Longest T2 s without insulin

I'll start the bidding at 6 years. I would like to state that I was aware of type 2 symptoms for many (unspecified) years but I managed to stay ahead of the posse until trapped by a keen nurse.

Rog said:

I'm curious two know if their are any type 2s who have managed avoid insulin or even metformin or both after being diagnosed for very long periods of time , say 20 or 30 or even 40 years or more?

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There are more I think that don't need insulin, than actually need it.
Many on here are diet only!
Many are diet and oral meds for other health issues.
Many on here with diabetic meds, and also diet.

Because you are diabetic doesn't mean you need injections.

Hi. If you are a genuine T2 and not a mis-diagnosed T1 i.e. probably overweight and with insulin resistance then it's likely that with good diet control and possibly tablets then insulin may never be needed as the pancreas should continue to produce good levels of insulin which can be used. There will be exceptions, but.....

I have had Type2 for 45 years and will never go on insulin

I've had type 2 for 8years and am starting insulin on Monday. My beta cells have finally given up first diagnosed with gestinational.

I wouldn't worry whatever treatment you have it's what your body needs to stay healthy. I'm about to increase my Metformin like positive-ish my betas are slowly dying. I took insulin whilst pregnant you soon get used to it. After all every human on the planet needs insulin just some are better than others at making their own - right?

I'm type 2 and I've been on insulin. I was diagnosed with type two at 18yrs old. Dr's were unsure if I was type 1 or 2. I never had the glucose test. I just had a blood test which confirmed. I never had any help until about 2 years ago when I became pregnant twice and lost both. Then Dr's started to actually pay attention and help me. I am now 29yrs old. That's 11 years I've not been a type 2 diabetic!

My grandad was diagnosed in his fifties with T2, and never injected insulin. He was 93 when he passed. Me however, was diagnosed T2 at age 22 and was on insulin a year later...

Well I managed my diabetes for the first 7 years with diet only, then the next 5 years after that on oral medications, then almost 6 years now on insulin. I've been seeing an endocrinologist for most of the time I've been diagnosed. The one I see at the moment I've had for about 10 years. He tells me I've done well as it's just a matter of time for most type 2's before they don't produce much insulin and need insulin therapy. But of course everyone is different, and I'm sure there are some that are on insulin sooner than I was and some that aren't on insulin either. Also bear in mind not all of us are just dealing with diabetes. I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and diabetes on the same day. Since then I've managed to get a number of other chronic conditions as well. I think one thing I've learnt is to not worry so much about the treatment side of things, but keep up really as things can and do change. If they don't change at all for you, then you're truly fortunate. Also I've learnt that as a type 2 I probably should've been on insulin sooner than I was as the reality is that doctors didn't do the diagnostic tests on me again until I insisted after a couple of years of well that doesn't work, let's try another drug or drug combo... on it went. Very frustrating. So for me it was a relief to finally find out why things weren't working... oral meds simply do not work if you don't have hardly any insulin production. They're designed for diabetics who still produce their own insulin. Don't be shy to ask to get those GAD & c-peptide tests done again... it's so worth it. PS. some docs use insulin to help you get quick control of your sugar levels for type 2. But then there are those of us that no longer produce sufficient insulin due to beta cell damage.... we're the same as type 1 with management of diabetes at that point. We don't have a choice about being on insulin because we need it. People seem to think type 2's can come off insulin, that's only true if you are still producing it yourself.

I am t2 and have been since September 1995. Started off on lo amount of metformin then a few years later went on to gliclaside as well as metformin.
I did not look after it in the slightest until a month ago when my new doctor said I was close to insulin. I have enough trouble pricking my finger for BG check so I said that is out of the question.
A week later I watched the doctor in the house on bbc and found out exactly what I should be avoiding and doing so I started a LCHF diet. Well it speaks for itself to be honest. Previously my BG was in the high teens sometimes 20s. Now they are around 4.2 to 6.5. I have been doing this diet now it will be 4weeks on Monday. I have lost 10lb in weight and feel like a new man. I have not felt tired all of the aches and pains have gone from my joints. I cannot wait to see what my hba1c will be on the 14th of February as in October it was nearly 10. I think the doctor will think someone else gave blood instead of me.
The moral of the story is that everyone CAN do something about your sugar levels it is you that is putting the food into your mouth. Like a person with a drink problem it's only you that can say no I can't have that.
And as for exercise you don't have to walk,run,swim or whatever you can just lift small weights even bottles of water tins of beans anything that will use your muscles to help take the sugars from your blood.
I'm not saying it's easy or you will have the same results as me but just try it, it's your life try and be around for your children grand children and most of all yourself.
We all need to fight so come on let's kick diabetes ass.

