Starting Insulin this week!

[eimear66]

Hi all, I'm starting insulin on Wednesday, bloods out of control due to gallbladder infection (on my 4th antibiotic in a row) bloods spiking up and down all day so specialist decided insulin is best treatment. On gliclizade, victoza and metformin at the moment. What should I expect in changing to insulin? How quick will my bloods come back to normal? Any good news stories? Thanks

 

[urbanracer]

Hi all, I'm starting insulin on Wednesday, bloods out of control due to gallbladder infection (on my 4th antibiotic in a row) bloods spiking up and down all day so specialist decided insulin is best treatment. On gliclizade, victoza and metformin at the moment. What should I expect in changing to insulin? How quick will my bloods come back to normal? Any good news stories? Thanks

It's very difficult to predict, I think that for most people, our median levels start to reduce immediately. But do not be surprised if you yo-yo a bit for a week or two, (perhaps longer) whilst you and your body adjust. As you have an infection, you might find it more difficult - sorry, no sugar coating.

 

[Mep]

From my own experience I get unpredictable sugar levels when I'm sick with infections (I have one now and I'm on antibiotics too). I seem to swing a fair bit from 5 up to 15 mostly (sometimes get hypos too). I've been on a bolus and basal insulin regime for 6 years now. I was put on it due to insulin deficiency (my pancreas doesn't produce what I need). So I'd say for you that you'll probably see swinging too because you're sick. When you're not sick with an infection or whatever then you get to see what the insulin is really doing. I must admit I get very frustrated with diabetes management at times as infections and additional sickness just blows everything out of the water when I had good numbers, suddenly I get crazy readings. When I get migraines for example I can wind up with getting a few hypos suddenly for no reason and it's hard for me to judge as my head is already exploding then I check my meter and I'm in the 3's. I don't think food is the best thing to judge what my sugar will be when sick.... it never seems to work anyhow for me. My endo and other docs say that it's because the body is fighting and not doing it's usual function.. so of course sugar will be out of whack.