There are a lot of really helpful people on the forums. Don't be disheartened at the thought of moving to insulin. I, like many others have found have found the transition hard. The support on the forums is nice to have. The dietician/insulin specialist at my local GP surgery has finally got a plan in place regarding my insulin doses. Hospital were supposed to be monitoring me but just seem to have forgotten about me. So really pleased that someone is once again monitoring me. Good luck on your journey. Hope it's not too difficult for you. Regards Colin.
Colin, have patience nd don´t get disheartened. In my case, cardiac problems and reduced physical strength led into diabetes, rather than the other way about. A rheumatic fever at age10 led to mitral sthenosis, which required a valvotomy in 1982, and to change to mechanical valve 3 years ago. Diabetes was diagnosed in 2005, and have been on Risidon ever since, till a repeat of cardiac insufficiency last January. That is when the doctors decided to stop metmorphin and put me on insulin, basal (Levemir) 14u in the morning and 4u at night before going to bed. Also bolus (Humalog) 2-8 u, depending upon the BG check before lunch and what meal would follow. Usually I did not have to go beyond 2-4 (120/240 mg).
It was hard during the first month to get used to finger pricks 4-5 times a day, but now it is ok. Regular bg checks have helped me to keep control of any surges. Over these months I had to raise the basal /detemir dose to 18 on doctor's advice, and that seems to be fairly effective. I have lost 12 kgs of weight, but that was before starting on insulin. It came down from 70 kgs during past several years to 58 kgs last January. It has been largely a result of controlled diet of low carbs, and daily Lasix 40 mg for reducing liquid retention. Prolonged used of metmorphin was affecting my thyroid, and now I am on daily Levotiroxina.
I hope these bits of my experience help. But each individual case is unique.