Re: [IPk] High blood sugar/ airport x-ray machines/ skin infections
Hi Marc,
OK, here goes...
1: No idea, but I wouldn't have thought so considering how many of us go
through the same thing.
2: There have been reports of diabetics building up a resistance to a
particular type of insulin.
Personally, I'd try a new bottle of insulin and if there's no difference in a
few days, see the
doc.
3: Yup. Before the pump, I had glucose results hitting between 17-33 constantly
for months on end
and very rarely had keytones. It'll probably depend on the individual though.
4: Yup, it's true.
5: I never heard that. But I did try it and it felt like I had a 9 foot barge
pole sticking in my
side. OK I'm exaggerating, but you know what I mean!!!
Bill.
----- Original Message -----
From: Marc J Taylor
To: <email @ redacted>
Sent: Sat, 2 Feb 2008 23:17:18 +0100
Subject: [IPk] High blood sugar/ airport x-ray machines/ skin infections
Hello,
Just back from a trip overseas. Blood sugar was very volatile, often 20+
despite around a 50% basal increase & ratios doubled (90 units a day plus).
It started on arrival (Tues) with a BM of 21 and although I could get down
to 6, it never lasted. Next day was bleeding into tube, and skin was
prickly and red. Work medical sent me to the local hospital where I got
some antibiotics as a precaution for my 3rd (possible) skin infection since
going on the pump. Woke the last 3 mornings between 18 and 22, yet had gone
to bed with a correction dose, and corrected again through night. On the
plus side, ketones were always trace or negative. I got back last night
after a tortuous flight and threw the insulin I had been using away. Set
basal to 200% today and have been at ~6 for last 4 hours. Just had to
prevent a hypo, and have reduced basal to 150% of normal. With all this
going on, I wonder if anyone would be kind enough to advise me on some
questions.
1) Can airport x-ray machines damage insulin? The
official answer is "no", but if your supplies had been through 6 x-ray
machines could their effectiveness be reduced? (3 trips in last 7 weeks,
taken same box of vials with me).
2) If you are in insulin deficit and have been running
high for 4 days, and even if the cause was damaged insulin, can the
desensitising effects of prolonged high BM take a while to wear off?
3) How can you run mostly at 12-22 for 4 days and have no
ketones?
4) I was told the alcohol based wipes (steristrips) I had
for skin prep are no good at preventing infection as they dry the skin out.
Is this true?
5) I was also advised not to insert on my sides. Does it
really make a difference to infection risk and control.
Thank you.
Marc
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