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Can you stop insulin

J

Jlewis12351996

Active Member
Messages
29
so I've been started on insulin but since then my blood sugars have been super low and had so many hypos. Can I be taken off it if necessary or once you've started on it is it impossible to stop because of the effect on the body. I've heard people say you can stop and some you can't
 
Surely it depends on why you have been given it? I am type 1 and haven't made any insulin for 36 years. A type 2 who has reduced insulin production may need a little insulin if their beta cells are not making enough but that situation could change too. A type 2 who has been put on insulin due to progressively worse insulin resistance combined with insufficient indogenous insulin can do what you may have done and reduce that resistance and therefore not need it at all. If the latter case is true and you are getting hypos it suggests that at the very least you should be working with your clinician to reduce the dose! The more insulin you need to take then the more insulin resistance you will develop and the reverse is also true. Under conventional treatment the prognosis would be to go onto insulin and need to take more and more of it over the years so perhaps that is why you may have been told you will always need it?
 
Hi. Most users will find they can't stop but may be able to reduce the dose. There will be exceptions such as steroid induced or thru pregnancy etc. Once your own insulin production drops it is unlikely it will move back up again to any extent. Can you let us know why you were started on insulin?
 
How low are you going and how do you feel when seeing these lows?
 
Jlewis12351996 said:
I've heard people say you can stop and some you can't
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Well it depends on the type for a start - for example as a type 1 I can never come off insulin because I don't produce any of my own. For type 2's it probably depends on circumstances - are you type 2?
 
Because my average blood test was normal but I was very much against it as my readings were at 3s and 4s and yes okay I did the odd higher one but never above 10
 
@Jlewis12351996 a type 1 cannot stop insulin, they would die. A type 2 who is still making insulin could cease insulin under medical supervision.

Have you reported your hypos to your DSN? If you're waking up at 2.3 that suggests you are spending significant portions of the night hypo and nocturnal hypos are really a priority to be avoided in diabetic management. You should discuss your lows and when they are happening and your apparent lack of hypo awareness with your DSN. The DVLA require diabetics treated with insulin to have adequate hypo awareness, if you are feeling totally normal at 2 you certainly don't have adequate hypo awareness and shouldn't be driving.
 
Hi everyone I'm the op for this. This is my main account I made but I couldn't get access to it but yes this is me I'll make a post on introductions so people know my details so don't have to keep explaining
 
This is ridiculous I just checked it now before my supper and it was 2 on the dot....I didn't feel a thing...I took my last insulin at 6 this morning it's now 7 in the evening and I've eaten well today
 
Jlewis said:
Hi everyone I'm the op for this. This is my main account I made but I couldn't get access to it but yes this is me I'll make a post on introductions so people know my details so don't have to keep explaining
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Hi @Jlewis @Jlewis12351996 , (tagging the one & same.)

We don't allow dual accounts on DCUK. However it is empathised that things go innocently awry..
Let me tag in @DCUKMod to do a little site magic & save a lot of confusion for members and yourself..
 
Jlewis said:
This is ridiculous I just checked it now before my supper and it was 2 on the dot....I didn't feel a thing...I took my last insulin at 6 this morning it's now 7 in the evening and I've eaten well today
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If you feel "normal" with a reading of 2mmol/L, The problem could be a faulty BG meter.
That reading is too low to feel normal.
Your BG meter could be playing up.
What meter are you using and how long have you had it.
 
Jlewis said:
This is ridiculous I just checked it now before my supper and it was 2 on the dot....I didn't feel a thing...I took my last insulin at 6 this morning it's now 7 in the evening and I've eaten well today
Click to expand...

Hi there - If you would let me know which account you would like to keep, I can merge your accounts together. That'd save a bit of confusion, I'd say?

Just let me know.
 
brassyblonde900 said:
If you feel "normal" with a reading of 2mmol/L, The problem could be a faulty BG meter.
That reading is too low to feel normal.
Your BG meter could be playing up.
What meter are you using and how long have you had it.
Click to expand...
I've had it one week after supposedly my other one was faulty which it wasn't
 
Jeez...just tested tonight and they're 1.9....and I feel completely fine...
 
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