Ill and just can't get BGs back down

DeusXM · #1 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 07:27 AM

Anyone got any advice on handling high BGs when ill? I've had a massive attack of manflu and so far I've taken nearly 100u of Novorapid in 24 hours (usual TDD is about 25u) and I just cannot cannot get my BGs on the right side of 15mmol/l. Anything else I can do other than ride it out, keep taking plenty of insulin and drinking loads of water? I've also decided to completely avoid carbs today as well but frankly I really just don't feel like eating.

ant hill · #2 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 07:35 AM

Hey DeusXM, Having that amount of rapid can stir the pot. As it's like you can drop low any time now. Whats your tests are like?

DeusXM · #3 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 07:36 AM

So far I've been testing every hour and injecting every three hours. BGs have been between 13 and 18 pretty much all day today. I know that obviously being ill causes liver dumps and insulin resistance but this is ridiculous. I shouldn't be able to inject 20u of Novorapid, not eat and still have a BG in the high teens two hours later

It Ain't Over · #4 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 08:00 AM

If you have any way to get some Symlin it is great for these occasions. I took shots of 10-15 units every three hours last time I had the flu, along with a correction bolus and 3x basal rate. Worked great. BG's stayed at 100. That was a nasty flu bug though.

dgrilli · #5 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 11:11 PM

Do you have any Symlin? I use it in these cases. Was getting a sore throat and had a half a fever and my BG was 430.

I took 20 units of Novolog and 15 of Symlin and within 1:30 minutes I was down to a BG of 146. Symlin always makes me half sick but it works very well.

Try it but look out for the nausea.

poodlebone · #6 (**permalink**) 06-15-2009, 09:12 AM

I was sick in April and using tons of insulin. I was taking corrections by syringe as well as pump. My pump was working fine but I thought a syringe might do something helpful. It didn't.

It's interesting to see two people recommend Symlin. I've never tried it (ill or not) but I'm a little interested in it. May ask my CDE next month.

SueM · #7 (**permalink**) 06-15-2009, 10:37 AM

Firstly are you sure your insulin is ok? Both bolus and basal.
Is the pen delivering the dose correctly?
Have you also upped your basal? If not think along those lines.
Also make sure you drink as much water as you can.
Lastly make sure you feel better soon

Sue

kgm0612 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-15-2009, 12:14 PM

Drink lots of fluids & get plenty of rest!

Hope you are feeling much better today!

Karen

palefacegirl03 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-15-2009, 12:34 PM

I went thru a day like this yesterday, I was not sick though,
the meter kept reading HI for like 12 hours and ketones, 3 set changes and a couple of shots of insulin, I finally started showing a number on my meter and the ketones came down, I feel like **** today, but I am back to normal numbers.
I drank enough water and some gatorade too, to float a boat and took about 150 units yesterday, 111 thur the pump and the rest by pen.

I have Symilin, wonder if it would have helped ?

Diabetes is just not fun.

Deus , I hope you are doing better today.

GrammaBear · #10 (**permalink**) 06-15-2009, 01:16 PM

I am not a health care professional but I do take Symlin on a regular basis. When I filled my prescription for Symlin the instructions were to take it with at least 30 carbs of food. You might want to check Symlin's website and also check with your Doctor. I have to be careful with my bolus insulin as Symlin can make you get a very "nasty" low if you don't make adjustments for the amount of food eaten or exercise. Hope you feel better soon.

rzrbks · #11 (**permalink**) 06-15-2009, 01:24 PM

You could always try some flavoured jellies (jello in U.S.).

When I have the flu I HATE to eat but I do make myself eat jelly---having something on my stomach makes me feel less horrible.

DeusXM · #12 (**permalink**) 06-18-2009, 06:23 AM

Well, I've found out exactly why I was having so much trouble.

I've only gone and somehow managed to get pneumonia -in the middle of the desert, in the middle of summer!

Just got back after a couple of nights in hospital hooked up to IV drips and discovering that it doesn't matter how many times you explain your treatment regime to a non-specialised doctor, they still won't understand the concept of a changeable bolus dose. Oh, and having to convert everything from mmol/l to mg/dl because that's the system they use is fun too.

Anyway, home now with a big bag o' pills and a sick not to keep work happy. Cough cough.

Delphinus · #13 (**permalink**) 06-18-2009, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeusXM

Well, I've found out exactly why I was having so much trouble.

I've only gone and somehow managed to get pneumonia -in the middle of the desert, in the middle of summer!

Just got back after a couple of nights in hospital hooked up to IV drips and discovering that it doesn't matter how many times you explain your treatment regime to a non-specialised doctor, they still won't understand the concept of a changeable bolus dose. Oh, and having to convert everything from mmol/l to mg/dl because that's the system they use is fun too.

Anyway, home now with a big bag o' pills and a sick not to keep work happy. Cough cough.

Glad to hear you are on the road to recovery.

I had a similar day a few days ago.

Couldn't get my BG down.

I was thirsty, hungry and peeing like pre-diagnosis.

kgm0612 · #14 (**permalink**) 06-18-2009, 07:17 AM

((HUG)) Sorry it turned out to be pneumonia, Deus.
GET WELL SOON!

Karen