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Help please!

Discussion in 'Ask A Question' started by littlemolly, Jul 20, 2013.

  1. littlemolly

    littlemolly Type 1 · Member

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    Hi everyone could someone please give me suggestions for the following problem. I am on an Animas pump. I am currently in Greece on a boat. On Thursday we left the Peloponnese and sailed to the Aegean island of Serifos. It was a very bad journey for me as the seas were very big and water was enveloping the boat (we are on a catamaran). I was sick the whole time and felt so bad I couldn't even move. The journey lasted 8 hours. On arrival my blood sugar was 6.1 much to my surprise. I awoke on Friday feeling much better but still a little sick. I awoke last night at 01.15 tested my blood and it said 'Hi' I took 10 units. At 03.00 I awoke again for a wee, tested my blood again and it still said 'Hi'. I then decided to do a set change, took another 10 units and this morning at 07.30 it was down to 15.9, I took the requisite amount of insulin. We left Serifos at 08.15 heading for Sifnos, the seas were much flatter, but I suddenly felt very sick and went to bed. On arrival at Sifnos I checked my blood sugar and it was 25! I have just increased my basal by 50% for 4 hours. But basically don't know what else to do. Any suggestions please?
     
    #1 littlemolly, Jul 20, 2013 at 11:10 AM
  2. Patch13

    Patch13 Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    When u say a set change did that include throwing away the insulin and opening a completely new vial? This is a good idea incase the insulin is faulty for some reason.

    Keeping your basal rate at an increased rate sounds like a good plan. If I have a cold I need to set mine at 150-170% for at least a week. So keep it up but keep regularly checking your blood sugar levels incase they suddenly star dropping.

    Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.

    I was also told that if I repeatedly get highs it might be a good idea to take insulin via a pen incase the pump is faulty. So consider that if the above doesn't help.


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    #2 Patch13, Jul 20, 2013 at 11:17 AM
  3. littlemolly

    littlemolly Type 1 · Member

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    Thank you Patch13! I have one more vial of insulin on board, so will try that. I do have a pen on board but no cartridges!! :crazy: I have just tested again and I'm down to 22.7 so it's going in the right direction. Many thanks for suggestions
     
    #3 littlemolly, Jul 20, 2013 at 11:40 AM
  4. martwolves

    martwolves Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    I would increase your insulin dosage. 10 units will hardly do anything for me, in the slightest.

    Ensure you've got a sugary snack/drink with you, just in case, though it sounds as though you may not need them, to be safe.
     
    #4 martwolves, Jul 20, 2013 at 12:13 PM
  5. littlemolly

    littlemolly Type 1 · Member

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    Thank you! I am going to increase my insulin now. The other thing that has happened is that I have found some out of date ketone sticks and although the stick to change it to ketones showed error 7, when I put a test strip in the meter changed to KETONES and it came up as 5.7. I have since been sick 3 times. So although the result maybe faulty it certainly appears from the sickness that something is very wrong! My meter is a Freestyle optium.
     
    #5 littlemolly, Jul 20, 2013 at 12:37 PM
  6. Patch13

    Patch13 Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    If you have sugar that is extremely high and large amounts of ketones I would suggest going to the hospital if you can as you do not want DKA

    Symptoms of DKA include:
    passing large amounts of urine
    feeling very thirsty
    vomiting
    abdominal pain
    (Taken from NHS website).



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    #6 Patch13, Jul 20, 2013 at 2:06 PM
  7. littlemolly

    littlemolly Type 1 · Member

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    Thank you for your help. I had DKA! The island we are on does not have a hospital! But eventually I was ferried to a hospital in Athens and accompanied by a Doctor. An ambulance was waiting at the port, it was all very efficient. I was discharged yesterday and am now 'As Good As New!
     
    #7 littlemolly, Jul 26, 2013 at 2:18 PM
  8. Patch13

    Patch13 Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    Glad you are ok and feeling better. Take care!
     
    #8 Patch13, Jul 26, 2013 at 4:42 PM
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