[carolyn]

I have a terrible chest and ear infection at the moment. I am on strong antibiotics and feel really ill. I try so hard to keep my bg's in track and this 13+ has got me very depressed. I feel in a dark hole and haven't got the energy to get myself out. Sometimes I feel like giving up alltogether. How long until I will see good numbers again. I have been very proud of myself but now I feel really down. Please help if you can in what I can do to get back in control. Thanks for letting me rant.

[shiftzor]

I really feel for you, only thing I can suggest is to increase your insulin dosages and not take the highs as a reflection on your control. Make sure you keep checking for ketones. There is light at the end of the tunnel and you will get through this. Hope you get well soon.

[Subby]

I'm really sorry you're feeling this way, it's not a good place to be. Do as shiftzor says... increase your dose a little, but take some extra tests too just to be safe. I hear your distress at seeing high numbers, but it's not human to expect good control when your body is fighting an infection - it's simply impossible for many of us and our bodies!

So you need to change your expectations while really sick... it's just not remotely fair to beat yourself up over good control at this time. That said if you can increase your dose a little and start seeing, say 9s to 11s, that would be better on your system and help with getting better.

Still, the first port of call is avoid spiralling out of control and you are succeding at that! Keep up the good work. Remember too that high BGs cause depressed feelings/thoughts for many of us... shake it off however you can, keep on concentrating on taking it easy on yourself and relaxing.

[alicat61]

Hi Carolyn,
Sorry you are sick and feeling miserable. I also suggest to increse your insulin a little and test often.
As the others said don't beat your self up about the high numbers. Once you are well again the good numbers will return.
Try to get plenty of rest and drink.
Hope you are feeling a lot better soon.

[gettingby]

Carolyn, I feel your pain, hon . I recently was on a 12 day course of antibiotics for bronchitis/borderline pneumonia. I saw plenty of higher readings during this time. Was it the illness?? Was it the antibiotic?? No clue. But even tho I felt down and discouraged, I knew that once I was off the antibiotics and the illness had run it's course, my numbers would get back to normal. I did use different carb boluses but I left my basal alone.

[dodo]

I had an ear infection a while ago my BGs were high too! I tried to increase my insulin but I still got high BG readings! I honestly think your BGs will go down when your infection will disappear! So don't give up you'll be fine soon!

[carolyn]

Thanks for the replies. I feel a little better tonight, so with a bit of luck, and rest, things should improve soon. It's my second christmas without my dear father and I am still struggling with his loss. Thanks again, it's nice to know people out there really do care.

[Psycho Penguin]

I am very sorry to hear that. Some days, I get really sick as well, and high BGs come with the territory, which will make you feel even worse. Hopefully, the infection goes away soon and you'll get back to stable BG control.

[Scrabblechick]

I've been where you are, Carolyn. I miss my dad, too. I'm T2, not on insulin, so I won't try to tell you how to manage your Bg, except to say I know infection runs up the numbers, but they do come down eventually. Stress will do it, too.

Keep taking care of yourself. I'm lifting you up in my thoughts and prayers.

[princesslinda]

Carolyn, sending (((Hugs))) your way. Sorry you're having a bad time. Can't give you advice about your blood sugar, but I wanted to let you know I understand where you're coming from. Even after 13 years, I miss my mother terribly around the holidays. They can be rough. Add not feeling well in general, and you've got a lot on your plate.

Hope things are brighter for you in the coming days. I'm sure you'll feel better physically as your bronchitis/pneumonia and blood sugars resolve.

[IrishJoe]

when you're sick take it handy and take more insulin.
try to eat too!

hope you get well soon

[Real4]

Originally Posted by carolyn

I have a terrible chest and ear infection at the moment. I am on strong antibiotics and feel really ill. I try so hard to keep my bg's in track and this 13+ has got me very depressed. I feel in a dark hole and haven't got the energy to get myself out. Sometimes I feel like giving up alltogether. How long until I will see good numbers again.

What are you DOING about it? Testing more, correcting, increasing insulin dosages both basal and bolus. You should be doing all those things.

Otherwise, having high blood glucose just goes with being sick. It's normal as a matter of fact.

[Subby]

Originally Posted by Real4

What are you DOING about it? Testing more, correcting, increasing insulin dosages both basal and bolus. You should be doing all those things.

Definitely testing more. Perhaps increasing boluses, but only if confident - running a bit high and feeling safe and secure for a few days may be better than risking unknown lows if not sure or confident about the situation.

Corrections need to be treated with extreme caution as sometimes the effect of being sick defers the action of a bolus. Take a correction without realizing that the bolus has not been "consumed" or "canceled out" but rather has been deferred - and will kick in a bit later - and you've invited more woes on yourself as the bolus and the correction rush in either at once or after the other, and you BGs will start looking like a rollercoaster from the ramifications. So a lot of care has to be taken there.

Increasing basal might be a good idea but then again it may be a terrible one. If things are volatile and the body changes it's tune you could have half a day of lows on your hands. It really does depend on the situation.

Nausea not being a factor here really helps. Now that REALLY sucks, trying to manage BG through insulin therapy and not knowing what food/drink you can hold down.

I'm not trying to negate your points - they should be firmly on the table - but a boots'n'all attitude can spell disaster and the element of stress and difficulty of being insulin dependent in an unpredictable BG landscape has to be taken into account in the decision making process. Often it really is not a cop out but truly the best thing just to ride high for a bit and take it easy.

Otherwise, having high blood glucose just goes with being sick. It's normal as a matter of fact.

There's not usually an "otherwise" about it. Good control is not automatically achievable during sick times even with effort put in. Sure it can happen. Not realistic to assume it is going to in any given case, though.