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Unable to bring levels down, getting silly now

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orchidlady

Well-Known Member
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So this weekend my levels seem to be out of control, I am waiting for a call from me diabetes specialist nurse but wondered if anyone has insight into this. I am insulin dependent still not sure whether type 2 or Late onset 1. I was extremely ill over Xmas ended up in hospital with sepsis, however am feeling fighting fit now bar my sugar levels. For example this morning was 19, I had nuts and cheese for dinner no carbs, took insulin this morning to try and bring down, 5 hits and my level came down by 1. Yesterday woke up 15.2, took fast acting insulin no food and levels actually went up. This is crazy. My eyesight is fuzzy and getting worried and sick and tires of it. Any ideas anyone.? oh and have lost weight, not that I was over weight in the first place.
 
orchidlady said:
So this weekend my levels seem to be out of control, I am waiting for a call from me diabetes specialist nurse but wondered if anyone has insight into this. I am insulin dependent still not sure whether type 2 or Late onset 1. I was extremely ill over Xmas ended up in hospital with sepsis, however am feeling fighting fit now bar my sugar levels. For example this morning was 19, I had nuts and cheese for dinner no carbs, took insulin this morning to try and bring down, 5 hits and my level came down by 1. Yesterday woke up 15.2, took fast acting insulin no food and levels actually went up. This is crazy. My eyesight is fuzzy and getting worried and sick and tires of it. Any ideas anyone.? oh and have lost weight, not that I was over weight in the first place.
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I am not insulin dependant, so cannot advise there, but a year or so ago I too had severe staph infection and ended up in intensive care for a week or so. I had not been in trouble with bgl up till then, but suddenly my levels went haywire. I was put on IV insulin for a while, and even that did not bring my levels down. Eventually the antibiotic kicked in, and my levels eventually fell. Certainly infections can upset bgl control. Hope it gets sorted for you asap.
 
Yes infections can play havoc, When I left hospital last week my levels were under control. Just gone haywire again past few days, and taking correction doses and not working. Just had a call from the specialist team and they are at a loss. oh great.
 
Maybe your existing insulin just isn't working anymore and you need a different one?
 
The insulin not working did occur to me but not been on it that long and have slow release and rapid. Will have to look into that though . My level is 22.2 right now after 9 units of insulin wtaf.
 
Phone your team for advice @orchidlady

Are you able to test for ketones?

Edited to add that changing the insulin vial or cartridge is a good idea. Occasionally, insulin can go off and become ineffective.
 
Azure I have, no help, I seemed to know more about corrections does and carb counting than her, no ketones just tested that.
 
Good news about the ketones but keep testing as they can suddenly appear.

If you don't have a helpful team, then you could phone your GP maybe? Could the infection have come back? That would be one explanation (of many). Can you phone the hospital?

If you're using an insulin pen, change everything including the needle in case there's an issue there. Once you go high you may find you need a different correction ratio to get your sugars down. Also, it'll take longer to get them down and you'll have to wait longer before they start to move (just saying that so you don't stack insulin doses and then suddenly have them all work at once and drop too low).
 
Hi

Just in case insulin going off is the culprit, try to keep pens away from radiators. I always tried to keep my pens in my hallway near the front door which was fairly cool. The basal could be stored this way and only the lunchtime bolus would need to be used wherever. As Azure has stated, when bg levels go really high, it will take a much higher correction dose to get them down.
 
Thanks guys, will change pens but have 2 on the go atm. Will keep testing Ketones. I am pretty sure there is no infection, despite silly levels feel well in myself.. I am wary of taking too many corrections in case as you say they all suddenly work. I have a call arranged for tomorrow with someone more experienced so will keep doing what I am doing for now
 
Hi and welcome. Sounds like T1 and not T2 not that that affects much now that you are on Basal/Bolus. I would assume it's the infection which can cause havoc but you imply that has now been treated. Fortunately there is no real limit to the amount of insulin you can inject as long as you monitor your blood sugar frequently. Like everyone else, I can't think of anything to suggest other than injecting a bit more as needed and hoping the problem will resolve itself.
 
Thank Daibell. Even though it has been 2 years, it has still not been established about whether T1 or T2. . I have lost quite a bit of weight past few weeks but put that down to being ill. Am monitoring closely.
 
orchidlady said:
Now 24.3 and not a crumb has passed my lips, I am confused.
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Dear Orchidlady I notice that if I don't eat my levels go up high so I make sure I eat something but just watch my carbs focusing on my levels now as on new Nerve pain drugs Gabapentin noticed my levels change drastic whenever I have an illness or whenever I have a change in medication or stress as the body is trying to get through the change and fighting it so sometimes this can make it difficult and levels go up. Try brown seeded bread I find that helps and oranges don't know why but tested it today and oranges actually helped to bring my levels down. Was 13.2 as was stressed for other reasons. But as soon as I had a glass of water and a few oranges and seeded bread I was 6.2. It was a helpful come back. Best of luck.
 
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