• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

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

D

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
 
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 would ask to see a specialist before any changes to your treatment are made.
 
tim2000s said:
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.
Click to expand...
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
 
doccydoo said:
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
Click to expand...
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...
 
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
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
 
 
You take about the same amount of insulin I do and I'm def type1 and have been for 50 years
 
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?
 
Last edited:
doccydoo said:
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
Click to expand...


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.
 
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
 
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?
 
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
 
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.
 
Good idea - if it ain't broke don't fix it!
 
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.
 
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
 
doccydoo said:
. . . . . . . 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 )
Click to expand...

My father was stick insect thin when diagnosed type II, initially put of Metformin, then Metformin and Gliclazide and now insulin. Takes all sorts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…