Having a bit of a crisis ... advice please

[Anonymous]

It's funny, but it's amazing how quickly the glums can hit you. Today it was in the bakery section at Waitrose and it wasn't funny.

I have been on the Sitaglyptin and off the insulin for 9 days now and I can't get my numbers down. My before meals are between 6.5 and 7.5 but worse, even on my low carb diet I'm spiking at anything between 9 and 12 (at +1 and +2 hrs). It seems that the small amount of Lantus (long-acting) that I was taking was giving me some ability to take in carbs (half a potato, 2 slices of Burgen bread). Without it I am having to cut out all carbs (except veg and milk).

I have a good friend who is also a diabetic specialist and she says I can mix the Sitaglyptin and Lantus - but it feels such a defeat to move back to the insulin so soon. If I don't though, I cant see myself sticking with this diet. I was only carbing 40-60g per day but on the recent readings this isn't going to be low enough.

I don't think I can face never having bread again. Help.

 

[xyzzy]

Well that's a bit **** swimmer. Have you seen no improvement at all? The bottom line is you can't go lower than 0g and you will need to eat a realistic amount sooner or later. Perhaps give it another week and to see if things pick up but if not I would make the insulin choice sooner rather than later otherwise you risk depression and anxiety over the worry of it all. The truthful answer is if you have very little or no insulin function left you are going to need insulin. It might be useful for your own peace of mind to see if your doc can arrange the test to determine what insulin function you have. If it comes back bad then at least you would know. Whatever the case no way have you failed you've been a brilliant inspiration to everyone.

 

[))Denise((]

Just wondering if Victoza or Byetta would suit you instead of going back on the insulin?

 

[xyzzy]

Just wondering if Victoza or Byetta would suit you instead of going back on the insulin?

Probably only if swimmers got some insulin production capability left as they both work by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin. The advantage of Sitaglyptin and Metformin is they work by blocking the take up of glucose by the blood and suppressing your liver in producing glucose in the first place. However it the kind of thing you should ask your gp swimmer

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks people - I managed a very low carb meal this evening and ended up at 7.5 two hours later, which is not disastrous. You're right xyzzy, I should hold on for another week and see if I can bring the numbers down. My cinnamon and bitter melon tablets are on their way after all.
My DBS is back from hols on Monday -I'll bend her ear a bit next week. It had occurred to me that I might have a pathetic pancreas, in which case the meds have not much to work with.

Just had an idea for another thread.. time to be more upbeat.

 

[xyzzy]

Just had an idea for another thread.. time to be more upbeat.

Glad to be of service

 

[WhitbyJet]

I agree you need to give a lit more time.
Or even if you really do still need to use insulin maybe you will manage on a much reduced dose.
Having taken a whole cocktail of anti diabetes medication in the past which resulted in side effects and eventually made me very ill I think I would feel safer using insulin.
I have come off all meds and hold non diabetic numbers but never know what the future holds. If I have to go back on medication I would go for insulin.
Hmmm I will bring some of my low carb bread for you to the party

 

[xyzzy]

I agree you need to give a lit more time.
Or even if you really do still need to use insulin maybe you will manage on a much reduced dose.
Having taken a whole cocktail of anti diabetes medication in the past which resulted in side effects and eventually made me very ill I think I would feel safer using insulin.
I have come off all meds and hold non diabetic numbers but never know what the future holds. If I have to go back on medication I would go for insulin.
Hmmm I will bring some of my low carb bread for you to the party

Totally agree with Whitby 100% swimmer. There is no reason you can't be on insulin and low carbish as many Type 1's do precisely that BUT you will need to be more hypo aware if you want to aim for "normal range" BG's. Low carbing is good as it will help with weight loss etc. Just please if you decide on the insulin route don't become an overweight "I can eat anything now" type 2 as that way lies an early grave imo.

 

[Anonymous]

hi Swimmer... I agree with what others have said in that you should find out where your own insulin production is at. I don't produce enough insulin myself so I know I have to be on insulin nowdays. If you don't produce enough of your own insulin, the medications aren't going to work as they are just trying to stimulate your pancreas to release more insulin which it doesn't have. You do need to have peace of mind and be able to enjoy your life.