Had a right battle today

[Jc3131]

It's been a strange one so far today.

I saw my dsn yesterday and mentioned the strange issue I had with Weetabix and my readings.

When I was first diagnosed Weetabix used to put my blood up to around the 15mmol mark, so I stopped eating it. Anyway I tried some last week with 2 units of novorapid and everything was fine. The next day I did the same and I was near hypoing at 3.2mmol after 2 hrs of eating. So I mentioned this and decided to try the Weetabix without any insulin.

Well 4 weetabix went down my throat and two hours later I was 5.7mmol after being 5.2 just before I ate it. This is where things got interesting. An hour later the hypo started while I was buying a sausage bacon and egg sarnie. I dashed home and I was 3.2mmol and I scoffed my sarnie (which I had planned to take some insulin.) And drank a glass off fresh orange. 20 mins later I was 9.2mmol so rightly or wrongly I gave myself a unit of novo. All morning and into the afternoon I have just ate as I've been hungry all the time with low blood sugar feelings. When i tested Ive been around the 5mmol mark so I just kept eating snacks etc.

I'm only on 3u of Lantus and it's been fine for about a month after it was reduced by a unit. Today has been a strange one, is this the norm? Esp for a honeymooner?

 

[slip]

Classic honeymoon 'surprise' - when were you diagnosed? 2-3months?

 

[Jc3131]

Mid June

 

[slip]

3 and a half months then, sorry I was half a month out!

pre-diagnosis the pancreas is trying as hard as it can to produce insulin with x number of beta cells down, then along comes some extra injected insulin to ease it's burden, and in fact make the pancreas redundant as you're covering all the carbs off with the injected stuff - this gives it time to repair and recuperate a bit - so it eventually gets back working or at least trying to and coughing and spluttering insulin as and when it can, hence the lows and/or not needing injections to cover some meals.

But there is no way of knowing if and when your pancreas is going to play ball, so unfortunately lots of testing and hoping for the time being - you'll soon notice if and when it completely packs in. I think the honeymoon period is probably the hardest time for a T1D, you're probably still reeling from the diagnosis, and think you've got a handle on it and then wham lots of lows and then even the thought of the possibility that the docs got it wrong.........!

It will get easier, just keep testing and go careful.

 

[Jc3131]

3 and a half months then, sorry I was half a month out!

pre-diagnosis the pancreas is trying as hard as it can to produce insulin with x number of beta cells down, then along comes some extra injected insulin to ease it's burden, and in fact make the pancreas redundant as you're covering all the carbs off with the injected stuff - this gives it time to repair and recuperate a bit - so it eventually gets back working or at least trying to and coughing and spluttering insulin as and when it can, hence the lows and/or not needing injections to cover some meals.

But there is no way of knowing if and when your pancreas is going to play ball, so unfortunately lots of testing and hoping for the time being - you'll soon notice if and when it completely packs in. I think the honeymoon period is probably the hardest time for a T1D, you're probably still reeling from the diagnosis, and think you've got a handle on it and then wham lots of lows and then even the thought of the possibility that the docs got it wrong.........!

It will get easier, just keep testing and go careful.

Cheers. Ive been ok for a while and the diabetes has sort of eased off a little, even though its always in the back of my mind. Today has thrown me little but I feel ok now and last test over 2 hts ago i was 10.2 but i will be less now so happy ish days.

 

[therower]

@Jc3131 . I've been doing this T1 game far longer than you and I still have days where everything goes crazy.
I've done the honeymoon had a divorce and remarried and I still get weird and wonderful days.
If it's only a day or so that things like this occur I wouldn't get stressed, as already pointed out your pancreas still believes it's a help to you sadly the sooner it gives up the better.
If you're struggling after a few days with the problem then seek advice, some newly diagnosed T1's can drop the insulin temporarily whilst the pancreas has its last hooray.
Good luck and may I add , for someone new to the game you are doing really well.

 

[Jc3131]

Cheers im back down to 4.7mmol now. Ive been steady away for a month or so now. My monitor says im averaging 6.6 and today has been a strange one. The thing with today is that im out of my routine which ive stuck to. The weetabix is out of the window and im going back to having burgen bread toasted with peanut butter.

 

[Jc3131]

Today Ive been more normal that yesterday.

Just a quick question though. I tested myself an hour after breakfast (3X Burgen toast amd peanut butter and a biscuit) as I was driving. The reading was 10.2 then i tested again about an hour and aa half after that and I was 5.1. Is this normal to see a spike like that after an hour and then back down not long after? I took no insulin.

Just tested two hours after dinner and im 10.2. So today is the exact opposite to yesterday.

 

[slip]

Sorry @Jc3131 I'm not usually on the forum at weekends.

You don't say what you had for dinner or if you took any insulin so can't really suggest anything, but breakfast - TBH I've no idea how many carbs were in that - not a lot I guess, but plenty of protein - if you are low carbing you may have to factor in protein as it can get converted into glucose (takes longer to kick in and lasts longer than sugar/carbs). However it is normal to have some spike after a meal - even for a T0, probably not quite as high as a 10.2 but the good thing is you were soon down to normal range.

