COVID 2019 Comorbidity with Diabetes

Someone at a social event (close physical proximity) I go to has been diagnosed and is in hospital. They are ok ish so far. Luckily for me they didn’t attend after exposure but it got my heart rate up a bit til that was confirmed. Guess we’re going to have to get over that fear as it spreads more widely and we’re all exposed to some extent.

As a T2 not on any Diabetes meds or insulin I want to know if I get the infection and my BG sky rockets what can be done to bring it down. Anyone know?

PenguinMum said:

As a T2 not on any Diabetes meds or insulin I want to know if I get the infection and my BG sky rockets what can be done to bring it down. Anyone know?

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Does it really matter, assuming the infection and therefore the higher than normal BG is short lived? Presumably before you were diagnosed there were weeks, months or possibly years when you had a high BG.

Apparently the Australians are hoarding toilet paper. Not sure why.

PenguinMum said:

As a T2 not on any Diabetes meds or insulin I want to know if I get the infection and my BG sky rockets what can be done to bring it down. Anyone know?

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a good question and one i pondered as in 'would we have a little MORE awareness things weren't too good BEFORE we felt the proper impacts of the cold/flu/CV...?

as in BG's up a bit it was that cake last night, but a full 3,4,5 pts higher, would be out of the ordinary.
might gives an earlier warning ?

PenguinMum said:

As a T2 not on any Diabetes meds or insulin I want to know if I get the infection and my BG sky rockets what can be done to bring it down. Anyone know?

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i'd also doubt there is much you can do, sad to say.

if that ill as in FLU,...i doubt many would be eating much anyway,
so as low carb as you can almost fasting in many cases, IF severe

and with the body in full cry trying to damper down the invader,
i would expect every thing and the kitchen sink to be thrown at it,
and i'd guess that takes power and energy..aka glucose, but could be wrong.

Obv, if it's just a mild dose, please god, then a cut down on the foods, maybe more meats
for the vitamins etc..??

I read somewhere that high glucose levels feed bacterial infections but not viral infections. When I had influenza last year my glucose levels ran significantly higher but didn't seem to make my flu worse.

Winnie53 said:

I read somewhere that high glucose levels feed bacterial infections but not viral infections. When I had influenza last year my glucose levels ran significantly higher but didn't seem to make my flu worse.

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had read the same, @Winnie53
and interesting to hear about your run in with flu
i think as @Mr_Pot says we ran way higher for longer before DX, so i guess it's worrying, but little we can do
and in preference to get REALLY sick RIGHT NOW, i would my bodies defences to save me now , and defer it all day long until a few more years if i could (I hope )

when you say bg's up..here i'd say from 5/6 mmols to 9/10+ mmols would cause me serious concern if i couldn't find a food reason of sorts,
what jump did you find with the flu ?

One of the reasons my glucose levels ran high was due to the cough syrup I must take once every 12 hours to control the violent coughing. Iys loaded with sweeteners. I called the information line last week to ask if they had the cough syrup with artificial sweeteners or no sweeteners, and they said no. Idiots. If half of all adults have pre-diabetes or diabetes, why are they loading it with corn syrup and one other sugar? It just further reinforces the idea that the pharmaceutical industry is trying to kill us.

I am ill now with a viral infection. Nasal passages clear, not congested. Sight nasal drip. Throat mildly sore. Headache. This is day 4. Blood glucose levels are rising and falling after meals normally. Temperature barely elevated but I feel slightly worse each day. Lungs are still clear so not having to take cough medicine thankfully. This is the weirdest viral infection I've ever had. They are testing for coronavirus in our city now. Need to check to see if anyone has tested positive yet.

Mr_Pot said:

Does it really matter, assuming the infection and therefore the higher than normal BG is short lived? Presumably before you were diagnosed there were weeks, months or possibly years when you had a high BG.

