Insulin only

[Lemonie]

I am finally getting a grip on my diabetes. I was originally started on Metformin which gave me terrible upset stomach and after 12 months I was put on Victosa and the Metformin was stopped. The Victosa didn't work for me and I was put on insulin, Levemir and Novorapid. I have recently started writing down everything to the g and the insulin just doesn't seem to be working for me as it should. I have had readings in the 20's for over a year but nobody seems to be concerned. I take 50 units of the Levemir at night and am taking 2 units of Novorapid for each 10g of carbs and 2 units per mmol I need to reduce and am still going up 2 hours after a meal.

Eg:
before dinner bg = 8
novorapid = 10units
carbs in meal 32g
bg 2 hours after = 12.4

I have just read that the insulin is usually combined with tablets as well as they help the insulin. Is this always the case?

 

[uart]

Hi Lemonie. Given the relatively high amount of insulin/carb (10u per 32g), and that your BGLs still spiked, it's pretty clear that you have fairly high insulin resistance. As far as I know metformin is the main tablet taken in conjunction with insulin to improve insulin resistance. I think that most of the other diabetes tablets just stimulate your body to make more insulin.

BTW. When you reduce the carbs in your diet, what are you replacing them with?

 

[Lemonie]

I have only recently started to low carb again as have had major changes in my eyesight causing concern. I am currently working with 100g of carb a day but have been down to 50g but I struggle to maintain that. I am working on MyNetDiary Diabetes and work within calories which are from fat and protein.

 

[uart]

I have only recently started to low carb again as have had major changes in my eyesight causing concern.

Yeah, when I had BGLs over 20 for an extended period it really messed with my eyesight something crazy. Definitely try to get those levels down, because after a few weeks of lower levels the "fuzzys" do subside.

I am currently working with 100g of carb a day but have been down to 50g but I struggle to maintain that. I am working on MyNetDiary Diabetes and work within calories which are from fat and protein.

That's a good start. Given that you apparently have very bad insulin resistance then the lower that you can go with carbs the better! I know it sounds weird, given that we T2s often are carrying a bit of extra weight, but eating fat is REALLY important to your low carbing effort.

Just replacing carbs with protein doesn't always work the best, because your body can too easily convert protein to glucose. So fat really is the best thing, surprising as that might seem. I try to get about 60% to 65% of my daily calories from fats and oils, others here are as high as about 80%. Take a good look at diet doctor http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf and at the low carb forums here http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/category/low-carb-diet-forum.18/. Take a very serious look at a low carb HIGH FAT diet. You'll find lots of help and support with it here.

 

[Lemonie]

Thanks for the advice An lowering calories slightly to lose weight and am now working with (ish) 11% carbs (50g for me), 22% protein and 67% fat. Since I have been noting the insulin I can see that it isn't working for me at the mo and have made an appointment to see the doctor.

E.g.: today

Before breakfast: 9.2
22g carbs
Took 17 units novorapid
2 hrs after breakfast
9.7

Am working on 3 units novorapid to drop 1 unit mmol + 1 unit/10g carbs but am going to have to up it.