Type 1 Honeymoon Period

[A kyriacou]

Hi all hope everyone is doing better, They the clinic diagnosed me as a type 2 with suspicion i am i type 1 in honeymoon period, im tired of not knowing its been 6 months and ive had 1 hba1c test. When will they give me closure

 

[Diakat]

What other tests have they done to establish type?

 

[A kyriacou]

Initially over about 6 months i lost alot of weight, drinking so mich unrinating so much, one night i got really big hunger pain and i couldnt cope with it, waking up shaking ext. I went to hospital, blood suger test 25mmol glucose +5 they ditermined then i have diebetes and put me straight on insulin. After 2 months they gave me a hba1c test and said im producing some insulin but no way enough they established to treat me as a type 1 even after diagnosing it as a type 2. They said i am im honeymoon period. Tho they keep increasing my insulin levels every time. its been now 6 months and all they do is give me appointments to the specialist diebetic nurse. No closure i just wish i knew so i can move forward

 

[LornaFarrell]

I’m in a similar situation, except I had a more rapid onset. I had an Hba1c that was totally normal, two months later my blood glucose was 30+, ketones 3.6 and vision so blurred I essentially couldn’t see. All the symptoms point to type 1 and the consultant I saw said type 1. I then transferred to the team at my local hospital and the consultant there took one look at me and decided it must be type 2 as I’m bigger. He did blood tests but hasn’t bothered to give me the results and just gave me an appointment with a nurse in 6 months.

I’ve read up on those tests (and this forum has helped) and it seems they aren’t conclusive so I’m not prepared to go by those, whatever he’s decided they mean. The rapid onset, weight loss, ketosis etc point to type 1 and that’s enough for me. I taught myself carb counting and calculate my insulin dose accordingly.

If I were you I would probably just consider it to be type 1, after all they have said you aren’t producing much insulin.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. The Honeymoon period can last widely varying amounts of time. For me it was several years. I did have the two main tests i.e. GAD and c-peptide done privately with negative GAD and low c-peptide. These tests are not that reliable and the NHS doesn't really have tests that are conclusive. Basically if you are on more than one tablet and these start failing despite low-carbing then you need insulin. If you are slim (as I am) then T1 becomes very likely. I'm still listed as T2 although it's obvious that I'm not. In practice the main thing is to get the right treatment and to accept that the tools for true diagnosis aren't really in place.

 

[Juicyj]

Hello @A kyriacou Welcome to the forum. If your insulin requirements have decreased alot since diagnosis then yes it would indicate you are in the honeymoon period and this would then indicate you are a type 1, so insulin dependent.

What is really important now is keeping your BG levels in target, so are you testing regularly and how are your blood glucose levels in general ? What insulins are you taking ?

As a newly diagnosed it's important to become knowledgeable about your diabetes, so get a copy of 'Think like a pancreas' written by a type 1, there are courses available through the NHS which will also help you manage your insulin regime and general health too, although your in honeymoon now your DSN will get you onto these once you are past this phase, lots of folk around for support and advice so your in the right place here.

 

[A kyriacou]

Hello @A kyriacou Welcome to the forum. If your insulin requirements have decreased alot since diagnosis then yes it would indicate you are in the honeymoon period and this would then indicate you are a type 1, so insulin dependent.

What is really important now is keeping your BG levels in target, so are you testing regularly and how are your blood glucose levels in general ? What insulins are you taking ?

As a newly diagnosed it's important to become knowledgeable about your diabetes, so get a copy of 'Think like a pancreas' written by a type 1, there are courses available through the NHS which will also help you manage your insulin regime and general health too, although your in honeymoon now your DSN will get you onto these once you are past this phase, lots of folk around for support and advice so your in the right place here.

 

[A kyriacou]

Thankyou, it really helps that there are others that can relate, as much loved and love i get from family and friends, the empathy is not there, i have found it here. I am happy this forum exists, i am on novamix.. today just know i got back from my monthly appointment at the new cross hospital. I saw the doctor. I told them i want of insulin and onto metforms as i cannot get an answer and that i need next step to finding out if type 1 or 2. They have confirmed im type1 and insulin is for life. I am happy i got my closer and can now move forward clearly, novamix does burn tho and irritates the skin.

 

[Juicyj]

Hello @A kyriacou Sadly the reality is that no one else will understand what it's like unless they have lived with it. Support is vital though so it's good your family and friends are there for you.

As a type 1 metformin has no value, it's getting your insulin type and dose right that's important, novomix doesn't offer much flexibility, although as a newbie it's a good starter insulin, you may want to do some research into a a basal/bolus insulin routine, most type 1's move onto this as it offers flexibility in taking insulin for every carbohydrate you eat so you are matching your food with a quick acting insulin and the basal insulin supports you through a 24 hour period so it's a long acting insulin.

Like anything new it takes time to settle into a routine and being aware when you need to adjust your insulin doses, but lots of us live normal lives with managing our insulin.