insulin

[lesleyann]

hi ive been diabetic for 3 years tablet controlled but my levels have always been high ive now been to i will have to start injecting soon and i am a bit worried about it any advice would be welcomed thanks

 

[urbanracer]

Hi @lesleyann ,

What aspect of insulin is worrying you?

 

[BooJewels]

I'm a T2 on insulin and resisted the medics suggestion for me to start on it after I totally lost control of my BG after a period of illness. I battled for about 2 years thinking I could manage it myself and with meds, but once I started on it I felt better within a week or two and the fog created by all the meds (that weren't working anyway) just vanished. Frankly, I wish I hadn't been so stubborn and had started sooner. The DN said "if we'd known just how well you'd do on it, we would have insisted too."

I'm just starting a new regime as I'd lost weight and improved enough that what I was doing wasn't working well for me any more for long term maintenance, but apart from that, I'm much happier on it than I ever was on medication.

As urbanracer says, why does it concern you? You'll get training in how to inject - my DN had a pad you strap on to practice injecting into with water and I got to handle pens and needles and wasn't sent off with it until I was totally happy I knew what I was doing.

Ask questions and we'll be happy to answer.

 

[lesleyann]

Hi @lesleyann ,

What aspect of insulin is worrying you?

it all feels very serious now im just worried about the change i think

 

[lesleyann]

I'm a T2 on insulin and resisted the medics suggestion for me to start on it after I totally lost control of my BG after a period of illness. I battled for about 2 years thinking I could manage it myself and with meds, but once I started on it I felt better within a week or two and the fog created by all the meds (that weren't working anyway) just vanished. Frankly, I wish I hadn't been so stubborn and had started sooner. The DN said "if we'd known just how well you'd do on it, we would have insisted too."

I'm just starting a new regime as I'd lost weight and improved enough that what I was doing wasn't working well for me any more for long term maintenance, but apart from that, I'm much happier on it than I ever was on medication.

As urbanracer says, why does it concern you? You'll get training in how to inject - my DN had a pad you strap on to practice injecting into with water and I got to handle pens and needles and wasn't sent off with it until I was totally happy I knew what I was doing.

Ask questions and we'll be happy to answer.

thanks i hope it will help me manage my levels better as they have been really high for quite a long time

 

[BooJewels]

Mine were very high before I went on it too - and I'd started to experience complications, so it really was time to address it. You'll be started off very gently with a small dose and will speak to the DN regularly and your dose will be gradually increased until you reach the desired levels - it will all take a few weeks as it's not actually good to have your BG drop dramatically. You need to allow time for your body to keep adjusting to the changing levels. But I started to feel better pretty quickly - I hadn't even realised that I wasn't actually feeling well.

What sort of insulin/regime are they suggesting?

 

[terryrat]

im type2 and just started insulin today after 9 years on metformin then added gliclizide. Nurses at surgery were very helpful with all info, was quite surprised how easy it is with the Humulin kwikpen. I need an operation to my shoulder and hospy says its a no no until they get full detail readings of my levels, i check myself quite regular and was always low around 6 or 7 but a blood test covering 3 months told a different story it seems.Im feeling ok about it now but would prefer not to be diabetic

 

[lesleyann]

Mine were very high before I went on it too - and I'd started to experience complications, so it really was time to address it. You'll be started off very gently with a small dose and will speak to the DN regularly and your dose will be gradually increased until you reach the desired levels - it will all take a few weeks as it's not actually good to have your BG drop dramatically. You need to allow time for your body to keep adjusting to the changing levels. But I started to feel better pretty quickly - I hadn't even realised that I wasn't actually feeling well.

What sort of insulin/regime are they suggesting?

the nurse at the docs has told me i will be on insulin but dont know what or how until my hospital appointment i hope it reduces some of my problems i am on metformin 1g gliclizide 360mg and sitagliptin 100mg and they seem to not be working anymore

 

[lesleyann]

im type2 and just started insulin today after 9 years on metformin then added gliclizide. Nurses at surgery were very helpful with all info, was quite surprised how easy it is with the Humulin kwikpen. I need an operation to my shoulder and hospy says its a no no until they get full detail readings of my levels, i check myself quite regular and was always low around 6 or 7 but a blood test covering 3 months told a different story it seems.Im feeling ok about it now but would prefer not to be diabetic

sorry to hear you need an operation. im on metformin gliclizide and sitagliptin but my sugers have been in the high teens low twentys for quite some time now

 

