Considering asking my GP for some insulin

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Howski

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Right I'm looking for a sanity check - and to be honest I trust the people here more than I do my GP.

My thought about this whole thing is that I should use all the controls possible that I can to keep my BG in normal ranges, and as long as I do with eyes wide open there should be no problems.

With that said I'm thinking of asking my GP to give me insulin. Maybe not for everyday use but for times when either I fail or for some reason or another I have an off day. If I can control my highes and take some of the load off my poor beta cells the longer and easier my decent (or not) in to full insulin dependance will be.

I have to admit there is also another bit of me that says sod it lets start insulin straight off and keep taking a low dosage. Just because my pancreas can produce x amount of insulin does not mean I sould be asking it to. I have not had a cpeptide test but being very fat I'm assuming that I have a fair amount of IR. Obviously I'm loosing weight to help with things. So if I take the load of my body with insulin and manage to loose a lot of IR I can possibly keep some more beta cells and be closer to normal if/when I get my weight down and lower my IR.

I think my doctor from the way he approches things would view this as a last option and would keep upping my oral medication until it no longer is enough. How does the NHS generally look on this type of situation?

Some info to help you:

diag at the start of march with a fasting level of 14.2
No A1C test was done on diag but a week or two later I had one done and got a 10.1
I am currently on a reduced carb diet and take some dietary supliments (will produce a list if asked)
My BG are ranging from mid 5s to low 6s before and low 6s to low 7s post and these are falling.
I self fast tested a couple of weeks ago and got a 4.8
I take 2x 500g met and 1x perindopril a day


So then a long post, but the long and short of it is that I'm asking for your advice. Is my plan to use insulin as a tool along side oral meds a good one? After doing some research I can't find many side effects of insulin as long as your careful and your lucky enough to not be allergic. Weight gain is a worry but if I start putting on weight I can stop.

Thanks in advance and if you need anymore info just ask.
 
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catherinecherub

Guest
Hi Howski,
Having read through your post I am left wondering why you want to use insulin occasionally?

I don't think your Dr. is unique in that he will refuse the insulin as your numbers have improved considerably so his argument would be that you are doing OK.
Insulin brings lots of problems as other Type 2's who use or have used it will testify, hypo's DVLA to name two.

Perhaps I could understand better if you explain the benefits you are hoping to gain.

I would say that IMHO if you carry on your control as you are then the weight will improve and your insulin resistance will abate and BP numbers will improve.

Catherine.
 
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Howski

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49
Hi

I have not spoken to my GP as of yet. I was floating the idea first.

Mainly I'd like to be able to lower my BG when I get high readings for what ever reason. I have had 2 or 3 over 10 2 hour PP readings and thats when, IMHO, I could do with them
 
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cugila

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Howski said:
Hi

Mainly I'd like to be able to lower my BG when I get high readings for what ever reason. I have had 2 or 3 over 10 2 hour PP readings and thats when, IMHO, I could do with them
Click to expand...

Howski.

IMHO I agree with Catherine here. Going onto Insulin is really not something I think I would consider in your position. Just the fact that it would affect your Driving Licence and maybe even your occupation ? Let alone any other considerations. As we don't know what your present HbA1c is it is difficult to say if your GP would want to consider putting you on Insulin. He may, he might not. All GP's have their own views on the subject.

We really need to know a bit more about your daily levels, fasting each morning, pre and post prandial levels, bedtime level. All of this would tell us if you really are well controlled or not. At the moment there isn't enough data to make a valid judgement.

Why would you want to go onto Insulin. The higher post prandial levels are something that may just be as a result of what you eat or drink at certain times......simple adjustments to your meals may achieve better control without the added 'crutch' of going onto Insulin.

That is my personal opinion, others may view this differently. As far as I am concerned the less medication the better.......

Ken.
 
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hanadr

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Howski
As far as I know, the only way to improve insulin resistance, is to challenge the beta cells with less carb. Using exogenous insulin can only make it worse
Hana
 
H

Howski

Well-Known Member
Messages
49
Thanks for you replies, I can see that it looks like the best option is just to stick with the met for now.

I asked mainly about met in that thread and to be honest while I don;t agree on the why the doc put me on them I am glad I have them.
 
S

Synonym

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Hello Howski :)

I think you sound a bit down, or maybe just fed up, and it isn’t so surprising when you consider that diabetes is for life and is unremitting! :(

You need to reflect on all that you have achieved so far and hang on to that. 8) It all takes time and we all so desperately need patience. :roll:

This is a brilliant place to sound off, a real blessing, so do keep in touch and let us know how things go. :)
 
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