Type 1 Can't keep my BG down

[PuppySizedElephant]

I'm kinda at a loss here. For the past couple of days, I've been really struggling to keep my blood sugar down. I'm on a pump and I've increased my basal to 135% and am bolusing 3-4 times what I normally would. I've basically constantly had active insulin. I've gotten myself down to ~100 but then I ate a small piece of toast with my eggs and I went back up into the 300's. I only ate like 30 carbs all day yesterday and haven't had any today. I've done a set change and couple of injections to rule out a bad set/insulin, but neither helped. I've been type 1 for 17 years and I've never experienced anything this extreme before. When taking steroids or being really sick, it can be hard, but this just doesn't make sense to me. It seems like in addition to not bringing my BG down much, my insulin is working very slowly. I don't have an endocrinologist right now. I really don't want to go to the hospital, the one time that I did, they weren't adjusting my dosages enough and I was high most of the time that I was there. If anyone has any ideas or has experienced anything similar, I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[ElkBond]

Well the good news is it sounds like the insulin is definitely working, and of course you have already done the changing cartridge/ site to make sure the site is ok and the insulin hasn't expired?

Have you stopped exercising or something like that, change of scene. I know if I take a break from exercise I actually need a new basal program which is similar but higher.

It sounds like basal could do with a test to see how level it is.

 

[PuppySizedElephant]

Well the good news is it sounds like the insulin is definitely working, and of course you have already done the changing cartridge/ site to make sure the site is ok and the insulin hasn't expired?

Have you stopped exercising or something like that, change of scene. I know if I take a break from exercise I actually need a new basal program which is similar but higher.

It sounds like basal could do with a test to see how level it is.

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, no, I haven't had any lifestyle changes. Earlier this week I was doing fine, the change was very sudden. I woke up Friday and was almost 500. I had eaten pretty close to going to bed, but my BG was fine. I figured my set went bad and changed it, but no luck. I've tried 3 different bottles of insulin and none of them are expired, been too hot/cold, or anything that I can identify. I've taken more than 30 units of bolus today. I've eaten about 6 grams of carbs overall.

 

[ElkBond]

Hmm yes sounds like something is amiss. So have you switched back to bolus from a pen? Thats usually the thing to do to when the pumps insulin seems to have no effect. Are you feeling an illness come on or have you an infection? Have you spoke to DSN?

Finally, back to exercise, could you bolus a small amount and have a good walk or run (or any other exercise)? Thats my first port of call if my levels are a bit elevated. Keep an eye on it throughout.

 

[ElkBond]

Sorry, the reason why I suggested the exercise is my needs drop phenomenally and if you have an illness or infection coming on, it will go away sooner if you are closer to your range, of course you want this anyway.

 

[azure]

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, no, I haven't had any lifestyle changes. Earlier this week I was doing fine, the change was very sudden. I woke up Friday and was almost 500. I had eaten pretty close to going to bed, but my BG was fine. I figured my set went bad and changed it, but no luck. I've tried 3 different bottles of insulin and none of them are expired, been too hot/cold, or anything that I can identify. I've taken more than 30 units of bolus today. I've eaten about 6 grams of carbs overall.

See, that still sounds like a set issue to me. A common sign of a bad set is waking up high. I know you've said you changed your set, but I'd change it again. If you have a new box of sets, I'd use one from there.

Where do,you put your sets? Could that body area be 'worn out'?

I'd use a pen to bolus for now, and if the highs persist speak to your DSN.

 

[noblehead]

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, no, I haven't had any lifestyle changes. Earlier this week I was doing fine, the change was very sudden. I woke up Friday and was almost 500. I had eaten pretty close to going to bed, but my BG was fine. I figured my set went bad and changed it, but no luck. I've tried 3 different bottles of insulin and none of them are expired, been too hot/cold, or anything that I can identify. I've taken more than 30 units of bolus today. I've eaten about 6 grams of carbs overall.

Go back to using your pens, if your bg levels begin to stabilise then you will know its a pump/site issue.

Sometimes when we are ill it can take a couple of days for the symptoms to appear, I've had this happen before, higher bg levels but feel fine only for a cold to appear a day or two later (not saying this is the case here but worth keeping in mind).