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Insulin/weight gain - not happy! Any experiences?

T

TheSparkyPony

Well-Known Member
Messages
136
Location
Cheshire UK
I'm getting a bit concerned and was hopefully after some tips from you lovely lot :)

Currently have shocking control on my diabetes, never do BMs....but I'm improving! Never used to take my levemir at night and now I take it religiously - a big step in my book!!

Anyway, I'm on 56u of Levemir, and up to 30u of NovoRapid per meal (if not more!)

I've just done a food diary of the past 2 weeks, and on average I'm only eating about 1300 cals a day (am female) but yet have put on a few kilos since I had a last consultation.

Am really not happy :oops: If i'm honest it's putting me off taking my insulin as I'm an 18 yr old girl and am already finding injecting/diabetes on the whole quite difficult.

I can't really exercise much atm as working long hours (up at 5.30am and not back home until 8pm) only exercise I get is walking to train station and sorting out the horses :lol:

Has anyone got any tips on combatting this? Or just some pure reassurance?! It's making me feel poo that I'm not going to be in a bikini anytime soon!
Thanks :) xxx
 
Hi,

i'm a 22 yr old female.. and like you had shocking shocking control, ahrdly ever used to take my insulin, never tested. as a result i was in and out of hospital with ketoacidosis, and always as skinny as a rake!

but over the past few months i'm taking all my insulin, i did the Dafne course, so i carb count and keep a diary of all carbs consumed and insulin taken...

i've put on about a stone in weight, i'm only 5''3 so it looks alot more on someone my size, i'm still a normal weight but have a bit of a podgy belly going on :lol:

i currently take 12u and 14u of lantus (split dose) and a 3:1 ratio, which means for every 10g of carbs i take 3 units of insulin.

as you are only 18 and still going through lots of hormone changes you need more insulin that say a 30 yr old female would. that's why my ratio is also quite high.

insulin is also a fat building hormone... so if you take alot it's likely you'll put on weight quite quickly and easier than someone your age without diabetes.

i work in an office so i spend alot of my time parked at my desk so i don't get much exercise but i try to walk my dogs and walk to the town centre on my dinner break and do alot during the weekends.

I understand how gaining weight can put you off taking your insulin, but it really isn't the answer. feeling unwell 24/7, losing your hair, constant thrush, urinary infections.. just isn't worth it to lose some weight!

maybe you could try cutting down on the amount of carbs you are eating, therefore reducing the amount of insulin you take.

I believe in a healthy diet and exercise to losing weight. there isn't really a quick fix other than stopping your insulin but i'm sure i dont have to warn you that taking no insulin eventually will kill you! and then you really wouldn't look good in a bikini!

Have you spoken to your diabetes specialist about it? i'm 100% sure they get young women like us with this problem all the time and can refer you to a dietician or some sort of specialist than can advise you alot better than i can!

I'm sorry if i cant reassure you better than you'd like but i hope it's a little easier knowing your not the only one!

good luck!
 
Hi SparkyPony,

I agree with Ebony's post - have a couple of reads of it and see what bits of advice you can take on.

One piece of advice from me would be to not worry so much about the calorie content of your food and think more about carbohydrate content. I don't even know what calorific values my foods have, but I sure know the carb content. And if I want to lose a bit of weight (as at the moment) I reduce my carb intake from approximately 250-300g to around 100-150g per day.

You sound like you're doing the right things ... what you need to do is keep applying all the new stuff you're learning and in the end you'll find a way that works for you. Definitely do a carb counting course if you can. I haven't done DAFNE, but something similar that the nurses at my hospital run. I now have a much better feeling about my control - both blood sugar control and weight control.

Keep learning, stay positive and you'll find a combination that works for you.

Sam.
 
Ebony - Thanks for the detailed reply, it helps a LOT knowing there is someone else who felt/feels pretty much the same as I do - there isn't a good support network in terms of people my age group coping with this so it's good to know I'm on similar wavelengths with others!
It's just so frustrating!
I don't have many carbs as it is, as a way of ducking out of taking more insulin than I already do :lol:
Have had quite a few episodes of DKA, my most recent one was in May of this year.
I did raise these concerns with my consultant on Tuesday, but he was pleased I'd put on weight :shock: :shock: apparently 'It means I'm doing the right thing and it's clear I'm healthier and taking my insulin properley', although my BMI is currently 26 - overweight :(

Shedges - Thanks aswell for your reply :) I keep asking about the DAFNE course as it's been recommended a lot on here but it keeps getting postponed!

