Insulin

Hi I have just started insulin and am very happy to be on it, I was dreading it for a long time but it has made a big difference, the injections are easy, I have taught myself a valuable lesson today, I gave myself a hypo which was a bit weird but served a purpose, I was doubting the effectiveness of the “water” I was injecting, They have started me on low doses which im sure they will you too so no need to worry, I am however a newbie so cant really offer anything useful ,best of luck with it

Sorry to hear about your Dad, it's no wonder your BG control went haywire after an experience like that.

Are they putting you on a basal / bolus dose or just basal (long acting) as that will affect your flaxibility regarding food. If bolus included then carb counting is important.

Edited to fix bolus from "helpful" autocorrect. To stop you wondering about nuts and bolts, sorry

I am sorry for your loss. Would stress of mourning the loss of your dead be a contributing factor for your high bloods?

Do realise that once you start using insulin, that's it. You have to count to being stuck with that regime.

It is a major difference, being on tablets or using insulin.
A tablet you take and then forget about it, until the next tablet.

There are two types of insulin: long acting and short acting.
The long acting you use once a day. Some divide it over the day, but standard is once a day, usually before bedtime.
Short acting insulin you take directly before or after a meal. Your diabetic nurse will discuss with you when it is best for you.
You might not start on short acting for now.

It will control your life. You have to check your bloods at least 4 times a day, sometimes more often.
You do not go anywhere without your insulin kit: pen, meter, needles and insulin.
You have to be very aware for hypo's, as this is the most common side effects of insulin.
You will have to make sure you are not getting obsessed with the diabetes when having to check your bloods all the time and inject yourself.

Injecting yourself with insulin should not be too painful and quite often painless. You can't compare it to a flue jab or something like that, as the needle for insulin is much thinner and shorter. You inject just below the skin. Some days you wouldn't be aware you are actually sticking a needle in you, if you weren't watching what you were doing. Other days you have to try a few times, because it seems to hurt everywhere.

You have to learn to make it part of your life. And make sure you have a support network.

It's a lot to take in. Keep asking questions. We're here.

Simha said:

It will control your life. You have to check your bloods at least 4 times a day, sometimes more often.
You do not go anywhere without your insulin kit: pen, meter, needles and insulin.
You have to be very aware for hypo's, as this is the most common side effects of insulin.
You will have to make sure you are not getting obsessed with the diabetes when having to check your bloods all the time and inject yourself.

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I have type 1 diabetes.
I have no choice but to take insulin.

However, it does not control my life. Checking BG at least 4 times a day is not a huge impact. Putting a few things in my bag when I go out is not that tough. Being aware for hypos (no apostrophe needed) is a pest but I live with it - it does not control my life.
Testing and injecting 4 or 5 times a day is not all the time - each test and inject takes 2 minutes. That's 10 minutes per day. It is not much longer than I spend cleaning and flossing my teeth and I don't think am obsessed by that.

Since I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and taking insulin, I have travelled around the world, I have walked in the Himalayas, I have sailed across the channel, I have a stressful job, I have a loving relationship.

Diabetes and insulin should not control your life.

Please take care with what you write. I am thick skinned but someone newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is likely to be feeling delicate and reading your message could make it worse.

Absxx said:

Have no idea have been waiting for 5 months now for insulin as gliclazide, sitagliptin and pioglitazone aren’t working bloods are in high teens early twenties so struggling x

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many type 2's who go onto insulin are able to come off it again. A change of diet to lower carbs, and less stress will help. Best wishes.

helensaramay said:

Please take care with what you write. I am thick skinned but someone newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is likely to be feeling delicate and reading your message could make it worse.

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I apologise.

Absxx said:

I’m due to start insulin on the 6/12/18 and to be honest although my dad was on insulin and I saw what he did I have no idea. I have only been diabetic for 1.5years and have tried all the meds. I was ok till my dad died and was well controlled and 3 months later I started feeling overwhelmingly tired so had my hba1c checked and it was 88 since then I haven’t been able to get my bloods lower than 15 using the blood testing kit I have.

