Dawn Phenomenon / insulin not working

To cut a long post short, I wake up every single morning high (readings of 13+)

This is really getting me down as I am injecting throughout the night, I’ve upped my background insulin, I’m aware I’m not dropping and then bouncing back up because I’ve checked hourly and I’m continuously high.

Alongside this, my fast acting insulin is so delayed that i run high after a low carb meal for up to 6 hours and then have this sudden drop afterwards.

My insulin doesn’t seem to be right for me, I’ve been on novorapid and levermir since I was a kid. Had this disease for almost 2 decades but completely out of my depth with it recently.

I’m sick and tired of waking up feeling like this aswell as having to hold down a full time job I am exhausted!

Any advice re insulin adjustments / combating the dawn phenomenon would be appreciated.

Thanks xx

Diakat said:

When do you take your basal? Morning, evening or split? When does the steady rise start? Have you ever asked your team about a pump?

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I take my background insulin morning and evening. I’m on the waiting list .... just waiting to start the dafne course! I have heard amazing things about tresiba insulin, my clinic never review this though so it may be the novorapid / levermir. My body is so resistant to the insulin especially during the night.

EllieM said:

How about your insulin sites? Are you rotating them sufficiently. Insulin absorption can be delayed if you overuse a site...

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I don’t feel any lumps but often I do inject in the same spots for ease! I did actually inject in my arms the past two nights thinking my sites may be blocked but still high upon waking so I am not so sure ?

sophc said:

Hi @Sophie1991 I was experiencing exactly the same issues as you. I could get out of bed and my BG would be 7, within an hour of not eating and getting ready for work they could be 15. I tried everything with the DSN to combat this and absolutely nothing would , except a pump. I’ve been on the pump only 6 weeks and already we’ve managed to stop it. My insulin requirements go up around 3am , so I have a higher basal rate kick in and it keeps my BG steady. Has your nurse suggested one at all ?

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That’s exactly how I am! IF - on the odd chance I wake up with a good reading, i will always be high within the hour. I usually give 1.5:1 ratio with my correction doses as I would with breakfast carb counting, not sure whether that’s right but I just hate being high through no reason of my own! I’m on the waiting list for a pump. Just got to do the dafne course which I am on next week! Did the pump eliminate the highs immediately ?? And did you switch insulin or stay on the same ?

Thanks x

Diakat said:

Given your answers above the pump does sound best so fingers crossed that they hurry up with Dafne and getting you up the list. In the meantime you may just have to set an alarm and correct, which is a complete pain...

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Yes hopefully it will be within the next couple of months. Thank you! If I know there’s some hope I’m sure I can (just about) deal with it until I’m on the pump

I’m so glad it’s all worked out for you! It gives me hope! Thank you, I’m excited to be on the pump now. Do you find it gets in the way when wearing clothes etc?