It's a lot to comprehend I guess. I've had diabetes for 10 years and have been slightly heavier from about 11 but never thought much of it until they started making my body 95% insulin :lol:

Thanks again guys, muchly appreciated :D xxx
 
SparkyPony
You're doing the right things - keep going. Only thing I can add is to try to increase activity in your day eg take a longer route walking to station, increase stair climbing etc. It's not quick, but eventually, weight will reduce - BMI of 26 is only just over recommended limit of 25, so catching weight now and starting to control it will be much easier (but still a challenge) than taking control from 27, 28, 29, 30 etc. There is an online DAFNE course at www.b-dec.co.uk
 
I put on loads of eight and was really concerned. I have v good control and have only been t1 for a year but put wait on continually for the first year. It has now stabilised and even started to come down. I am now right on the upper limit of a normal bmi range and happier. I have kept my diet as normal as possible but do watch my carb intake, although not really strict. If i fancy a treat i will have one. The one thing i have noticed is that i am fond of a glass of wine or two most evenings and have found that this lowers the blood sugar reading in the morning but i experimented and stopped the wine for two weeks and lost several kg although felt no better :( . Exercise is a must and always try to get a 15 minute walk or 10 minute walk in break times wherever possible . Keep positive it will happen but not overnight as i found for an agonising year of weight gain. let diabetes live with you not live with diabetes..

goood luck
Curleous
 
TheSparkyPony said:
Ebony - Thanks for the detailed reply, it helps a LOT knowing there is someone else who felt/feels pretty much the same as I do - there isn't a good support network in terms of people my age group coping with this so it's good to know I'm on similar wavelengths with others!
It's just so frustrating!
I don't have many carbs as it is, as a way of ducking out of taking more insulin than I already do :lol:
Have had quite a few episodes of DKA, my most recent one was in May of this year.
I did raise these concerns with my consultant on Tuesday, but he was pleased I'd put on weight :shock: :shock: apparently 'It means I'm doing the right thing and it's clear I'm healthier and taking my insulin properley', although my BMI is currently 26 - overweight :(

Shedges - Thanks aswell for your reply :) I keep asking about the DAFNE course as it's been recommended a lot on here but it keeps getting postponed!

It's a lot to comprehend I guess. I've had diabetes for 10 years and have been slightly heavier from about 11 but never thought much of it until they started making my body 95% insulin :lol:

Thanks again guys, muchly appreciated :D xxx
Click to expand...

I'm sure there are lots of people any age or sex who experience the same problem but it definately is re-assuring to know your not the only one!

Keep pushing for the DAFNE course and hopefully you'll get there soon!

I think as you'e recently had DKA your consultant is probably more concerned that you are taking your insulin as weight gain is a good indicator of that. I agree with curleous about trying to get in some extra walking throughout the day.

And i wouldn't worry too much about having a BMI of 26, your only just out and that's just an average, alot of people have more muscle mass which weighs more than fat so would affect it a little! it's only a guideline not a requirement!! i'm sure after a while like curleous also says your weight will settle down and if you watch your diet a little and make sure you get a little exercise then you'll be fine!!
 
Hey,

Hi :) I'm only a year younger than you and thought you might need some reassurance. It seems your on an awful large dose of insulin for your age and i believe that might be because it wasnt well controlled for a while. Im only on 10 (Novorapid) and 27 (Levimir). It seems to me that your starting to control your diabetes and that is the first step to bringing down your insulin levels. As it gets more and more controlled your diabetic specialist team of doctors/nurses or even yourself my realise that you dont need as much insulin as previously.

I am 17 and had diabetes for 14 years and like you, my early teenage years where uncontrollable concerning my diabetes. I still have bad days now. But im pretty slim now. im 5ft3 and 8 stone... i used to have trouble with my weight where it would fluctuate but beleive me when i say you can overcome it.

You just need to control your diet, diabetes and exercise more and start lowering your doses because soon enough you will have low blood sugars from too much insulin.

I wish you all the best in life :)
Good look for mission Bikini
Jenna-Louise x
 
Hi,
I experienced weight gain since i changed from insulatard/actrapid to lantus/aprida. I am 50 so my metabolism has slowed down a lot and due to a spine injury which led to spinal artiritus i cannot exercise anymore. All i can do is count carbs and reduce intake of calories. Its juggling to keep the BG balance but i manage. I just keep wondering where it comes from as many seem to struggle with the same issue. I am proud tho I managed to stay on the same weight for 3 months now. Tips in how to lose weight are more then welcome.
 
Hi,

When I was first put on insulin I was just jabbing it in with no idea about carbs and counting them and all that jazz (my diabetes team are pretty awful), i gained about 3 stone in a really short space of time.
Needless to say I was upset and then I stopped taking it completely, I has thrush for months, my hair was falling out and everything just hurt.
I learned to carb count on my own and have managed to reduce the amount of insulin I need> i have put on a little weight but no where as rapid as the speed it was going on before.
This site helped me a lot and the advice and support I have received has been golden and very much appreciated.

I haven't been able to get on a DAFNE course either but I did find this site, http://www.bdec-e-learning.com, which gave me a much better understanding of what I should be doing.

Exercise works wonders as well, the more you do then the more productive your insulin will become and the less you will need.

I hope that things even out for you soon but if you ever need a yap or a rant then give me a PM because we all struggle sometimes and I struggle all the time.

take care xx
 
hi,
can i also add that what you eat might make a difference. The low fat option will help and be really careful as some items that dont contain sugar contain maltitol which we have found spikes the bg reading and makes you use more insulin. You propbably have this sorted but thought I wouldpost just in case.


steph
 
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