advice on increasing insulin dose due to illness

[paddyb28]

I'm fairly new to taking insulin (Lantus - once per day) 10mm. I also take 4 x Metformin over two doses and one tab of Sitagliptin 100mg.
My sugars on the fingertip test seemed to be fairly steady at around 6 - (sometimes as high as 8.5) for the last couple of months
However, for the last couple of days I have had a raging sore throat and a bit of a cough and when I tested - it read 12.5!! I'm concerned because I have a hip operation scheduled for mid Dec and the pre-op is at the end of Nov. Last year I was supposed to have it done in January but I got a really bad dose of flu which shot my hb a1c to 16.6 and I was refused surgery. A long, long story but my GP failed to get this down until Aug when he put me on Lantus. Is there a rule of thumb for increasing the Lantus dose to cope with illness? Im loathe to go back to my GP as I have s ongoing issues with him and have complained to my consultant about his attitude. Please help, I really do need this new hip as I can hardly walk now.

 

[Fruitella]

Can you have a look back through paperwork given to you when you prescribed insulin? The information should include info on 'sick day' rules and include how much you should increase. Mine says to increase 2 units a day until controlled but yours is likely to be different.

 

[Brunneria]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Have a look at this link - it will stand you in good stead for the future, too.
http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/media/381267/sick day rules for people with type ii diabetes.pdf

And I would say that if in doubt, ring your surgery and ask for a phone consultation with your nurse or doc.

 

[paddyb28]

Thank you so much. I wasn't given any paperwork when I was prescribed insulin, but the article mentioned did help and Ive printed it out for any future reference. Am going to see another GP this pm to see if I need antibiotics for infection. Fingers crossed I can get the levels down. Again, thanks for the help and advice

 

[Stephen Lewis]

When I feel ill - cold, flu etc, - I generally eat less especially carbs so this helps keep the BG levels down without putting up the insulin dose. Chicken soup or broth helps keep the fluid levels up and has very low carb content. It will also help you lose weight which may help you to reduce your insulin dose in the longer term.

 

[Fenn]

I have decided to not worry about bg whilst ill, yesterday was around 10 all day, eating normal healthy, ate dinner around 6pm, jabbed up at 11pm, libre says spiked to 15 at 2am lol so I give up, will worry again once better

 

[paddyb28]

When I feel ill - cold, flu etc, - I generally eat less especially carbs so this helps keep the BG levels down without putting up the insulin dose. Chicken soup or broth helps keep the fluid levels up and has very low carb content. It will also help you lose weight which may help you to reduce your insulin dose in the longer term.

Thank you. I already eat low carb and whilst only had soup for three days BG still up at around 15. But thanks for advice