New Type 1

[LucySearcey]

Hi,
I'm a new type 1 diabetic and I'm 17. I've heard people talking about the "honeymoon phase" and I think I understand why it would happen, but when would it start after being diagnosed/using insulin?
My glucose levels still haven't settled down (reading between 15-20 since coming out of hospital, yes I've seen a doctor who told me it's fine for the moment) and I was wondering if I'll even get this honeymoon phase?
I should add that I wasn't diagnosed until about a month after showing signs of DKA, so that may have an affect on my levels not returning to normal so easily.
Really, I'm just brand new to all of this, and feeling overwhelmed, so I will take on board any advice and help you can give

Lucy

 

[becky.ford93]

Hi there I'm Becky, and I was diagnosed type one 8 months ago when I was 21. My honeymoon phase started probably 3-4 weeks after my diagnosis, and I think (though it's starting to fade off) is still happening. Your readings will come down I promise, just keep in touch with your nurse if you have any concerns, or come on here, we're all happy to help! It's not a bad thing to still have fairly high readings so soon after diagnosis, especially if you were high for a long time beforehand (as many of us were). If they suddenly drop to "normal" then that drastic a change can reek havoc for your eyes etc. so don't be concerned about them coming within range straight away, it'll happen. When I was first diagnosed I just avoided eating as much carbs as I usually did, just try and stick to a generally healthy balanced diet, and try not to splash out on massive sweet treats!

 

[noblehead]

Hi Lucy and welcome to the forum.

There's a good explanation in the following about the Honeymoon Phase:

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/blood-glucose/honeymoon-phase.html

 

[TorqPenderloin]

Lucy, glad you're here. Im 27 and was diagnosed with type 1 two months ago.

To answer your question, the "honeymoon phase" is the time when your pancreas still makes some insulin but can't make enough to control your blood sugar levels. Your pancreas doesn't just shut off one day and it often takes months (or even years) before it no longer produces any insulin.

I'm still in the honeymoon phase myself. I don't know when it will end, but most people realize it's done (for them) when they have to noticeably increase their daily insulin intake to keep their glucose levels in check.

It may seem overwhelming now, but you're doing the best possible thing you can do right now: learning.

You're at a very tough age in life and that's even without diabetes. It's important to have people in your life you can share your feelings with. That can be friends, family, or people like us.

I wish you the best of luck and things WILL get better if you allow them to. Always remember that you control your diabetes and your diabetes doesn't control you.

-Mark

Comment on edit- my apologies to anyone who may have seen and misinterpreted my comments about type 2 diabetes. My intention was to explain how ignorant and WRONG I was about my understanding of diabetes prior to being diagnosed and prior to joining this forum. I said those things to help Lucy understand that she may read things that are scary, but they aren't necessarily true. Diabetes treatment has changed significant in the 21st century and so has our knowledge and understanding of the disease in general.

 

[LucySearcey]

Thanks for the replies guys! I went to A&E last night because my readings were high and the doctor told me to take an extra 2 units of my fast acting insulin if I'm reading around 20. I've done that twice since I was there, but it doesn't seem to have any effect at all? Sorry if this sounds really naïve of me, especially since I've only just started on insulin :s

 

[kitsunerin]

Hey Lucy, nice to meet you. I was diagnosed when I was 16 and it was pretty hard. It sounds like you are getting the right help you need and such, which is great!

I would expect that your doctors will keep a close eye on your diabetes over the next few months and will adjust your doses depending on your logging. I hope you are doing well, and this forum is a fantastic place for help and support.

 

[azure]

It doesn't sound naive at all It takes months to get your head round diabetes, and in the early days things can be quite unsettled with your blood sugars.

Are you counting carbs? Are you taking the same amounts of insulin every day (apart from when the doctor told you to have the two extra units)?

Do you have the number of a diabetes specialist nurse you can call up for advice and reassurance?

 

[LucySearcey]

It doesn't sound naive at all It takes months to get your head round diabetes, and in the early days things can be quite unsettled with your blood sugars.

Are you counting carbs? Are you taking the same amounts of insulin every day (apart from when the doctor told you to have the two extra units)?

Do you have the number of a diabetes specialist nurse you can call up for advice and reassurance?

I've been given an appointment to see the diabetic nurse soon who is going to show me how to carb count, I've read a bit about it though. I take 8 units with every meal regardless of what I'm eating at the moment, but I guess that will change in time.
Yesterday I rang the diabetes team and they had just left the office (closing time) and I tried the on-call number and apparently there was nobody available? It made me a bit frustrated since I had been out of hospital less than 24 hours with a difficult condition and there was nobody for me to speak to, which is why I had to ring 111 and speak to my GP instead. So to answer that last question, yes, I'm supposed to have a specialist nurse available, but it seems they want to make my life difficult

 

[schmee]

At 17 are you with the paediatric team or the adult team? When my DS left hospital we had open access to phone the ward for a week or two, but that was the children's ward. I have our DSN's mobile number so I can contact him out of hours if necessary. I'm sorry you're not getting the right support.

In answer to your first question, I think my son's honeymoon period kicked in about a month in. Then eight weeks in (just as he went back to school) he started getting lots of hypos and we had to adjust his medication down.

Shameless plug - I'm blogging about the honeymoon period today (blogging all week for diabetes awareness) https://racheljgood.wordpress.com

 

[azure]

Good news about the carb counting I'm sure once you know a bit about that it'll make things easier for you as you'll be able to adjust your insulin according to your food. It should reduce your bloods sugars too.

