Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Manager of Marketing at T1D Exchange.
I was originally diagnosed TYPE 2 (understandable, I ate and drank anything available), 3 years later after losing 105 lbs the diagnosis was changed to TYPE 1. Had the antibodies, the doc at the medical studies suggested had the test for GAD autoantibodies been done several years earlier I might have extended the “honeymoon” period even longer with only a BASAL dose. For me 3 years although the last several months the “quack” I fired kept saying I was too old to require insulin: kept changing pills and said to lose more weight (eventually 20lbs under weight).
I was diagnosed at age 7. I went through honeymoon phases (where I would only need 1 shot of nph once a day) off and on. I particularly remember having one at diabetes summer camp at age 9 (over a year after diagnosis) because of how active we were there and how much I could snack vs at home.
My diabetes was not diagnosed when I presented with a frozen shoulder, no energy and kept losing weight. My diabetic husband suggested he test me on his meter and it read HIGH. So a call to his endo meant insulin dosages over the telephone and an office appointment forthcoming. Even though I was 49, I could not get off of insulin and my body was frail. That was 23 years ago before the term LADA. Thankful for insulin which is turning 100 years in 2021, marketed in 2022. Happy 100th Birthday Insulin!!
I’m not sure that “Honeymoon Phase” was known about in 1967 when I was diagnosed. I was only 10 at the time and don’t remember that term being used or any changes to my treatment protocol being implemented to reflect that.
I had to look up honeymoon phase diabetes. Here’s what I found: “The “honeymoon period” is a phase that some people with type 1 diabetes experience shortly after being diagnosed. During this time, a person with diabetes seems to get better and may only need minimal amounts of insulin. Some people even experience normal or near-normal blood sugar levels without taking insulin.” I definitely never had a honeymoon phase when I was diagnosed T1D at age 32.
Dx’d 1983, age 28. My Dr warned me about the honeymoon phase, but I think what happened was that I retained some endogenous insulin production that never quite completely went away. I seem to still produce some, which makes DKA less likely, though it can make figuring dosage a little unpredictable.
My dad told me I got really sick taking insulin. So they stopped for a week and everything was good. It lasted a week. Then I got sick again and I have been on insulin ever since. That was 1967
57 years ago I remember times where the NPH would ‘surprise’ me with lows, I assume that was “Honeymoon” but don’t remember when that levelled off. DX was easy because my father had been a LADA Dmer since the early 40’s,, my Dx in 65
Like others, I don’t know, but it is not that I could not remember, more that in 1968, you really could not tell because there were no A1c’s, or fingersticks. Evidence from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial, which was the first prospective randomized large scale trial to prove that tight control improved the chance of avoiding complications, also showed that those newly diagnosed who were well controlled (average A1c 7-7.2) had detectable insulin secretion for twice as long as those who were in standard control (A1c around 9 on average). So high blood sugar hurts remaining beta cells, and tight control helps from day 1 after diagnosis…
My D symptoms came on fast and furious. I may have been my “honeymoon” period prior to Dx and thus not been aware of it. I was a professional ballet dancer in the years leading up to my Dx and that hard physical labor (it is hard labor – we just make it look easy and ethereal). I was Dx’d with T2 cuz I was 30 years old (no risk factors especially the one re: my family tree – no D of any kind back several generations. Family had lots of medical folks – so the records were meticulous). When I first went to see a doctor I had gone from my “working weight” of 110 lbs (I am 5’6′) to 102. By the time was correctly Dx’d – in DKA I was 95 lbs.
I guess as they said I controlled too fast and went blind for a couple of weeks. Let me tell you, it was a a lot of fun . I could see some shadow like figures during the day but at night I was totally blind the honeymoon was over real fast if in fact it actually happened
Unfortunately I’m not to sure how long mine lasted. That said becoming a diabetic was never ever a big issue for me due to my older having had it for 7 years prior to my sudden onset. Admittedly things seemed to be much easier way back when due to the lack of instruments for testing, single dosing etc. Now days we’ve got all these different tools that are available like CGM’s, pumps, or MDI, Inhaled etc…. Admittedly these things are great, yet at times can be a tad bit hectic and a constant reminder of our disease which for me can encourage depressive state.
I don’t remember anything significant about honeymoon. Because I was an adult I was not put on insulin for quite some time. I was on metformin for T2. When they accepted metformin wouldn’t help, they put me on insulin about 6-12 months after dx. I was still scrawny but was never extreme to where I ended up in the hospital. I think there are some differences between LADA and Juvenile T1D. Both autoimmune but different in its presentation in my perspective. My young 1St cousins once removed with T1D ended up in the hospital with very quick presentation, my sister and I with LADA had more stretched out presentation in the beginning. I didn’t know of the word “honeymoon” at the time.
