Is Insulin useless if you’ve got flu like symptoms?

Steve 007

Active Member
Messages
31
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Started with dodgy throat, sniffles sinus pains, aches etc on weds night - and since then till now no reading has been under 10 (max 18). I’ve injected as normal after carb counting, I’ve factored in correction doses to get reading into a range of 7-9 - I even may have doubled dosed one day and all the while they sit 10 and upwards. I started taking day and night flu tablets on Thurs. Seems as if insulin is doing nothing, and is a waste.
I found out late yesterday (after a random LFT) that my symptoms are actually Covid so have stopped the day/night capsules but the principle is the same. Anyone had similar experiences?
 
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Antje77

Guru
Retired Moderator
Messages
20,190
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
I'm sorry you feel ill and are struggling with your BG on top of that.
Anyone had similar experiences?
Very normal to see higher numbers and need more insulin during illness, even a light cold can mean you need more insulin.

Many T1's have been geven something called 'Sick day rules' by their team, it's a bit of a guidance on how much you can increase your insulin with if you see high numbers during illness.

Hope you'll feel better soon!
 

Ushthetaff

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,022
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Mountain out of mole hill makers ,queues , crowds , shopping on a Saturday hmm just shopping I guess no matter what day it is
I suppose the answer to the question is no it’s not useless, it just needs adjusting , any sort of infection , virus etc.will cause blood sugars to rise, in my experience anyways , so using same amount of insulin as normal will definitely see rises , and make insulin effectiveness seem “ useless” , I’ve been T1 for over 40 years and I’m still experimenting depending on varying situations, unfortunately that is what living with T1 is all about , it would be so much easier if 1 cap fitted all. But as we know that’s not the case, I hope you recover soon , and on a positive note you now know what to look for should a similar situation arise in the future , and that experience and knowledge is what makes living with diabetes a bit easier .
 

jaywak

Well-Known Member
Messages
846
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Cold weather, angry people, queues,
It does seem frightening to have to double your insulin dose but I have been there many a time , it's just the way it is sometimes .
 

Steve 007

Active Member
Messages
31
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all, your replies triggered me reviewing the DAFNE “sick day rules” guidance I got a few months ago. (I’m never normally ill so probably wasn’t paying attention when that session was being covered!) So I’ve checked keytones- which were fine- continued with carb counting, and correction dosage so we’ll see how we progress over the weekend. Thanks and very much appreciated Steve
 
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