Do you carb count? (take a look at bertie online for info) Also do you keep a diary/log of food and blood results?

 

[Jc3131]

For dinner I had 1 and a half ham and cheese sandwich with a different bread than normal. A packet of space raider crisps and a small milky way copy off. Roughly 56g carbs. I took no insulin.

My breakfast is roughly 50g of carbs and I have the same every morning.

I do rough carb counting as i can normally handle 40-50 g of carbs without any novorapid. If I have something a bit heavier 80-100 g carbs I take two units. I have quite an active job so I burn off the sugar quite quickly (sometimes).

I do keep a log of my blood and food, just for future reference to see how i have reacted to certain foods and amounts of insulin.

I think Fridays shenanigans by my Pancreas had worn the little fella out, and on Saturday he decided to have a bit of a rest.

I don't know if Burgen bread is that good for you, but it normally keeps my blood at ok levels. Saying that I eat about 3 loaves of it a week, poss 4.

Cheers John

 

[slip]

As you are on so little insulin, if you don't have one already it might be worth asking your diabetes clinic for a half unit pen, then you could perhaps see if 0.5u with a meal might help with the rise - if that's happening most times, your #8 post seem to indicate you don't routinely test after a meal hence the query about going high after food?

I think Fridays shenanigans by my Pancreas had worn the little fella out, and on Saturday he decided to have a bit of a rest.

Had to laugh at this one, sounds about right!

 

[Jc3131]

As you are on so little insulin, if you don't have one already it might be worth asking your diabetes clinic for a half unit pen, then you could perhaps see if 0.5u with a meal might help with the rise - if that's happening most times, your #8 post seem to indicate you don't routinely test after a meal hence the query about going high after food?

Had to laugh at this one, sounds about right!

I test two hours after every meal bar breakfast as eating the same food was not having much of an effect on my sugars, so I decided to give my aching fingers a rest.

I have been sticking to the same foods and routines and my bs has been ok bar the odd high. I need to experiment more with food as I am becoming bored with the same foods. Plus I am always hungry. I originally lost around 16lbs quite quick when I was diagnosed and I could do with putting on about half a stone to make me feel more comfortable with my weight.

The query about the rise was more to do with it being high after an hour but then back down an hour or so later. I only tested after an hour because I was driving and I was wary after what happened the day before.

 

[phdiabetic]

I love weetbix and have eaten them every day since I was diagnosed. I have found that they're a great food since they're fairly moderate GI, easy to carb count, filling and delicious! I've had 6 today already I agree with everyone else - your experience sounds like a typical problem for newly diagnosed people. Just wanted to share my weetbix experiences!

 

[Jc3131]

I love weetbix and have eaten them every day since I was diagnosed. I have found that they're a great food since they're fairly moderate GI, easy to carb count, filling and delicious! I've had 6 today already I agree with everyone else - your experience sounds like a typical problem for newly diagnosed people. Just wanted to share my weetbix experiences!

6 Weetabix sounds a good amount to start the day with. I used to put banana on mine.

 

[phdiabetic]

6 Weetabix sounds a good amount to start the day with. I used to put banana on mine.

Not all at once lol! I had 2 for breakfast, 2 for lunch, another 1 for lunch coz I was still hungry, and 1 for afternoon snack. I put peanut butter on mine My breakfast today was 2 weetbix, an apple, and some chocolate ice cream

 

[Jc3131]

Not all at once lol! I had 2 for breakfast, 2 for lunch, another 1 for lunch coz I was still hungry, and 1 for afternoon snack. I put peanut butter on mine My breakfast today was 2 weetbix, an apple, and some chocolate ice cream

I could eat 6. Normally have 4 but that's rare at the moment.

 

[phdiabetic]

I could eat 6. Normally have 4 but that's rare at the moment.

I never have more than 3 at once. But sometimes I feel so hungry and I would love to eat 6! It's my favourite food!

 

[becca59]

I love weetbix and have eaten them every day since I was diagnosed. I have found that they're a great food since they're fairly moderate GI, easy to carb count, filling and delicious! I've had 6 today already I agree with everyone else - your experience sounds like a typical problem for newly diagnosed people. Just wanted to share my weetbix experiences!

When diagnosed, my brother a 35 year veteran turned up on my doorstep with a bunch of flowers and a box of Weetabix. Your new best friend he said.

 

[Jc3131]

One of the lads at work gave me a penguin biscuit and said 'I hope that doesn't kill you '

 

[slip]

One of the lads at work gave me a penguin biscuit and said 'I hope that doesn't kill you '

Attacked by a killer penguin! Fairly easy to find out the carbs for it so probably a worth while experiment!

so I decided to give my aching fingers a rest

Have you had a look at a Freestyle Libre sensor? (your DSN may have some(1) to give out for a trial)