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It matters a lot to me and is in front of my mind cos my late mum got a gum infection which didnt improve quickly with two different types of antibiotics. It sent her BG into orbit, she became very ill and died suddenly at home of a coronary event. Dont forget there is no treatment for this disease so you really are in the life/death casino if it gets critical with underlying disease. Just look at the WHO reporting, of the mortality so far the second underlying disease is Diabetes, top cardiovascular, both linked and age 60+. I qualify on both counts and would prefer to live.

Okay, just checked. We're still waiting for test result for person being investigated for coronavirus in our city. Should know more today or tomorrow. Advice remains same. If sick, stay home unless medical attention is needed.

I think the way to play this game is to get glucose levels as low as possible with diet and exercise. My gut tells me that the diabetics who are dying are primarily ones who have been poorly controlled for decades due to adherring to conventional medical care only, no dietary or other lifestyle changes.

Not sure if any one else has posted on here somewhere, but i'll leave this here for people.
https://www.express.co.uk/life-styl...risks-coronavirus-uk-update-raise-blood-sugar

ADA plan suggests.(US orientated,)

The health body recommends the following:

• Gather your supplies:
• Phone numbers of your doctors and healthcare team, your pharmacy, and your insurance provider
• List of medications and doses (including vitamins and supplements)
• Simple carbs like regular soda, honey, jam, jelly, hard sweets or popsicles to help keep your blood sugar up if you are at risk for lows and too ill to eat
• If a state of emergency is declared, get extra refills on your prescriptions so you do not have to leave the house
• Always have enough insulin for the week ahead, in case you get sick or cannot refill
• Extra supplies like rubbing alcohol and soap to wash your hands
• Glucagon and ketone strips, in case of lows and highs

Talk to your healthcare team about the following:

• When to call your doctor's office (for ketones, changes in food intake, medication adjustments)
• How often to check your blood sugar
• When to check for ketones
• Medications you should use for colds, flu, virus, and infections
• Any changes to your diabetes medications when you are sick

What should I do if I get sick?
The ADA says to:

• Drink lots of fluids. If you’re having trouble keeping water down, have small sips every 15 minutes or so throughout the day to avoid dehydration.
• If you are experiencing a low (BG below 70 mg/dl or your target range), eat 15 grams of simple carbs that are easy to digest like, honey, jam, jelly, hard sweets, popsicles, juice or regular soda, and re-check your blood sugar in 15 minutes to make sure you are coming up. Check your blood sugar extra times throughout the day and night (generally, every 2-3 hours, with a CGM, monitor frequently)
• If your blood sugar has registered high (BG greater than 240mg/dl) more than two times in a row, check for ketones to avoid DKA.
• Call your doctor's office immediately if you have medium or large ketones (and if instructed to with trace or small ketones).
• Be aware that some CGM sensors (Dexcom G5, Medtronic Enlite, and Guardian) are impacted by Acetaminophen (Tylenol). Check with finger sticks to ensure accuracy.
• Change your lancet every time you check your blood sugar.
• Wash your hands and clean your injection/infusion and finger-stick sites with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

Winnie53 said:

I think the way to play this game is to get glucose levels as low as possible with diet and exercise. My gut tells me that the diabetics who are dying are primarily ones who have been poorly controlled for decades due to adherring to conventional medical care only, no dietary or other lifestyle changes.

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yes i would agree.
the Eatwell and die diet may well have a lot to answer for after this.
Be as close to normal bloods as possible HAS to be an advantage, i would say.

That's a really good list of things to do to prepare. To it I'd add have healthy food on hand so you can shelter in place if needed. More specifically good sources of protein and fat.

When I had the flu a few months ago, I didn't have enough protein and fat on hand that I could easily grab and eat. Husband was away on business. It's hard to cook when you're really sick.

Okay, doing my daily survey of the news and relieved to learn that babies and children infected with the coronavirus are coming through this fine so far...

