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Honeymoon phase...

L

lordcharlton

Member
Messages
6
Location
Bristol
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
spiders
Hi all, a couple of questions.. I was diagnosed end of Feb this year, with type 1, I'm 29yrs old.
Over this time I've managed to make some pretty good life changes and think I'm probably the healthiest I've ever been... anyway, I've been managing ok with my levels up until a couple of weeks ago, my levels have been rather high and has felt like sometimes the insulin isn't working. I increase the dose and things get better.. also I've increased my levemir ...

I find that some day the only way to get the levels down is exercise which I like doing anyway, however this can bring it too low and i eat to bring it up and then need to go for another run seems silly and it is funny but just looking to see if this has happened to anyone else.

Tom
 
Hi Tom :)

The honeymoon can be a time of erratic sugars - which can be very annoying! All you can do is test and see how things are working for you. Your DSN should be able to provide support too.

As my honeymoon was ending, I found I started to go higher after meals, so I needed to increase my bolus ratios.

Are you correcting with fast acting insulin when you're high?
 
Hey, thanks for the reply!
Yep, I'm using nova rapid but only doing 1unit at a time which helps and also a good dose of cardio... just at the moment it's going up to 18 high after a small bit of food. There's no drink or sugary anything either in my diet. what a ride
Best
Tom
 
lordcharlton said:
Hey, thanks for the reply!
Yep, I'm using nova rapid but only doing 1unit at a time which helps and also a good dose of cardio... just at the moment it's going up to 18 high after a small bit of food. There's no drink or sugary anything either in my diet. what a ride
Best
Tom
Click to expand...

If you're going up to 18 after food, then it certainly looks like you may need more insulin.

Have you done a basal test to see if your basal insulin is enough? Basal is the foundation of good control, so getting that right makes it easier to see if your mealtime injections need attention.

If you're looking for a good book about Type 1, Think Like A Pancreas is excellent.

Here's a link to blood sugar targets,,which you may know anyway, but it's a useful reminder about what you're aiming for :)

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html

.
 
Just to add for the benefit of all readers, Type 1 is not linked to lifestyle and is an auto-immune condition :)
 
I'm 28 and diagnosed for a little over a year. I know exactly how you feel and everyone used to assume that what I was going through was the result of the honeymoon phase. However, in my case it's something much different.

Running is a HUGE part of my type 1 diabetes management and if I take a break from running, my insulin needs increase significantly and my fasting levels do as well.

To put that into perspective, I normally run about 4-7 miles every day (averaging about 8.5 minute miles). On those days, I need 10 units of basal (Tresiba) and my insulin:carb ratio is 1u:15g-1:20 (depending on the time of day).

I'm currently on vacation in NYC and have still been walking 20k steps each day (about 10miles), but haven't ran in over a week.

I've had to increase my basal from 10 to 12 units. My carb ratio is around 1:8g, and my fasting levels are still up from 4-5mmol/l to around 6-6.5. I woke up this morning at 10 mmol/l and gave myself a 2 unit correction. That would normally drop me 5-6mmol/l but in the last 75minutes I've only dropped 3mmol/l.

My point is not to confuse you. I only want to share my situation which seems similar to yours and let you know that it may be something other than the honeymoon phase.

Happy to share anything else if it's of value to you.
Note: I'm on a Dexcom G5 CGM which is why I'm able to know all of these numbers and share them so easily.
 
@lordcharlton id just like to reiterate @azure 'a point that type 1 isn't a lifestyle condition. It is an autoimmune condition and while some lifestyle changes can assist in management, type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin. If you aren't on the right dose of insulin, lifestyle changes can't compensate for that. If increasing your dosages has helped with managing your levels, that suggests you need the increased doses. If your only taking one unit of fast acting insulin at a time for meals, but rising to18 after meals that suggests 1 unit is not enough and you need to have a look at carb counting to figure out your insulin to carb ratio. You might also need to have a look at your basal rate if things are changing and honeymoon is ending to see if you need more basal insulin.
 
Hi. I've had to increase my insulin gradually since going onto insulin 4 years ago, no doubt due to the honeymoon phase. It's likely you need to do the same. Are you carb-counting your Bolus?
 
thank you all so much for your feedback! you're all amazing! i have had a bit of trouble getting going with all this but things are def getting better. nice to know there is stuff like this forum to not feel so alone. :)
As for carb counting i have not yet done a course in it as my nurse and doc said i need to go after the old honeymoon period. i can't wait to do it though!
@TorqPenderloin i think i need to develop a more consistent exercise plan to keep things a bit more in check. spontaneous exercise i think need a bit more thought i think.
There is a lot i need to learn still, its tough to get used to in a busy schedule but we all love a challenge right??!! :)
thanks again all and I'm sure I'll be on here soon. best wishes ,
Tom
 
@lordcharlton Theres an online course here:

http://www.bertieonline.org.uk

Carb counting is crucial for,control. I was taught it at diagnosis, and it's not hard :)

Yes, there is a lot to,learn! Type 1 certainly keeps you on your toes! Learning as much as you can about it and how your body reacts is important. Knowledge is power :)

Regarding your 18 - do speak to your team for advice. That's higher than ideal and must have made you feel a bit off.
 
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