• Guest, the forum is undergoing some upgrades and so the usual themes will be unavailable for a few days. In the meantime, you can use the forum like normal. We'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Transition to Insulin

buffyiscool

Well-Known Member
Hi all.

I was diagnosed type 2 in March this year. Blood sugars have nearly always been in the high teens and during a second stay in hospital (in the space of 4 weeks) for a UTI the doctors have finally taken some action and decided to put me on insulin as well as continuing with me Gliclazide tablets. I was also on Pioglitazone which has now been discontinued. I was just wondering how many other type 2 members have been put on insulin and how they found the transistion, how long did it take to reach the correct dose of insulin and what sort of support from GP, Diabetic Nurse or hospital diabetic team they received.

Thanks
Colin
 

Colin - There is a Type 2 on Insulin area of the forum. You might want to have a look in there, and maybe consider having this post moved to that area.

Type 2 with insulin is here: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/category/type-2-with-insulin.57/

Myself or any mod can move your thread for you, if you want to. It's fine leaving it where it is, so maybe have a read, then decide?

Good luck with it all.
 
Thanks for quick reply. If you could move the thread that would be great. Only just saw link to other area after I'd posted the thread.
 
I’ve been on insulin for the past couple of months. (lantus) I’ve found the transition quite easy and now use to injecting. The support I get from my surgery and the diabetic clinic. I feel so much better now my readings are lower so the best thing I have done.

Good luck
 
I'm the same on humilyn3 and long lasting metphormin and feel better before I was tired all the time I'm so used to the injections the only awkward bit is remembering to do it 15-to 40 mins before I have food good luck
 
Thanks for the replies. Still in process of getting insulin dose correct so blood sugars still quite high. Hospital diabetic team in contact weekly and adjusting dose as necessary so hopefully get sorted eventually.
 
It does seem to take a while getting to the correct dose. I’m currently on 48 units and getting a fasting reading of about 10 previously getting about 19 The doctor wants me to stabilise and then it will be increased again to get the lower reading. It will all be worth it when you start having more energy
 
Thanks DizzyChick. Been pushing for a while to get them to consider putting me on insulin. Thankfully a doctor at the hospital made the decision to do it.
 
Hi Colin, I've been on insulin since beginning of 2010. I was taken off all oral meds though because the c-peptide test result showed I no longer produce sufficient insulin. As a result I was placed on both the basal (long acting) and bolus (short acting) insulins. I noticed an improvement straight away... most likely because of what I mentioned about fact I hardly produce insulin and I was finally injecting it. Although getting the dosage right took a few months, as well as getting the right insulin for me. The first basal they gave me didn't work the best... so my endocrinologist decided to put me on lantus instead and I've been on that ever since. It's still work in progress even years later because I'm dealing with other health issues that impact my diabetes management. I'm sure you will get some good results soon enough. I wish you the best.
 
Hi Colin - good luck with it all. As per my signature I was put onto insulin within 4 weeks of diagnosis as Metformin alone did not bring down levels sufficiently - have to say though that unlike many people I had absolutely no symptoms prior to diagnosis (discovered during pre surgery blood tests) despite levels being up in the high 20's.

I am taking Novomix 30 (a mixture of 30% fast acting and 70% slow acting) before breakfast and dinner. I started on 14 and 8 - and to get to the levels the endo wanted, gradually (like 3 - 4 days at a time) went up to 22 and 16. I also made a concerted effort to reduce my carb intake - not to the tiny levels of some on here, but to generally between 50g and 80g per day. Again - unlike other people on here, I also put on a considerable amount of weight - from 75kgs - steady for months prior to diagnosis - up to 88kgs.

As an experiment, I have been slowly reducing my insulin intake since mid August and having got back down to 14 and 8 found that was a little too low to keep levels where the endo wanted (between 5 and 7 fasting in the morning and below 10 after meals) and have now been sitting at 16 and 12 for the last 2 and half weeks.

At the beginning - increasing, I could receive support from the Diabetic Clinic if I wanted but found it very limited - I have the support of my GP in the reduction - but am no longer going to the Clinic.

Apart from the weight gain (which the endo tells me is "of course due to the insulin" and is unconcerned about!!) I really can't say I've had any issues taking the insulin - apart from the hassle of injecting and regular testing - so once again - good luck with it all
Cheers
Sue
 
Was put on Novomix 30 a few weeks ago with a starting dose of 14 mornings and 14 evening meal, a total of 28, and told to increase by 2 units a time until they evened out to the normal zone of between 5-7.. Have been increasing every 3 days as instructed and now up to 20 +20 a total of 40 units a day, and still no change to my levels which are still at 13-14. I am careful with the carbs and dont need advice on that please, but just wondering what quantities others take to keep their levels steady or how high should I go before contacting the nurse again???
 
Thanks for the new replies. Diabetic team have increased my dose to 14 units in morning. Are going to ring again sometime next week so have no doubt it will rise again. I am seeing a very slight decrease in blood sugar levels so looks like heading in right direction. Thanks again. Colin.
 
Last edited:
Sorry about the delay in replying. Insulin dose now up to 20 units in morning, along side 160mg Gliclazide twice daily. Been a bit of a roller coaster ride these last few months. Been in hospital 8 or 9 times, 3 times for surgery to drain abscesses, the rest for severe infections which the doctors say aren't helped by high blood sugars. Bit of a catch 22 situation though as can't get blood sugars down due to infections pushing them up. Still having problems with pain from surgery, on a cocktail of painkillers 4 times daily. Back at hospital on Friday for another examination so hopefully they'll find out where all the pain is actually coming from, doctors keep saying it's scar tissue although I'm not so sure, and be able to treat it eventually. Need to get back to work. Been off for six months now. Thanks for taking the time to reply and all the best for the new year. Hope your health issues get sorted.
 

You're sure going through a lot there. I find pain messes with my sugar levels too. You've got the infection plus the pain which both wouldn't help at all. Sorry to hear you've been having a rough time of it. I hope this new year starts to pick up and you recover well and can get back to work.
 
Thank you for your well wishes. I always appreciate it when people take time out to send them. Have had great support from work colleagues who quite often send their best wishes to me. My best wishes to you and yours. Many thanks. Colin.
 
Reactions: Mep
buffyiscool said:
Thank you for your well wishes. I always appreciate it when people take time out to send them. Have had great support from work colleagues who quite often send their best wishes to me. My best wishes to you and yours. Many thanks. Colin.
Click to expand...
im new on hear so dont quite know how the site works but have found out information i needed from reading the above messages moving on to insulin and how difficult people find it
 
blackpoolcelt 0506 said:
im new on hear so dont quite know how the site works but have found out information i needed from reading the above messages moving on to insulin and how difficult people find it
Click to expand...
There are a lot of really helpful people on the forums. Don't be disheartened at the thought of moving to insulin. I, like many others have found have found the transition hard. The support on the forums is nice to have. The dietician/insulin specialist at my local GP surgery has finally got a plan in place regarding my insulin doses. Hospital were supposed to be monitoring me but just seem to have forgotten about me. So really pleased that someone is once again monitoring me. Good luck on your journey. Hope it's not too difficult for you. Regards Colin.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…