Managing Diabetes Without Insulin Injection: What You Should Do

Are you a type 1 diabetic who forgot to inject insulin and plans to be home in two days? It's understandable to feel worried about your diabetes management during such a scenario, but it's important to take the appropriate steps to ensure your safety. Here’s how to handle the situation.

Seek Medical Advice

To begin with, it's crucial to seek professional medical advice. Asking Quora or any other platform for non-licensed medical advice is not advisable. Instead, contact your prescriber or go to a general practitioner (GP) or an accident and emergency center immediately. Pharmacists in the UK can prescribe a limited amount without a doctor's script, but if this is not permissible in your area, make sure to see a medical professional.

Review Your Plan

As a type 1 diabetic with years of experience, you know that it's not uncommon to make mistakes. For instance, when this happened, I rang my doctor for advice, and together we worked out a plan for future occurrences. Whether you're a new user or have had the condition for many years, having a clear plan in place can significantly ease your mind and prevent complications.

Insulin Types and Dosing

Understanding the types of insulin you use and your dosing routine is vital. Are you on long-acting, short-acting, or a mix of both? How long ago did you last inject insulin, and how long have you been using it? If you're a new user, the learning curve can be steep, and frequent blood sugar monitoring is essential. You'll quickly notice how sugars fluctuate when you eat and when you use different doses of insulin.

Apidra, Humolog, Novolog, or Humulin R are some of the short-acting insulin brands available in the US. A blood sugar reading over a certain number might require a specific unit of insulin. However, since insulin sensitivity can vary greatly between individuals, it's impossible to specify exact numbers. For example, a blood sugar of 251 might not require 6 units of Novolog, or it could push you into hypoglycemia. The key is to carefully monitor your sugars and adjust dosing accordingly.

Trial and Error

Another approach is to start a new basal or long-acting insulin at an arbitrary starting dose, such as 10 units. Over the next three days, monitor your fasting blood sugar readings. If they remain above 180, increase the dose by 2 or 3 units. Conversely, if your readings stay below 120, reduce the dose by 1 or 2 units. Remember, these are general guidelines, and it's always best to consult with your doctor for personalized advice.

Stay Informed and Safe

Don’t hesitate to call your doctor when in doubt. They can provide guidance based on your unique situation. Lastly, be aware that while a high blood sugar is not ideal, a low blood sugar can be dangerous and requires immediate attention.