Richard157
01-22-2008, 08:25 AM
Here are solutions for morning highs (Dawn Phenomenon, or DP) that have been successful for many diabetics.
1.) Since DP is caused by the liver dumping glucose into your system in the middle of the night then eating a high protein snack at bedtime can help very much. The protein digests slowly and will feed the body some protein before the liver does its dump. I use to eat peanut butter at bedtime. Other people prefer cheese. Extend Bars are high in protein and are designed to help with DP.
ExtendBar - Low Carb, Diabetic Diet Snack Food that Controls Blood Sugar (http://www.extendbar.com/)
2.) I still had some morning highs, but not as bad, while eating a bedtime snack of high protein food. I was desperate enough that I tested at 1am and 4am and saw that my high began by 4am. I started taking a small amount of insulin at 1am. It peaked about 3am and I no longer had a high at 4am or in the morning.
3.) I now use an insulin pump and my DP problem has completely disappeared. By pushing a few buttons I have programmed my pump to gradually increase my insulin dosage as morning approaches so the liver dump is no longer raising my blood sugar.
I realize that item #'s 2 and 3 above are only appropriate for insulin users but there are many Type 2's who use insulin and some Type 2's pump as well.
There is a site that addresses DP at diabetic-talk.org/dp.htm
Richard
1.) Since DP is caused by the liver dumping glucose into your system in the middle of the night then eating a high protein snack at bedtime can help very much. The protein digests slowly and will feed the body some protein before the liver does its dump. I use to eat peanut butter at bedtime. Other people prefer cheese. Extend Bars are high in protein and are designed to help with DP.
ExtendBar - Low Carb, Diabetic Diet Snack Food that Controls Blood Sugar (http://www.extendbar.com/)
2.) I still had some morning highs, but not as bad, while eating a bedtime snack of high protein food. I was desperate enough that I tested at 1am and 4am and saw that my high began by 4am. I started taking a small amount of insulin at 1am. It peaked about 3am and I no longer had a high at 4am or in the morning.
3.) I now use an insulin pump and my DP problem has completely disappeared. By pushing a few buttons I have programmed my pump to gradually increase my insulin dosage as morning approaches so the liver dump is no longer raising my blood sugar.
I realize that item #'s 2 and 3 above are only appropriate for insulin users but there are many Type 2's who use insulin and some Type 2's pump as well.
There is a site that addresses DP at diabetic-talk.org/dp.htm
Richard