So confused at the moment

[Patricia762]

August 12th my husband was rushed into hospital after a routine blood test revealed he had Blood sugar levels of 34, he was given 5 bags of saline to dehydrate him and released 2 days later, diagnosed as type 1 diabetes. I will condense the last few months since. He was prescribed Humlin I injections 10 units morning and night..shortly after his blood sugars where constantly at 4 - 5 so his insulin was reduced to 8 morning and night, a week later same thing, sugar levels at 4-5 and insulin reduced again to 6 morning and night, 2 weeks later same thing, could not keep his sugars above 4-5, insulin reduced again to 5 morning and night, and yesterday reduced again to 3 morning and night. He is eating his 3 good meals a day and snacking constantly between meals to keep his levels up. Last week we had his blood results back from august and they just said they where Negative (for what we don't know), have tried to get more information but they just say they want to carry on treating him as type1. I know there is a Honeymoon period and he may be in this. He was healthy before this happened in august, he weighs 12 stone, is cholesterol is 4.3, does not smoke or drink. Any feedback would be very much appreciated as i am at a loss

 

[Daibell]

Hi and welcome. This does appear quite strange. I suspect the best thing is to carry on as he is doing in conjunction with the medics. It may be his insulin can be further reduced or as you say it could be a honeymoon period. I would suggest having adequate food but keeping the carbs down a bit and increasing fats and protein as needed. Obviously frequent BS measurement is needed. Although at the moment carbs may be needed they may increase BS again in the longer-term. I'm very surprised that the hospital tried to de-hydrate your husband as standard practice with very high blood sugar and the risk of ketoacidosis is to have plenty of water; may be there were specific reasons for this approach in your husband's case?

 

[Patricia762]

Apoligies, 5 bags of saline to re hydrate. He is eating plenty, 3 good meals and grazing all day to keep up his levels

 

[diamondnostril]

Hi Patricia,

The aim for all T1 Diabetics (and for non-Diabetics that don't want to become T2 Diabetics) is to keep blood-sugar in the normal, narrow band of around 4mmol/l to 6mmol/l, as a healthy pancreas would do.

IMHO, your husband should not be forced to snack constantly to counteract the effect of medicine.

Remember that T1 Diabetes is a condition that will chronically push blood-sugars UP.

If your husband's level is low then don't be afraid to continue to lower Insulin doses. It is too much injected Insulin that is pushing levels DOWN below where they should be.

After my initial T1 diagnosis in 2000 and a few weeks of adjustment and learning, I then went for a period of 2 years without injecting a single drop of Insulin. This was due to the Honeymoon phase, and my first flush of enthusiasm for a new diet and exercise regime.

Medicine should make someone better, not worse. If your husband's levels are constantly low, then keep reducing the Insulin dose until they are normal. For a T1, over the long-term more Insulin will probably be required as the Honeymoon phase fades. But the Honeymoon phase can last a while, and can be made to last a long while.

If something unusual has happened and your husband turns out not to be T1, then this is great! But even if he is, there is no need to keep injecting Insulin just because he is T1. Insulin is a hormone used to keep blood-sugar levels in a steady, narrow band. Each T1 needs to inject the amount necessary to keep their blood-sugar in their target range. If that amount is Zero for a period of time, until the Honeymoon period is over, then so be it.

The goal is normalized blood-sugar levels; injecting whatever amount of Insulin is just a means to achieve the goal, if needed.

Regards,
Antony

 

[dtennant9]

As above, don't be worried if the doses continue to get lower.
This is completely normal when you are first diagnosed with T1.
When I was diagnosed they gave me set doses but these changed alot.
I was originally on 10 units Basal and 4 units fast acting insulin with every meal. The Basal was quickly reduced and my rapid insulin was taken away in the morning, reduced to around 1 at lunchtime and 2-3 at dinner time.
Although I would love to be taking such low amounts of insulin now, there was a certain degree of unpredicatability.
Take on board what you are told by his diabetes team and educate yourself as best you can. These forums are a great place to learn!

 

[Patricia762]

Thank you for taking the time to reply, i will just put my trust in his diabetic team and my own common sense for now