Dear friends,

Our son seemed to surge out of his Honeymoon phase in Jan. or this year, after a year of the Honeymoon stage. Just last weekend, however, he had a 24 hr. stomach flu or mild version of THE flu (since he has had his shot), and his BS's DROPPED, rather than going high! He was able to take in fluids the next day, and returned to school feeling better on Wednesday. I have lowered his Lantus and stopped giving him Nova with meals this week, as he was going low consistently. It's harder to elevate his BS than normal, too. Seems strange and hard to interpret. Can anyone help me? Thanks so much! ~ Tracy

I will rephrase, since no replies! :) Has anybody ever experienced this week of lows are having a stomach flu? Seemed odd that he didn't go high instead! Thanks, Tracy

Tracy,

Infections normally cause blood sugars to increase. But they can have the opposite effect too. I remember this happening to me and being confused by it. But your son could also still be producing some of his own insulin intermittently. And normal hormone activity for his age could be a further complication.

I guess you just have to roll with the punches at this stage. Do lots of blood tests and watch for trends. I find downloading meter readings onto the PC and looking at graphs very helpful with this.

Cheers,

Mark ;)

Dear Mark, Thanks for the reply. I was wondering whether his reaction could be used as some sort of clue to a help for Diabetes in general. Thought perhaps because he had voided his bodily fluids through being sick to his stomach, he had changed the PH balance of his body. Had read and heard a few things relating to it being better to maintain an alcaline (sp?) environment in our bodies, rather than having acidic environment. Thought it interesting that with this stomach flu, his BS's went down along with his needs for insulin for a few days! ~ Tracy

Tracey -
No such luck as far as its being "some sort of clue to a help for Diabetes in general." Last time I had a stomach flu, my blood sugars went way up, despite being on a pump and not eating for nearly 36 hours. But, as Mark pointed out, not everyone reacts in exactly the same way...some go low, some go high. I know another T1 whose blood glucose goes very low every time she gets sick.

Ruth