just shook his head but didn't tell me not to.

Yesterday, I went to the local Diabetes Support Group. It turned out that I was the only member to actually show up (the facilator, an RN names Anne, admitted to not calling and reminding members) and so she did a workup on me. This workup consisted of weighing me and asking about my eatting habits. Anne then worked out a "meal plan" for me.

Anne wasn't judgemental but she was upset at how much coffee and Diet Pepsi I drink. So, she told me to taper down my usage and eventually quit drinking such stuff. My wife is happy with this; she thinks I've been drinking too much of the DP and hasn't been bashful about telling me. I had 1 ½ cups of coffee today (one before breakfast and the ½ when I got to work at 3 pm) and two cans of DP: one with breakfast and the second with lunch.

But I digress and the reason I wrote this piece is my latest "Diabetes Team Member" (Anne) told me to test my blood sugar 1 to 2 hours after taking the first bite of dinner. So, that means I'll be testing no later than 8:32 this evening.

I wonder what other time I will be given some day.

On the bright side, Anne has been given free blood sugar meters by med representatives. She is going to give me a new one (a Freestyle^™ 2) to replace the Freestyle^™ that I've used for years. She said it would give the averages for morning fasting readings and post dinner readings separately.

I wonder if she can supply free test strips?