First Diabetes Sick Day - help!?

[techgirl12]

Today kicked off the start of college exams... whoo hoo!

I woke up - felt pretty fine. I was a little off, but figured it was nerves. I had a bagel and cream cheese for breakfast. Then I had two exams, one at 8 and one at 10.

I took some deep breathes trying to calm myself down. I was able to get through my first exam, just putting my head on the table and writing slowly - taking my time.

Then I started to not feel good at all. I bought a water and even drinking that made me feel as though I was going to throw up. I checked my sugar and I was low (67). I treated thinking maybe that will do the trick.
I got into the exam, still didn't feel very well and it was one of those things that you read something over and over and you don't comprehend it. Needless to say I didn't do so hot on that exam.

I went with my friends to get lunch and suddenly food did not sound appetizing at all. I sat with them for 5 mins until I felt so sick so I left. I went back to my dorm and laid down for a little while. Fell asleep, then woke up (15 mins later...) and immediately ran to the garbage and threw up.

Now I wouldn't think anything of this but I remember my diabetes nurse saying something about throwing up isn't good.

I called my mom who called my nurse (I didn't feel like explaining myself over the phone). She said to drink 2-4oz of sugar fluid and keep my sugars somewhat elevated. Well i didn't feel like drinking anything, I just took a sip or two of diet sierra mist.

I did check my ketones. Currently they are moderate to large.
I'm eating saltines. First time eating in 11 hours. If i move - I start not feeling well again.


Anyone have any suggestions? I have yet to me this sick while having diabetes and I haven't been actually sick like this in years.

Luckily tomorrow I don't in class exams. I just have to write a 8-10 page research paper and work on another assignment.

Thanks ahead of time!

[VinceF]

What's your Blood sugar? Did you take your insulin today? Can you keep food and water/fluids down? Given what I know now there are a couple things I'd be worried about. Dehydration, ketones increasing, and not being able to hold food down. Do you have access to medical care?

[techgirl12]

What's your Blood sugar? Did you take your insulin today? Can you keep food and water/fluids down? Given what I know now there are a couple things I'd be worried about. Dehydration, ketones increasing, and not being able to hold food down. Do you have access to medical care?

I only took insulin with breakfast this morning.

I can keep fluids down and so far eating my saltines hasn't posed a problem... but I'm not really hungry

I do have access to medical care. We have a hospital pretty much right on campus.

[techgirl12]

My blood sugar right now is 219. According to my sick chart... I should just keep drinking water and sugar free fluids.

[genie86333]

Um...just clarifying - you said the nurse said something with sugar to keep your blood sugar level from going low? (just clarifying because you then said you drank sugar-free soda instead of something with sugar) :) Hope you feel better.

edited because you posted again just before me: Well, seems like your liver dumped some sugar (or maybe it's the saltines) so follow what the chart says & feel better soon!

[jenb]

Make sure you don't forget to continue taking your basal insulin...if it's part of your regimen, you need to take it even if you're sick and may even need to increase it a little until you're feeling better. Talk to your doctor about this.

Hope you're up and about soon. Finals are no time to feel down and out.

Jen

[VinceF]

That sounds like good advice from your chart. I'd try to push a few more fluids. That will flush out the ketones quicker. They always make me sore the next day. If your ketones continue to rise and you begin throwing up again. I think I'd go get some medical attension. It's been a while since I was in school but my profs almost always understood. If you get in a pinch and really need some glucose you can absorb it through your mouth. Good luck with your exams, I hope I helped -Dave

[techgirl12]

thanks so much everyone.

I have been feeling a lot more better
I had some juice to keep my sugars up and also ate the saltines.

I've been drinking water and diet sierra mist.

My ketone levels are back to small. I'm hoping by the time I go to bed they will be gone.

And I will for sure still take my lantus tonight.

Thanks again for all the help

[oneluckyplay]

You could take some diet pedialyte or some diet gatorade to help w/ the dehydration. Personnally i try to keep my BGs as close to normal as possible when i'm sick. I always need a lot more insulin than normal when i'm sick too. hope you feel better

[Tattoo azz]

Sounds like you've had a dose of the NORRO virus. It's just a bug that causes vomitting and sometimes diahorea too, don't worry it usually passes after 24 hrs, but test every hour or so, continue with fluids and take extra insulin as well.