I am nervous and would like some pointers as to what I need to look out for. My practice nurse and the specialist nurse are useless.

Thanks

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I'm sorry to hear you lost your dad... that would definitely impact on your sugar levels too.

I've been insulin dependant myself since beginning of 2010. As you can see by my signature I was diagnosed type 2 in 1998. I managed on diet alone for 7 years, then oral medication for the next 5 years (of which about 2 years I had really poor control) until I insisted they do the diagnostic tests on me again. I'm glad I insisted as the results showed I no longer produce sufficient insulin. So I was advised that I will now need to be on insulin to treat my diabetes. I've adapted ok and have found that it has helped me a lot to get better control. I'm still having my challenges, but then it's just some tweaking to try and get things right... not too much of a fuss.

As for you, even though you're starting insulin now, it's possible you can come off it in future if you get good control.... especially if you are still producing your own insulin. It's only when your body isn't doing what it needs to do that they keep you on insulin. Of course if things just aren't working at all when not on insulin , then I would encourage you to ask for your docs to do the GAD test and the c-peptide test again to check how you're tracking and if whether or not they have you on the right treatment. The reason I say that is because there is just the assumption that type 2's should only be diet controlled with oral medication or injectable meds. They forget that type 2's can also lose insulin production over time.

I wish you the best.

Is it ok to ask how much insulin you use in a day. ATM I’m on 42 morning and evening. Also how does insulin work. Will I lose weight now I have my readings under control. Tia

Hi, I dont think you are asking me but, I take 17 units at night (slow acting) any more than that I am too low between meals, I take 4-8units (fast acting) with meals but 8 if if im eating too many carbs, have to be careful with 8

I think we are all different with insulin needs

Fenn said:

Hi, I dont think you are asking me but, I take 17 units at night (slow acting) any more than that I am too low between meals, I take 4-8units (fast acting) with meals but 8 if if im eating too many carbs, have to be careful with 8

I think we are all different with insulin needs

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I’m just asking anyone who wants to act so thank you for doing so Fenn. I feel I’m on a large dosage.

Veronica85 said:

I’m just asking anyone who wants to act so thank you for doing so Fenn. I feel I’m on a large dosage.

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I have no idea if your dose is high as im new to insulin, I am not sure if im high or low but I guess we need what we need

I dont think insulin helps with weight loss, perhaps the opposite although I havent gained any weight (yet)

Eating less carbs is the best wy to lose weight in my opinion, it will hopefully also lower bgs and therefore insulin dose? Assuming you are not already eating low carb?

Veronica85 said:

Is it ok to ask how much insulin you use in a day. ATM I’m on 42 morning and evening. Also how does insulin work. Will I lose weight now I have my readings under control. Tia

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Everyone is different as to how much insulin they need. Their insulin to carb ratio is going to be different. from the next diabetic. I personally need more insulin. I need a minimum of 6 units per 10g of carb. If I have less my sugar stays higher. I'm on 16 units of lantus at the moment. I tend to bolus more units with meal though as explained above. Also over the years I've found I have to keep varying my dosages. My endocrinologist said that is normal and to be expected. I wish you the best.

Absxx said:

I’m due to start insulin on the 6/12/18 and to be honest although my dad was on insulin and I saw what he did I have no idea. I have only been diabetic for 1.5years and have tried all the meds. I was ok till my dad died and was well controlled and 3 months later I started feeling overwhelmingly tired so had my hba1c checked and it was 88 since then I haven’t been able to get my bloods lower than 15 using the blood testing kit I have.

I am nervous and would like some pointers as to what I need to look out for. My practice nurse and the specialist nurse are useless.

Thanks

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I was put onto insulin at diagnosis, Humulin I. I used to take 20 units before breakfast and 20 units before my evening meal. I have now cut down on my carb intake and now take 10 units twice a day. I think if I cut out carbs altogether I can get down to 6 units, twice a day so might try that in the new year. Try not to worry about being on insulin, you will soon get used to it and testing only takes a few minutes and becomes 2nd nature. The best thing you can do is to ask lots of questions on this site, you get very good advice. Good luck xx