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Bit of the old DKA

Yes, severe hi levels and DKA can occur. I had a box of lueur connectors that managed to slightly unscrew themselves...(only used 2 before I knew there was a problem with them) and because my pump always faces directly down during the day, there was no prob. At night the pump is at a slightly less direct facing down, and it allowed some insulin to seep out of the lueuer lock.. Not pumping full amount in to me.

This happened twice and went from levels of 5.0 pre bed at midnight and by 6am was nigh on comatosed...not far off it. Worst I have ever been in 30 years +.

So yes DKA and horrible levels can occur very quickly on a pump. During daytime they are more noticeable as I check myself often, and anything above 8 nowadays will set alarm bells ringing with me.

Last week I noticed when putting ine tube on that when priming ut through the bubbles went through very slowly compared to normal. I still used it, but ended up changing it on the 2nd day as the 1st day and night levels rose to above 8 constant. Soon as changed everything back to normal again.

With pumps you will become aware of when its pump failure or body failure...


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No way can I deliberately wake myself up at 3am just in case of a pump failure. I think I have had 3 or 4 problems in 4 years, 2 in last 6 months overnight. No way could I have 1400+ nights disturbed sleep for 3 or 4 occasions.

I know how to get levels down better than my hospitals incase of hi levels, so have never had any nhs help since diagnosis 30 years ago for any odd hi. Only had hi's since pump...


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debbiiee said:
@ Spiker
Hope u r fine now. Does DKA occur overnight if ur pump fails, even if you went to bed with a good BG level? Sorry if i sound foolish..

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Hi Debbie

Yes I'm afraid it can all happen very fast, particularly at night when we are less aware of what is going on. Of course going to bed with a good BG is always going to reduce the risk. To put this in perspective, after being asleep 8 hours with probably no basal I had only mild ketoacidosis, ++ level ketones and BG of about 12, and a feeling like a hangover. But as DD says it can be worse, it just varies by individual and from time to time. As DD says the main thing is to learn to spot it, and to deal with it correctly.

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debbiiee said:
Thank you for the clarification spiker.Is it possible to have DKA when urine ketones are negative??

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I think that is extremely unlikely and might only happen for a brief period while recovering from DKA. DKA won't come on without high blood ketones. I guess there might be a pathological reason why they didn't get into the urine or not show on urine sticks in some rare situation but I have never heard of that.
 
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