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Honeymoon Phase

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bigterpsfan

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Hello All,

My name is Chris and I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes about 2 years ago. My blood sugar was 800ish and my A1C was 10.2 at the time of diagnosis. I have lowered my A1C to 5.9 (for about 20 months now) and my daily blood sugar readings are typically in the normal range. I am not on any medication (insulin, metformin, or otherwise) and eat EXTREMLY healthy and exercise 5 times a week. My endocrinologist says that I am in a honeymoon phase and my pancreas will eventually stop producing insulin altogether. From what I have read, the honeymoon phase usually lasts a few weeks to a few months, but I am going on almost 2 years. Is this unusual? Regardless, I don't miss eating carb/sugary foods and will continue doing my thing. Thanks for reading and I am glad to be part of the group! Oh btw, I was diagnosed at the age of 43 and was 5'7" and 161bs. I am now 45 and 140lbs.

Thanks,

Chris
 
Hi @bigterpsfan :)

It sounds like you've got great cntrol :)

The honeymoon period can last years. I think the longest I read was around 8 years. As you were diagnosed at a slightly older age, it's possible your honeymoon will last a good length of time.
 
With tight control and low carbs the honeymoon phase be prolonged indefinitely according to Dr Bernstein. I've been following his low carb diet for 17 years since diagnosis and am still on very low doses of insulin. When I visited him for a thorough consultation 7 years ago he estimated my surviving beta cells were still producing half my insulin.
 
Hello @bigterpsfan.

I'm glad to hear that everything is working out well for you. Your control is excellent from the info you've provided and although extremely unusual, to not be on any insulin is a bonus for you!

Can I ask if you underwent any GAD antibodies testing or C-peptide testing as part of your T1 diagnosis? Have you ever taken insulin bedore: either basal or bolus?
 
I have never been on insulin of any kind, other than the day I was diagnosed in the hospital. They gave me a couple of shots to get my bs down. I'm not sure what the test was called but my endo sent my blood to the lab and test came back as divinities type 1. I will check with my endo when I go back on 10/6/17 to see about those tests. They are pretty amazed. I can tell you I have not had a piece of bread, pasta, rice, candy, cake etc., in almost two years, and workout regularly both weights and cardio. My A1C has been 5.9 down from 10.2 originally, and I'm hoping it will be a bit lower next time.
 
bigterpsfan said:
I have never been on insulin of any kind, other than the day I was diagnosed in the hospital. They gave me a couple of shots to get my bs down. I'm not sure what the test was called but my endo sent my blood to the lab and test came back as divinities type 1. I will check with my endo when I go back on 10/6/17 to see about those tests. They are pretty amazed. I can tell you I have not had a piece of bread, pasta, rice, candy, cake etc., in almost two years, and workout regularly both weights and cardio. My A1C has been 5.9 down from 10.2 originally, and I'm hoping it will be a bit lower next time.
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Long may it continue for you in that case @bigterpsfan:)

It's not uncommon for honeymoon periods to be quite strong and prolonged in a lot of cases, but the absence of even a basal insulin would have me question diagnosis, even just a little. I'm no doctor though, so my opinion has little relevance. Combine that with the fact that you have your specialists stumped, would tell me that they've already ran the relevant tests - I'd assume.

Exercise can have a powerful influence on how our bodies utilise the little insulin we produce. Certainly in my case, I realise that hard bouts of prolonged exercise can leave me requiring very little insulin at all. But I still need some.

LADA (or slow onset T1) may be a more applicable term for your condition, that's only my opinion though. Albeit not that different to T1 at all - the rate at which the autoimmune response suppresses the functioning of the pancreas is ultimately what will stipulate the need for exogenous insulin therapy. A lot of HCP's don't identify LADA as a different form of diabetes to T1, due to the cause being the same. Although I think it's important for them to be separate entities due to the substantial differences in treatment, especially in the early days/years.
 
I was diagnosed at 45 in 2014. It's 3 years on and my honeymoon only now can be said as 'over.' Children move out of honeymoon more quickly so I was told. I tried to restrict my carbs and my doctor said this helped me extend the honeymoon. I've used mealtime basal since diagnosis; used 4 units for a while, now 6-7. Bolus insulin was rare. Now, I bolus some every day particularly at supper when I eat more. I should add I am full on T1 and was never described as LADA at diagnosis or now.
 
I literally eat no carb heavy foods. My diet consists of chicken, fish, steak, nuts, low carb protein bars, and various vegetables. For a treat I have an Atkins bar, or sugar free chocolate pudding. That along with 4 mile walks and strength training allow me to stay around 90 blood sugar. Pretty amazing for a type 1 on no meds. I realize the honeymoon will end one day, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Oh and no alcohol.
 
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