Recently diagnosed type 1

jenniferS · #1 (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 03:50 PM

Last week I experienced kenoacidosis and found out I have diabetes. My a1c was 12.2 glucose levels were over 600. I am currently on levemir and novolog with meals using a sliding scale. My question is when will I experience the "honeymoon"? I am a 33 year old marathon runner and worry about the honeymoon stage. Any theories as to when it may start?

xMenace · #2 (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 03:54 PM

Welcome.

It is happening now, if it is at all. How many units are you taking of each? btw it's ketoacidosis.

Go slow and learn how to handle it. Others here run marathons too.

ant hill · #3 (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 04:51 PM

Hello Jennifer and welcome to the DF family. Diabetes is a disease that can play differently on certain people so it's a journey that you have to make yourself although there is similarities that do arise.
There is the one fact that we all know about and that's control of the Blood Glucose that we all look at and there is an art to eat and bolus correctly.

kstreeter513 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 05:20 PM

Hey Jennifer,
Welcome to DF. Xmenace is right. If you are going to have a honeymoon phase you are in it now. It's good to here from another diabetic runner. I'm training for my first marathon. I'll be running the St. Louis marathon on April 6th. My goal is to finish in 3:30. I use a pump and love it for running. It really helps me adjust my insulin levels so that by the time I start running my circulating insulin level is more like that of a none diabetic. Don't let your diagnosis keep you from reaching your goals.

BlueSky · #5 (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenniferS

... My question is when will I experience the "honeymoon"? .... Any theories as to when it may start?

The honeymoon is that period after T1 diagnosis during which your pancreas still produces insulin. By the time you were diagnosed, 80% of you beta cells will have already been destroyed. The honeymoon is from now until there are no beta cells left.

When insulin treatment starts, the remaining beta cells are rested and they often start working better. This causes injected insulin requirements to decline for a while, so you could find yourself going hypo. This may (or may not) happen after your blood sugars have been brought down to acceptable levels.

Welcome to the club .....

notme · #6 (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 05:31 PM

Hi Jennifer. I never did have a honeymoon period when I was diagnosed type one at 31 years old.

Welcome to Diabetes Forums. I am sure you will learn a lot here from the very knowledgeable people.

morrisma · #7 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008, 06:47 AM

I started on diabinase & micronase when dx'ed at age 35. Honeymoon started within 3 weeks of starting pills and lasted 6 months. Started injections shortly after.
Good luck & keep running. It will help regulate your bgs but test often during practice runs (especially the longer ones) until you understand the rhythm of your bgs and exercise.
Mike

JediSurfer · #8 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008, 05:06 PM

I'm not altogether sure I understand the honeymoon period. I do know that when I start a new insulin type I need larger doses after a couple of months. I thought it was the time that you body becomes used to insulin.

JasonJayhawk · #9 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008, 05:26 PM

I never had a honeymoon. Some people have 'm, and some don't.

If you were just dx'ed, be prepared for a "glucose detox" -- your vision could be fuzzy (or get better) for a few weeks, and you'll have water retention out the wazoo as your body prepares for the next prolonged high (which won't happen, since you have insulin now.)

Welcome to the club, by the way.

Bunkins · #10 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008, 05:51 PM

Hi, welcome to the forums, you'll learn a lot here

I didnt "honeymoon" till several months after being diagnosed.. I actually went a week without needing to take insulin.. At the time I had no idea that could happen, got all excited about it too, felt like a nasty little trick LOL..

Test a bunch, when I first was diagnosed I was told to test 4 times a day.. Well 4 times a day didnt tell me anything.. I test about 8 times a day, sometimes more if I'm sick or whatever... Diabetes wont stop you from doing things, it can make it harder sometimes, but I think it just makes it more interesting

JJM335 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenniferS

Last week I experienced kenoacidosis and found out I have diabetes. My a1c was 12.2 glucose levels were over 600. I am currently on levemir and novolog with meals using a sliding scale. My question is when will I experience the "honeymoon"? I am a 33 year old marathon runner and worry about the honeymoon stage. Any theories as to when it may start?

Jennifer:

I ran 4 marathons as a T1 between 1979 and 1984, using old-fashioned animal insulins and without blood glucose testing - with modern insulins and BG meters it should be a lot simpler.

You say you are on a sliding scale. Try and get yourself trained to do carb-counting. This will allow you to adjust your insulin doses better to fit with your training regime. I still go out running or go to the gym or pool nearly every day. I prefer to train before meals, that way I can discount any bolus insulin on board.

Exercise is THE BEST thing you can do to control your BG's. There are a number of books out there on exercise and D. You might want to check them out on Amazon.

Joel