Would someone mind explaining to me what exactly the honey moon phase is?
I was diagnosed a year ago, when tested my BS was 741. A year later (and not taking care of myself) my BS still runs very high. I have often asked myself how I havent gone DKA yet. I was curious if this was because I am still in the honey moon phase or just crazy good luck.
Kristen @KA24, I’m probably not the most qualified to talk about the nuances of the honeymoon phase and DKA, but I do have a couple ideas that I would like to share.
First, it’s worth noting that there is a lot of variation between individuals in regards to experiences with honeymoon phases and DKA. The onset of DKA for one person is likely different from another, and the duration of the honeymoon phase varies as well.
What I can say about the honeymoon phase is that it usually means that those who are newly diagnosed need less insulin on a less consistent schedule to keep BG levels steady. Usually as the honeymoon phase wears off it becomes a team effort with your endocrinologist to make sure that your insulin regime keeps up with your needs.
If your BG is consistently running high, It sounds like a visit to an endocrinologist is in order, especially if you’re wondering how you’ve avoided DKA for so long. I don’t think that’s a line you want to be walking. Even if your honeymoon phase isn’t entirely over, I think it is fair to say that you are responsible for making sure you keep up with your insulin needs to maintain a healthy BG range. Besides, even if you aren’t in DKA, high BG levels can still lead to long-term complications that you really don’t want to deal with. Besides, most people feel better when their BG isn’t obnoxiously high.
If you have more questions, I’m more than happy to help research information for you later. I’m sure there’s also so more experienced people that can chime in as well.
In short, don’t ignore your health. If you’re amazed that you aren’t in DKA, something is probably off. Take care and remember that there’s a whole community here to help you.
only to add that “honeymoon” describes a period of time where your body is still making insulin. many people, once they start injecting insulin again, start making insulin on their own. for most people it doesn’t last forever, for many people it only lasts 3 weeks to 6 months.
DKA is different for everyone. it’s harder to be in actual DKA if you are taking a long-lasting insulin. lots of t1’s get high blood sugar. my 90 day high is something like 380 mg/dl which doesn’t mean DKA by itself. you need high blood sugar, way too little insulin, and high levels of ketones in your blood, at the same time, and then you can get into trouble. DKA requires medical attention - most people can’t stand up with all the puking and the general feeling that you are going to die.
Another thing, Honeymoon phase doesn’t ALWAYS happen for all new Type 1 diabetics. You may be thinking you would necessarily get it, and didn’t. Don’t concern yourself with it, just learn how to deal with what’s real today and in the future.
Our bodies adjust to recent glucose levels as “normal”, and will try to stay there even if it’s unhealthy. Getting your levels down isn’t just a matter of taking a bigger shot next time, if you drop too much your body will respond by releasing glycogen (stored starchy form of glucose) to bring you back up to “normal”. Our bodies don’t recognize out of limits level to correct this basic reaction, “normal” levels appear to be the only aiming point.
Just goes to show that our bodies weren’t designed for diabetes, we have to take care of that for ourselves. As Mom told me some 50 odd years ago everybody has a problem, mine (and yours) is diabetes, so DEAL with it!
That’s kept me healthy for a total of 61 years now, so yes, it worked for me.
If I may butt in with a newbie question?? What is DKA.
Chris @sdkid,
DKA = diabetic Ketoacidosis. It is a condition, could be life-threatening, that occurs when the body can not get glucose - sugar - into the body cells for energy because the body [T1D] can not produce the insulin necessary to use the sugars present in the blood.
When the body can not utilize the glucose for energy, it begins breaking down stored fats and muscle which as a byproduct produces acetone - a poison. You may have noticed that your son has been losing weight.
A kind of simple, and maybe not fully correct, definition; but DKA can be very serious.