Type 1 I need some help please guys

BilliamWills

Member
Messages
12
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi, I've been a diagnosed diabetic T1 for 3 years but estimated to have had it since I was 13.
Although I know I've put my life in danger by doing this... I have attempted to go without insulin and have been without it for 1 whole week. BG has fluctuated between 6 and 42.3 mmol/l. I am not convinced that I'm a true T1 Diabetic?
So far I've felt like complete rubbish, extreme headaches, thirst like you wouldn't believe and that's about it.
Can someone please help me out here, why would the BG levels reduce by themselves if my pancreas has been declared dead?
Thank you in advance.
 

azure

Expert
Messages
9,780
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi, I've been a diagnosed diabetic T1 for 3 years but estimated to have had it since I was 13.
Although I know I've put my life in danger by doing this... I have attempted to go without insulin and have been without it for 1 whole week. BG has fluctuated between 6 and 42.3 mmol/l. I am not convinced that I'm a true T1 Diabetic?
So far I've felt like complete rubbish, extreme headaches, thirst like you wouldn't believe and that's about it.
Can someone please help me out here, why would the BG levels reduce by themselves if my pancreas has been declared dead?
Thank you in advance.

First of all, I must stress that it's potentially extremely dangerous to stop taking your insulin.

With a blood sugar of 42.3 you should be in hospital. What's your blood sugar now?

Have you tested for ketones?
 

BilliamWills

Member
Messages
12
Type of diabetes
Type 1
BG levels are at 17.4 and ketones are at 1.3 at the moment. I understand DKA can set in but I cannot see how the BG levels are reducing if the pancreas is damaged?
Thanks for replying.
 

azure

Expert
Messages
9,780
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
BG levels are at 17.4 and ketones are at 1.3 at the moment. I understand DKA can set in but I cannot see how the BG levels are reducing if the pancreas is damaged?
Thanks for replying.

If you're newly diagnosed you may still have a tiny amount of insulin production of your own. This will be sporadic and unpredictable.

When I was first diagnosed my blood sugar could reduce without insulin, but it went nowhere near as high as yours. I strongly advise you to resume your insulin and get some medical advice.

A blood sugar of 17 is still too high and will be causing damage, short term and long term.

I don't understand why you think you're not Type 1. My blood sugar was only 25 at diagnosis (and could go up and down by itself early on, as I said) but I didn't doubt I was Type 1 apart from the initial few days when I was in shock.

If you're concerned about aspects of your diagnosis or treatment, speak to your doctor, but take your insulin. Not only is it dangerous not to, you'll feel a lot better when your blood sugar is in a normal range all the time.

Please take care - it's really not worth the risk.
 

AndBreathe

Master
Retired Moderator
Messages
11,344
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
BG levels are at 17.4 and ketones are at 1.3 at the moment. I understand DKA can set in but I cannot see how the BG levels are reducing if the pancreas is damaged?
Thanks for replying.

I'm not T1, so can't give you any personal wisdom. However, on another forum I visit there is a T1 whose pancreas has been so of spluttering along for years. If he didn't take his insulin, I imagine his numbers might be a bit like yours.

I can't imagine how it must feel to have bloods at over 40. That really can't be doing you any good.

Please do take your insulin and if you continue to disbelieve your diagnosis, then ask your Consultant, but please do make sure you're well enough to do so. As I understand it, DKA can escalate pretty swiftly. Please don't put yourself at further risk.
 

Jaylee

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
18,232
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi, I've been a diagnosed diabetic T1 for 3 years but estimated to have had it since I was 13.
Although I know I've put my life in danger by doing this... I have attempted to go without insulin and have been without it for 1 whole week. BG has fluctuated between 6 and 42.3 mmol/l. I am not convinced that I'm a true T1 Diabetic?
So far I've felt like complete rubbish, extreme headaches, thirst like you wouldn't believe and that's about it.
Can someone please help me out here, why would the BG levels reduce by themselves if my pancreas has been declared dead?
Thank you in advance.

What meter are you using..?
 
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BilliamWills

Member
Messages
12
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Thanks guys.
I'm using glucomen lx plus.
Right time to start up the insulin again, I half knew it would be a stupid thing to do to stop.
Unfortunately my consultant endocrinologist refuses to see or speak to me unless it is an appointment set out for 6 months.
I'm due to go on a DAFNE course in September so hope fully this will shed a little more light on the situation.
Thank you all so much for your help.
 
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azure

Expert
Messages
9,780
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Give your local diabetes centre a call @BilliamWills It will probably be in the hospital where you see your consultant. They should have Diabetes Nurses that you can speak to for help and advice.

Well done on going back on the insulin.
 
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BilliamWills

Member
Messages
12
Type of diabetes
Type 1
I will indeed consult with them, hopefully something comes of learning more about the condition and how dangerous it can be if not treated.
Thank you @azure I appreciate everything you have done and everyone else who has given their own advice.
Be safe and healthy my friend.

Sent from my HTC One max using DCUK Forum mobile app
 
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paulliljeros

Well-Known Member
Messages
417
Type of diabetes
Other
Treatment type
Other
Hi @BilliamWills , There are a couple of great books that you can read to give you an insight into diabetes for both the newly diagnosed and those that have been diagnosed for many years, and possibly one of the best in my opinion is Think Like a Pancreas. It will give you some great insight and some things to prepare in advance for your meeting with your specialist, regarding things you may want to try for your control etc. You should be able to speak with a DSN (Nurse) at any time that your specialist is not available and there is no reason they can't give you perfectly qualified advice on treatment / best practices etc.

Edit: in the mean time, if you have further questions, do ask away ... everyone genuinely wants to help!
 
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Jaylee

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
18,232
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
How did you get a reading of 42.3 mmol/l?? I use the Glucomen LX PLus and it only reads upto 33.3mmol/l.

i don't own this meter, but I have read the manual. ;) Page 30 on my link anything after 33.3 reads as "HI."

Typo error? Or an E-2??
 

Snapsy

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,552
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi @BilliamWills - like others I'm concerned about you - hope you're okay and can get support from a decent diabetes team at the hospital.

You've come to the right place. Do keep posting - it'd be good to know how you're getting on, and there is so much support here.

All the very best. Please know that with sugar levels that high you need the insulin despite the honeymoon period. Do take care, and do take insulin.

:)
 

rockape37

Well-Known Member
Messages
351
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
Over the top political correctness
Putting the silly move by not taking insulin to one side, you have done something rather wisely and thats getting yourself on a DAFNE course. In my opinon every Type 1 diabetic should go on a DAFNE course lets say 6 months after diagnosis. The reason I say 6 months is that too much information initially may do more harm than good and a honeymoon period I think would be best for most if not all. You will learn a lot on this course as i and many others have.

Regards
Martin

Sent from my D6503 using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app
 
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