Sick days

Everyone gets sick. It's part of life. Usually you self medicate using dayquil, muscinex, and what have you. If those OTC meds don't work, then you go to the doctor and get antibiotic.

Sick days are hard for diabetics. Why? Because if we don't take care of ourselves we can DKA. When a diabetic's body releases those illness fighting hormones, blood sugar tends to rise. Add vomiting, the inability to keep down fluids, and a fever and you're a ticking time bomb waiting to happen.

To make things worse, a lot of these OTC meds can contribute to already soaring blood sugars. Each diabetic reacts to these meds differently and most of the time we have to find meds with less sugar in them. Yes, OTC meds have sugar in them.

If we are vomitting, or have a bout of diarrhea, we are not only losing fluids to keep ourselves hydrated, but we are also losing carbs. One would think losing carbs would be a good thing and keep our numbers in check but it does the reverse. It contributes to high blood sugar. If we are unable to keep solid food down then we are forced to drink sports drinks, juice, popsicles and what have you just to keep not only carb count up but also hydrated. The last thing a diabetic needs is to be dehydrated during this time.

Then there's the finger pricking every four hours to make sure the sugars are below 240 and in some cases taking a higher dose of insulin. The biggest thing I have to remember is to take my insulin whether or not I'm eating just so my numbers stay away from the lets go to the ER numbers.

What was once viewed as a way to get out of school and stay home is now viewed as something that can be potentially fatal. To me, sickness = death.

And here I am sick, trying not to freak out. Luckily, Bryan (who is also sick) has been keeping a close eye on me making me get up and talk. I think in his head, if I whine, then I'm not dying which is a good sign. Meanwhile, I try to remind myself that all I need to do is stay hydrated, take my insulin, and rest and I'll be back to normal in no time.