I have no idea. I was diagnosed in December 1962 at the age of 8. They weren’t tracking residual beta cell function back in those days, so even if I was in a honeymoon phase it wasn’t on the radar, so no one paid attention to it. I do remember that I had a lot of severe insulin reactions up until age 10 or 11 – often resulting in middle of the night/overnight seizures. Perhaps I was going through a honeymoon phase then?
I did, but I was about 5 when it happened. I remember the doctors telling my Mom to continue to give me a small amount (~1 unit) of insulin so that I didn’t become allergic to it if she stopped giving any insulin.
I was. 42 when diagnosed T2 and put on pills. Four years later and 60 pounds lighter I asked to go on insulin because I couldn’t keep my bs numbers down with the pills, exercise and eating like a bird.
I was diagnosed at age 14 in 1963. I was in shock and hated every minute of it. Peeing in a cup or on a stick was worthless. My A1C was 12 for a while, and only took one injection a day until I was in my 40s. Finally when I was about 50 I went on the Omnipod and turned things around. I still hate it and struggle every day, but I keep trying. And that’s all I can do until a cure is found.
I had a high a1c in a routine blood test when I was 66. Internist told me I had type 2. Metformin made me sick and I told doctor I would follow a strict low carb diet. Then I found an endocrinologist on my own and he immediately diagnosed me with LADA. Probably because of ingesting fewer than 80 grams of carbs a day, I was able to prolong honeymoon phase to 1 1/2 years. Then I started on a couple of units of long-acting insulin a night and didn’t add Humalog until a year after that. Five and a half years from diagnosis, I still take what I’m told are smaller than normal doses of insulin—4 units of Tresiba daily and a total of 7 units of Humalog a day.
I was diagnosed just over 54 years ago, so don’t recall any ‘honeymoon’ phase. At age 6, I came home just before Christmas and went back to being a kid. I don’t recall any anger, adjustment period or anything like that. Just seems like it was “ok you have to take shots and don’t eat many cookies”. At age 6, I had more bad memories of and trouble adjusting to having tonsillitis every winter. I guess diabetes diagnosis didn’t impact me much at that age.
I went through a 2year honeymoon phase it ended when I had emergency surgery and then everything went crazy brittle diabetic fun every day
I was originally diagnosed TYPE 2 (understandable, I ate and drank anything available), 3 years later after losing 105 lbs the diagnosis was changed to TYPE 1. Had the antibodies, the doc at the medical studies suggested had the test for GAD autoantibodies been done several years earlier I might have extended the “honeymoon” period even longer with only a BASAL dose. For me 3 years although the last several months the “quack” I fired kept saying I was too old to require insulin: kept changing pills and said to lose more weight (eventually 20lbs under weight).
I was diagnosed at age 7. I went through honeymoon phases (where I would only need 1 shot of nph once a day) off and on. I particularly remember having one at diabetes summer camp at age 9 (over a year after diagnosis) because of how active we were there and how much I could snack vs at home.
I was diagnosed with T1D in 1965 when I was 7 years old. My doctors quickly settled on T1D and insulin injections which I have been taking ever since.
My diabetes was not diagnosed when I presented with a frozen shoulder, no energy and kept losing weight. My diabetic husband suggested he test me on his meter and it read HIGH. So a call to his endo meant insulin dosages over the telephone and an office appointment forthcoming. Even though I was 49, I could not get off of insulin and my body was frail. That was 23 years ago before the term LADA. Thankful for insulin which is turning 100 years in 2021, marketed in 2022. Happy 100th Birthday Insulin!!
You think I remember 59 years ago? Ha ha ha, that’s hilarious!
I’m not sure that “Honeymoon Phase” was known about in 1967 when I was diagnosed. I was only 10 at the time and don’t remember that term being used or any changes to my treatment protocol being implemented to reflect that.
What is a honeymoon phase?
I had to look up honeymoon phase diabetes. Here’s what I found: “The “honeymoon period” is a phase that some people with type 1 diabetes experience shortly after being diagnosed. During this time, a person with diabetes seems to get better and may only need minimal amounts of insulin. Some people even experience normal or near-normal blood sugar levels without taking insulin.” I definitely never had a honeymoon phase when I was diagnosed T1D at age 32.
Dx’d 1983, age 28. My Dr warned me about the honeymoon phase, but I think what happened was that I retained some endogenous insulin production that never quite completely went away. I seem to still produce some, which makes DKA less likely, though it can make figuring dosage a little unpredictable.
My dad told me I got really sick taking insulin. So they stopped for a week and everything was good. It lasted a week. Then I got sick again and I have been on insulin ever since. That was 1967
57 years ago I remember times where the NPH would ‘surprise’ me with lows, I assume that was “Honeymoon” but don’t remember when that levelled off. DX was easy because my father had been a LADA Dmer since the early 40’s,, my Dx in 65
I was barely 4 when dx so I too young to remember.
