confused by flu/virus/whatever it is!

[Lizzie G]

Hi people....can anyone help? you normally do....ok. i assume someone out there has had a flu or viral infection at some point during their diabetic 'career' that has dragged on longer than you have expected/wanted/hoped/could tolerate! i started feeling unwell at the beginning of last week and had a lo of issues with my BG shooting up, despite doubling up on boluses and correcting and goodness knows what. 10 days later and im well enough to be at work but still have a bit of a cold and dont feel right. im wondering now whether its still whatever is wrong with me pushing up my BG? does this effect normally last the duration of the illness until you feel perfectly better? im slightly confused as i never had a honeymoon (i was diagnosed in september 07 and have never had a reduced insulin need).....by the way, even with this high blood sugar my sugar NORMALLY stays level all night with my basal, but last night i went from 5.8 to 8.9, which is unusual even this week so im kind of discounting that and thinking my basal is ok?

[princesslinda]

Lizzy, sorry I can't answer you question....but I wanted to say I hope you feel better soon. We've had several sick here at work. This cold/flu thing seems to hang around for quite awhile.

I would think that your blood sugars would continue to react until you're totally recovered and the physical stress is gone.

[Jan B]

Lizzie,

It's very hard to get your basals right while sick. Don't give up trying though. I was sick from Thanksgiving until after Christmas this year. Thankfully I wasn't real sick, but I used a LOT of Puffs during that time. I already had my flu shot, and wasn't quite that sick. Finally my doctor told me I had sinusitis and gave me antiobiotics. That didn't help either, but the thing finally wore off on its own.

What I would suggest is boosting your immune system in any way you can. Look up immune boosters . . . I was not taking my immune "chewables" during the time I got sick. Before that, I didn't get even a cold for about 2 years while I was taking immune supplements. So that I don't advertise . . . PM me and I'll give you a brand name if you need help. The only reason I got off them was cost. A full supply is about $50/month. You can get immune support in other ways too through natural food & additives, probiotics, etc. However, I've made friends with the lady who sells "egg powder with immune components" and started ordering them again.

[Eddy]

I used a LOT of Puffs during that time.


Quick comment: In the USA, "Puffs" is a brand of tissue. It's a bit different than any of the British "puffs". ;)

[jen_slc]

It will differ for everyone, but yes, for me, my blood sugars go insane when I'm sick and I have to double/triple my doses, and even then they don't quite work! Your body is under a lot of stress when it's sick and it's likely the stress hormones that cause your BGs to go much higher. I find that once I'm over the really bad part of infection, my BGs drop slightly, but they still run on the high end until I get back to my normal healthy self.

Remember to check for ketones! You may end up taking a TON of insulin, which can be quite scary, but it's usually needed during sick times. Always keep sugary drinks or something on hand.