new LADA and insulin usage

[pondita]

Hello everyone ! I was diagnosed with LADA about 7 weeks ago. I've was in DKA, and have been taking insulin since. My insulin requirements have decreased considerably since hospitalisation, which I understand is common. My question: I remember reading that sometimes a newly diagnosed LADA's insulin needs may decrease to very low amounts, and the need for insulin may even go away all together for a while. Is this true? I'm down to 5 units Lantus at night, and anywhere from 3 to 6 units total of NovoRapid during the daytime, depending on how much exercise I get.

 

[helli]

The one thing you will quickly learn with respect to diabetes is that we are all different.
The correct dose of insulin is the one that maintains our blood sugars pretty much in range.

You have already found out that our blood sugars (and the required insulin to manage it) depends on more than just the carbs we eat. Like you, exercise has a big impact on the amount of insulin I need. That said, my exercise is more than an amble around the park - it is usually 90 minutes or so pushing myself on the bike or, in non-covid times, a workout in the gym or a session on the climbing wall.

The need fro insulin to go away for a while is probably related to honeymoon period - for some time, our pancreas continues to make some insulin. Some times it can have a spurt and produce enough and then, maybe after over-exerting itself, it has a break. This can be a bit of a challenge. I was diagnosed in my mid 30s and my honeymoon period exhibited itself with a continual slow increase in my insulin needs. It had no spurts just a very slow decline. When I write "slow decline' I mean that my insulin dose stabilised after EIGHT years.

So, to answer yours question about whether you may need to stop insulin, the answer is ... maybe.
Keep a close eye on your blood sugars, work with your diabetes team and adjust your insulin dose accordingly.

 

[pondita]

The one thing you will quickly learn with respect to diabetes is that we are all different.
The correct dose of insulin is the one that maintains our blood sugars pretty much in range.

You have already found out that our blood sugars (and the required insulin to manage it) depends on more than just the carbs we eat. Like you, exercise has a big impact on the amount of insulin I need. That said, my exercise is more than an amble around the park - it is usually 90 minutes or so pushing myself on the bike or, in non-covid times, a workout in the gym or a session on the climbing wall.

The need fro insulin to go away for a while is probably related to honeymoon period - for some time, our pancreas continues to make some insulin. Some times it can have a spurt and produce enough and then, maybe after over-exerting itself, it has a break. This can be a bit of a challenge. I was diagnosed in my mid 30s and my honeymoon period exhibited itself with a continual slow increase in my insulin needs. It had no spurts just a very slow decline. When I write "slow decline' I mean that my insulin dose stabilised after EIGHT years.

So, to answer yours question about whether you may need to stop insulin, the answer is ... maybe.
Keep a close eye on your blood sugars, work with your diabetes team and adjust your insulin dose accordingly.

Thank you for your insights and sharing your experiences. I've read about the honeymoon period, but I guess I just didn't know if going down to no insulin would be something I might could expect. Eight years for your honeymoon period. Good to know!

 

[trophywench]

Every single one of us is different! so whatever happens to you is as individual as how long your eyelashes are or how quickly your toenails grow - your diabetes is your diabetes and though it will have similarities to mine or helli's or anyone else's, nobody else has your body.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @pondita

I think a possible reduction in insulin needs is certainly worth looking out for, even if it never arrives.

Our ex-admin @Northerner is fully T1, but his basal insulin needs gradually reduced some years after diagnosis and he hasn’t taken and basal for years - which is very unusual, but not apparently unheard of.

I wonder if it depends on how many beta cells you have left, and how they respond and/or rally after having been given a helping hand by the injected insulin?

 

[pondita]

Welcome to the forum @pondita

I think a possible reduction in insulin needs is certainly worth looking out for, even if it never arrives.

Our ex-admin @Northerner is fully T1, but his basal insulin needs gradually reduced some years after diagnosis and he hasn’t taken and basal for years - which is very unusual, but not apparently unheard of.

I wonder if it depends on how many beta cells you have left, and how they respond and/or rally after having been given a helping hand by the injected insulin?F

From what I'd read and heard, that's what I'm envisioning happening. That it depends on how many beta cells you have left, and how they respond and rally. I have spoken with Dr. Liu, the chief Trial Net investigator/ UK Centre director, and she suggested to do what I could to "rest" my pancreas during my honeymoon phase, which would help me maintain my Beta cell function. Thank you for your posts. I have a better vision of the total picture now.