I need help ASAP!

camjen1 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 09:30 PM

I started to feel sick so I checked my sugars and low and behold it read HI. I bolused but noticed my set was wet from insulin. I change out my set and gave myself insulin by syringe. After an hour and pushing 14 units it still read HI. 30 minutes later it still read HI. I figured I would grab another meter and it read 45. Tried again it read 50. I really got confused so I brought out a new bottle of strips and did a control tests. Everything is fine. I test again to read 433 but I feel like I'm low. What would you do? Wait it out? Eat something? I had called my Dad but with him living 20 minutes away I would hate to drag him out for a meter error. For the first time since being diabetes I'm actually scared and real confused right now.

zookeeper671 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 09:35 PM

Egad. That's gotta be scary. I think what I'd do is go with how you feel. Overdoing the insulin can lead to a heap of trouble, as can underdoing, so regardless of results, I'd still keep testing frequently.... and listen to your body.

About your dad... it's always better to be safe than sorry. (Yeesh, how cliche'. lol)

camjen1 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 09:36 PM

I'm currently sitting at 403 with the freestyle flash I did a control on. The other meter I'm out of strips, go figure! Do controls guarantee your meter is working correctly?

koblenz · #4 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 09:38 PM

OK, that sucks.

So I will start with things I know you did... but have to ask:
- Did you check the code on the strips and the meter to ensure they match?
- Do a control solution test? (you said you did)
- Try every stinkin meter in the house?
- Do you have any of the old skool keto-diastix? Those will test ketone and glucose with color change. They may not be terribly accurate, but at least you can tell if you are on the higher side or the lower side.

Now, what would I do....
Being as you are still not sure if you are ACTUALLY HI or LOW, I would eat a little fast acting sugar; enough to stave of a low. If you are high, say 433, then what is a little more as a safety precaution until you get the meter issue sorted out. If you are low, then hopefully you will prevent a serious low.

You won't pass out from being as high as you are now (obviously), but you may if you continue to drop rapidly.

PLEASE, keep us posted. Don't worry and take it one step at a time.

If you are still worried about going to low, maybe call someone and have them call you back at home in like an hour. If you answer the phone, you are fine, if you don't.... uh.... er.... I don't want to think about it. You will be fine.

zookeeper671 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 09:40 PM

Have you tested for ketones?

Do your symptoms lean more toward being hi or more toward being low?

koblenz · #6 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camjen1

I'm currently sitting at 403 with the freestyle flash I did a control on. The other meter I'm out of strips, go figure! Do controls guarantee your meter is working correctly?

Sorry Cam, I don't know. All I know is they say that it is the way you ensure the meter is accurate. I don't know I could ever use the word Guarentee, but if the control solution test is accurate, I would guess the readings you are getting are pretty close.

camjen1 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 09:49 PM

No, I have no ketones sticks. I opened a new bottle of strips and did a control and it came back within range. I actually have gone through 46 strips because I'm so nervous and have been checking my sugars every minute. I guess this would be a good time to have a Guardian RT. LOL

My latest number is (drumroll please) 388.

I kind of feel better now that the control shows the meter is working correctly and I'm actually starting to feel a little bit better. I guess I got so paranoid because I didn't want to go into DKA and go to the hospital. I haven't been in DKA in 2 years and I refuse to let myself ever go through it again.

camjen1 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zookeeper671

Do your symptoms lean more toward being hi or more toward being low?

Angie, that is what made me nervous because when the meter read HI I felt nausea like if I was starting to go into DKA. When I tested with another meter and it read LOW I started to feel shakey. Now I'm beginning to think that maybe I feel low because the HI is droping fast.

koblenz · #9 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 09:53 PM

OK, this sounds like (kinda) good news. Based on your previous readings of 433, 403, and now 388; that sounds like you were a tad high and you are now coming down.

YAY! (on the coming down part).

Remember to drink lots of water. Also, try and remember your IOB for when you took your 14 units by syringe. We don't want you taking too much.

Sounds like you are on the right track.

camjen1 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 09:58 PM

I have to take 1u for every 25 points I want to drop. So I based it on HI as 500 so if I took 14 it would drop 350 putting me at 150. But that is even if it was close to 500. So I have a little room to work with.

Thanks guys I'm continuing to feel better.

camjen1 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 10:14 PM

I'm sitting at 338 now so I'm making progress. I guess I will have to pull an all nighter to make sure I have it back under control before I can close my eyes for the night.

I'm going to feel so dumb in the morning but oh well. I'm one of those people who can be losing blood but I would need 10 or more people to confirm that calling 911 or going to the hospital is ok.

zookeeper671 · #12 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 10:43 PM

lol You're so far from dumb. lol All of your concerns were totally legit. I'd have been wigging out if I were in your situation. It's good to hear your numbers are lowering. With that, it's clear what the prob was.

I don't know about you, but my Freestyle Flash is omnipotent. lol

JediSkipdogg · #13 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 03:55 AM

Cam, I'm glad to hear you are working out now. So what are your latest numbers? Good job on going to a shot. Did you redo your infusion set and get your pump going again? Just curious because you still need that basal rate or you may run high again later. But it looks like the support of this club helped you out. Great work.

In answer to your question about control solution. If it is not expired, then it should be accurate. I've yet to have a non-expired bottle give me bad numbers assuming the meter is fine.

duck · #14 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 04:32 AM

Do you people ever sleep?

camjen1 · #15 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 04:35 AM

Good morning all!

Well it was a rough night and I couldn't believe I fell asleep when I told myself I couldn't. Anyhow my last reading was 202 before I fell asleep. This morning it is 241, UGH!! I hate this disease, it is so unpredictable.

Jedi, I changed my infusion set immediately when I seen it leaking. I did start it back up right after that. I was kind of wondering if I should have suspended it and just let the 14u I injected work on its own instead of adding a little basal with it. I let it go ahead and run and you see by my number this morning that I had no chance of going low.

I feel great this morning although I do have a headache. I think I much rather have the headache then the nausea.

You guys have been a great help and although I have been diabetic for almost 7 years I can still use everyone's advice and support.