Hello, just joined!

[laurel]

Hi Laurel, welcome to the forum 🙂 A very interesting story, and a good outcome 🙂 Have you ever been tested to see if you have one of the rarer forms of diabetes? When you were on levemir, what sort of doses were you on? My story is also a bit strange - I was diagnosed aged 49 about 18 months after a very stressful time, which (with hindsight) is when symptoms began. I ended up in A&E, diagnosed Type 1 and put on lantus and novorapid. However, 4 years after diagnosis I had reduced the lantus to zero and haven't needed it for four years now - I still need novorapid with meals though. So, it seems my pancreas has recovered to some extent, and it's possible/seems apparent that yours has, even more so! 🙂 My HbA1c has always been in the 5% range, except for diagnosis when it was 11.8% 😱

Hi Northener and thanks for the welcome 🙂

I've never been tested for other types, wouldn't even know how they do that. They did find antibodies and ketones at diagnosis, which is why I was admitted and put on insulin. It was later realised that the antibodies were not the ones indicative of type 1 (yes, they misread the results), but that it didn't rule it out. My levemir dose was never that high (8-10, I think), but one morning I woke to a 2.7 reading. All the doctor said was, just drink some juice. I don't think it makes sense to eat/drink too much of the thing that's causing the issues - carbs/sugar, but anyway.......

Yours is a very interesting story and very inspiring. That's amazing to not need the lantus any more. I always felt I needed insulin with meals more than levemir but was never given it. So interesting about the stress, I do wonder if dealing with the stress and emotions can allow your body to repair to a certain extent. I hope so, because I am actually experiencing a lot of stress and anxiety currently, which is seriously effecting my control, I hope this is only temporary

Best wishes

 

[laurel]

Welcome Laurel. Interesting to hear your story which is similar to Nrtherner's.
Did they use an antibody test to determine that you had T1?
Until I came on here I had not been aware of so many variations of Diabetes.

Hi and thanks for the welcome,

I just realised I've answered your antibody question in my reply to Northeners post:

"I've never been tested for other types, wouldn't even know how they do that. They did find antibodies and ketones at diagnosis, which is why I was admitted and put on insulin. It was later realised that the antibodies were not the ones indicative of type 1 (yes, they misread the results), but that it didn't rule it out".

And thanks for the meet up info, would definitely like to come along!

 

[laurel]

Hi @Annette Anderson , yes very similar story! In fact, so much so, I might just be her, @Northerner ! Wasn't going to say anything but since you mentioned it..... (I wish!!)

 

[Northerner]

Hi Northener and thanks for the welcome 🙂

I've never been tested for other types, wouldn't even know how they do that. They did find antibodies and ketones at diagnosis, which is why I was admitted and put on insulin. It was later realised that the antibodies were not the ones indicative of type 1 (yes, they misread the results), but that it didn't rule it out. My levemir dose was never that high (8-10, I think), but one morning I woke to a 2.7 reading. All the doctor said was, just drink some juice. I don't think it makes sense to eat/drink too much of the thing that's causing the issues - carbs/sugar, but anyway.......

Yours is a very interesting story and very inspiring. That's amazing to not need the lantus any more. I always felt I needed insulin with meals more than levemir but was never given it. So interesting about the stress, I do wonder if dealing with the stress and emotions can allow your body to repair to a certain extent. I hope so, because I am actually experiencing a lot of stress and anxiety currently, which is seriously effecting my control, I hope this is only temporary

Best wishes

Stress causes the release of cortisol, which can stimulate your liver to release more glucose into the blood and raise your levels. In theory, it gives you more fuel for energy in a 'fight or flight' situation, but not helpful if your pancreas can't respond appropriately to use the energy and keep levels steady 🙄 I've often wondered if prolonged stress can put such a strain on the endocrine system that it can effectively 'exhaust' the beta cells who are trying their best to keep up. Getting insulin via injections might allow a period of rest and recovery, and this may be what has happened to us. I'm just speculating though. I ended my stress by quitting my stressful job!

If you were on such low doses of levemir then there's no suggestion of insulin-resistance, which is primarily associated with Type 2, so I'd say you're not that - just not sure what you (or I) would be! Type Weird, I think 😉

I hope that you can manage the stress currently affecting you, and things improve for you soon 🙂

 

[laurel]

Nothing wrong with Weird @Northerner ! Yes, I definitely felt the insulin gave my pancreas a rest - at first I was reluctant to come off it due to it being my safety net as it were. If I need it again, at least I'm prepared but it was a terrible shock at the time.

Stress and emotional upset is a big factor, isn't it? But then it can also be overcome. I also left my stressful job after diagnosis, I tried to go back, but it was all just too much. Very interesting though the connection with diabetes, stress and the recovery process - useful comment I found here about the temporary use of insulin in such cases:
https://www.bd.com/us/diabetes/page.aspx?cat=7001&id=7248#2

 

[Ali H]

I'm new here and would like to say hi.

I was diagnosed type 1 in Jan 2012, after a stressful time in my life, aged 34. My hba1c was 9 and I had quite acute symptoms so was prescribed Levemir long acting insulin not long after that. I also switched to a low carb high fat diet and started exercising more. I lost a lot of weight and my blood sugar started going too low, so was advised to stop injections and go on gliclizide. A year later I was able to stop all meds. The jury is still out on what "type" I am!

It's been quite a journey and at times almost too overwhelming. I've reached a point of acceptance, but it's still a struggle. It'd be nice to get to know people on here and share advice and stories.

All the best
X

Hi Laurel,
I'm new on here too and only just been diagnosed with type 2, it came as a bit of a shock! The people on here are really lovely, it's really helped reading their advice and getting their support.
Ali

 

[HOBIE]

Welcome & keep up the good diet 🙂