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Treat high BS with more insulin?

jessie

Well-Known Member
Messages
275
Location
Gloucestershire
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi,

I'm off on holiday for a week tomorrow pm and I've had a couple of days with quite high readings. I know what has caused this (cake etc!) and am planning on being super good and healthy from now on but I was wondering, is it OK to treat a high reading (of 16 for example) 2 hours after eating with more insulin? I am taking Novo Rapid 3 times a day and Lantus once a day. I'm also a bit confused about the sick day rules, if you don't feel like eating they say to drink things high in sugar, but would you also need to take insulin before doing this?

Thanks!
 
Hi jessie,

is it OK to treat a high reading (of 16 for example) 2 hours after eating with more insulin?
Absolutely. It's important to keep your blood sugars within a healthy range to avoid long-term health problems and 'correction doses' to bring down high blood sugars are a far better idea than letting your bs run high.

if you don't feel like eating they say to drink things high in sugar
Don't listen to them! if your basal doses are properly set there is no need to eat anything to 'feed the insulin'. Anyone who tells you to drink something sweet either doesn't know what they're talking about, or your basal doses are too high.

And have a top holiday by the way!

All the best,

fergus
 
I always correct if high after 2 hours. I generally tend to use 1 unit to reduce down 3mmol/L. but make sure you keep testing when correcting just incase your bg drops too low. If Ive got the correction wrong and taken too much insulin I go hypo about 5 hours after my meal when the last of the first shot is wearing off and the second is peaking.

You don't wanting to be drink sweet stuff unless you go hypo. Some days I eat very little or nothing at all because of the gastroparesis. my bg stays stable. I will use luzozade if I exercise or walk anywhere if my level drops. but proberbly only 10gram of carbs worth.
 
Thanks both for the great advice - it's much appreciated and I'm glad to get it clear in my head before going away. I do find though if I am late eating a meal or miss a meal altogether for some reason then I get very low BS and often hypo...? :)
 
Hey jessie,

A final bit of advice then - take a couple of packs of Dextrosol tablets with you as well!
It sounds as if your basal dose may be too high, but it'll keep until you have had your holiday. Enjoy!

All the best,

fergus
 
Hi Jessie,

If you tend to go low when you miss or are late for meals it sounds like your basal is set too high for you.

Just before your hollybags isn't the best time to sort your insulins or even your diet but when you get back you can check in again with us.

The course at http://www.dsolve.com Has some tips on sick day rules, travel and of course all about getting your basal sorted out.

Have a good time.
 
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