Hello everyone. My name is Elisa and I was diagnosed with Type 1 with no family history at the age of 40. I’m now reaching 50 and for the last couple of years I’ve noticed my cycle change. It’s been regular but consistency varies. And my bg’s have been crazy. So much so that I thought it was my insulin. I talked to my doctor and we tried different insulins in my pump. (Aprida, Humolog and Novolog). All with no improvements on my numbers. I average a A1C of 6.0 to 6.5. But it’s been terribly difficult the last two years. I’ve limited my food and still even with a salad I can reach 250. Argh! After much research, recording, tracking and asking doctors, I think I’ve come to the realization that it has to be because I’m in perimenopause. My doctor has advised that hormones are not a good idea. She feels I’m doing good. But I get very upset, angry and anxious to see my numbers go into the 200-250 range after a low carb meal. And then it doesn’t matter how much insulin I dose the darn numbers won’t come down. So frustrating. Can someone that’s gone through this please share your story? Please tell me things will be better once I hit menopause. I want things to return to normal and to be predictable again. Pls someone share your story.
Long time lurker, but this post really touched my heart because I know how tough going through perimenopause was for me - type 1 for almost 30 years. My mom had such an easy transition to menopause so I only associated menopause with hot flashes. It was much tougher for me. But please know that there is life on the other side of menopause - it does get better!
My blood glucose readings were crazy all over the place and near impossible to control. I think you’re doing great with an A1C of 6 to 6.5 during this transition to menopause - mine went up to 8 because my insulin needs changed so drastically. I began pumping with OmniPod and eating low carb, fighting for control. On the other side of menopause, I feel great at the age of 56, eat very low carb because it simplifies my life with diabetes, maintain A1C control in upper 5’s to 6.0 and managed to finally lose the 50 pounds that insulin, perimenopause, and putting my family first for years had accumulated. I only wish I knew many years ago what I know now about managing diabetes and menopause, along with the technology that we have now. Life is good!
Take care and good luck with your journey. It sounds like you’re doing great and staying on top of your control. I know it’s a frustrating time, but it will pass and get easier eventually.
I was glad to here from someone. Thanks for your experience. I so do look forward to lower bg readings. I think I can get into the 5’s if I weren’t going through this.
I wish I had an easy answer for you! But as you know, nothing is ever easy with diabetes.
I was diagnosed with type 1 in 1970 and that same year I started my period. 1970 was a sucky year for me.
I also didn’t follow the most people pattern of hormones driving blood sugars up. It took many years for me to figure out that the lows I was having always happened about 2 weeks before my period started. I was never very regular but always had one each ,on the so it was super hard to track.
That being said I didn’t have any major issues with blood sugars being crazy during peri and now post menopause. My periods finally stopped last year after 46 very long years. My on,y problem was night sweats. But nothing I can’t handle. Menopause like diabetes is different for everyone.
I would suggest working with a gynecologist for the menopause and yourdiabetes team for the diabetes. Maybe a CDE can spend a little more time with you trying to iron out any patterns when there is usually no patterns.
Good luck my dear. It is a battle but all women get through it. And I am hoping you are blesses to have an easy go at it because some have a terribly hard time. I so like easy!