Hi Everyone, I’m new to the site and a couple of weeks ago had my very first DKA experience (one I never want to repeat!!). I was in ICU for 3 days and the regular hospital floor for another day. Now I’m terrified of it happening again (I’ve been diabetic for 6 years now). Not entirely sure what triggered it, probably a stomach bug as I was vomiting for almost 8 hours straight before I got to where I couldn’t breathe. Any advice on preventing this in the future?
Always test, take your meds and do not become dehydrated or go without food for long periods.It is truly one of the most horrible experiences to have to go through, hopefully it won’t happen again. First time you throw up call the doc, don’t let yourself go down for hours.
simple: good sugars
sometimes you can’t do much when your sick, just get a hold of your doc as soon as you can in case things get worse
I’ve gone to the ER to get fluids when I’ve been dehydrated, as a preventative for full-blown DKA. I’m convinced that it’s saved me from getting to that point… and usually it means just a few hours in the ER, rather than days for a hospital stay.
Really the biggest thing is the stay hydrated when you’re sick, and keep your BG at reasonable levels - if you can’t, you need to get help before it becomes a bigger deal.
Hi Colleen,
I skip one meal due to illness and I will start making ketones. I can not keep anything down I go to the ER. The chill my stomach with med’s and pump me up on 2 liters of salt water 
When I am sick I check for urine ketones the whole time about 4 times a day because in my case even with good numbers I will start building them skipping a meal. If I can keep anything down I start sipping beef broth, I hate it but my doc says it is better then chicken broth don’t know why I just do it. Many diabetics can not go all day without food and water and be healthy. It is good to check ketones when you are sick because the extra stress may cause them even if your BG numbers are good and you need to see if they are increasing in your urine. However urine ketones does not mean blood ketones but it gives you and idea of what is coming if you continue to fast due to illness.
Be loved
vomiting is the leading cause of ketoacidosis. I’ve been in the ER and ICU for days as well, due to Dka. I had it so severe one time that the doctors told my dad if he had waited two more hours, I wouldn’t have been able to come out of it. Oh my goodness, it was the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my entire life. Burning blood, heartburn, aching aching muscles. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it.
I slip into the Dka signs just from stress. If I start to feel my BG go up, I’ll inject correction insulin (bolusing for you pumpers) and drink about two liters of water over the course of one hour. No other foods or drinks until the BG comes down. If it increases to over 300, I call the doc.
If it goes over 400 and I still am feeling the signs, aching muscles, burning blood etc, I call my fiance and get a ride to the ER.
Water, water, water, test, test, test.
Thank you all so much for all the advice. I’m sorry those of you who’ve been through had to have the experience, but also glad to hear I’m not alone when things get scary!