Throwing up with type 1 diabetes?

Question

Ok I don't want any negative comments on this. Occasionally i make myself throw up when I feel like i ate too much or i'm sick from something i ate because then i feel better. (there's a lot of foods i'm allergic to so i don't know what will make me really sick) I also have type 1 diabetes. Can making myself throw up effect my diabetes at all? I don't do this too often just when i feel really sick. Could it cause ketones? Thankss!

Answer 1

now i understood this as you're only doing it when you're nauseous because you know as soon as you do it you'll feel better. throwing up immediately after a meal, bulimia, will affect your blood sugar, but i think you'll find nausea affects your sugar also.

now your diabetes may vary, but when i get a stomach virus my sugars run high. any time i'm throwing up, because i hate throwing up, the stress from it jacks my sugar up in the 200s.

but like i said, YDMV.

Answer 2

If you had just been hypoglycemic and treated it with glucose tablets or candy, it would come back up, so you risk not getting all the sugar into your system.  So check your BG's a few minutes after you barf and slowly sip on a sugary drink to get yourself back up.  Yes, you will usually generate ketones just from the stress of vomiting...it's very disruptive to the body.

Have you seen an allergist?  They can give you an panel of tests with itty-bitty pin pricks, like acupuncture needles, that contain a variety of both food and botanical allergens to help identify what you're allergic to.  Insurance usually covers it, just check to find an immunologist doctor that is covered.  It's well worth it to help you avoid this situation in the first place.

Occasional vomiting maybe once every couple of months is OK, but more than that and you will really s***w up your body long term, not to mention quickly rotting out your teeth from all the acid that comes up!  Vomit is nasty stuff!

Answer 3

Yes it can... on a very dangerous level.  You're at a higher risk for ketoacidosis than the average person, because your body doesn't make insulin.  Diabetic ketoacidosis, you may already know this, is when the body thinks it's starving and executes its emergency management plan!  It starts breaking down your organs to stay alive.  If you're lucky, you'll just feel like c**p and be treated/released in the ER.  Worst case scenario, it'll kill you.

Stay away from foods that are affecting you this way, talk to your endo about your risks and work with your nutritionist about what food choices to make with your senstivities.