'We simply do not understand why': Coronavirus is sparing children, puzzling experts
"What's the secret to their success? We're just happy they do have success against this particular virus," one said.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/heal...oronavirus-sparing-children-puzzling-n1147951

Looking at the death statistics by age - (previously posted on this thread but here it is again... https://www.worldometers.info/coron...uEb52LnAHEj0d4jaijLJkuQgWERHT5b7xD-hRIxf0NtKw *) - it seems the younger you are in general, the better off you are. Seems like the death statistics don't begin trending upward until your 50's, with those in their 80's and 90's at highest risk. But at the same time, it's important to remember that most are surviving. If the death rate for those your age who are infected by the coronavirus is 10% for example, that means you have a 9 out of 10 chance of surviving.* [Correction made. Thanks urbanracer!]

*Death Rate = (number of deaths / number of cases) = probability of dying if infected by the virus (%).

Winnie53 said:

.........But at the same time, it's important to remember that most are surviving. If the death rate for those your age who are infected by the coronavirus is 10% for example, that means you have a 1 out of 10 chance of surviving.* .

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A 1 out of 10 chance of surviving!!!!! I hope that's somebody's typo

I have type 2 (well controlled) but I also have asthma, and scarring of my lungs from several bouts of pneumonia, so apparently I am doomed if I get it.

lucylocket61 said:

I have type 2 (well controlled) but I also have asthma, and scarring of my lungs from several bouts of pneumonia, so apparently I am doomed if I get it.

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I can't speak for you other than to say have a plan and preparations in place. If you don't have a smart phone, I hope you can get one, because that's how I communicate with my husband and friends during the first week (because talking for me is very problematic while ill).

My lungs are damaged too, yet I've gotten through two bouts of influenza in recent years without being hospitalized. The first time, I remember laying awake for hours one night gently telling myself to stay calm while monitoring my breathing and asking over and over again, "At what point should I go to the emergency room? Am I at that point now?" I was lucky that time. My husband was home and in bed with me, sleeping. I knew I could wake him up if I needed to. That was the worst of it during the first week. The next night my ability to get enough oxygen was better and I was able to sleep without fear.

When I get influenza, I am back on my feet and working again in about a week. (Note: I work at a desk on a computer.) But it takes me another week before my cough begins to wane and that's while taking the strongest over the counter cough control medication available. It's torturous for my co-workers the first two days. It's a really scary cough. I have to email them at the beginning of my work day to remind them that I won't be able to talk for a few days. If they need something from me, they have to email me. It takes two to three weeks for the cough to resolve completely once I'm back at work.

With my last bout of influenza a couple of months ago, my husband was away on business, but luckily, I had prepared ahead of time to have everything I needed to care for myself while on my own - (food, medication) - so it went as well as it could have. I learned important lessons from the previous bout.

This time, I stayed in bed, and focused on staying hydrated. I didn't talk for a week. But when I did have to talk on the phone at the end of that week, I realized I had significant shortness of breath so I called the 24/7 nurse line. They advised me to go to the emergency room immediately to get an x-ray, which I knew from previous experience would have cost me $4,000 to $5,000 out of pocket - (I have medical insurance but with a high deductible) - money I don't have. I thought really hard about it. I researched the treatment protocol for pneumonia. I read until I fully understood both the treatment protocol and the risks of refusing treatment, and I reflected on my previous episodes of shortness of breath. In the end, I decided to not go. The reason? This happens to me almost every time I have a cold or influenza. If I don't talk or exert myself, I feel like I'm getting enough oxygen, and I come through it fine.

A night or two later, I decided to go for a 10 minute walk. There was a really dense fog. It felt good. I took a bottle of warm with me to sip on to prevent a coughing episode. I walked slowly. Halfway through the walk I questioned if I'd made a good decision. I periodically stopped, then continued on slowly. I was fine. That told me I'd be able to return to work because the walk between my car and our office building was the same distance.

luckylocket61, our grandson has asthma. I've been thinking about him a lot over the last couple of days. It is scary. That said, the statistics are in your favor. I'd be interested in hearing how you're protecting yourself and how you are prepared to manage if you become infected.