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We know that at this time it may be difficult to access your usual diabetes care team. We want you to know that we’re right here with you.
Whether you’re looking for ways to keep active, easy recipe ideas to keep mealtimes fresh, concerned about when to call for help or looking for support to help you cope emotionally – we’ve got you covered. And if you’d like to share your own tips or stories, we’d love to hear from you so please get in touch.
Looking after your emotional and mental wellbeing
Having to think about COVID and diabetes as well as everything else in life can feel overwhelming. Stress can affect your blood sugar levels, so we’ve got some useful advice to help you manage all sorts of emotions, including stress.
For tips on managing diabetes & stress we recommend following our guidelines on Diabetes & Stress.
For tips for managing your mental wellbeing or taking care of children around COVID-19 Te Whatu Ora has advice and tips here.
If you need to talk, you can free call or text 1737 to talk to a trained counsellor. They’re available day and night.
Be prepared
Make sure you know your sick day rules. And if you usually use diabetes tech and supplies, make sure you've got these to hand – like hypo treatments or blood glucose and ketone testing tech. If you’re staying at home, don't forget to let friends and family know and keep them regularly updated.
Set goals and stick to a routine
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during this time might be easier said than done, but it’s important to try to eat well and avoid drinking too much or smoking. Now could be a great time to do some online diabetes education. Check out our My Diabetes Journey app, full of tips and tools to help you feel more confident in managing your diabetes.
Look after your mind
If following the news is making you anxious, switch off for a while or limit yourself to one or two checks per day. Make time for soothing activities to help you relax and heal – things that have worked well for you in the past are likely to be the most helpful to you now.
Connect with others
Connecting with other people and talking about things can help relieve some mental pressures. It’s important to remember that you are not alone. Join us on Facebook and get in touch with others living with diabetes.
Looking after yourself
If your routine health checks are postponed or cancelled, it’s really important that you take care of yourself at home.
If you haven't had your Covid vaccine or your booster jab, make an appointment as soon as possible.
Likewise, if you haven't had your flu jab yet this year, it's never too late. Flu jabs can be given at any time, regardless of when you have had your Covid jab.
Wash your hands regularly and speak to your pharmacist for any over-the-counter medications that could help if you become unwell.
If you check your blood sugars, keep a close eye on these. Being less active while you’re in the house can make these run higher.
If you become unwell, it’s really important to follow the 'sick day rules'.
Diabetes medication and equipment
It’s essential at this time to keep taking all usual medications and continue with your diabetes management as usual, unless otherwise advised by your health care professional.
Make sure you have one month's supply of insulin or diabetes oral medication.
If you are on a pump:
Ensure you have spare basal insulin available in case there is a pump failure
Ensure you have adequate pump consumable supplies
Anyone using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) should also have a back-up blood glucose monitoring kit
If you are taking blood pressure medications such as ace inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotension receptor blockers (ARB)* do not stop taking it. For information on COVID-19 and heart medications see Heart Foundation’s advice here or contact your healthcare provider.
When should I seek help for problems I’m experiencing with my diabetes?
As always, in case of a life-threatening emergency call 111, or not urgent contact your GP or diabetes nurse.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of type 1 diabetes and have not been told that you have diabetes call Healthline day or night on 0800 611 116 for advice.
When to contact your GP or diabetes team urgently
Urgent access to your GP may be more difficult during this period of time, but we still advise you to try your GP practice for an urgent telephone appointment in the circumstances listed below.
If you’re unwell, for any reason, and your diabetes has become even more difficult to manage.
If you take corrective doses of insulin and they don’t seem to be effective, but you are not being sick and you don’t have blood ketones
If you have a new or worsening eye problem.
If you have just become newly pregnant.
If you are pregnant and are having frequently high blood sugars.
If you have large unplanned weight loss or weight gain.
If you cannot get through to your GP practice, call 111 for urgent advice.
When to go to the hospital emergency department
If you take corrective doses of insulin and they don’t seem to be effective, and/or you are unable to eat and drink, with or without vomiting.
If you have been following your sick day rules, including corrective insulin doses and nothing changes, or you start feeling worse.
If you have the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
If you have a new or significantly worsening foot wound.
If you have flashing lights in your visual field or have suddenly lost significant amount of sight.
Call our helpline
Finally, if you’ve got a specific question, or you want to talk to someone about your concerns or feelings, please give our confidential helpline a call. We can talk you through the information you need or if you just want to chat, we’re there for that too.