Ketostix Showing Small to Moderate and Traveling

[Goldrun]

Hi All:
Am currently traveling for work out of the US until Friday. Have had a hard time keeping sugars low based on foods available...(am on 70/30 8 units a.m./ 12 units p.m.). In the past when I've traveled I've allowed my sugars to rise a bit....but I got the same old thirst and foot cramps I had when I was diagnosed (in June of this year). So, to be indelicate, I peed on the stick for the first time after I tested my blood sugars at 304. It showed between small and moderate levels of ketones. This is a first for me (I've never checked my ketones before). I'd been regulated quite nicely though between 50 and 150 for the most part.

So...question is what do I do? Avoid all carbs until I go low-ish....hopefully tomorrow mid morning is what I'm thinking...but mostly just want to run it by somebody else!
thanks for any responses....and happy turkey day!

[DeusXM]

The dirty truth is that small to moderate ketones as a one-off aren't really anything to worry about. If there are consistantly ketones in your urine, then you should start being more concerned.

Basically though you really need to increase your insulin dose by a couple of units.

And when you get back home, go see your doctor and get yourself put on an MDI regime. The one you're one is only any use if you eat and do the exact same things every single day.

[gettingby]

I have to agree with Deus (uh oh...there I go admitting it again.j/k Deus).
Do you travel alot for your job? If you do, then MDI or a pump may be the answer for you. I'm not knocking anyone's choice of insulin type but I believe that there are many more choices out there with MDI than the 2/day deal with 70/30 or NPH. Back when I was diagnosed, 2/day was the norm. Actually I only knew of one guy with a pump and I didn't know this until my freshman year in high school (1985).
Talk with your doctor and discuss the options available to you. Please, keep an open mind. Remember, it's your diabetes and your decisions. Don't let anyone influence you to do things their way or what they see as the "right" way. Only You can decide what's right for You !!!!!!
Just MHO.

[MarkMunday]

Goldrun,

As you were only diagnosed in June, you are probably still in the honeymoon stage. Which means that your pancreas is still producing some insulin. And the 70/30 you are injecting is supposed to make up the shortfall.

As the honeymoon stage weakens, the shortfall of required insulin increases. And you will find that you need to increase the amount of insulin you are injecting. The fact that your blood sugars are increasing and you have keytones in your urine probably means that this is already happening.

As deus explained, the problem with pre-mixed insulin is the lack of flexibility. And, if you increase it, you could find yourself going high in certain times of the day and low in others. It would really make sense to switch to a Humalog/Novolog and Lantus MDI regimen.

Cheers,

Mark

[Goldrun]

Thanks everyone for the responses!

I agree wholeheartedly regarding the insulin type and protocol. I actually was at my doctor a week and a half ago, and expressed the very same concerns regarding the flexibility of my treatment. I told her in fact, that I had to eat to keep up with my insulin dose, which was a bit backwards to me (I had been fairly low on average at the time). She told me that was "normal". So, I explained I didn't think that was true or the best for my health. The upshot of it is that I am going to an endo when I return, at her agreement. I should have done it before now, but then again, things were going along okay with my blood sugars. So, I'm hoping to learn all about the world of counting carbs and bolus injections in the very near future.

The incident yesterday alarmed me, but on further reading, I realized I'm not in any serious problems with regards to my ketones....at this point. Thanks again for your comments....it felt really reassuring to see the replies!

Oh...and Happy Thanksgiving!
Leslie