Sick day

I I am new to this what do you mean by sick day rules, and how do you put them together? Thanks dean

Hi Dean,
Did you complete the DAFNE course?
Have a look at the DAFNE Course Handbook on this website,(should be top right fourth down on this screen) It will be in there. Its under the 'Coping when you are ill' title.

Here is the direct link : http://www.dafneonline.co.uk/hbook_topics/188

It basically refers to how your insulin regime should differ if you are ill and are producing ketones as a result of high blood sugar levels because you have an infection or are unwell.
I won't explain it because it is too complex but it is explained in a very clear flow chart illustration in the handbook (link above).

It confused me too at first, as I thought it would be something to do with legal issues about taking time off et c !
The term 'rules' is somewhat ambiguous but it becomes clear once you read and understand the guidelines because they are essentially 'rules on how to treat yourself when ill'.

Hope this helps!

Arianne explains it well.............

The sick day rules are simply procedures to follow in order to manage one thing, ketones..........they wont make you feel better, but they will keep the ketones under control, especially when you are unable to eat as a result of the illness....

It seems you have not completed the DAFNE course so you will not know the rules and cant view them on here until you do complete the course.....

Hi sorry but you cannot access the page unless you are a DAFNE Graduate, this is the rule by which we are allowed to have the handbook on the site.
Its mainly because things like the sick day rules presume you are familiar with the rest of the course and so if you applied them without understanding the rest you may make things worse instead of better.

The summary of them, is indeed your body needs insulin even if you don't eat especially when you are ill. Your liver will most likely release sugar to help you fight the infection, this will raise your Blood Sugar even if you don't eat. When your Blood Sugar exceeds certain levels you are likely to produce Ketones that if they are not treated can make you very ill. If you have not done DAFNE try to find out if your area offers any Diabetes Training or even ask your Diabetes team for advice. They should be able to help you with advice about what you shoudl do when you are ill.

Marke,
Really sorry I did not realise this. was trying to help.
However it strikes me as so unfair that so many diabetics are missing out on information as vital as this just because they may not be in a position to do the DAFNE training. Most of us know the struggle getting on a course can be...
Although there are some things on DAFNE you need to know to follow the rest I believe GPs should know or pass on some of this stuff, and have the sick day rules chart available to explain, it doesn't take long and it could save lives especially when you are ill.
It saddens me that this is not already in place...

So apologies Marke and good luck Dean123 !

Hi, no need to apologise ! I agree with everything you say, but my hands are tied about the handbook. Like you and probably most graduates, the first I knew about the effects of sickness was from the DAFNE Course. If I could not get on the course then how would I have found out. It is frustrating but there are no easy answers. The e-petition raised by the DAFNE User Action Group is an attempt to change this by pushing for Structured Education for ALL Diabetics.
This will be a news item as well as being in the forums soon, so people can sign up to it.