Starting on Insulin Soon

[m0nk]

Hey Guys,

Am new to the forum so bear with me if I dont always get my terminology etc correct.

I've had Type 2 for quite a few years now and it has been ok up until the last year whereby my blood sugar has been on the increase. I've been stricter than ever in the last 6 months and had an average reading (3 month) of 8.0 mmol /L in the diabetes clinic at my local hospital yesterday. I spoke at length with the consultant and he wants me to go on insulin now. My daily diary numbers didn't coincide with the average reading ( they are higher on average with my daily meter readings) so I was a bit surprised that it came out so low in the first pace.

I am also a long term sufferer of Anxiety and Depression and whilst am currently managing this, I am concerned that the insulin will have an effect on my mood. It seems lots of people point to this for low mood etc. I don't know enough about insulin to understand this so wanted some thoughts from people in the know

Any other advice related to insulin would also be appreciated. Your experiences when you first started. Who you had to notify (DVLA/ Insurance ) etc .

Thanks for your time in advance guys.

Regards

m0nk

 

[forge]

I was on insulin for more than 10 years and got up to 130 units per day, new specialist put me on a no major carbs diet and now I am on zero units per day.and 24 tabs.

The worst effect of insulin for me was I ended up with a raging hunger.

 

[noblehead]

You have to inform the DVLA when you start on insulin, they'll ask you to fill in a medical form and upon checking they will issue with a 1, 2 or 3 year licence, as for insurance, you should notify your insurance company but it shouldn't effect the premium you pay.

Really don't know much about the low moods and insulin link although there may well be one, however we have had type 2's on the forum who have started on insulin and there lives have been transformed after struggling to control it by diet and meds, you should receive plenty of support when you do start on insulin and this should continue until such times that you feel comfortable to manage it yourself.

It may well be just a basal insulin that they are hoping to start you on, but whatever it is make sure to ask as many questions as can about the insulin and how it effects bg; btw welcome to the forum

 

[Daibell]

Hi. You should find insulin has no effect on moods or anything except blood sugar; it has very few side effects. If you are not overweight and struggling with blood sugar control with tablets then insulin can be a real release; it was for me. If you are overweight then be careful as it implies you are having too many carbs and with insulin that may cause weight gain. My DN gave me a the DVLA form and signed it before I sent it off. My new 3 year licence came thru very quickly. I was started on just Basal (24 hr) once a day but within a few weeks the DN and I agreed to add Bolus (Rapid) as well to give better sugar control which currently means around 3-4 shots a day. For me it's been very easy but you do need to remember to test before driving which is nuisance.