New to all of this

[Soph94]

Hi! I’ve just been diagnosed type 1 two months ago after being type 2 for nearly 3 years, the hospital think I was wrongly diagnosed as I went from 16 stone to 10stone6! I went into DKA in hospital my body was pretty much shutting down and I didn’t even know!
I’m feeling a lot better in myself managed to control my sugars and get hands on with carb counting, but still having my down days! I’ve started putting on weight now back up to 11stone10 and feeling a lot healthier in myself and back at the gym.
But I am currently suffering with my legs being really itchy at night just my thighs my liver and kidney function are all correct I’m currently on 18 units of lantus in a morning and novorapid for my meals, I was just wondering if anyone out there is having the same symptoms it’s driving me insane wanting to scratch at night it’s keeping me awake
Thankyou!

 

[Juicyj]

Hi @Soph94 and welcome

It would help if I could move your post into the type 1 section for more visibility, let me know if your ok with this ?

 

[kitedoc]

Hi @Soph94,
Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience! And glad you are recovering.
Looking up webmed.com - Lantus insulin is listed as rarely having itching and hives as side-effects,
and for Novorapid on drugs.com the same.
But have you used either in the past?
Or have you used them in the past and changed brands?
Having said that there could be other perhaps diabetes- or non-diabetes-related causes of your itching
and so seeing a doctor is best to help sort things out - before you become too sleep-deprived !!
Whilst considering Lantus - I would suggest you also look at diabettech.com Lantus: lethal or Saviour?
to learn more about this insulin in general..
On the Home page: there is more general info under the 'Type 1' menu tab (? 2nd or 3rd from left) and
I draw your attention to Hypoglycaemia and diet in particular
under the Living with Diabetes tab about mid page on far left are BSL ranges and other info.
Also on the Forum page: search box upper right corner: type in DCCT and read about the Trial (not anything about units etc that is a different DCCT !!) for more info about these first number of years on insulin,
Best Wishes for your itching disappearing and for an interesting and challenging journey.
And just to let you know that there are a number of us T1Ds with over 30, 40, 50 years on insulin
so 'don't let the turkeys get you down'!!
Stay cool!!...........Just joking !!..Us on the forum!!..2 out of 3 days ain't bad..Nothing is impossible
.... .................................

 

[Soph94]

Yeah that’s completely fine To move the comment over, this is Thankyou got replying! No I’m brand new on lantus and novorapid I was only on metformin twice a day when type2 so now I’ve just got stuck into it being type1 I’ve spoke to my doctor they don’t seem to know tried anti histamines and calamine lotion but nothing seems to work!

 

[Juicyj]

Hi @Soph94 Thanks for confirming, your thread has been moved

 

[kitedoc]

Hi, @Soph94, Was it your GP or a diabetes specialist that you discussed your symptoms with?
I imagine that what you are needing is
A) relief from itching but also
B) a cause for the itch which can be looked at and fixed !!
Please keep asking your doctor: Could it be one or other insulin? (and what does the specialist say about that )??
Have I or someone in the family had itching before, or have allergies or allergic conditions?
e.g.asthma, itchy eyes, hayfever?
Any tummy upsets/? Any relatives with special diets due to some condition?
Why the thighs ? ? Contact with bedding or clothing or sprays? Bedding been laundered preferably with very hot water?
Is it itching anywhere else?
Any pets in the house or a new pet?
When was the last holiday spent out of the house?
Were there patients in the hospital with itches?
Is there a rash, or particularly itchy place? ? Blisters, spots?
Are you on any other medication, cream/lotion or a new food?
Please you do not need to answer here if you do not wish to!!!
But these sort of questions might be asked by a doctor, and if not asked could be answered to him/her!!
Bestest Wishes for better sleep !!!

