DKA… advice?

[Wife_Mother_Diabetic]

Hi all,
I’m not feeling well. Worried it could be DKA. Woke with a reading of 24.7mmol/L this morning and after a urine sample found out I have 2+ Ketones. Doctor dismissed it all, told me I don’t have all the other symptoms and it’s purely down to poor management of diabetes. I have had poor management for 7 years and have never felt like I have the last 48+ hours… hot then cold and clammy, feeling like I’m about to pass out, unable to concentrate due to ridiculous headache, feeling nauseous and sick, incredibly tired. I think I’m breathing harder too, but not sure if that’s just anxiety.
Should I pursue this further, or leave it at the fact that the GP has said I’m okay?!
Thanks, Claire

 

[helli]

Please pursue it further. Ketones plus high blood sugars is very worrying.
Call 111 ... or even go to A&E.

It is better to be safe than sorry and if you are struggling to breath you DO have other symptoms.

Hope you get the help you need soon.

 

[Wife_Mother_Diabetic]

Please pursue it further. Ketones plus high blood sugars is very worrying.
Call 111 ... or even go to A&E.

It is better to be safe than sorry and if you are struggling to breath you DO have other symptoms.

Hope you get the help you need soon.

Thank you. I spoke with a clinician at 111 and they were surprised that the doctor I previously spoke to had decided not to do further tests. I’m on my way to my local A&E now. It might be nothing, but the clinician said I should listen to my body and would rather be safe than sorry!

 

[rebrascora]

As well as getting the ketones checked out, you also need help with your diabetes management, especially if this has been going on for some time with high readings. Do you have Freestyle Libre sensors or are you relying on finger pricking? You should be eligible for sensors on prescription from next month according to new NICE guidelines but they would need to be authorized by a consultant at the hospital.
Do you attend a specialist diabetes clinic for your diabetes care or are you just under your GP? If the latter, please push for a referral to the clinic, which as a Type 1 you are entitled to. You need more support than your GP or nurse practitioner at the surgery has understanding of. Please get help to improve things. You will feel so much better when your levels are in range. You are putting yourself at significant risk of complications by not managing your diabetes well but you need more support and possibly education to do that..... Maybe a DAFNE course or equivalent if you haven't done one or a refresher if you have. I hope that doesn't come across as critical because it absolutely isn't, but I am concerned that you are not getting the support you need to get on top of things. Maybe a hospital visit will help you to get that support.

 

[Wife_Mother_Diabetic]

As well as getting the ketones checked out, you also need help with your diabetes management, especially if this has been going on for some time with high readings. Do you have Freestyle Libre sensors or are you relying on finger pricking? You should be eligible for sensors on prescription from next month according to new NICE guidelines but they would need to be authorized by a consultant at the hospital.
Do you attend a specialist diabetes clinic for your diabetes care or are you just under your GP? If the latter, please push for a referral to the clinic, which as a Type 1 you are entitled to. You need more support than your GP or nurse practitioner at the surgery has understanding of. Please get help to improve things. You will feel so much better when your levels are in range. You are putting yourself at significant risk of complications by not managing your diabetes well but you need more support and possibly education to do that..... Maybe a DAFNE course or equivalent if you haven't done one or a refresher if you have. I hope that doesn't come across as critical because it absolutely isn't, but I am concerned that you are not getting the support you need to get on top of things. Maybe a hospital visit will help you to get that support.

Thank you! You’re absolutely right, I do need further help in managing the diabetes and my health. This has certainly shocked me into realising I can’t keep coasting along…

 

[rebrascora]

Thank you! You’re absolutely right, I do need further help in managing the diabetes and my health. This has certainly shocked me into realising I can’t keep coasting along…

Please come back to the forum and let us know how you get on. We can offer support, encouragement and practical advice about how to manage your diabetes better without judgement, because we all know how frustrating, challenging and wearying it is.
Having some new technology to help you could also make a huge difference in how you engage with your diabetes and many of us feel that the Libre sensor system has been an absolute game changer for us, so you do need to ask about that if you don't already have it. You should also have blood ketone strips rather than urine strips as they provide a more accurate and up to date means of monitoring ketones. It is also just really helpful to touch base and compare notes with other Type 1s and learn how different people tackle similar situations, as we are all individuals and what works for one may not work for another, but finding out about all the different things you can try, to see what works for you is the key to better management.

 

[helli]

Thank you. I spoke with a clinician at 111 and they were surprised that the doctor I previously spoke to had decided not to do further tests. I’m on my way to my local A&E now. It might be nothing, but the clinician said I should listen to my body and would rather be safe than sorry!

I hope things are ok.
If you have time and energy, it would be great if you could tell us how you get on.
I total appreciate we are way down your list of priorities.

Good luck.

 

[Wife_Mother_Diabetic]

Morning all,

Thank you everyone for your kind words and words of support. I’m glad I went to the hospital as it turned out not to be DKA, however after listening to my body they did diagnose quite a nasty water infection and I am now on antibiotics. They’ve also scheduled a blood test for next week and a catch up with my diabetic team for April.

Thanks, xx