Do ask as many questions as you want

 

[Robinredbreast]

Hello and welcome to the forum, it's a shame you are having so many problems, but I hope they will getit sorted out very soon and honestly, things will get a little easier for you as time goes by.
Sometimes 'diabetes care' can be a little haphazard/unreliable, which is not acceptable, especially to someone who is newly diagnosed on Insulin and just left to it, at such a young age. Are your parents on the ball with how you are coping, it can also be hard for family members to come to terms with it all.
Good luck and all the best, take care RRB

 

[LucySearcey]

At 17 are you with the paediatric team or the adult team? When my DS left hospital we had open access to phone the ward for a week or two, but that was the children's ward. I have our DSN's mobile number so I can contact him out of hours if necessary. I'm sorry you're not getting the right support.

In answer to your first question, I think my son's honeymoon period kicked in about a month in. Then eight weeks in (just as he went back to school) he started getting lots of hypos and we had to adjust his medication down.

Shameless plug - I'm blogging about the honeymoon period today (blogging all week for diabetes awareness) https://racheljgood.wordpress.com

I assume I'm with the adult team since I get put on the adult wards at the hospital now (I really think there should be different wards so that 17 year olds don't get put into a ward with mostly people over 70, because it made me uncomfortable and very lonely to be there)
Maybe when I've had an appointment with someone at the diabetes clinic, the support will be easier/better, but it's a good job there's websites like this one so I'm not completely in the dark.
And as an update, my blood sugars have been getting lower today, which is good, last time I checked it was 13.7, down from 20 this morning
I'll be back at sixth form on Monday so I hope everything is at least slightly more manageable by then!

 

[LucySearcey]

Hello and welcome to the forum, it's a shame you are having so many problems, but I hope they will getit sorted out very soon and honestly, things will get a little easier for you as time goes by.
Sometimes 'diabetes care' can be a little haphazard/unreliable, which is not acceptable, especially to someone who is newly diagnosed on Insulin and just left to it, at such a young age. Are your parents on the ball with how you are coping, it can also be hard for family members to come to terms with it all.
Good luck and all the best, take care RRB

Thanks for the reply my brother has had t1d for 17 years, so my mum had to take care of it before. Even though he moved out a long time ago, she still knows quite a bit. However, she's been severely affected by strokes, so I don't really have a lot of support at home, like someone to help me choose meals or help me if my blood sugars did get low. Which is why I really need the support of a diabetic team, as this is all new to me and I don't really know how to take care of myself yet

 

[Alberti]

Was diagnosed 7 months ago. Life changing. For first months checking blood like 15 times or more a day. Gave a good insight about effect food has on your levels. Got pretty depressed ,with the thought to do this rest of my life. But nowaday s checking 6 to 8 times a day. Starting to know my body. With about 2 injections a day ,I counted it altogether takes less then 15 min a day. Last week check up with Diabetes Nurse and asked me how I feel about to live with this daily routine. She is a beautiful nurse. So I answered; Altogether this routine takes about 15 min of the day.How long you spend in front of a mirror ? She laughed and said, probably more then half hour a day. Now packing my bag and travel 4 months to Asia. Diabetes is ruling my life those 15 min. Enjoy the rest of the day

 

[LucySearcey]

Was diagnosed 7 months ago. Life changing. For first months checking blood like 15 times or more a day. Gave a good insight about effect food has on your levels. Got pretty depressed ,with the thought to do this rest of my life. But nowaday s checking 6 to 8 times a day. Starting to know my body. With about 2 injections a day ,I counted it altogether takes less then 15 min a day. Last week check up with Diabetes Nurse and asked me how I feel about to live with this daily routine. She is a beautiful nurse. So I answered; Altogether this routine takes about 15 min of the day.How long you spend in front of a mirror ? She laughed and said, probably more then half hour a day. Now packing my bag and travel 4 months to Asia. Diabetes is ruling my life those 15 min. Enjoy the rest of the day

What an amazing comment, thanks for the inspiration!

 

[HarryType1]

I'm 29, diagnosed in July with type 1. Bit of a nightmare but sod it, you have to play with the cards your dealt in life don't you tbh it really does sound like you need a few more units of insulin, my doctor told me take 20 units breakfast and 20 units with tea (I'm on nova mix30 insulin) don't worry about tweaking your insulin a little bit if your still high all the time. I tweak mine all the time, sometimes I have 18 units sometimes I have 26 units, depends what my readings say. If you gave a breakdown of your typical daily diet that might help people advise you better. It's all trial and error whilst we're still learning. Sometimes diabetes support isn't brilliant either. The 'diet' and food they gave me in hospital when I was diagnosed with DKA was absolutely disgusting and I don't mean the taste! Sometimes my B/S reading was 27 in hospital! I told the doctor that this food isn't great for diabetics and I'd be able to control it better when I get home and he agreed with me!! As I said, nothing wrong with tweaking your insulin a little as long as you recognise a hypo and how to treat it, I was advised not to go to bed unless my B/S was at least 8 nothing below. Probably not helped you a lot just thought I'd try explain what I'm doing. You'll get the hang of it.

 

[Swissgirl]

Although your post is already a wile ago.. I m 16 and i was diagnosed for typ 1 in June last year. The first 2 months i havent much troubles and I was taking Insulin 5 times a day. But then i was in hypos a lot like 3 times a day. Thats why i stopped injecting Insulin. I am one my Honeymoon phase since 3 months now. I try to exercise and eat low carb and it works quite good. And sometimes my BS drops under 4.0mm/l. Just wanted to let you know that there s sometimes a chance for a good honeymoon