Help - I think I need to change insulin

[skybluegilby]

Hi all,

New to the group, I have been a type1 diabetic for 15 years ( I am now 25 ) I need some advice on the insulin I am using. I was on Humalog Mix 30 for around ten years. Due my routine - I worked long shifts in a bar I was moved onto a combination of Novorapid and Lantus, since then I have had relatively poor control, I tend to Yoyo. For example after lunch I have just tested after a sandwich and KitKat and my sugars were 27.3?? but I know before the day is out i will have had a Hypo. I have been on courses etc but I just cant seem to get it under any sort of control. I am now and have been for the past 6 months have had literally no libido, having recently got married this obviously a concern for myself. My weight has also increased by around 2 stone and am now in the obese catagory for my BMI.

Having now got routine working 9-5, not drinking as much as my uni days etc would it be more beneficial to go back to mixard 30? Also In understand I will have less freedom being on Mixard, how dramatic will this be?

Any advice will be appreciated as I am consulting a doctor but would like to know some facts/ideas etc.

Many thanks

Mike

 

[lilibet]

Hi
Sorry you seem to be having such a rotten time. Diabetes is a monumental pain in the ***** is it not?

Two questions - did mixed insulin work for you?
do you carb count?

Like all things in life there are of course pros and cons. Ive just moved from mixed to basal/bolus and its not quite the holy grail. My main reason for moving was post meal spikes and tbh they've not disappeared, though I am eating a bit better in terms of feeling more confident at reintroducing fruit, yoghurt etc to my diet. My last hba1c was low 5's but on a very low carb diet, as i find this is the only way to manage premixed insulin (for me). Also, there is so little flexibility and things like holidays, christmas are a holy nightmare on the premixed - if you are looking for good control

The flexibility you get from basal/bolus is good but its not a perfect regime as diabetes is so bloody unpredictable at times. Now, youve made mention of courses , do you mean DAFNE? If not, have you checked BDEC online course for carb counting? I wouldnt necessarily think of going back to premixed insulin but try and tackle what you are on. There are different types of background and mealtime insulins and you could maybe change to one of them (ie Levemir, Humalog) and see

I know NHS staff tell you that you can eat what you like when you take rapid acting insulin but to be blunt about it, I dont think you can. The theory is fine, the practice is never the same. Now your comment

sandwich and KitKat and my sugars were 27.3??

just about sums up a few things for me

Diet - more sugar you put in, higher the bg goes, harder to control. This doesnt include just chocolate but all carbs -You'll prob find that sandwich was worse for your bg than a kit kat.! Try chucking the carbs a bit or at least find a ratio of insulin to carb that tackles it better

Insulin - more you take, more you are likely to retain weight.
More carbs you eat, more insulin you need. Change the diet, the insulin needs will change and you will lose weight. Lose weight, your insuli nrequirements will drop etc etc

High bg will make you feel rubbish, as will yo yoing. Lack of libido will be affected by feeling rubbish, as well asfeeling out of control with your diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause sexual dysfunction and taking control of this may help address this.


Please dont suffer in silence. Start recording everything and make an appointment with you diabetes nurse.

 

[skybluegilby]

Hi,

Thanks so much for the fantastic advice, I to thought changing to Novorapid/Lantus was going to be the holy grail and I think my diet has deteriorated massively because I thought I had the "freedom" to eat and do what ever I pleased. Obviously time has taught me this is not the case but I guess old habbits die hard...

I did go on the Daphne course which was helpul in some respects, I just feel that even if I test/Count etc its still hit and miss and I end up with a completely abnormal result sometimes.

I am seeing the doctor today so hopefully I can get another opinion as to what I should be doing...

Thanks again