Greetings from another newbie!!!

[Mellampard]

HI,
my name is Mel and I was diagnosed with type 2 approx 5 years ago. I had good control with diet and chromium for 4 years and then it all suddenly took a downturn about a year ago! (I also have psoriatic arthritis and DDD).
I had a really bad flare of PA and my diabetes seems to go wild. The diet and the chromium no longer kept control so I started on Metformin. I found it very hard on my stomach, so they tried a slow release Metformin, and then Gliklazide (can't spell either!!!), so from next Monday I am starting on Mixtard 30 twice a day.
I am really nervous but my nurse has said it will help so much with my upset tummy and I should start to feel much better. I am getting 15-19 2 hours post meals, so very bad control!!!
I have severe problems with my feet, lots of numbness and pain, which they have said is diabetic neuropathy, but I find this one of the most difficult aspects of my diabetes.
I am looking forward to speaking to people in the same situation and getting lots of answers to my many questions!
Mel

 

[Dennis]

Hi Mel and welcome to the forum.

Certainly the insulin doesn't come with any of the side effects that other type 2 meds have, but have you been warned of the implications as a driver of being on insulin? If you drive you will need to inform DVLA immediately, and of course your car insurance company. DVLA will switch you to a 3 year renewable licence and will need a report at each renewal from your GP to confirm that you do not suffer from hypos and are fit to drive. You will not be able to drive certain types of vehicle (goods vehicles and public transport, including school minibuses). Your car insurers may increase the premium, although that is unlikely. But if you don't advise them then they can claim that you have withheld important information and use that to refuse to cover any claim that you might need to make. In a worst-case scenario that means that you would be technically driving whilst uninsured and subject to criminal prosecution. Unfortunately doctors and nurses usually forget to mention these things.

Your neuropathy is caused by high blood sugar levels but the good news is that reducing those levels can get reverse it completely. If you don't reduce BS then it will get progressively worse. High blood sugar levels are primarily a reflection of what you eat. Carbohydrate that you eat converts into glucose, which is stored in the blood as what we refer to as blood sugar. If you eat more carbs that your body is capable of producing insulin to deal with then you will continue to have high BS readings. Although you will be able to inject insulin, if your carb intake remains high then more and more insulin will be needed - and the end result will be a great deal of weight gain.

Have a good read round the various sections, particularly on food and diet, and the "success stories" thread and you will soon get a good idea of how you can bring your diabetes under control.