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Increase Basal For Colds?

EllieM

Master
Retired Moderator
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10,446
Location
New Zealand
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Pump
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hypos and forum bugs
Just wondering whether you bother to increase your basal for colds or just correct with bolus?

Woke up this morning with my husband's cold (it lasts a week and he's just got over it) and a blood sugar of 21 (ouch). Got it back to normal by lunch time and am just about keeping it there, but am wondering whether to take the plunge and do a little basal boost...
 
Always a difficult one that. On a pump I'd do an increased temp basal. On MDI I tend to correct via rapid acting as it's not as long lasting.
 
I depends how rubbish I feel and how much extra insulin I need.
I usually try to increase with bolus for the first day and then, if necessary, increase by basal as bolus does not help during the night as I am sleeping.
 
I’m on MDI. I increase bolus in response to tests, so much easier with the arrows on the libre. And yes, I have a sick day rules sheet too - it came with the Dafne course. I don’t increase basal as I don’t want to be dumped in a nighttime hypo if there’s a lull in antibody activity. (Maybe someone will have more info on here about the way the body’s antibodies and BG interact?)
Hope you feel better soon.
 
himtoo said:
here is a copy of type 1 sick day rules...perhaps have a look..

http://www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk/Se...Sick Day Rules for Type 1 Diabetes Oct 16.pdf
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, though I haven't got a blood testing kit for ketones (might have some urine strips though.) Managed 48 years without a DKA so hopefully that won't be an issue.

tim2000s said:
Always a difficult one that. On a pump I'd do an increased temp basal. On MDI I tend to correct via rapid acting as it's not as long lasting.
Click to expand...
Yes, sort of what I was thinking, but 21... I might edge it up a bit.

helensaramay said:
I depends how rubbish I feel and how much extra insulin I need.
I usually try to increase with bolus for the first day and then, if necessary, increase by basal as bolus does not help during the night as I am sleeping.
Click to expand...
Sounds good.

Thank you all for your contributions.
 
kitedoc said:
Your hubbie can do the washing up and drying as penance for gifting you his cold.
Click to expand...
He does most of that anyway (He's a star). But he's going to be walking the dog on his own .
 
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