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Lantus/Toujeo

Angel14

Member
Messages
5
Hi everybody, new to this but I'll give it a go. I have been a type 2 diabetic for 23 years now. Started on tablets then tablets and insulin (can't take Metformin) I am a bilateral below knee amputee. My diabetic control has always been poor and I have just about tried every insulin out there as my body seems to get used to it and then it stops working. 2 years ago when I lost my left leg they put me on Lantus very low dose and have been gradually increasing it.6 months ago they changed me to Toujeo because I was taking 90 units of Lantus. Since then over the phone they have been increasing it as it has not been working and currently I am on 147 units of Toujeo. Yesterday I had my 6 monthly follow up at my local NHS diabetic unit. My consultant asked me now many units of quick acting insulin I was taking. When I told him I wasn't on any quick acting he explained the Toujeo was only background insulin. I have now gone from one injection a day to 5. Anyone know if I should have been given quick acting insulin way before 147 units of Toujeo and HbC1a of 102 nine months ago. He tells me now the only treatment is just to keep increasing my insulin. I lost 7 and 1/2 stone now I have put on most of it back, have no legs and confined to a wheelchair with the prospect of in his words future renal failure and blindness. Not a great prospect. I really need some positive comments of what I can do and should I really have needed quick acting insulin before this? How can I lose the weight when I am confined to a wheelchair with increasing insulin and eating very little with no appetite xx
Thank you for reading this long thread Dawn aka Angel14
 
Hi Angel and welcome to the forum. Unfortunately I cannot advise on insulin use as I have never used it but I am a wheelchair user and with dietary changes I lost weight and lowered my HbA1c from 98 to 43 in four months and have had non Diabetic numbers since then. There is always hope, lass.

There are members on the same regime as you are and hopefully they will come in soon and give some of their views/experiences etc.
 
Hello @Angel14

Can you tell us more about your blood glucose control and what sort of readings you're getting, also what diet do you eat ?

The role of the background insulin is to manage your glucose levels and keep them steady during periods of fasting, quick acting insulin is to manage the carbohydrate intake so each time you eat carbohydrates you match your intake with quick acting insulin, it's important monitor glucose levels carefully to ensure you remain in target i.e. 5-7mmol/l as this would help with the weight loss, without knowing more about your history/levels etc it's difficult for anyone to assess whether getting access to quick acting insulin sooner would of helped your situation, also we can only speak from our own personal experience in regards to support and advice, but as much as we can help support you and get on track we will certainly do that.
 
My BS levels have been 14mmols and above for at least a year. My diabetic nurses and consultant were aware.they just kept increasing my Toujeo but only started me on Humalog yesterday. My sugars have been running 20+ last 48 hours and think I have urine infection as was recathetrrised 6 days ago (had ejected my catheter balloon inflated) and have symptoms that have now presented themselves. So caught a bit between a rock and a hard place as not going to get a true representation of infection going on but still would like to hear from people that have experienced multiple changes in types of insulin and what has helped. As I spend 85% of my time in bed I tend to have to eat what my carers make. I know bread is a problem for my weight and my sugars but don't like milk so it's toast for breakfast, not meal at lunch then sandwiches for my tea no other way round it as unable to access oven or even microwave independently. xx
 
Hello Dawn and welcome to the forum.

Holding you in my thoughts.
Po
 
Bread is not good for me, I feel that there must be a far better food for you that is convenient and simple to make.
I am sure that somewhere on this site is a forum that will help you.
I trust that a Mod will ensure you get the information you need soon.

Others will wade in once they arise to lend their knowledge and support Dawn.
I am Type 2 and have very limited experience of insulin (Lantus), only having been on it a few months.
 
Hi po you have done very well. Bread such a big issue. I have tried counting carbs and I was thoroughly miserable. Was so hungry all the time and couldn't afford to keep eating mainly protein. This disease is just vicious in its attack of our bodies xx
 
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Hi Po bread is my downfall but you have done really good with your diabetic journey. It is an awful disease . I have gone from having one injection to 5 overnight it's crazy xx
 
I don't find it expensive to eat the protein and fat on my menu - sausages, chicken thighs or legs, frozen fish, beefburgers and minced beef are all reasonably priced. The large tubs of greek yoghurt and packs of frozen berries, along with sugar free jellies do desserts and sometimes breakfasts, though eggs and cheese make a satisfying meal too.
If you cannot access the microwave could it be moved, or could you have a plug in induction hob or Halogen oven on a low table? They are very versatile and would give you something to eat other than the bread.
 
These are my thoughts entirely at the moment.
My brother in law was in a wheelchair all of his life (Polio) He had an adapted kitchen so that everything was at his level.

However I love camping and caravanning and I have a double ring burner and grill that is neat and compact it sits at any level I need it to be on a sturdy table.

Microwaves are not very versatile although they they can heat and reheat stuff, generally I tend to avoid mine for a host of reasons (well one really) microwave radiation will KILL your food and drinks... What is the point in eating anything that has had all it nutritional value irradiated?

So, Simple Low Carb foods that are cheap tasty and easy to make, cook, and eat.

What if Angel, you could go from 5 4 3. Look forget everything else that has happened in the past. (Yea right! easy for me to say) Today is the start of the rest of your life.

Start a new. New day, new dawn.

More to follow when I get back....

Know you are not alone,

Po
 
Hello @Angel14 yes infection is an issue as it will keep your levels elevated, the body responds to infection by producing glucose and so your insulin goes up.

Bread as a carbohydrate will also raise your glucose levels too so it’s another contributor to your raised levels, if you were allergic to this would your carers change your diet ? can you speak to them about helping you manage your diet better ? I know it’s hard to change things but as your putting on weight and still running high glucose levels the immediate thing you can do is to insist to your carers that your diet needs to change. There’s lots of diet info here in the site, eating more fat will help keep you fuller for longer so full fat plain yoghurt not flavoured with berries for breakfast is quick and easy and contains a small amount of carbs, can you eat an omelette for lunch with cheese and onions or mushrooms or ham ? Again less carbs and less insulin.

Insulin as a medication can only perform its role when managed properly so giving you the right dose at the right time, with good blood glucose monitoring so keeping a diary, but when the infection has gone and your eating more fat and protein then it will be easier to manage your insulin.

Please message me if you need support there are some useful resources on the internet particularly to help your carers understand more, but knowledge is important to help you cope better x
 
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