Type 1 5 year old sickness bug

[Invinsibubblality]

I'm just posting on here for support from any other type 1s / mums

DD diagnosed earlier this year. Felt kind of on top of things with her pump and CGM.

This weekend she's been hit very hard with some kind of stomach bug. Its been an absolute nightmare.

We've managed to keep her ketones out of the danger zone but they have been raised, she's barely been eating so it's balancing the insulin management, rising ketones and not eating, it's just awful.

Speaking to friends and family they just don't understand. 'Oh stomach bugs are awful for everyone!' Yes but you probably haven't had your hospital bag packed for your kid packdd for the past two nights incase you have to rush her in.

Can anyone just hold my hand and validate my 'this is really shit' before I have a breakdown? Thank you 🙏

Absolutely OP, it is frightening as you end up thinking worst-case. If they can't be understanding give them a wide berth for a while. Sending you and the little onr very best wishes X

Absolute nightmare managing vomiting bugs with diabetes. So hard to safely avoid admission. Incredibly stressful for you.

I am the mum of a 30+ yr old type 1 - she developed it as a toddler.
Yes it's shit! I have stayed up all night taking BMs, pushing fluids.

Do you have a diabetes nurse at the hospital you can call. I am now a retired RGN so I have some experience but it's different doing it on your own ...

Big hugs

Thank you so much for the replies, I feel less alone with it 💜

@ColinRobinsonsFart we do have a diabetes nurse we can contact and I have done so. They are great but it's just quite matter of fact with them. They are professionals after all but I really need someone to say 'it's very shit!' And maybe bring me tea (half joking)

Obviously will pick myself back up and keep going, as we do! Just needed a small pity party for a bit! Thank you

Ah you are allowed to wobble!! I have wobbled on many an occasion.

It's crap, shit and fucking awful - say it out loud!!! You deserve a moment to shout!

Yes, its a complete nightmare (mum to 2 T1s, albeit now grown up).

Sugar.levels go sky high but you're nervous about correcting because your little one isn't eating / can't keep anything down. It's a constant battle. Hope she feels better soon x

Keep in touch with a diabetes specialist nurse regarding your DDs' ketones, her illness is more worrying than a sickness bug due to her T1D. I know, I am a survivor this condition since childhood myself and your spot on when you mentioned how other people don't understand, how desperaty ill your child is right now.

If she starts breathing fast ring 999 for an ambulance tell them she's in DKA and get her to A&E quickly.

If your DD is breathing normally, hang in there and stay in touch with DSNs who will support you and your DD through this very scary time, to get get those ketones down the answer is more insulin but dsns will help you to do this safely.

Stay strong, hang in there you got this.

@Invinsibubblality - how is your little girl ? I hope she is feeling better x

Hi @ColinRobinsonsFart thanks for checking in.

We made it through the worst of the sickness bug but her levels were out of whack for ages, I think she was restocking her glucose stores as she barely needed any insulin. This did result in one awful hypo which wouldn't come up but we got there in the end.
She's back to her normal self and insulin requirements now thankfully.
It was a bloody awful 10ish days.

I also had to listen to a parent kicking off at school drop time when we went back that she shouldn't have to take her DS home for the day as he was 'only sick once' and is 'absolutely fine now'. So really had to keep my sanity, hearing that after the week we had!