 

[Soph94]

It was the diabetic specialist at the hospital that I spoke to about it and no no allergies to anything all fine tummy is fine
Bedding clean and laundered
No itching anywhere else
Yes my dog but always had her since before was diagnosed
No holidays
Not that I’m aware of I was in my own room in intensive care
No rash or spots nothing just itching so bad!
Not on any other medication or creams or foods just the insulin
Been through it all I just want to be able to sleep through tried checking my sugars to see if i was high/low but nothing it’s such a crazy itch!
Thanks for your help!

 

[kitedoc]

Apologies for the delay, being Down Under in Australia I really needed my beauty sleep!!
Perhaps the specialist could be asked about what the side-effects of the insulins are ?
The internet has provided itching as a possibility.
You could maybe also see your GP and see what 'detective work' he or she could undertake for you !!
Does warm water on the skin make the itch better or worse? And do you get a redness/rash from doing so?
No swelling, redness if you scratch or rub the itchy skin?
Does the itch include between toes ?
Sorry for the multiple Q and A!!
Cute dog !!

 

[Soph94]

No problem! Hope your having a lovely time! I love oz!!
Yes I’m going to see a specialist on Monday so hopefully she will help if not I’ll be in at the gp!
Warm water does actually help if I have a bath it doesn’t itch, when I scratch yes legs go very red but no rash or bumps no not itching between the toes just the thighs! Front and back! I have no itching really through the day it’s just the night!
And no problem nice to get some feed back of what other people think!
Aww Thankyou! He is the cutest!

 

[Benny G]

Hi Soph,
Well done surviving the DKA. Now that you are on insulin you will feel much better. Be aware that injecting insulin can encourage rapid weight gain. It would be a shame after you did so well with your weight loss diet. The gym is a good idea. More muscle allows better glucose control

 

[kitedoc]

Hi @Soph94,
I had an itch which got worse and caused a rash where I scratched.
It settled best with an old antihistamine called cyproheptadine (generic name)
- drowsiness and increased appetite being its side-effects for me.
This medication is also used as a prevention treatment for migraine of all things !!
But trying to find a cause is the best way forward rather than being on some relieving medication forever !!
Best Of Luck with your specialist for Monday !!

 

[Circuspony]

Itching can be a side effect of high blood sugars (Google diabetes and itchy skin). It should get better as your body adjusts but antihistamines might give some relief. Before I was diagnosed it was one of my issues - I could happily have chopped my right foot off it itched so badly!

 

[d302q1]

Take real care of your legs and feet as any damage to them (e.g. through itching) will take longer to heal, or may not heal at all.

Eczema is common on the legs because the circulation is poor - I really recommend E45 cream (you can get it in Boots) to alleviate itching, easily absorbed and you can use it as often as you want. Don't despair!

 

[kitedoc]

Hi @Soph94,
I hope your endo was able to help with the itching problem
and if not, that your GP is 'on the case "!!

 

[Deleted Account]

Take real care of your legs and feet as any damage to them (e.g. through itching) will take longer to heal, or may not heal at all.

Prolonged high BG may affect healing time but, if BG are kept at a reasonable level most of the time and corrected when high, healing time should not be affected.
I have had type 1 for over 15 years and my Hb1AC has been around 48 all that time. I have not seen any difference in my healing time or anything not healing.
For me this is extra motivation to keep my BG "within range".

 

[Soph94]

No still none the wiser the nurse hasn’t a clue I’ve got to wait until I see my consultant tomorrow to see if he knows if not I think they was mentioning changing my insulin!
Still driving me crazy I’ve tried every cream from e45 calamine baby lotion anti histamine nothing I’m praying for something tomorrow!
My hba1c before I went into hospital was 149 and I had my bloods done and the GAD test on Monday so waiting for the results! I’m intrigued to see if my hba1c has come down.

 

[kitedoc]

Hi @Soph94, Fingers (and toes) crossed for some answer tomorrow !!
The HBA1C results as I understand them give an idea of the sugar levels over the past 3 months
but the second half, the most recent 6 weeks, will influence the result more than the first 6 weeks..
So do not be disappointed if the result is not perfect - give it time !!!
Best Wishes