Any type2's on levemir?

[anna29]

Hi, am due to start next week on new insulin regime with levemir . Have tons of questions n few answers at the moment. Have wrote list of questions for my new diabetic specialist nurse. Its a huge step for me n feel quite wary n overwhelmed with facts n figures etc... carb counting etc, am diabolical at maths got grade D in exams! Need some people to swim alongside me in the next coming weeks n guide me along so to speak? Am okay with doing my shots not needle phobic n used to doing it with victoza. My Hba1c last feb was 9.1% and april was 9.7% BS yet errattic n all over the place 9-11 waking up fasting n 10-18 during the day. As this week creeps into next week I am starting to feel like a lamb led to the slaughter new life on insulin! Any type 2's on levemir out here to start me off on right track? Anna.

 

[searley]

a clear decision has not yet been made as to whether i am T1 or T2

But i was put on levemir and novo rapid when my consultant told me i was t2, its only since being on the insulin that questions have been raised to my type, but ive been told that at this stage its not too important

But in awnser to your question im on levemir, i take currently 18 units at nights, and from this weekend i will probably take an extra unit

i expect your specialist will start you off on a low dose like they did with me

i was on 6 units for a few days, then they put me upto 12..

from then on i was advised to adjust the doses myself, every 3 days take an extra 2 units until my morning readings are in the 6 - 7 mark

 

[anna29]

Hi, eh??? how can you not be any type? wats all that about? explain? I was told am no longer insulin resistant but am insulin deficient, beta cells not functioning well in the pancreas therefore poor pancreas cant produce own insulin, n my hba1c test results show an increase in the 9.7 % is it me? or arent there few type 2's on insulin yet loads of type 1's have been reading the type1's pages n threads to try n educate myself more on the insulin using regime n carb counting etc... its mind boggling to be honest! they have told me I will be started off on 10units to begin with, so it's good to hear ure angle... and need other type 2's on levemir to banter with n learn more....! Anna.

 

[searley]

They can not decide my type at this point, as im not clearly in 1 group or the other and only time will tell!

they test for type 1 with the presence of GAD anti-bodies, i dont have any, and ive not had any hypo's.. but i am quite sensitive to insulin cos im only having small amounts, and im not overweight or under active!

they say i could be a honeymooning T1 and where i started insulin early i just may not show all the signs of T1 yet

but if you goto the T2 forum you will find T2 on levemir as i have seen it discussed in the past, but its certainly not something to be worried about

Hi, eh??? how can you not be any type? wats all that about? explain? I was told am no longer insulin resistant but am insulin deficient, beta cells not functioning well in the pancreas therefore poor pancreas cant produce own insulin, n my hba1c test results show an increase in the 9.7 % is it me? or arent there few type 2's on insulin yet loads of type 1's have been reading the type1's pages n threads to try n educate myself more on the insulin using regime n carb counting etc... its mind boggling to be honest! they have told me I will be started off on 10units to begin with, so it's good to hear ure angle... and need other type 2's on levemir to banter with n learn more....! Anna.

 

[anna29]

how do you know or can tell if your're insulin sensitive??? that is actually one question I DO want an answer too ! its important to me as I am so drugs n meds intolerant.... please can you explain to me your answer to this question. sorry for mithering you but its a question I do need an answer too. Anna.

 

[searley]

You can tell that you are sensitive to insulin if you are having very small doses, my total dose of insulin a day is about 35 units, thats levemir and novo rapid, if i wasnt sensitive to insulin i would need much more

some T2's on insulin can have 00's of units a day

the reason i am on insulin is i am intolerant to many other medications and refused to take them

from what i understand the insulin is not like many other medications with loads of side effects, and there is only a small risk of allergic reaction to it, in which case there are other insulins to try

i wouldnt worry too much, it was probably one of the best things that happened to me since being diabetic

 

[anna29]

oooh interesting! what are the benefits of being on insulin? do you feel more energetic n better in yourself on it? what about weight gain whilst on it? how soon do you feel the effects of it working? am full of curiosity as to how it can change things for the better? so if you only need small amount of it does it suit you? n you can tolerate it okay? I can 'only' tolerate the glp 1 and 4 peptide everything else they tried me on was so ill with n had to quit taking the drugs. Even my tablets MUST be sterate based only... How do you know how much extra you might need to take? its so confusing n goes over my head!Have an ultasensitive body n system. Its so great to find you with similar meds n drugs intolerance I was starting to feel like it was just me... Anna.

 

[searley]

I've been on it 6 months and not gained weight. I was not over weight to start with either

The main benefit is most of the diabetic problems I was having have gone away, still a little tired but much better, some of my problems went away almost right away, others a little longer

I inject levemir once a day, I know I need a little more if for 3 or more days in a row my readings are over 7

I don't think you will have problems, there isn't masses of chemicals in it, and there isn't long lists of side effects.. And there are alternatives to levemir


I started on statins about 2 weeks ago, and starting to get pains, so looks like something else I may have to refuse

 

[anna29]

Hiya, thanks for your reply and steering me in right track of thought n understanding with starting out on insulin. It increases my poor knowledge n lack of experience too... Do you get pains in your legs? muscle cramps? with the statin? I did initially luckily my chemist prewarned me of this prior to me taking simvastatin 40mg , I always give my legs a good stretch in bed before settling down to sleep plus take 200mg of quinine for the cramps n touch wood its done the trick! It has been successful in reducing my high cholestrol too... Am feeling more positive now with idea n thought of going onto insulin thanks to your answers to my questions, am happier now I can grasp n understand what did feel like a minefield and so scary. Will keep reading posts n store knowledge in my head to equip me to start a new life on insulin. Thanks again for your help... Anna.

 

[searley]

In the tops of my legs I am getting pain, feels like I have been squatting for a long time, not sure it is the statin yet.. No cramps though

 

[debs2702]

yes i was on novorapid and levimer then they started me on victoza a yr ago i lost over 2 stone and now i take levimer at night reduced from 38 units to 10 units , no novorapid but on glucophage sr and victoza hba1c now practically normal

 

[anna29]

Hi, debs. how come and why you reduce your insulin dosage ? any weight gain with it? Anna.x