I said, no idea. Who knows, it was one injection of Lente and urine testing. So really, who knows! I know there was lots of highs and lots of lows.
Like others, I don’t know, but it is not that I could not remember, more that in 1968, you really could not tell because there were no A1c’s, or fingersticks. Evidence from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial, which was the first prospective randomized large scale trial to prove that tight control improved the chance of avoiding complications, also showed that those newly diagnosed who were well controlled (average A1c 7-7.2) had detectable insulin secretion for twice as long as those who were in standard control (A1c around 9 on average). So high blood sugar hurts remaining beta cells, and tight control helps from day 1 after diagnosis…
My D symptoms came on fast and furious. I may have been my “honeymoon” period prior to Dx and thus not been aware of it. I was a professional ballet dancer in the years leading up to my Dx and that hard physical labor (it is hard labor – we just make it look easy and ethereal). I was Dx’d with T2 cuz I was 30 years old (no risk factors especially the one re: my family tree – no D of any kind back several generations. Family had lots of medical folks – so the records were meticulous). When I first went to see a doctor I had gone from my “working weight” of 110 lbs (I am 5’6′) to 102. By the time was correctly Dx’d – in DKA I was 95 lbs.
I guess as they said I controlled too fast and went blind for a couple of weeks. Let me tell you, it was a a lot of fun . I could see some shadow like figures during the day but at night I was totally blind the honeymoon was over real fast if in fact it actually happened
Unfortunately I’m not to sure how long mine lasted. That said becoming a diabetic was never ever a big issue for me due to my older having had it for 7 years prior to my sudden onset. Admittedly things seemed to be much easier way back when due to the lack of instruments for testing, single dosing etc. Now days we’ve got all these different tools that are available like CGM’s, pumps, or MDI, Inhaled etc…. Admittedly these things are great, yet at times can be a tad bit hectic and a constant reminder of our disease which for me can encourage depressive state.
I don’t remember anything significant about honeymoon. Because I was an adult I was not put on insulin for quite some time. I was on metformin for T2. When they accepted metformin wouldn’t help, they put me on insulin about 6-12 months after dx. I was still scrawny but was never extreme to where I ended up in the hospital. I think there are some differences between LADA and Juvenile T1D. Both autoimmune but different in its presentation in my perspective. My young 1St cousins once removed with T1D ended up in the hospital with very quick presentation, my sister and I with LADA had more stretched out presentation in the beginning. I didn’t know of the word “honeymoon” at the time.
I have no idea. I was diagnosed in December 1962 at the age of 8. They weren’t tracking residual beta cell function back in those days, so even if I was in a honeymoon phase it wasn’t on the radar, so no one paid attention to it. I do remember that I had a lot of severe insulin reactions up until age 10 or 11 – often resulting in middle of the night/overnight seizures. Perhaps I was going through a honeymoon phase then?
I did, but I was about 5 when it happened. I remember the doctors telling my Mom to continue to give me a small amount (~1 unit) of insulin so that I didn’t become allergic to it if she stopped giving any insulin.
I was. 42 when diagnosed T2 and put on pills. Four years later and 60 pounds lighter I asked to go on insulin because I couldn’t keep my bs numbers down with the pills, exercise and eating like a bird.
I didn’t go through a honeymoon phase til my last pump, 670G & CGM. A1c improved 2 points. Improved control, less worry, and more freedom eating.
I was diagnosed at age 14 in 1963. I was in shock and hated every minute of it. Peeing in a cup or on a stick was worthless. My A1C was 12 for a while, and only took one injection a day until I was in my 40s. Finally when I was about 50 I went on the Omnipod and turned things around. I still hate it and struggle every day, but I keep trying. And that’s all I can do until a cure is found.
I had a high a1c in a routine blood test when I was 66. Internist told me I had type 2. Metformin made me sick and I told doctor I would follow a strict low carb diet. Then I found an endocrinologist on my own and he immediately diagnosed me with LADA. Probably because of ingesting fewer than 80 grams of carbs a day, I was able to prolong honeymoon phase to 1 1/2 years. Then I started on a couple of units of long-acting insulin a night and didn’t add Humalog until a year after that. Five and a half years from diagnosis, I still take what I’m told are smaller than normal doses of insulin—4 units of Tresiba daily and a total of 7 units of Humalog a day.
I was diagnosed just over 54 years ago, so don’t recall any ‘honeymoon’ phase. At age 6, I came home just before Christmas and went back to being a kid. I don’t recall any anger, adjustment period or anything like that. Just seems like it was “ok you have to take shots and don’t eat many cookies”. At age 6, I had more bad memories of and trouble adjusting to having tonsillitis every winter. I guess diabetes diagnosis didn’t impact me much at that age.