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Dawn Phenomenon

ExChocoholic

Well-Known Member
Messages
300
Location
West Kent
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
rude, loud people
I was diagnosed with T2 in 2007 and like most I find this illness ever more baffling and frustrating. Sometimes, last night for example, I woke around 4.45 and felt dreadful, feet burning, toes and even fingers feeling very sore and an overall feeling of dreadfulness is best way I can describe it. I have not felt this bad in a while. Silly thing is I saw GP yesterday with no particular problem to report. I am on 1000mg SR and take this after evening meal. I am thinking this could be 'Dawn Phenomenon' - if so how to handle it. consequencely I feel really rough today.
 

Do you test BG? sounds more like a hypo than DP.
 
Engineer88, thank you for taking the time to reply - in short, no I don't self test, something I keep pondering on doing, but there are some who say self testing is not beneficial - one of the reasons, which is mine, is that if I had a high reading I would go into panic mode, and the other is GP is against it and strips are so expensive - also my DN is not very helpful or co-operative. However, whatever the reason I do not currently self test. A little confused by your comment about sounding more like a hypo than DP, as I thought DP was due to high glucose levels - and that hypos are rare in non insulin users - maybe you would be kind enough to explain the difference please? In all the net research nothing seems to mention exactly what a DP feels like. With thanks.
 
DP doesnt 'feel' like anything specifically its just a raising of the blood sugars.

Hypo was a bad term for me to use - what i meant was low blood sugars comparitively to what your body is used to. For example if you are normally aroung 8 and your bg drops to say 4 (a normal non diabetic level still) it can feel similar to a hypo because your not used to being that 'low'.

DP is generally (as I understand it) a reaction to getting up where your liver dumps glucose when you get up, Mine tends to happen about an hour after i start being active in the morning. I can see a steady rise requireing a bit more insulin.

Does that help?
 
Hi there!
I think you should test. They only give you this line because they don't want to pay for the strips. You can buy an sd codefree meter from ebay really cheaply. The strips are £7 for a pot of 50 as opposed to £25 per pot from the chemist for most over the counter meters. I test first thing, before eating or drinking (fasting bloods) and a couple of times a day after food. When I was a newb I tested before food and 2 hours after food. I also test every half hour for 2 hours when introducing something new into my diet or if I feel funny. I was also told you can't hypo on metformin. Utter ****. You can if the dosage is too high (the NHS helpline sent the paramedic as I was 3. 3. (Think it was that) . Colds affect my bs and make it run too high. Hope this helps.
 

I didn't know this. That would explain why I feel dizzy when I go higher or lower than my normal range! Thanks!
 


That's interesting. I'm not on meds but my getting up fasting level is always higher than my going to bed level, sometimes significantly, and rises steadily during the morning, making my before lunch level too high, and therefore affecting my after lunch reading, even though the actual spike isn't bad. I was wondering if its because my breakfasts (always the same thing) haven't enough nutrients (approx. 7 carbs, 7 protein, 3 fat plus a splash of milk in my tea), so after a brisk 20 minute walk mid morning and *maybe* some housework my liver is still dumping. Afternoons are completely different and I am down to 4's and low 5's by tea time.

* Note the "maybe"
 
its a throwback to the old days where it wasnt guarenteed you could get a breakfast I believe. This would give you the energy to go hunt/gather it up for the next meal.

T1s deal with it as well but I wouldnt stress about it guys - I dont for sure. Remember its a very natural reaction set in the stone age and without an insulin pump there is F*k all to do about it.
 
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