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Type 2 Starting Insulin

E

eimear66

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
I'm starting insulin this week after having very high bloods for past month or so... Recently been diagnosed with gallstones and am on my 4th antibiotic for kidney infection so despite not eating much my bloods are way out of control. What should I expect once I start insulin? How quick does it reduce my blood sugar levels? Currently taking metformin, gliclizade and victoza. Any advise? Anyone suffer with very high bloods when you have an infection?
 
Hi and welcome. Raised blood sugar is normal with infection so don't worry. I assume you will be stopping the Gliclazide and Victoza when you start the insulin? Insulin works very quickly. If you are one mixed it will start to work within the day. if on Basal/Bolus (two insulins), the Basal will work within 24 hours or less and the meal-time rapid within 1 to 3 hours or so. The great thing about insulin is that it works well once you get the balance right. Come back here telling us what insulins you have and we can provide some guidance if your nurse hasn't already done that. Remember to keep the carbs in your diet down otherwise you may gain weight and have bigger sugar swings than you need.
 
eimear66 said:
I'm starting insulin this week after having very high bloods for past month or so... Recently been diagnosed with gallstones and am on my 4th antibiotic for kidney infection so despite not eating much my bloods are way out of control. What should I expect once I start insulin? How quick does it reduce my blood sugar levels? Currently taking metformin, gliclizade and victoza. Any advise? Anyone suffer with very high bloods when you have an infection?
Click to expand...

Hi @eimear66 ,

Yes, infections and illness will raise you blood sugars.

Your medical team will probably start you on a low dose and monitor what happens to reduce the risk of you having hypo's. As long as you don't have a needle phobia, there's nothing to worry about.
 
I started basal bolus (was on mixed 2 weeks before that but sugars were still high) the middle of Feb. My am basal is 8 units but still titrating up my basal at bedtime to try to get my fasting blood glucose low enough, currently 32 units. My bolus doses of novorapid depend on what I am eating. On the whole my sugars are much better and I am feeling better and more in control. I've had to sort out my driving licence and am now driving again after approx 3 months not driving. Best thing I did going onto insulin
Jo
 
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