Before You Get Sick
Collect the numbers, lists, and written instructions now, while you feel well enough to ask for them.
Almost nothing on a sick day is hard except finding things: the after-hours number, the current medicine list, the instructions someone gave you at a visit two years ago. This section is about assembling those in advance, and about the one thing you cannot assemble alone — written sick-day instructions from your own care team.
Guides in this section
Understanding Written Sick-Day Plans
What is a sick-day plan, and why does mine need to be written down?
Depends on your own plan
How to Get a Sick-Day Plan from Your Care Team
How do I ask my care team to write me a sick-day plan?
Needs a professional decision
Best Places to Store Your Diabetes Sick-Day Plan
Where should I keep my sick-day plan so I can actually find it?
General education
Building a Sick-Day Supply Box: Essential Tips
What should I gather into one place before I get sick?
Depends on your own plan
How to Keep Your Care Team Contact List Up-to-Date
Who should be on my contact list before I get sick, and how do I keep it current?
General education
How to Write a Medicine List for When You're Unwell
How do I make a medicine list I can hand over when I am unwell?
Depends on your own plan
Managing a Sick Day with Type 2 Diabetes
How can I organize my day with type 2 diabetes when I’m sick?
Depends on your own plan
Planning Sick Days with Wilson Disease
How can I prepare for managing Wilson disease during a common illness?
Depends on your own plan
Preparing for Your Care Team Discussion on Prolactinomas
What should I do if I have type 2 diabetes and am unwell without a sick-day plan?
General education
Organizing a Sick Day with Type 2 Diabetes
How can I prepare to talk to my care team during a sick day with diabetes?
Depends on your own plan
Sweeteners and Gut Health: Be Ready for Your Care Team Chat
How do sweeteners impact gut health and what should you discuss with your care team?
Depends on your own plan
Organizing a Sick Day with Type 2 Diabetes
How can I organize my day when I'm sick with type 2 diabetes?
Depends on your own plan
Effective Sick Day Management for Ovarian Endometriomas
How should you organize your sick day with an ovarian endometrioma?
General education
Preparing to Discuss Thyroid Concerns With Your Care Team
How can you prepare to discuss thyroid concerns during illness?
General education
How to Prepare for a Discussion About Neonicotinoid Exposure
How can I prepare to talk to my care team about my exposure to NEOs?
Depends on your own plan
Managing Illness with Diabetes and Thyroid Issues
How can I prepare for managing a common illness with type 2 diabetes and thyroid issues?
General education
How to Prepare for a Healthcare Discussion
What should I prepare before discussing lymph node evaluation with my doctor?
Depends on your own plan
Building Your Own Plan for Sick Days with Type 2 Diabetes
How can I prepare to talk to my care team about sick-day plans?
Depends on your own plan
Planning Your Sick Day When You Have Type 2 Diabetes
What steps can I take to prepare for a sick day if I have type 2 diabetes?
Depends on your own plan
Preparing for a Care Discussion on Thyroid Surgery
How can I prepare to talk with my care team about my thyroid condition?
Depends on your own plan
Managing Sick Days with Type 2 Diabetes
How can I organize my day when sick with type 2 diabetes?
Depends on your own plan
Preparing for a Sick Day Plan Discussion with Your Care Team
How can I prepare to discuss my sick day plan for type 2 diabetes with my care team?
Depends on your own plan
How to Discuss Diet Adjustments with Your Care Team
How can I prepare to discuss diet changes with my care team?
Depends on your own plan
Preparing to Discuss Your Sick-Day Plan with Type 2 Diabetes
How can I prepare to discuss my sick-day plan with my care team?
General education
Organizing Your Day with Concerns About Thermal Receipts
How can I prepare to talk to my care team about handling thermal receipts?
Needs a professional decision
Prepare for Managing Diabetes When Ill
How should I organize my day with type 2 diabetes when I'm sick?
General education
Organize Your Day with Statin Related Muscle Concerns
How can I prepare to discuss potential statin side effects with my care team?
Depends on your own plan
Preparing for a Sick Day with Medicare Prescription Costs
How can I prepare to discuss Medicare prescription costs with my care team?
Depends on your own plan
Preparing for a Talk on Stress and Alcohol with Your Care Team
How can I prepare to talk to my care team about stress and alcohol?
Depends on your own plan
Managing a Sick Day with Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
How can I organize my day with tinnitus or hearing loss?
Depends on your own plan
Organizing Your Sick Day Without a Plan
How can I organize my day when sick and without a diabetes plan?
Needs a professional decision
Preparing to Discuss Diabetes and COVID-19 with Your Care Team
How can I prepare to discuss diabetes and COVID-19 with my care team?
General education
Organizing Your Day When Facing Flu with Type 2 Diabetes
How can I prepare for a sick day with flu if I have type 2 diabetes?
Depends on your own plan
Preparing for a Cholesterol Management Discussion
How can I prepare to discuss cholesterol management with my care team?
Depends on your own plan
Preparing for a Sick Day with Type 2 Diabetes
How can I effectively prepare for a sick day while managing type 2 diabetes?
Depends on your own plan