[terryrat]

sorry to hear you need an operation. im on metformin gliclizide and sitagliptin but my sugers have been in the high teens low twentys for quite some time now

i have been off work for over a year now and the stress im under due to this shoulder and a few things going on around me is unimaginable.I have not been able to sort the garden and alottment so they are both a mess they are my pride and joys nothing like fresh everything tomatos are my favourite from the potting shed/greenhouse i built 3 years ago. It is my right shoulder and thank you somebody i am left handed i cant lift it passed my shoulder height they now tell me after all this time its a new ball and cup needed

 

[lesleyann]

i have been off work for over a year now and the stress im under due to this shoulder and a few things going on around me is unimaginable.I have not been able to sort the garden and alottment so they are both a mess they are my pride and joys nothing like fresh everything tomatos are my favourite from the potting shed/greenhouse i built 3 years ago. It is my right shoulder and thank you somebody i am left handed i cant lift it passed my shoulder height they now tell me after all this time its a new ball and cup needed

oh no sorry you are finding it hard at the mo hope all settles down and you can soon have your op

 

[BooJewels]

i hope it reduces some of my problems i am on metformin 1g gliclizide 360mg and sitagliptin 100mg and they seem to not be working anymore

You've detailed your meds, but what is your diet like? Many of us here do very well and have improved our situations tangibly by seriously lowering our intake of carbohydrates - is this something that you practice and have you been able to make any improvements by changing your eating habits as well as the meds? And your weight - dropping pounds, if you need to, can have a very positive impact on BG control, as can even moderate and gentle exercise like walking.

the nurse at the docs has told me i will be on insulin but dont know what or how until my hospital appointment

Don't be surprised if the hospital have other ideas, the twice I saw a consultant over the years, they totally contradicted everything else I'd been told at my practice. Their views were diametrically different from my own GP and practice approach (which advocates low carbing and self-management) and I decided that I preferred to be managed by my local team.

 

[lesleyann]

You've detailed your meds, but what is your diet like? Many of us here do very well and have improved our situations tangibly by seriously lowering our intake of carbohydrates - is this something that you practice and have you been able to make any improvements by changing your eating habits as well as the meds? And your weight - dropping pounds, if you need to, can have a very positive impact on BG control, as can even moderate and gentle exercise like walking.


Don't be surprised if the hospital have other ideas, the twice I saw a consultant over the years, they totally contradicted everything else I'd been told at my practice. Their views were diametrically different from my own GP and practice approach (which advocates low carbing and self-management) and I decided that I preferred to be managed by my local team.

hi my diet has improved a lot and i try and walk most days, i hope to hear from hospital in the next few days to see what the plan is

 

[LucySW]

You're getting lots of good help, but just want to say that I felt so much better once I was on insulin. Realised I shd have started on it before.

Good luck.

 

[lesleyann]

You're getting lots of good help, but just want to say that I felt so much better once I was on insulin. Realised I shd have started on it before.

Good luck.

thank you it all puts my mind at ease

 

[LucySW]

Forgot to say, for the first three months I'd have died sooner than go on insulin. It terrified the **** out of me. It was all irrational, horrible pictures in my mind.

Then in reality, later, it just made everything better.

 

[BooJewels]

I hear you @LucySW - I wish I'd realised how easy insulin pens made administering insulin. I still had visions of using a long needle and syringe with bottles of insulin that my T1 friend at school had done. In reality, injecting insulin is no more time-consuming or difficult than running a glass of water to swallow pills *. I had to concentrate initially on the various stages to ensure that I did it right and didn't forget any stage, but it soon became habit.

After recent difficulties with my insulin the DN mooted the idea that maybe I could go back and try meds again - but I have chosen to stay on insulin as it has simply been so much better for me. Like I said earlier, I wish I'd done it sooner.

* I make that comment as a long term T2 on a simplified regime, I fully appreciate that a T1 has entirely different considerations.

 

[lesleyann]

Forgot to say, for the first three months I'd have died sooner than go on insulin. It terrified the **** out of me. It was all irrational, horrible pictures in my mind.

Then in reality, later, it just made everything better.

thankyou think its all in my head be better when i know whats what

 

[LucySW]

I had visions of slipping into hypoglycaemic comas. And swelling up 4 stone to the size of a water-filled balloon.

Guess what. NONE of that happened. I'm still 68kg, the same weight I've been since Oct 2014. Because I match insulin to low levels of carb.

 

[lesleyann]

I had visions of slipping into hypoglycaemic comas. And swelling up 4 stone to the size of a water-filled balloon.

Guess what. NONE of that happened. I'm still 68kg, the same weight I've been since Oct 2014. Because I match insulin to low levels of carb.

think i need to research low carb better