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strange goings on

C

csav

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Hi I am the partner of a diabetic diagnosed in November aged 54 and Type 1. Started on insulin then attended DAFNE course in January. Am a little confused, as is he, that something strange is happening to his BG readings. Has only ever had 1 slight hypo and has had normal readings since starting insulin. At diagnosis his reading was 30!!!.
Been away and ate meals on the run unusual foods and at strange times and readings were always normal ie between 4 and 6. On our return he decided to experiment and took no basal insulin and no QA insulin for a day....... BG results normal. Any ideas what is going on anybody.....our DSN has been brilliant and doesn't appear to know why the readings are normal without lack of insulin. He is back on his basal insulin and DSN told him to alter ratio of QA to half. Seeing consultant for 1st time Feb 20th Any comments would be appreciated. Many thanks"
 
As your partner is newly diagnosed the decrease in his insulin needs will be down to the Honeymoon Period (Google diabetic Honeymoon Period for a full explanation).
 
Have already spoke to DSN re Honeymoon period and she said she would have expected him to have hypos if this was the case. Really not sure.
 
Well that would be my guess csav :)

I know from my own experience and from others who have attended a DAFNE course that it's often the case that insulin usage decreases during and after the completion of the course.
 
.What surprises me is that he was put on a DAFNE course within a year of diagnosis. Most places say you should have been diagnosed for at least a year.
locally we encourage people to attend a course at the end of the ‘honeymoon phase’, which is usually about one year post initial diagnosis
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http://www.leicestershirediabetes.org.uk/404.html?print
The honeymoon can occur at any age, once the glucose toxicity is reduced there is still a bit of pancreatic function left to aid control. Unfortunately their will be loss of the remaining function however that loss may be a bit slower in those of us diagnosed late in life.(good and bad, it does mean dosing can be a bit unpredictable)
(personal history; diagnosed T1 just before my 53d birthday, almost eight years later definitely have far less assistance from my own pancreas . Edit:I did/do have hypos but then I never stopped taking any insulin, hypos are caused by too much insulin)
 
phoenix said:
.What surprises me is that he was put on a DAFNE course within a year of diagnosis. Most places say you should have been diagnosed for at least a year.
I did think that too, although contrary to the quote you posted we did have a lady on our course who had only been diagnosed for 6 months, she was almost certainly still in the honeymoon period as her ratio was something like 1 unit of insulin to 30/40g of carbs.
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Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the responses. One more question though.... if taking insulin and in honeymoon period, where pancreas is producing some insulin if i understand correctly, too much insulin would therefore result in a hypo. He has only had 1 slight "hypo" BG of 4.9 where he got slight shakes. Now on QA ratio 1/20 and normal readings. Sorry to go on but am really confused by this.
Only reason he was allowed to attend DAFNE course is because we are travelling abroad for some time in the very near future and he was already on basal and quick acting insulin regime.
 
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