Help! 5 year old off her food after tummy bug.

hey there,

is she on basal/bolus insulin regime? Because if her basal dose (long acting) is right, it is fine for her not to eat. Keep checking her blood, she may be going high from the tummy bug - depends what it is. But she doesn't need to eat from a diabetes point of view.
Keep giving her the basal dose. If her blood sugar's not too high, just omit the bolus dose (short acting) if she isn't eating carbs.

Make sure she gets fluids though - sips of water is best.

ah ok, that's trickier then because (if I understand it right) the insulins she takes are a mix of long and short acting? And so she can't cut out one without the other?
I'm not an expert on those kinds of insulins, hopefully someone will come along soon who will be able to help. But it does sound as if you are doing the right thing - reducing the dose if she is going low. The important thing is to get carbs into her to match the insulin she has got in her system - will she drink fruit juice? eg sips of orange juice or apple? It doesn't need to be stodgy carbs, it just needs to be carbs.

Hi. what about hot chocolate or milkshakes. My kids often like these after they've recovered from an illness but don't fancy proper food.

You could make your own banana milkshake and blend with a scoop of ice cream. this will provide some carb and be more satisfying than juice. Other things to try are soup, ready break and fruit smoothies.

it's not ridiculous to worry about your child - that's natural! but I wouldn't panic too much if she is able to drink juice. Do you carb count? Check on the carton to see how many carbs she's taking in, see if it's the same as what she'd take to eat on a normal day. All the insulin needs is carbs, it doesn't care what kind they are (well it doesn't 'care' at all but you know what I mean)
If I remember rightly hypofit tastes disgusting - no reason why you can't use it but if she's dropping low then a spoon of honey, or just sips of a sugary drink like full-sugar coke would work just as well. But if she's sipping enough orange juice etc to match the insulin she'll be fine. [edit: or icecream or milkshakes like leggott says]

I think things will be fine, but of course keep an eye on her (as I'm sure you are!) and a big hug to you both from me.

I'm on Humulin M3 as well at the moment. I was told by my dsn that if i didn't feel like eating the best thing for me to do was to try and have a small glass of full sugar drink (ie not diet or sugar free) or a small amount of lucozade.

I hope that helps you a bit and that your daughter is feeling up to eating soon.

SusieT said:

Thank you both for your suggestions it's great to get some other ideas. She's just asked for some ice cream so I'll give her some of that and see how we go. It's nice to just talk to other people who know what they're talking about. It's been almost two years now and I still feel like I know so little, something always seems to floor me every time she's ill. Thanks again. x

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Hi Susie T you are doing fine. I know when James was on two injections per day how difficult it was when they have to have the insulin . Keep topping her up with sugary drinks is all you can do and you are right , when you think you know all there is to know, something else floors you.

Onwards and upwards and take care xx

Ice cream always a favourite!

I know how hard it is and I think we are all learning. Sometimes it's nice to bounce some ideas around or just get some reassurance.

You're doing a fantastic job. Check out my previous post 'one for the moms' or dads of course!

leggott

Yep, we had this problem earlier in the year. I actually managed to get Khaleb to drink Sustagen. There are other similar products around but it is like a meal replacement milk drink. I have resorted to disolving glucose powder in water and using a syringe to force feed Khaleb. Not saying a recommend this but it kept us out of the emergency department. If she is drinking water you can always put a spoonful of honey or sugar in it and they make those gastrolyte icy poles that help fix up the body's electrolytes.

Glad that some icecream is going down now. Khaleb was still off his food for the best part of a week even though the worst was over after 2/3 days.