Insulin resistance after a binge

[Boboheed]

I had a big binge a week ago, I've always managed mini occasional binges with insulin doses but after this binge of about 3 puddings, the next day I felt ill in my gut and all round vomity and weak. I thought this might just be ketones as my kidneys ached and sugars were high. I noticed a high level of insulin resistance and since then, about 5 days now I've had a lot of trouble with balancing my carb ratio and high blood sugars. E.g. At work I usually have cereal and 4-6 units and then have to top up with food after a few hours to prevent hypos, now I've been having 12 units with breakfast and still having high blood sugar when I test at work. Anyone experienced anything like this?! I think I maybe fried my pancreas :-S

I'm very active, normally eat very healthily and have good control most of the time. Never had anything like this before. I've tried changing insulin cartridges in case of heat damage and changing injection sites too. I'll pop in to clinic on Monday and see if I can speak to a nurse but until then I'd like to know I've not broken my innards!!

 

[Brunneria]

As a type 2 with a lot of insulin resistance, i find that going very low carb for a few days, and increasing exercise helps to lower IR.

Of course, IR makes you feel so bad you don't want to exercise, but hey ho, that's the way the dice fall...

I can't answer to the impact of insulin on your pancreas, but IR will affect the cells in your muscles, fat deposits, etc, and it is definitely reversible, although several factors play a part.

 

[Boboheed]

Thank you for the reply, my plan is go low carb and see how I get on

 

[LucySW]

Yes, as above - or even, if you're up for it, missing lunch twice in a week will also lower your IR. (If you do miss a meal, obviously no mealtime insulin.)

Have a read around of Jason Fung, the Intermittent Fasting guy. He's reputable (he's a kidney specialist who treats T 2s).

https://intensivedietarymanagement.com/blog/

PS: I get much more IR too after I've overeaten, or upped my carbs too high. I have to cool it big time and be very good carb-wise for a few days.

 

[RuthW]

Are you Type 1? (on my app this appears to be the type 1 forum). If so, a binge, of high sugar or high fat, does increase insulin resistance. There is only one way to get rid of insulin resistance - a couple of hours exercise on several consecutive days.

(I couldn't work out if you are type 1 or 2 because of your insulin use and ratios and we're on type 1 forum, I thought, but if you are type 1, believe me, your pancreas was already fried before the binge! Low carb may alleviate your immediate high blood sugar but it doesn't reverse insulin resistance, and high fat makes it worse.)

 

[novorapidboi26]

have to top up with food after a few hours to prevent hypos

Basal is wrong in this case then.....unless its hypos due to activity then you need to consider dropping the basal......

When I was injecting I noticed more resistance when my BG was higher............i fact I needed 1 unit per mmol when above 17mmol....

it sounds like a basal anyway, maybe your binge put some weight on you and therefore your liver is now producing more glucose........

time to test.......

 

[Brunneria]

Low carb may alleviate your immediate high blood sugar but it doesn't reverse insulin resistance, and high fat makes it worse.)

Low carbing lowers insulin requirements.
When the body's cells are exposed to less insulin, they gradually become less insulin resistant.
Unfortunately, we all vary in the extent to which this happens, but it is a good starting point.
Likewise, it is worth checking out the extent to which increasing fat intake affects insulin resistance. There has been a bit of scaremongering on the internet about this, but it is highly variable, person to person, and worth each of uschecking out how it affects each of us individually.

I definitely agree that exercise will probably help, but I have seen a study where only 80% of people have their insulin resistance improved with exercise. I actually started a thread on this about a year ago, but have managed to lose the link The remaining 20% of people need to use other methods to knock their IR into touch - which may include dietary and medication changes (some medications increase insulin resistance).

 

[LucySW]

I actually started a thread on this about a year ago, but have managed to lose the link

The remaining 20% of people need to use other methods to knock their IR into touch - which may include dietary and medication changes (some medications increase insulin resistance).

And may also include some intermittent fasting à la Jason Fung.

Dear B., If you find the link, please post it.

 

[Brunneria]

Here you go!

http://press.endocrine.org/doi/pdf/10.1210/jc.2014-2545

I found several things very interesting, and although the study focusses on Type 2s, it is saying that there are genetic reasons why some of us don't benefit in the same way from exercise (15-20%). So if that is the case, it is logical to speculate that Type 1s would be carrying the same genetics...

 

[RuthW]

I definitely agree that exercise will probably help, but I have seen a study where only 80% of people have their insulin resistance improved with exercise. I actually started a thread on this about a year ago, but have managed to lose the link The remaining 20% of people need to use other methods to knock their IR into touch - which may include dietary and medication changes (some medications increase insulin resistance).

Only 80%? Pretty good odds.

 

[Brunneria]

Not to those poor people who are nagged by everyone, including HCPs to exercise with high inflammation markers and no IR benefit. I really feel for them. Although i fully realise that many of the benefits of exercise are not related to IR.

Anyway, I will stop derailing the thread, and hope @Boboheed belongs to the 80%

 

[RuthW]

I don't think that's derailing. I think it's on topic. But exercise has anti-inflammatory effects too - but only if it gives you muscle soreness.