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Not a disaster - now 2 weeks without insulin

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My latest attempt to stop taking any injected insulin is now a week old and whilst it hasn't been an unmitigated success, it's not a complete disaster (like last time).

I was taking 10u Basal Lantus and I stopped this last Sunday, replacing it with 100mg Sitaglyptin. (I also take 1500mg Metformin).

I've been testing fairly regularly and my numbers have undoubtedly risen. The biggest difference has been in the mornings, with my fasting readings now averaging 5.95 (which is about 1 point higher than normal) and my daily average at 6.68 . My biggest problem has been breakfast where my +1 numbers are hitting an average of 8.95 (with 9.9 my highest). The +2hr numbers have been similar where I've managed to take them. Evening meal numbers are fine at 6.7 and 6.5 at the +1 and +2 hrs marks respectively.

I've also noticed I'm getting DP again - this morning I was at 7.0 before having breakfast.

With these numbers I think it's worth continuing, at least for another couple of weeks. I'm going to try moving breakfast closer to my morning exercise to try and bring these high spikes down. If anyone has any suggestions for combating the DP then please let me know.

S
 
Re: Not a disaster - 1 week without insulin

I'd admire you for trying. Are you doing this with the support of your Doctor, or are you "flying under the radar"?

What about the insulin is so bad that you need to get off of it? Is it the inconvenience or the hypo risk?
 
Re: Not a disaster - 1 week without insulin

Swimmer...
"WHY" are you stopping the insulin therapy ? :shock:
The DP is a natural thing the human body does - IT is the bodies waking up system !!!
It gets us ready to start our day ...
Yes we ALL vary with the BG levels when awakened but we dont "stop" our insulin regimes ...
Havent you discussed this with your GP/DSN or medic team? :?:
This is bit like trying to take a battery out of a ticking clock to try to alter or change the clock time .
All you CAN alter n change things to - is increased BG levels over time which will probably need insulin AGAIN?
Am amazed and shocked at why you wish to do this, perhaps you can explain ?
Havent you tried sitaglyptin on its own pre-insulin regime?
I ask this as I was put on sitaglyptin pre-insulin, after sitaglyptin failed to nudge my BG levels down sufficiently.
Anna.
 
Re: Not a disaster - 1 week without insulin

Ok - first of all my GP and the diabetes clinic are well aware of my 'attempt'. My GP is guardedly supportive, my consultant thinks I am an idiot and will fail, but I have her approval in writing.

Injected insulin is inconvenient, a bit. It's not really a hypo risk at the levels I've been taking it. I was taking 5 units morning and night, which is about the smallest amount the pen will reliably dispense. It restricts my driving license with the ever present threat that I could lose it and it makes me jump through all sorts of hoops when applying for insurance.

These are not big things I know. I just feel that it's a bit of a cop out. I could take 50 units daily and eat fish and chips. Having the insulin wouldn't make that a healthy option. I pushed to go on insulin and had a terrible time on a basal/bolus regime and have gradually reduced the dosage I take until I'm barely taking any - so given that why not try and stop the dose altogether? I already have a repeat for Sitaglyptin and it seems to be a well regarded drug. I did try and move to Sitaglyptin before and failed miserably. I will probably fail again, but I think it's worth a try.
 
Re: Not a disaster - 1 week without insulin

good for you anythink is wworth a try. :D
 
Re: Not a disaster - 1 week without insulin

I don't think you are an idiot Swim.

Having met you in the real world, I understand where you're coming from: you've been up the NHS medication escalator, but having discovered that you can control your diabetes with low-carbing, you're trying to find a way back down.

That's not unreasonable, I think. I know Sid managed to get off the insulin, I'm sure that there are other T2s that have managed the same.
 
Re: Not a disaster - 1 week without insulin

I'm sure it can be done - when you are a type 2, and your numbers are 'not worse than that'.

I can read that you are keeping a very close eye on it, that's also good.

DP is DP to a wide degree. I find the only way I can avoid it is if I have done so much exercise the day before that I hardly have any stores left.

The only thing I can really come up with to try and counter the insulin resistance that makes the DP worse for you, is trying a 10-15 minute brisk walk in the evening (say 9-10 pm) to see if you can 'wake the system up a bit' and avoid having too much downtime where your system slips back to 'inactive/resistant'.

Also, just to try and be a bit reverse psychologist about it - on insulin, my sensitivity and all that goes up a lot when it's hot and humid - the dorkiest advice coming up now: Try a hot shower before bed.

Best wishes, and remember to stop in time if it doesn't work - it might well later on if not this time.
 
Re: Not a disaster - 1 week without insulin

I am now 2 weeks in to this and I am coming round to the idea that this attempt is also going to fail.

My problem is the morning numbers. I started taking the Sitaglyptin before bed to try and overcome a higher waking reading, but I'm finding that I can't really have anything at breakfast without being too high (8-10). I'm fairly sure that this is DP as I have tried having no carbs whatever and the numbers still rise.

My numbers generally up on where they were before, which is understandable. Post evening meal I can still keep it below 7 which I'm happy with. I have another 20 days before I'm due to take an HBA1C test (and it's too early yet anyway).

Also, my weight has started to drop again - it was 60.9 kg this morning, the first time I've dropped below 61kg and nearly 2kg down from 2 weeks ago.

I will try and see what I can do to stop the weight loss and combat the DP (will try the evening exercise Mileana) but any other suggestions gratefully received.
 
Re: Not a disaster - 1 week without insulin

Don't beat yourself up Swim. It's probably just that your pancreas is too shot to cope without a little pharmaceutical help. It certainly hasn't been a wasted effort - you've obviously learned a lot about your diabetes in the process.

If nothing else you're showing that you didn't end up on insulin because you mismanaged your diabetes in anyway.

Full marks for grabbing your T2D by the balls.
 
Thanks Boro - back on insulin today and a bit relieved tbh as it's been a bit stressful. I'm not ruling out another attempt but could do with putting on some weight and improving my fitness first.
 
Hey, I've just realised we're in September, so presumably you're back on a diet of corn dogs and cookies.
 
I'm hanging on for another 2 weeks (at least) to see if I can drop some more weight for the Great North Run - at the end of which I'm going to find the nearest MacDonalds and drink 2 buckets of diet coke.

To be honest, I'm thinking about staying on it for good. I need to start taking more BG readings to see how it is impacting my control.
 
Wow, well good for you. Have just googled "great north run" and it looks like it's a half-marathon - is that right?

I would love to get myself in to running (again).. maybe that's the exercise I need to add in. So many targets and not enough will power.
 
swimmer2 said:
Wow, well good for you. Have just googled "great north run" and it looks like it's a half-marathon - is that right?

I would love to get myself in to running (again).. maybe that's the exercise I need to add in. So many targets and not enough will power.
Click to expand...

Yes. It'll be my first, although I have run the distance in training.

The good thing about running, is that you can do it anywhere. Just lace up and go out, without having to drive to the gym or the pool or whatever.

I would have thought you have the perfect physique for running swim. If you do start, just remember to run slower. Everyone starts off too fast.

If you ever fancy running a 5k parkrun on a Saturday morning, let me know and I'll come and do it with you:
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/
 
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