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Feels like DKA - but not?

R

Ros07

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Parent here to teen less then 1 year diagnosis.

Shes complaining today about feeling like a DKA but ketones are fine & bloods are doing what they always do.. but boy is she acting like an angry zombie as much as feeling like one.. is this normal?

Background: diagnosis was a scary dka blue lighted to hospital for 4 days, teen took it in stride but last 6 months getting burnt out fatigued/racing heart/sleeping at school not at night. Testing for thyroid etc but nothing doing so far.
 
Hi there @Ros07 and welcome to the forum. I just wanted to respond with a reply and to say that I understand you are concerned. I am not able to help you as I'm not on insulin. There will be T1 members who will see your post and they will very likely respond when they are on the forum. I do know that with her ketones being low it is unlikely DKA, but I will leave it to others to answer your concerns.
 
Ros07 said:
Parent here to teen less then 1 year diagnosis.

Shes complaining today about feeling like a DKA but ketones are fine & bloods are doing what they always do.. but boy is she acting like an angry zombie as much as feeling like one.. is this normal?
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Hi @Ros07 , welcome to the forum for both you and your daughter.

Without ketones, DKA is impossible.
But not everything is diabetes related. Flu, period coming up, anything like that a possibility?
 
Ros07 said:
Parent here to teen less then 1 year diagnosis.

Shes complaining today about feeling like a DKA but ketones are fine & bloods are doing what they always do.. b
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It may be that your daughter is coming down with a virus, and the feeling reminds her of how she felt before she was diagnosed. If you start taking her temperature, as well as her blood glucose and ketones that you are already checking, then she may be re-assured that you will notice any changes. I think her diabetes team would have given her a sheet of written instructions of "Sick Day Rules" about correcting high blood glucose readings and high ketones by extra insulin, while drinking plenty of water.
However, her being a teen-ager, it may be appropriate to call the paramedics even if ketones are fairly low, but definitely if her breath starts smelling of almonds.

It is difficult for you not to worry when it is night-time, but you can also phone 111 for re-assurance. In the past 111 staff have called the paramedics for me when they have judged it necessary.

Best wishes.
 
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