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Just changed to insulin = need some advice please.

T

Trulee

Well-Known Member
Messages
96
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Dear all - not been around for a long time, but my diabetes has progressed (I know I shouldn't blame myself as it's degenerative so thats not a problem) and I seem to be having some problems adjusting to insulin which my diabetic nurse, although sympathetic, doesn't seem to understand at all, so wondered if anyone else had suffered any similar symptoms?

Approximately a month ago I changed from a regime of Metformin, Gliclazide and Exanatide to Levemir, Novorapid and Met. My levels were too high and my last Hba1C was 8.7 (dont do the new figures!!)

Since changing my levels have been higher than I've known them for the last 6 years, they were rising steadily with the Exanatide towards the end, but now I struggle to get anything below 8.5 at all - and have had readings as high as 13 before meals and 18 afterwards. I am being told to up the dose of Levemir by 2 units every 5 days if the levels are still high, and we have adjusted the Novorapid twice - started on 10 Levemir, and 4, 6 & 6 of Novorapid. Am now up to 24 Levemir, 8,8,8 or Novorapid and they are still just as high as I started.

I am being told that it may take up to three months for these to settle down again :shock: and am not sure I can wait this long

The side effect that I wanted to ask if anyone else had suffered was total mood swings from perfectly normal one minute to frighteningly angry or tearful the next - I have lost it with staff at work on two or three occasions now and, only because I have a boss that knows I'm struggling at the moment, am I still in a job. I'm not quite sure how long they will accept that I really seem to have no control over when or why it happens - today I have spent the whole day a tearful mess. This is not me, in a work environment I am usually a total professional, reasonable person - but the last month I have been totally out of control. I'm not sure how much longer I can go on with this, and my diabetic nurse seems to have no suggestions, but it has to be linked to the meds, I was fine before we switched.

Sorry this turned into a bit of a diatribe, but if anyone can offer any suggestions then I'd be eternally grateful.

many thanks
Trulee
 
Hi Trulee, I am type a 2 diabetic and started on levemir and novo rapid as well, at the moment I am on 52 units of levemir at night and have just recently started on novo rapid taking 10 units with meals 3 times a day. I have also experienced mood swings crying one minute and ok the next, I have lost my temper a lot and also become very irratable and impatient ( like you describe frightenly angry), its a good job my partner is very understanding, it makes me feel so bad as I am usually very placid. I have been signed off work at the moment due to this. I have spoken to my GP and diabetic nurse who both say it is a slow process to get the levels of insulin needed right. I can sympathise with you totally as it is a frustratingly slow process. It is quite normal for the mood swings I have been told. I am on metformin as well. I came off Glicozide and Actos to take insulin. My sugar levels are also still high very similar to yours, I had a really high one at the weekend of 25 :( . I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone it is a struggle and a big thing to take on board too. If you ever need a chat please contact me best wishes Jayne :)
,
 
I've been on insulin for about 4 weeks now (from being on oral meds); Currenly on 22 unit Lantus and a total of 60 units of Humalog. My readings are still quite high (on average 10+) but have been steadily coming down. My mood swings have been getting progressivly better and although a burley 'bloke' used to often feel very emotional.

Can't offter too much advice but;
My consultant says that it can take up to 6 months to get things under control (but I was very much out of control before!). I've been told to keep 'upping' the dose by 2 units every 3 days for readings greater than 10 and by 1 unit every 3 days for readings below 10. I know that different areas must have different guidelines but it seems to me that we need to find the level that brings things under control and that if you need more, then you kind of need it now and the quicker you can find that level (without going up too quick as that can cause complications too) the better. Worth pushing the idea of upping every 3 days to your nurse? Just means that you could get to your required level quicker.
 
Hi, it sounds like you really suffering at the moment.

I just wanted to say that there are loads of different types of insulin out there and, as with all diabetes meds, there seems to be fads on particular ones. I say this as my mother, an insulin user of many years standing but type 2, was encouraged to move from human mixtard to a combination of novorapid and levemir as her sugars were a bit high. She found that her sugars increased hugely with the change in insulin.

She persevered for few weeks but she had never felt so unwell since her diagnosis over 20 years ago. She is now back on her usual insulin and using a low carb approach to reducing her sugars.

If you find that this is not working for you after a few months, it may be worth asking your doctor about the options for trying other types of insulin.

Good luck.
 
Dear All - thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

I am sorry it's taken me a while to get back on here - the depression, mood swings etc have really been getting me down the last week or so.

Mood swings are still there, and my main issue - insulin going up every four days still and seem no closer to stabilising it.

will report back with progress
thanks
Trulee
 
Hi there, Having been a Type 2 Diabetic for around 20 years in the past week I have gone on to Insulin. I've struggled for nearly 12 months to get my BG down to an acceptable level since being taken off Actos. Last Saturday I started injecting 10 units of Humulin twice a day. On Monday I had a call from my DN and as my BG was no better she told me to increase to 14 units x 2. As of yesterday my BG was still not really improving so now its been upped to 18 units x 2. Its so frustrating, after breakfast this morning I tested 17.3.

Its seems as though its gonna be a long job.

Best wishes

Mike :lol:
 
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