What is the best way to extend the honeymoon phase in a teen with recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes? My son does not require any insulin at this point after previously been on 15 of lantus and about 8 units of novolog a day? His blood sugars are now normal and A1C is 7.5. How can we extend this phase as long as possible?
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Your son WAS in the past on Lantus and Novolog and NO LONGER is taking insulin? Or does he still take the Lantus and Novolog?
At this point, there is not a regular treatment to extend the honeymoon phase, HOWEVER, there have been several studies addressing this exact issue.
You should ask your son's endocrinologist about the nearest Diabetes REsearch Center in your area, because he could be applicable for one of these studies.
Without this further research development, your son's pancreas will eventually make less and less insulin. I know it's scary, but I also know it's manageable and you can still maintain an A1C under 7.5 with good diabetes management! There are many, many healthy, happy, even successful olympic athletic diabetics in the world! I personally am a record-setting powerlifter.
I hope this is helpful and I'm sorry I can't give you a better answer than: we're waiting to see what happens in the future!
Thanks so much for the info. World record setting power-lifter - that is encouraging!! He is completely off of all insulin at this time but was on the Lantus and Novolog for the first month and a half and started with a A1C of 11.5 when diagnosed. I have been researching clincal trials - we are in South Carolina and so far haven't found anything close by but am considering traveling to a different clinic. I would appreciate any recommendations anyone might have as to where I might find the latest information available in regards to this situation. Thanks again!!
It's a very personal decision - there are several drug trials for extending the honeymoon. I believe the drugs are too dangerous, not worth the risk and we have no idea of long term repercussions but you will need to make the decision on your own. Have you contacted trialnet?
http://www.diabetestrialnet.org/index.htm
You can also chat with parents of children who have been in the trials at the forums on the Children with Diabetes website http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com
There is a theory that maintaining tight control for as long as possible may also prolong the honeymoon so you may want to strive for a lower than 7.5 A1c - of course you want to do that without risking lows.
Good luck.
Hey Joyce!
Here is a link I thought you might find helpful about preserving production of insulin in newly diagnosed folks!
-Ginger
Hi Ginger,
Thanks so much for the link to the article. We are following up and have an appointment to find out more about this clinical trial! I really appreciate your help!!
Joyce