Phone call from doctor

[cazza54]

I went to the doctor last week as I have been having trouble keeping my levels low. I (mostly) low carb, and although my first followup Hba1C was good, things have gone downhill.

The brought the test forward (should have been in April) and did the blood tests on Wednesday.

This morning the doctor rang me at 8.00am sounding very worried. It seems this result was an Hba1C of 100! He is talking to the diabetic nurse about possibly putting me on insulin, as the metformin are not doing the job, despite doubling the dose.

I am in mixed minds about this. Would appreciate any advice.

Regards,

Carol

Diagnosed May 2014.

 

[Alanp35]

Go for it. I have never felt better since my BGs have been controlled. Not a lot of other options is there ?

 

[Croc]

What have you got to lose?

I started on insulin just before Xmas and although we're still fiddling cos my numbers are still a bit all over the place they have massively improved from what they were. The actual injections are a complete painless doddle.

 

[CollieBoy]

I would echo what @Alanp35 said; Go for it, as long as it isn't "Slap you on insulin & forget about you"
Get tested for C-peptide in case it is late onset T1. If you can get back down and it isn't auto-immune. you can get back off insulin.

 

[DeejayR]

As above. From your previous posts, just be sure in your own mind that your higher numbers aren't being caused by anything you can change without more medication, eg careless carbing (not falling right off the wagon but hanging on precariously), illness and stress (they usually go together). Er, I think the serenity prayer deals with some of that!
Hope you get it sorted soon.

 

[Pilgrim22]

Go for it, when I was first diagnosed, they put me down as type 2. Over 12 months, my a1c kept getting higher, until it was 115. They then decided to do a c peptide test and they then put me down as LADA. I went on insulin and my next a1c was down at 53. After that, my a1c's have been down at 39/41.

 

[Sarah69]

I would hate to go back on insulin, it caused weight gain and constant hunger. It's a viscous circle!

 

[cazza54]

I am concerned about the weight gain aspect. I have lost 7 stone since diagnosis and would hate to put any of it back on.

Regards,

Carol

 

[satindoll]

As long as you don't stuff your face with all the bad stuff you were eating before you needn't put on weight, being on insulin doesn't give carte blanch to gobble up the cakes and biccices or huge plates of rice or pasta, if you follow a sensible eating plan you won't put the weight back on in fact you could lose more if needed.

 

[cazza54]

Thank you, Satindoll. That is encouraging. My downfall "before" was chocolate and I have weaned myself off that entirely. I am also a coeliac, so cakes and biccies are not an issue.

Regards,

Carol

 

[satindoll]

I never had the choice of tablets due to stomach problems so went straight onto insulin, and have recently lost 2st by cutting back on bread rice pasta and high carb foods, no I don't do the Low Carb High Fat diet more like Lower Carb Enough Fat eating regime of my own making, so providing you are careful about the carbs there is no reason why you should see any weight gain, so don't fret take what help they offer and remember Test Test Test, your meter will become your best friend in telling you how you are doing.

 

[Yelekreb]

If you need it Insulin will make you feel much better.

 

[donnellysdogs]

I know you are concerned about insulin, and I think the majority are saying go for it. As a T1 I have to say its hugely better than struggling!!

However, to see a hba1c of 100 ... Are you testing yourself regularly? Before and after eating to eliminate the rises that could be occuring after certain foods?

How often have you been having times of forgetting the lower carbing? As this would have impacted too.

Well done on weightloss by the way!

 

[Lesleywo]

Thank you, Satindoll. That is encouraging. My downfall "before" was chocolate and I have weaned myself off that entirely. I am also a coeliac, so cakes and biccies are not an issue.

Regards,

Carol

Interesting you are a coeliac .... so if you have one autoimmune disease you could very possibly have LADA. Just sayin'

 

[Brunneria]

Hi,

Congrats on that magnificent weight loss!
I agree with everyone above, it is better to keep your BG under control than avoid insulin.

And can you push for tests to see if you are LADA?

Please keep us informed?

 

[cazza54]

Just an update. I saw the diabetic nurse this morning, and discussed alternative treatment. As she wanted to get things under control quickly we ended up opting for Victoza along with my metformin. I am going back in half an hour to learn how to inject it.

A quick run through of my daily meals - breakfast usually eggs, sometimes plain yogurt with berries and seeds, lunch normally a salad, supper meat and lots of veggies (no rice, pasta or potatoes). If I snack it is usually a handful of nuts or a piece of cheese.