I've got an uncle, T2, who has diet controlled for 30+ years!

craig0121 said:

I am t2 and have been since September 1995. Started off on lo amount of metformin then a few years later went on to gliclaside as well as metformin.
I did not look after it in the slightest until a month ago when my new doctor said I was close to insulin. I have enough trouble pricking my finger for BG check so I said that is out of the question.
A week later I watched the doctor in the house on bbc and found out exactly what I should be avoiding and doing so I started a LCHF diet. Well it speaks for itself to be honest. Previously my BG was in the high teens sometimes 20s. Now they are around 4.2 to 6.5. I have been doing this diet now it will be 4weeks on Monday. I have lost 10lb in weight and feel like a new man. I have not felt tired all of the aches and pains have gone from my joints. I cannot wait to see what my hba1c will be on the 14th of February as in October it was nearly 10. I think the doctor will think someone else gave blood instead of me.
The moral of the story is that everyone CAN do something about your sugar levels it is you that is putting the food into your mouth. Like a person with a drink problem it's only you that can say no I can't have that.
And as for exercise you don't have to walk,run,swim or whatever you can just lift small weights even bottles of water tins of beans anything that will use your muscles to help take the sugars from your blood.
I'm not saying it's easy or you will have the same results as me but just try it, it's your life try and be around for your children grand children and most of all yourself.
We all need to fight so come on let's kick diabetes ass.

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My story is similar to yours. 10 years T2D, on Metformin then Met + Gliclazide. Now on max dose of both, Doc wanted me on insulin, and referred me to the specialist for preparation. Then I took control, like you. LCHF and careful monitoring has reduced my HBA1c from 99 down to 53, and I am currently running with a daiiy plasma average of 6.9 mmol/L. So yes, it is possible to do something about this condition for T2D.

Well done Oldvatr. I do think it's all to do with your state of mind and when you put your mind to it and believe you can do it you can.

craig0121 said:

Well done Oldvatr. I do think it's all to do with your state of mind and when you put your mind to it and believe you can do it you can.

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Yup. Can Do!

Merry Christmas my T2 forum people... Newly diagnosed last week whoop whoop... This forum is however the best information I have had since diagnoses and a 2 mins 30 sec appointment with the nurse during which she thrust a blood glucose monitor in my hand... I'm a bit ****** off tbh but am very willing and keen to deal head on with it... My readings are between 13.5 and 16 and metformin proscribed big beginning of week two now... Would be grateful for any advice/ guidance from you experienced folk... Once again wish you all a wonderful Christmas...!!!

Tourettes said:

Merry Christmas my T2 forum people... Newly diagnosed last week whoop whoop... This forum is however the best information I have had since diagnoses and a 2 mins 30 sec appointment with the nurse during which she thrust a blood glucose monitor in my hand... I'm a bit ****** off tbh but am very willing and keen to deal head on with it... My readings are between 13.5 and 16 and metformin proscribed big beginning of week two now... Would be grateful for any advice/ guidance from you experienced folk... Once again wish you all a wonderful Christmas...!!!

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Wow you got a blood glucose monitor.. lucky thing...
Read around on here and you will find out lots of great info.. I was diagnosed 30th Oct and started low carbing immediately. Tried metformin but it did not agree with me one bit (even slow release) so gave that up after 3 weeks and just dieted.. have lost about 2 stone so far and have started fasting 3 days a week as well (tomorrow will be an exception...) HbA1c has gone from 70 to 45 over that period and nurse was very surprised but pleased that I had taken control of my health, (even though I had ignored a lot of what they said). The Doctor in the House program on BBC I thought was great in that the doc was prescribing low carb to treat T2 diabetes.

Thank you, sorry for delay in reply... I have also started the LCHF programme so hope for similar results to yourself... Well done by the way... !!