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Intermittent Fasting

O

Omnipod

Well-Known Member
Messages
538
Location
West Sussex
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I am in an Insulin pump. Been a type 1 for 25 years and I am now at an age where I am putting on weight. I have decided to start intermittent fasting and would like to hear from type 1's who already do this.
I had my last meal at 19:30 last night. I woke up today and as I am not eating set up a new basal rate of 0.45 units of insulin per hour. I am now 17 hours into my fast with a steady BG of 9.5mmol/L. I am keeping an eye o my BG and will stop fasting if I drop below 5.

Id be keen to hear from other type 1's who fast. I have done some research and am aware of risks so would prefer replies that relate to my post.

Thanks
 
I do occasional fasts (Also T1 but MDI not pumping), and one thing that surprised me is how long it raises my insulin sensitivity for - just one fast of 24-72h usually means I need significantly less insulin for the following few weeks.
 
Westley said:
I do occasional fasts (Also T1 but MDI not pumping), and one thing that surprised me is how long it raises my insulin sensitivity for - just one fast of 24-72h usually means I need significantly less insulin for the following few weeks.
Click to expand...
This is why it is so good for you.
Interesting watch which explains insulin sensitivity & fasting. This is what made me start fasting.
 
Hi
I cannot contribute much as i too am mdi for 50 years and sometimes go 24 hours without eating.
My motivation is stomach related and if i can go 24 hours without food and stay level then happy days.

As @Westley points my body is the same in that as soon as i start eating and some novorapid is injected i am ultra sensitive and need less than normal.

Recently went to the canaries for 2 weeks and didn't fast but low carbed for a fortnight.
I lost 4 pound and reduced both insulins.
Soon as i returned to the uk and started eating potatoes i became resistant.

I have good control and in good shape for 57 but i just wanted to add i average out 19000 steps per day and believe this is a contributing factor to sensitivity and weight management.

I wish you well

Tony
 
Interestingly I can’t eat prior to a gig. (I front 2 bands.)
Just can’t function as a singer whilst digesting food.
I have a cut off point for either a late breakfast or lunch. 12 maybe 13.00 h & won’t eat for maybe 14hours till after the gig.

Since the advent of sensors I found in closer detail I’m pretty insulin sensitive to my basal long after it’s meant to have tailed off?
Even cruising at 4.8mmol by the end of the set..
 
Today is day 3 of fasting. I cannot believe the changes in my blood glucose. I have a pretty stable straight line between 6 and 8mmol from and hour before I start fasting till an hour after. I had to set up a new basal profile for fasting. Im also testing for ketones and by the 12th hour to the 18th hour I am in ketosis of .08 to 1.5 which is pretty decent for fat loss. Taking alot less insulin so hopefully on a reset and on the road to a 6pack again
 
I am a T1 diabetic for 30 years. I have fasted for breakfast (time restricted windows) for the last 11 years.

Here are a few basic notes that might be of interest to you:

Pros:
- It can (depending on how you adjust other meals) help to keep weight steady. (See Con).
- It does have some science behind age biomarkers. But treat with a pinch of salt—Most of these studies are still extremely early on. Manage your intake of sensational headlines.
- It can lead to new trends in your glucose and insulin levels. Be aware of the affects on your body and manage them accordingly.

Cons:
- It can lead to weight gain (depending on how you adjust other meals). (See Pro).
- It can produce misleading urine samples and blood samples with ketones. Communicate with the doctor about acceptable and expected ketone levels during fasting.
- Albeit rare, it can lead to increased bilirubin. Especially in Gilbert's syndrome patients. Be aware of yellowing around eyes.
- It can present a higher risk of malnutrition. Be aware of the nutritional value of the food you do eat in your eating time window.
- It can mean you will need to communicate to doctors when being prescribed some medications that do rely on 3 meals a day, for example co-amoxiclav.

Just a few thoughts.

Do I recommend it? I haven't had anything too noteworthy come up, so it might be fun to give it a try. Just try to inform yourself and be vigilant with where your information comes from. And ensure you're on top of your glucose levels during any transition. And do blood prick tests if your sensor is not making sense Vs how you're feeling. The sensors can be quite unreliable at the best of times.
 
Hi,

I normally don’t do breakfast. Just can’t eat so soon after waking? (Tearing around, prepping for work?)
I tend to opt for a “brunch” or a later straight lunch.

What has your experience been with stuff like the pesky liver dump? If any.
 
Try the Twist Pump by Sequel. It has a “premeal” button that you hit right when you wake up. You set the range you want it to be. It has finally tamed the beast.
 
It really is amazing. It’s all about keeping busy. a Floridian MD ( Dr. Jamadas) has great podcast and one I always play in my mind is him saying, “ Get your chores done!”. In other words do a quick mind shift. Don't dwell on it-get busy!! Also, the late Dr. Richard K. Berstein was a proponent of self hypnosis for controlling the appetite. There is a chapter ion his books. Dr. Bernstein was trained in SH by Dr. Spiegel (NYC) and his son now has an app called Reveri. You can look into that also. I’m excited for you!
 
Much of the pump related stuff is a different language to us old timers lol and had to look up a twist pump...
I much prefer the expression dawn phenomenon to liver dump lol.
I walk to work so often take just half a unit of novorapid and with that and the walk i stay level without the need for food.

I hope nobody minds me chipping in on a pump related thread but i find the subject of fasting fascinating and because i achieve better results with my hba1c than alot who pump i like to give the old fashioned view/way of control.

Where are we all on coffee as whilst i fast i do take in a coffee with milk albeit just a little milk?

Tony
 
Hi @Tony337 .

I’m an injector too.

I call it “liver dump” because it’s closer to “foot on the floor” for me.
Or sometimes it might hit me during an intense work related situation?
(Fight of flight? As I’ve noticed right on cue since wearing a sensor.)

Coffee. I take mine black.
 
 
Tony
I agree with you 100%.
I am not a fan of pumps. I am 66yo with gestational turned T1D at 30. I live in Boston and Joslin had me try many pumps. I had better A1C with MDI.
My dawn phenomenon was my biggest issue. Even the iLet by Beta Bionics could not control it ( I was part of a trial).
I love how you are dealing with it, Tony! A tad of insulin and a walk is very healthy solution . I am a rower and can’t get to the water that early but just hopping on my erg and rowing for 5 minutes will do the trick.
Your note inspired me-thank you!
Didi
 
Sunshine1959 said:
Try the Twist Pump by Sequel. It has a “premeal” button that you hit right when you wake up. You set the range you want it to be. It has finally tamed the beast.
Click to expand...
Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

Just to clarify.
Dose for a potential wayward FBG on waking? (Due to LD?)
 
Can I gently remind people that the original post is about the benefits or otherwise of intermittent fasting and not the merits of pump v MDI. Please could we keep the posts on topic.

Of course you are welcome to start your own post about the merits of pumps v mdi.

Thankyou
 
Sunshine1959 said:
Sooooo sorry. I should not be posting. Lesson learned!
Click to expand...
Hi,

I’m still keen on how you manage exogenous insulin & intermittent fasting.?
I tend to use these not hungry or inconvenient to eat periods to test my basal insulin dose?
 
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