Lada

Hey, I agree with Trudy, 4 units can be alot with every meal. You need to carb count and document everything.
If you have an Itouch or iphone there are some apps that help with the math.
I take Apidra and Levemir- Currently I’m at about a TDD ( total daily dose) of 24-26 units - 13 units of Levemir at bedtime then the rest through out the day. Since starting 2 weeks ago on the Apridra my BG numbers are really coming down ! Which leads me to believe I’ve got little insulin production.
The Metformin caused GI issues ( Gastro Intestinal ) means lots of loose #2’s : 0
with me so Im glad to be back to normal. But that said the metformin did work on me for the first few years, but now that Im only on insulin I can say that I feel way better because I now have energy. I was so tired before, makes clear sense to me now as with out insulin my blood cells were not getting to use the glucose.
So Im glad to hear you are starting on insulin soon. But do take it slowly… test test test.
My first week on Apridra was a roller coaster but now I’m carb counting better… but not tonight I totally blew it !
It’s easy at times to fall off the proper diet and cheat.
The other thing that helps to figure out insulin doses although a bit boring is eating the same thing for breakfast 3- 4 days in a row and see if you get the carb count correct with the correct dose.
Apparently you should be about 1.66 mmol ( 29 ) with in range from your premeal reading 2 hours later if you got your dose correct and carb counted correctly. Try and keep your activity level the same daily as well so there are less variables to figure out in the beginning.
Hope this helps, you have some great advice happening, and you will figure out the lingo, but ask if you don’t know : )

Trudy thanks for the advice, it certainly pointed me in the right direction. I have to admit that it seems my doctor seems to give me the perscription and lets me go to it. Your help is really appreciated.

Sorry about the delay in responding to you Crashette but it has been really busy for me, we were getting the last of our crops in and doing the last bit of field work. I was pretty pleased the last couple of mornings I had readings of 6.6 and for me that is a first. My activity level and meal planning has not be real stable. But with the advice that I have received I believe I am at least working in the right direction.

Jridge,
Just diagnosed three weeks ago today. Started insulin immediately with Lantus in am only (my doc is very clued in) and since maintaining a low carb diet of 60-75 grams carbs a day with daily excersize have only rarely needed to use any bolus dosing. I know people may question my insulin production but with an initial HgA1c of 11.7 and high GAD and low C-peptide I think the diagnosis is clear. Not sure if my case is unique but finding a single dose of Lantus with the above interventions has brought my 14 day average BG down to 84. That is recording 6x/day with one documented hypo.
Cheers

Hi Bob: Welcome! Awesome results, too. Your diagnosis is quite clear. Lots of studies have shown that keeping tight control, as you are, prolongs the honeymoon period. That makes it easier to maintain control, dramatically reduces the risk of complications, and in short makes for a better life with Type 1 diabetes. Glad you found us here at TuD!

So can you fill me in on what to expect when you refer to the "honeymoon period"? Try to be gentle, I have a fragile ego LOL.

Great news on the A1c! I have just ordered the Berstein books, should arrive in a week or so but what are your carb daily intakes like based on his recommendations?

Like super sally says, the honeymoon period is when a newly diagnosed person is still making some insulin (remnant insulin production). With good blood sugar control, it can be prolonged for a LONG time, and it really is beneficial to extend it as long as possible. I would respectfully disagree with super sally, I think that for most people an A1c of 4.2-4.6 may be unachievable without a lot of hypos, which is definitely something to avoid. Hopefully I was gentle enough! :) I know you have ordered Bernstein's book--other good ones are books by John Walsh ("Using Insulin" and "Pumping Insulin") and Gary Scheiner's "Think Like a Pancreas."

Thanks for the advice on the reading material. I am hoping to stay off the pump as long as possible but it seems to be the go for most with an active lifestyle.

Just to say hello! I am fairly new to my diagnosis of LADA - since late August I think. So far, so good. When they discovered it, my blood sugar was 543 and had averaged 350 for the prior three months before. I'm actually looking forward to my next doctor visit to learn more and hopefully find out I'm stable. I control with long acting insulin, diet, and exercise. I don't manage to get in a workout every day, but I find I feel better when I get in at least 3 - 4 days a week of intense exercise. After my diagnosis, I ran my first 5K in years that actually had a good "time" for me. I feel better than I have in a year, and other than not being able to get a steroid shot the last time I got the crud, I've had no real problems. (Yes, I've heard about the honeymoon stage.)
I have to admit, daily injections are an inconvenience, but so are glasses. It's life as I know it...and it's good.

Hi ABW: Welcome to the club! Sorry you had to join us, but glad that you are doing well and feeling good.