doctor suggests i come off insulin after 26 yrs and well controlled

doccydoo

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi i am new to this forum and my doctor hit me with the suggestion that quote" as i do not take lots.of of insulin and i am well controlled have i thought about coming off insulin" my attitude has always been if aint broke it don,t need fixing i would LOVE to come off insulin ,who would,nt , but i don,t think i will be able to control my diabetes in the same way i,ve always been lead to believe that i am type 1 ,but my doctor who has only known me 3 yrs is,nt sure
i would love peoples opinions on this
He is booking me to see a diabetes nurse , not even a specialist , I AM NOT HAPPY , although he did say the decision is mine
 

tim2000s

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8,934
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Other
Probably worth testing it yourself before agreeing with him. Miss one insulin shot and see what happens to your bg level. If it stays okay then you may be fine. If it doesn't then tell the doctor where to go.
 
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AndyS

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Messages
784
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I would ask to see a specialist before any changes to your treatment are made.
 
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doccydoo

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Probably worth testing it yourself before agreeing with him. Miss one insulin shot and see what happens to your bg level. If it stays okay then you may be fine. If it doesn't then tell the doctor where to go.
i already know where my levels will go if i miss a dose ,doctor thinks tablets could control my diabetes . i have a nasty feeling theres a bit of money saving going on here
 

tim2000s

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i already know where my levels will go if i miss a dose ,doctor thinks tablets could control my diabetes . i have a nasty feeling theres a bit of money saving going on here
If you know this already, you should, very politely with the GP, ask him to refer you to a specialist to make that decision, and with a straight face mention that you didn't think cost saving measures included killing off type 1 diabetics...
 
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CarbsRok

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I see you were 42 at diagnoses, so wonder if GP has automatically decided no way type1. Dr's do tend to think that type1 develops in children only :rolleyes:
How were you diagnosed in the first place, was it sudden onset?
As others have said ask for a referral to see a specialist, but end of line is it's your choice about treatment no matter if type 1 or two.
How much insulin do you use, type 2's tend to need a lot more than type1's
 
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doccydoo

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I see you were 42 at diagnoses, so wonder if GP has automatically decided no way type1. Dr's do tend to think that type1 develops in children only :rolleyes:
How were you diagnosed in the first place, was it sudden onset?
As others have said ask for a referral to see a specialist, but end of line is it's your choice about treatment no matter if type 1 or two.
How much insulin do you use, type 2's tend to need a lot more than type1's
Hi you are right there but my friend is 59 and she was diagnosed with type 1 at 56 yrs old , i only take 4 units twice a day and 6-8 units at night plus long acting lantus of 10 units . my friend also takes roughly the same amount it was a gradual onset but my father was type 1 and my brother type 1
 

CarbsRok

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4,688
Type of diabetes
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You take about the same amount of insulin I do and I'm def type1 and have been for 50 years :)
 
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graj0

Guest
Hi i am new to this forum and my doctor hit me with the suggestion that quote" as i do not take lots.of of insulin and i am well controlled have i thought about coming off insulin" my attitude has always been if aint broke it don,t need fixing i would LOVE to come off insulin ,who would,nt , but i don,t think i will be able to control my diabetes in the same way i,ve always been lead to believe that i am type 1 ,but my doctor who has only known me 3 yrs is,nt sure
i would love peoples opinions on this
He is booking me to see a diabetes nurse , not even a specialist , I AM NOT HAPPY , although he did say the decision is mine
Surely a c-peptide test would say one way or another whether your pancreas is producing any insulin. If it is and it's of adequate amounts then maybe it's worth pursuing further. Not convinced just missing your insulin injection is the wisest way of seeing what would happen.

If your doctor isn't sure then he better pull his finger out and provide you with the test to say one way or another. Is he trying to save money?
 
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noblehead

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i already know where my levels will go if i miss a dose ,doctor thinks tablets could control my diabetes . i have a nasty feeling theres a bit of money saving going on here


A word to the wise @doccydoo, if you know that your bg levels will be high if you stop insulin then don't do it, although you are on relatively lowish doses of insulin I don't think they are low enough to stop taking insulin, many a type 1 member on the forum take similar doses so do question your Dr's intentions and ask for a referral over to the hospital diabetes clinic.
 
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mrspuddleduck

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I have a constant battle with health care professionals who state I must be type 2 because I'm too old to become type 1. It drives me crazy but I have to say GPs are the worse! Tell your doc you are very interested in his suggestion and because of it you feel its an appropriate time to see a diabetic consultant who could do a full assessment of your situation! Sue xxx
 
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shaggy1974

Well-Known Member
Messages
56
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
surely the fact that your control is good and your bg is in range is proof enough that the dose of insulin you're taking is correct and very much needed?
 
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doccydoo

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
thankyou all for your replies ,i think i have already made up my mind to not mess with what has clearly worked over the pass 25 odd years i hate to think my doctor is trying to save money ,but a few tablets certainly cost less than insulin AND i might add will he then stop my entitlement to blood testing sticks, keeping in mind that a lot of doctors do not prescribe them to diabetics just on tablets
 
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Daibell

Master
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12,642
Type of diabetes
LADA
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Insulin
You need also to be aware that tablets are not a magical solution. Metformin only really helps those who are overweight and then just a bit. Gliclazide only helps if you have enough working islet cells and Sitagliptin etc only helps a bit. I was on full dose of all three for years with little effect. Yes, GPs don't understand that T1 can occur at any age as it did for me at age 50. Insulin isn't actually that expensive if your dose is low. I only use one needle per day and only test 1-3 times per day so am a low-cost insulin user. Sitagliptin isn't cheap. Leave well alone.
 
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Daphne917

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Messages
3,320
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
thankyou all for your replies ,i think i have already made up my mind to not mess with what has clearly worked over the pass 25 odd years i hate to think my doctor is trying to save money ,but a few tablets certainly cost less than insulin AND i might add will he then stop my entitlement to blood testing sticks, keeping in mind that a lot of doctors do not prescribe them to diabetics just on tablets
Good idea - if it ain't broke don't fix it!
 

RuthW

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,158
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I read this thread a few times, went away and thought about it, read it again, thought about it. Is your doctor quite right in the head? Is he actually a doctor? Seriously, I think if I were you I'd be looking for a new GP.
 
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doccydoo

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
You need also to be aware that tablets are not a magical solution. Metformin only really helps those who are overweight and then just a bit. Gliclazide only helps if you have enough working islet cells and Sitagliptin etc only helps a bit. I was on full dose of all three for years with little effect. Yes, GPs don't understand that T1 can occur at any age as it did for me at age 50. Insulin isn't actually that expensive if your dose is low. I only use one needle per day and only test 1-3 times per day so am a low-cost insulin user. Sitagliptin isn't cheap. Leave well alone.
Hi i was interested to what you had to say about medication
I actually run my local Diabetes UK Group (chair) my group is mainly made up of type 2 s and i get to know how they cope and as you say the majority are several stones over weight ,which i am not , a couple of years ago i lost weight and it did,nt make any difference t my diabetes at all (about a stone )
In our area our diabetes care is in the hands of our GP .i worry that a more trusting sole would just be taken in and take the Doctors word as "He knows best " We are the ones that know our bodies , i shall keep you informed
 
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graj0

Guest
. . . . . . . the majority are several stones over weight, which i am not, a couple of years ago i lost weight and it didn't make any difference to my diabetes at all (about a stone )

My father was stick insect thin when diagnosed type II, initially put of Metformin, then Metformin and Gliclazide and now insulin. Takes all sorts.