• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Cold Remedies not suitable for diabetics...why?

B

bonerp

Well-Known Member
Messages
401
Location
Dorset
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi
I've had a stinking chest cold for a week and resorted to day and night nurse and actually they've helped somewhat, except my BGs have been slightly less well controlled but as I'm using CGMS with my pump I've generall been on top of it..

On reading the label that came with them it says not suitable for us - I assume it is only becuase of the effec on BGs?

Shame they don't explain why a little more as can't find much useful info online....

thanks in advance
 
Some contain sugar, it's always best to ask the pharmacist first and mention that you have type 1 diabetes so that they can give you a suitable product, there are some (although I can't recall the names) products that are suitable for people with diabetes.
 
bonerp said:
these were the pills....
Click to expand...


Good, but you have to remember that colds/flu/ illness or any stress to the body can increase bg levels, so it's unlikely to be the medicine you were taking.
 
I used to have the Lemsip drink but then realised they had sucrose in them. Now I have the Lemsip tablets which the pharmacy assured me were fine and just have plenty of hot drinks.

Your BG is going to be all over the place with a cold anyway.
 
yeah I recognise BGs will be temperamental due to a cold. My question is, why do they say not suitable for diabetics? Is it simply because it may affect BGs rather than do any other damage? In that case they are suitable for diabetics - just need to closely monitor the affect of the cold and the medicine.
 
Illness , can spike and raise your BG levels .
Any cold/flu products containing sugars,sucrose ,glucose syrup .
Are not suitable for any diabetics as they will just push the BG
levels upwards .

Hot drinks or cold remedies containing sugar free ingredients are more beneficial
to sip when battling cold/flu off .
Your GP or pharmacist can advise accordingly .
 
In the past, many insulin dependant diabetics were just advised to increase their insulin a tiny bit to cope with increases in bg levels due to illness and medications so as long as people test bg levels and take the right action, then there's no real harm done.

The reason for the warnings on cough meds etc is due to the rise in type 2 diabetes that is controlled by tablets and as such would not be controlled
Very well if the medication caused an increase in bg.
 
It is the tablet ones that can also be dissolved in a green and yellow box or purpley for the blackcurrant flavour that are ok.

Ali
 
so their labels should say 'suitable for diabetics however careful monitoring of blood glucose' would be a more appropriate warning!
 
In addition to the BS stuff posted by others above, it may be because some medicines like that can cause drowsyness or make you feel a bit out of it (which is why you shouldn't drive or operate machinery) and this feeling has the potential to mask symptoms of low BS, making them potentially dangerous.

If your lying in bed all hopped up on cold medicine and start to feel strange you may just assume it the pills working and fall asleep and not wake up :/

Stay safe!
 
my partner is type 1 he is 56 so is it no good to take night nurse he got bad headaches and cough restless and having trouble sleeping
 
Through trial and erro Zinc is the best thing at the start of a cold.... Kills it dead I find.
 
hi my partner has black spot under his big toe and is so sore he not stood on anything but he’s bit concerned any idea on what could be
 
popocadman said:
hi my partner has black spot under his big toe and is so sore he not stood on anything but he’s bit concerned any idea on what could be
Click to expand...
Hi popocadman and welcome to the forums. One of the rules on here is that nobody is allowed to attempt to diagnose or identify anything. We are simply not in a position to do this. No problem sharing personal experiences etc.

If your partner is concerned about the black spot (I think I would be if it was me) then proper medical advice is needed.
 
I took two night nurse and didn't wake up with a hypo until the alarm went off. Thought I felt a bit out of it and groggy then tested my BG and it was 2.3 do perhaps that's why they're not advised.

I swear the clocks going back are at fault for my morning hypos this week.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…