Uncontrolled type 1 diabetes and coronavirus

[Jane50]

I have type 1 diabetes, not really well controlled, and I am on Ramipril for high blood pressure, and rampril for high cholesterol - if I was to get coronavirus, how would it affect me with my circumstances

 

[missclb]

Hi Jane, and welcome to the forum. "waves"

I don't think anyone on this forum has contracted the virus (thankfully) or at least not reported it yet, that I can see. I would imagine that if your general control isn't great, then as with all other bugs, it would take you longer to fight it off and the symptoms would perhaps be a bit worse. I'm sure when the members all start logging on today, you'll get better feedback than i can offer on what it might be like, we have such a wealth of sound knowledge within the group.

It's great that you've found this forum as it's packed with lots of love and support, but more importantly some really great advice on how to help regain that all-important control. We've all been there, so there's no judgement here from anyone – I myself have just regained my good control, which is very well-timed. If you are open to help, perhaps you can share a little about your regime or where you feel you need support, and you'll have a whole team of virtual friends who can help fight your corner with you.

I understand that this current situation is all rather worrying, and I hope you can stay safe, and can stay distanced from the general public to help avoid any infection.

 

[PhoebeC]

I can’t really add to missclb above really.

If your levels are not controlled your more likely to catch it because your immune system isn’t as good as it could be.

I’d suggest like with any contagious illness you just avoid it as best you can.

 

[Jane50]

Thanks, I know I would probably have it worse, but cant avoid going out, as cant get a delivery of food, and my son keeps getting the wrong things, but with all the panic buyers, it will be hard to do the social distancing

 

[Inka]

Hi Jane,

I think there’s an element of unpredictability about this virus. Some people do get it worse than others, and that includes people who are young and in good health, so no-one could say how it would be for you.

However, as said above, controlling your diabetes will give you a better chance of fighting it. That might mean reviewing things like carb counting, your basal dose, your insulin to carb ratios.

Regarding the food shopping, how old is your son? Personally I’d rather be given the wrong things than go out any more than necessary. To be fair to him, the choice in some shops is quite limited now anyway.

 

[AJLang]

Welcome to the forum. With regard to the shopping does your son have a mobile phone? My partner has been going out to do the food shopping the last two weeks and each time something on the list isn’t available he texts me to ask and I say if there is an alternative that he could try which works well. He can also text me photos to check if something is right or needs to be changed. But due to store shortages we are eating food that we wouldn’t normally eat - which isn’t easy for me as I have diabetes and gastroparesis - but we have adopted a make do and mend attitude to what our meals are for the moment. Much preferable than getting the virus. With regard to control please post to see if we can give suggestions. We are not medical professionals but we will try to help as much as we can.

 

[Jane50]

Hi Jane,

I think there’s an element of unpredictability about this virus. Some people do get it worse than others, and that includes people who are young and in good health, so no-one could say how it would be for you.

However, as said above, controlling your diabetes will give you a better chance of fighting it. That might mean reviewing things like carb counting, your basal dose, your insulin to carb ratios.

Regarding the food shopping, how old is your son? Personally I’d rather be given the wrong things than go out any more than necessary. To be fair to him, the choice in some shops is quite limited now anyway.

He actually lives with me, and if he caught it, he again could put me at risk

 

[Jane50]

Welcome to the forum. With regard to the shopping does your son have a mobile phone? My partner has been going out to do the food shopping the last two weeks and each time something on the list isn’t available he texts me to ask and I say if there is an alternative that he could try which works well. He can also text me photos to check if something is right or needs to be changed. But due to store shortages we are eating food that we wouldn’t normally eat - which isn’t easy for me as I have diabetes and gastroparesis - but we have adopted a make do and mend attitude to what our meals are for the moment. Much preferable than getting the virus. With regard to control please post to see if we can give suggestions. We are not medical professionals but we will try to help as much as we can.

my son lives with me, so if he were to catch it, he could put me at risk

 

[Inka]

He actually lives with me, and if he caught it, he again could put me at risk

Ok. I’m presuming that, like many people you have no-one else who could help (it’s the same for me). So strict hygiene is all you can do - him when he’s out and both of you when he gets back to limit the risk.

But improving your control can only help, and is one positive thing you can do in these times when there’s so much we can’t control.

 

[AJLang]

my son lives with me, so if he were to catch it, he could put me at risk

Hi I’m in the same position except I have several different health conditions. The only option I have is for my partner to go out for food if I can’t get a delivery. I’m not sure what other options you have if your son doesn’t go out to get the food shopping.

 

[grovesy]

Welcome to the forum. With regard to the shopping does your son have a mobile phone? My partner has been going out to do the food shopping the last two weeks and each time something on the list isn’t available he texts me to ask and I say if there is an alternative that he could try which works well. He can also text me photos to check if something is right or needs to be changed. But due to store shortages we are eating food that we wouldn’t normally eat - which isn’t easy for me as I have diabetes and gastroparesis - but we have adopted a make do and mend attitude to what our meals are for the moment. Much preferable than getting the virus. With regard to control please post to see if we can give suggestions. We are not medical professionals but we will try to help as much as we can.

Although that is good idea I theory our Sainsbury you cannot get a phone signal.
I have decided, I too if push comes to shove eat food that is not necessarily what i would eat normally.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I have type 1 diabetes, not really well controlled, and I am on Ramipril for high blood pressure, and rampril for high cholesterol - if I was to get coronavirus, how would it affect me with my circumstances

Hello @Jane50

Welcome to the forum

Shopping is a bit of a nightmare at the moment isnt it!

I thunk we are all having to be a bit more creative and flexible with our choices at the moment. Perhaps that will be one of the benefits of this whole saga! Forced food experimentation and flexibility 😛

As others have suggested, well managed type 1 diabetes does not seem to put a person at significantly increased risk of a severe case of Coronavirus, but if anyone with diabetes does develop a severe case then there are significant extra co cents because of the stresses and complexities that illness can put on the body when you live with type 1.

Perhaps you could use this ‘socially distanced’ time to brush up on your diabetes management knowledgebank. There’s a great set of online learning modules by the folks behind the BERTIE course (which is a lot like DAFNE). If you’ve ever had a chance to do any stripe tires learning about how to manage T1, this would be a great opportunity to give it a go.

Bertie Diabetes

www.bertieonline.org.uk

 

[trophywench]

In this instance, predictive text has me baffled!