Insulin doesn't work!!

DTGTaylor said:

Lee

I am 100% convinced that when insulin does not bring sugar levels down then the problem is caused by too much insulin. My DSN agrees but her boss doesn't!

Another way to prove my point is take some energetic exercise for half hour: test before and after: if the level does not decrease ask yourself what carbs you took during the exercise?

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Hi all,

I am the mother of a type 1 diabetic (age 10) and also a GP. I entirely agree with the posts and most specifically the comment that the more insulin you take the more insulin resistant you become.

With our daughter, when she goes off for a weekend with pizza, curry, cereals for breakfast etc it takes several days of low carbing and lots of exercise to get her back down to reasonable levels.

I would say that give yourself a week of as low carb a diet as you can manage - no cereal, no wheat, no bread, pasta, rice or potatoes but loads of meat/fat, fish and veg. Breakfast have grilled bacon and eggs with tomatoes, mushrooms but NO beans or bread, lunch - enormous salad with cheese, chicken or fish and dressing, and huge roast dinner for tea with NO potatoes or parsnips. You WILL be full and you WILL eventually get your BMs down. Once you have you can gradually reintroduce the treats and find the insulin works.... Good luck but it IS hard and it takes motivation.....

I can understand the frustration. The issues I would look at are:-
- insulin injection technique and injection sites
- insulin storage - insulin can degrade if stored incorrectly - probably change the devices/cartridge as the first step
- is the insulin actually being injected
- are you displaying anti bodies to the insulin - this could be checked by switching insulins
- there are probably other issues but these might give you a start

The insulin doses you are giving should have an impact on your BGls but clearly are not.

Wishing you all the best

Hi, ive just been reading through all the replies and while the info has already been posted I thought I would to add how I deal with my diabetes. The more people who post, the more the OP is helped out right?

My HBa1C is 5.6% and has been within that range (to 0.1) for two years.

Breakfast: 12 Novarapid/3 Levermir
Lunch: 0 -10 Novarapid - depending on if I have bread.
Dindons: 15-20 Novarapid/5-10 Levemir

Breakfast I never go over 15g carbs. I try to stick closer to 10g. Its either a small banana, apple or a yougart. Years back I would have cereals, even smaller bowls and my sugars would be 16mmol an hour after breakfast.

Lunch With the exception of 1 day a week when I have bread or something from the bakers, its usually a yougart, a salad, chicken or scrambled eggs with crackers.

Dindons I eat a 'normal' dinner. Usually slightly less potatos/pasta may be but generally anything goes.

EXERCISE This is essential. In the past when ive stopped exercising my insulin intake raises about 20%.

I run every other day - 4 miles. Also i lift weights, nothing intensive. I also try and walk everywhere.

Ive actually just started dieting again (cutting out bread completely during for lunch and no snacking). Its important to note that I dont lose weight simply by eating 'ok'. I need to be strict. Not sure if its just how I am or because of the insulin counteracting me.

Ive lost a lot of weight before, it is easy, you just need to be dedicated.

Lee do not dispair.I can suggest what I have done as a Type 2.
You have to keep off carbs that is most important.Eat more fruit and veg. (eg Blue Berries). Keep off alcohol,it has lot of calories. (if you need it be very moderate)
I eat lot of fruit, brown rice (brown basmathie),try and eat more fish.Try to eat your evening meal between 6-7 pm.Also remember to go for a walk after the evening meal.I walk twice a day in the morning as well as in the evening. Avoid fizzy sweet drinks.( THESE HAVE LOT OF CAORIES). I have managed to halve the INSULIN level, which I take in the morning as well as in the evening before my meals.I take INSULIN and METFORMIN.
Also if you can eat BITTER GOURD (Karilla sold in Indian groceries), has to be cooked with spices, it is very bitter.This reduces blood sugar, very effective. Also cinnamon powder mixed with your rice meals.Cinnamon has cromium, which is needed by Pancreas. My BG varies between 4 and 6.Remember exercise is very important.If you can discipline about eating less carb,eating at the right time and exercising, you should, be able to reduce your BG. I can asure you.(REMEMBER TO KEEP SWEETS IN YOUR POCKETS, AS YOU MAY EXPERIENCE HYPOS) GOOD LUCK.

Hi Lee.
To be honest if i was you id be flusterd with all the responses to your situation.
I believe some of the opinions are completly not the way forward for you. I am quite worried with a few sugetsions that have been made for you!!
Im type 1, im on insulin lantus in morning - 20u.
Humalog similar to novorapid although novorapid works slightly quicker than humalog. my humalog i inject a unit to each 10g of carbs i eat.
i also take metformin as i have developed insulin resistance.
Ive had diabetes for 11 years i am 23 years old so no im not as experienced as some posts that have been made and no i dont know everything however i do believe that some posts that have been posted in reply to you are quite wrong in what they are suggesting and i think for someone like yourself that is finding it rather hard i dont think some comments and views will be helpful. i dont mean this in a nasty way but i hardly ever read this forum but decided this evening i would and this flashed up. i havent read all the responses to you just a few was enough to make me register so that i could respond to you as i believe it is vitally importnt to your health that you do not listen to some comments said.
There could be a number of issues why your bms wont get any better and are constantly high. noone is ever the same.
Are you in the UK?.
If so i could give you a number that may be able to help you.
Please dont be put off by medical authorities, they do tend to genrealise us sometimes.
Also please dont think you cnt do this!!. it takes time. honestly it really does!.
MY HBA1C is now 8.9 the best its ever been but thats taken 11 years to do!.
I got the same as you im nt trying enough, im eating in the middle of the nite, etc etc my HBA1C was also 11 and higher!.

My diabetes does no way stop me at all and now im on this new regime the carb counting regime i eat whatever i want to and i dont get ill or high or hypos!.
I am more than willing to talke more on this subject if you feel it might help you however i can only say for myself what has helped me etc (and its not always been what the doctors or consultants say)
Keep fighting the doctors dont give up.
Make them listen. Get strong with them dont let them bully you or rush you.
Please trust me it wil get better and in a few years or could be even months it will be worth it.
Its honestly not bad all the time and it does honestly get easier!!.
I hope this helps and i hope i havent been too forcefull or spoken out of turn, the comments just made me a bit cross that someone in your position got quite a few conficting advisory comments etc.

Good Luck!

Thank you all for your posts- I last posted in the middle of the night when I was tired and depressed at my apparent 'lack of control' around food!
I am trying to adjust to this new way of being- I know that I will need to learn to 'count carbs' but it seems incredibly long winded! After years of counting calories and diets I would just like some peace!
I appreciate all contributions and would value some ideas about what simple low carb snacks could be so that I can be prepared when the demon hunger strikes.

Wishing you all well.