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insulin for type 2 diabetes

G

greenhouse1

Newbie
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3
I am 81 yrs male , type 2 since 2002.Consultant took me off Metformin and prescribed Gliclazide which did not bring my blood sugar count down. He will make an appointment for me to see a kidney specialist soon.I have to try insulin after I attend a clinic next week. I suffer from lack of feeling in my hands ( and feet) and I am a bit worried about how I will cope with the insulin.Is there any information somewhere for me to prepare myself for any questions I should be asking at the clinic?
I feel very well and enjoy life to the full.
 
I wasn't sure how I would cope with the insulin at the start either, but it has been much easier than I expected.

The nurse I saw was very good at explaining how to calculate the insulin dose, how to do the injections, how long the insulin lasts, how to do correction doses etc. They explained this over a couple of appointments and phone calls, at first they started me off on a deliberately low dose to get used to the injections, then helped me increase this to what it needed to be.

If you are worried about lack of feeling in your hands and using the insulin pens, they should have pens for you to practise with at the clinic, so you can see if they are suitable for you or not.

Here are two links with information about insulin treatment, from this website and Diabetes UK:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/about-insulin.html
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-dia ... s/Insulin/

Good luck at the clinic!
 
as a long term insulin user (20+ years, t1) I would say, it's really not so bad. I think often doctors get t2s unnecessarily nervous about insulin injections... sort of, 'if things don't get better you'll have to Go Onto Insulin!' as if it's the worst thing in the world but please don't worry too much.
If you do have to start on insulin, HLW's advice is v. good, see if you can have a go on some pens to see what works. Unfortunately many insulin manufacturers nowadays make pens that ONLY fit their particular brand of insulin, so you sometimes get stuck with a particular type of pen. But the lack of feeling in your fingers shouldn't be a problem with using pens. I still have feeling in my fingers, but I have in the past prepared and used my pen while wearing heavy wool gloves - no problems - so it should be fine.

Good luck and do tell us how you get on.
 
Many apologies for being so long in thanking you all- HLW,SNODGE and CUGILA for your very helpful replies to my query re insulin injections.
I have been on twice a day injections with a pen and feel I am getting along well. My sugar count is becoming lower and I feel much better in myself.
Thank you all.
 
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