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Type 2 insulin / Trulicity advice

CescaMarie

CescaMarie

Newbie
Messages
2
Hello,
I was diagnosed type 2 in December and was put on insulin straight away as I had high blood glucose levels, 126 now down to 62 if I remember correctly. Since then my numbers have been around 5.3 and I was put on Trulicity which last week was upped to 3mg and I stopped the insulin completely. The nurse said 5.3 was quite low?! I thought this was good considering I was 20 plus when diagnosed. Anyway, now I’ve stopped the insulin my numbers are from 6.3 up to 8.8 so far (before eating) the nurse wants me to remain under 10. Again, from what I’ve been reading this isn’t good?! I’m totally confused, frustrated as I thought I was doing well but now I see my numbers going up again and quite honestly I don’t dare eat anything (how I felt when this first started) I’m speaking with the nurse next week but thought maybe someone could advise. Thank you
 
Greeetings @CescaMarie!

I'm not surprised you feel confused and frustrated.

I don't know which country you are living in, but my understanding is many front-line medical professionals are sorely overworked and tired these days, and, historically are not prone to explaining the whys and wherefores of blood glucose readings to newly diagnosed folk? In any case.

But there are some basic ideas that your prescriptions are based on - and that is getting your blood glucose numbers down fast initially is good for you, and there is some evidence that doing it with insulin at the beginning is good longterm for someone diagnosed at such a high level.

Additionally, which is where I think the nurse was coming from saying 5.3 (as a fasting blood glucose reading I assume? As in your first of the day) was "a bit low", is a study/studies that say/s dramatic drops in BG via drug therapy does not actually mean better health outcomes for the person with type two. As in time alive. Of course - 5.3 not on drug therapy is very good indeed! Hence your confusion. 'Drug therapy' is the key phrase there, when it comes to what she is saying about your 5.3. I'm sorry she didn't explain it.

I hope it is OK, me attempting to explain the medical professionals' decisions. If you google 'initial insulin therapy' and 'lower isn't better' for type two with drug therapy you will see what I am referring to.

About food. I can understand how you are feeling that food is scary, but remind yourself you would not last too long without it! Have a good relaxing time (as relaxing is good for you) reading up about nutrition for diabetes online, and in here, and at the library?. (Or - better still - make that the other way round! Start off reading in here.) You need good food, and the more you find out about what type of food, and what ways of eating suit you for the long haul - the better.

Good luck! I look forward to following your particular 'diabetes journey ', should you continue to come on in here, which I hope you do. Cheers!
 
AloeSvea said:
Greeetings @CescaMarie!

I'm not surprised you feel confused and frustrated.

I don't know which country you are living in, but my understanding is many front-line medical professionals are sorely overworked and tired these days, and, historically are not prone to explaining the whys and wherefores of blood glucose readings to newly diagnosed folk? In any case.

But there are some basic ideas that your prescriptions are based on - and that is getting your blood glucose numbers down fast initially is good for you, and there is some evidence that doing it with insulin at the beginning is good longterm for someone diagnosed at such a high level.

Additionally, which is where I think the nurse was coming from saying 5.3 (as a fasting blood glucose reading I assume? As in your first of the day) was "a bit low", is a study/studies that say/s dramatic drops in BG via drug therapy does not actually mean better health outcomes for the person with type two. As in time alive. Of course - 5.3 not on drug therapy is very good indeed! Hence your confusion. 'Drug therapy' is the key phrase there, when it comes to what she is saying about your 5.3. I'm sorry she didn't explain it.

I hope it is OK, me attempting to explain the medical professionals' decisions. If you google 'initial insulin therapy' and 'lower isn't better' for type two with drug therapy you will see what I am referring to.

About food. I can understand how you are feeling that food is scary, but remind yourself you would not last too long without it! Have a good relaxing time (as relaxing is good for you) reading up about nutrition for diabetes online, and in here, and at the library?. (Or - better still - make that the other way round! Start off reading in here.) You need good food, and the more you find out about what type of food, and what ways of eating suit you for the long haul - the better.

Good luck! I look forward to following your particular 'diabetes journey ', should you continue to come on in here, which I hope you do. Cheers!
Click to expand...
Hello and thank you for taking the time to explain things for me, really appreciate it. I’ve pretty much been left to get on with it and only seen a nurse in person 3 times since December. I am in the uk. Your explanation has eased my anxiety, thank you. I guess I just feel like I was doing ok with the insulin and then that continued with the lower dose of Trulicity + lower dose of insulin to now only being on 3mg Trulicity (I’ve just taken the first of four doses) + no insulin = my numbers higher than I’m used to seeing and I feel like I’m failing again. The first two months after diagnosis was hell, and my numbers just wouldn’t budge and I’d hate that to happen again. Yes I have been reading about diet (I’m such a fussy eater genuinely) but I’ve cut out all white bread, I have the occasional brown or seed bread. I eat a lot of meat anyway so I know that’s ok. I have very little potatoes now too. I’m very limited though eating a couple of crackers for lunch etc so it is hard going. I love eggs however I ate so many at the beginning I’m kind of put off now a treat is a very small chocolate bar (freddo) maybe once a week and a takeaway is just once a month so I am trying
 
Really useful looking at low carb threads and there’s also one with recipes people have liked for ideas. They’ve helped me a lot hope they can be of use to yourself.
 
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