basal on holidays

I've never stopped my basal. Some hours I have a low basal but I've never stopped it. I'm not sure that would be good.

Blood sugars are hard on holiday. I was a little confused about what's happening with lunch for you, but if you're going low four hours after I'd possibly have a small snack. When I was abroad last year and walking most of the day, I reduced my basal and carried glucose and things like biscuits for snacks. I prefer to do that - top up my food if it looks like my BS is dropping.

Obviously, it's a balance as you don't want to be snacking and eating glucose tablets all day, but I found having snacks helped. I also had small treats as snacks and then only did a small bolus eg I'd have an ice cream and give a little less of a bolus than at home if I knew I'd be walking afterwards.

That's what worked for me. I think you have to find something that works for you, both for your diabetes and for your enjoyment of your holiday. I actually liked having little treats and snacks, and walking them off. My sugars stayed good and I didn't put on any weight. I also felt well and energetic

I tested when I felt I needed too. It's nice to relax on holiday, but, again, it's a balance because if you are too relaxed and don't test enough then your blood sugars can go mad - and that's not relaxing at all!

I found my most difficult time was after the evening meal as I had to guess the carbs a lot.

Edited to add that when I reduced my basal I'd do it for a couple of hours at a time and then adjust as necessary for the following hours not do a reduction for lots of hours in one go. I hope that makes sense!

When on holiday in a hot place, I use a holiday pattern where overall my basal is about 14 % less than my standard basal. During the day my basal is a good bit lower than my standard but at night it is only a little bit lower.

When walking in the heat, I use a temporary basal thus using even less basal. This worked for me but it took a lot of trial and error. Originally, my DSN told me to reduce all my basals by 30% and make appropriate changes until I found the correct levels for me.
. . . Of course, alcohol is another variable . . .

My BM regularly spikes after a meal. A super bolus helps. This is where you take, say, 90% of the following two hours basal insulin & add it to the bolus. You then set a TBR of 10% for two hours.


The net result is the same quantity of insulin, but adding the basal to the bolus reduces the postprandial spike but does not produce a hypo later.


The 90%/two hours works for me, but you might need to alter percentages & times to suit you.

It is not a good idea to stop the basal insulin as there is a chance blood will end up in the transfer set and cause an occlusion.


I never reduce my basal below 10% in order to keep a positive pressure in the transfer set.

ewelina said:

Im just shocked how much ive had to reduce my insulin. Its not just 20 or 30% but by half for overnight and by 80% when active. I drink some alcohol here but its just one or two spirit based drinks a night ( whisky or vodka). Maybe that contributes as well. I hope to establish some routine very soon. I think I also need to go and lie down on the beach instead of walking all day long!

Click to expand...

Remember, the measures abroad can be a lot bigger than British ones and can have a greater influence on blood sugars.