LADA Help

[nicki]

Hi everyone
Can anyone tell me about LADA?
Am 42 year old diagnosed with type 2 10 months ago but still not under control. Am on glucophage 2 twice a day and gliclazide 1 twice a day. without the metformin my levels are still too high but with the gliclazide am getting hypos very frequently, 3 times a day at the moment which is really getting me down. Even when i reduce to half a tablet a day this is still happening. I weigh 9st 12lb so not overweight and exercise. After reading about LADA it seems I maybe should have been offered a GAD test as not typical type 2. Does anyone agree? or am I barking up the wrong tree. Maybe I am just going barking mad!!!!

 

[chocoholic]

Hi Nicki,
I'm a LADA. Only diagnosed as such last September. Prior to that I was treated wrongly as Type 2 for 5 nearly years. If there is any doubt, then you can ask to be referred to a diabetes specialist.I think this is in the NICE guidelines. I did not know this until advised by others on this forum and then I just told my DN 'I'd like a referral to a specialist, please.' You'll probably get a funny look and perhaps a few odd comments but don't be fobbed off. You are right about asking for a GAD test or a c-peptide test. My DN didn't know what I was talking about when I asked her about those, which I'm sure made my referral easier for her to accept.
If your medication is not working and you are not overweight, then I would have thought it's worth asking for the tests to help prove one way or the other what Type you are.I was older than you on diagnosis, so LADA could be a possibility for you.
Just be politely assertive with your DN and tell her what you know and what you'd like done. You're only asking for what you are entitled to.
Good luck.
Chocoholic.

 

[nicki]

Hi Chocoholic
Thanks for the advice. I have an appointment next week so will ask for the test and a referral. Do you have to inject with LADA?
Thanks again
Nicki

 

[chocoholic]

Yes but I had to go onto insulin a year after initial diagnosis, as the Gliclazide they put me on just wasn't working. What changed with the correct LADA diagnosis, was the type of insulin regime I was on. As a supposed Type 2 I had four years on Novomix 30, which is a mixed insulin that I had to inject twice a day. Once I was diagnosed as LADA, I was changed to MDI (Multiple Dose Injections) or what is mostly referred to as basal/bolus regime. Although I found this tricky to adjust to and I now inject 5 times a day, it does offer more flexibility and I think the change was beneficial to me.
If you are worried about having to accept going onto insulin, please don't be. I was terrified of physically injecting myself at the beginning but I can honestly say that is not something I worry over at all now. It's just part of my life that is as normal as brushing my teeth. Progressing to insulin, much as we'd all like to avoid it, is SOMETIMES unavoidable, for SOME diabetics. I felt a failure for progressing so quickly to insulin but I now realise it wasn't anything I did wrong and it's one of my main concerns for those who have to follow this route, that they are not made to feel failures for something their body just can no longer do unaided.
Good luck with your appointment next week. I hope you can get the tests you need.

 

[nicki]

Thanks so much
I feel much more confident now to deal with whatever happens. Will let you know

Cheers Nicki

 

[Trinkwasser]

Go for the tests to be on the same side. Also see if you can get a Full Lipid Panel, which can indicate your level of insulin resistance.

Meanwhile try doing this

http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/d-day.html

you might be able to improve your diet significantly, especially if you have been told to eat starch sandwiches on toast with every meal.

Off the top of my head it sounds like the glic is too strong, you could usefully have your metformin dose increased until it actually works (1500 - 2500 mg is the range many people need to be in) and probably discontinue the glic

 

[nicki]

Hi all
Have been to see an endocrinologist last week and finally feel like I have someone on my side!
He took one look at me and suggested that I didn't present as a typical type 2 and thought I might have LADA as I have been suspecting all along. Is arranging for a GAD test to see if this is likely to be the case.
I am cross that I have had to wait 8 months to find this out and this is possibly why I can't get control of my sugar levels. Must move on though and be thankful I am in good hands now!
Thanks to everyone who gave me the encouragement to seek a second opinion. Looks like I may have to go onto insulin in the end but at least I know what I'm dealing with now!

Nicki

 

[chocoholic]

I'm glad you are getting the help you need now, Nicki. As you say, knowing what type you are and feeling you have someone on your side, is half the battle. Let us know how you progress.I'm sure you'll cope admirably.