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Type 2 new to insulin

K

kernowsammy

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello everyone.

I was diagnosed as type 2 just over 2 years ago. I have been on 2000mg metformin and 25mg alogliptin daily and it's been well controlled.

Out of the blue last weekend, for no reason my blood sugars rose to 32.3 then went off the scale. The hospital couldn't figure out what happened so decided to put me on insulin.

After seeing the diabetic nurse she agreed and I've been put on 20 units once a day. I'm struggling a bit to be honest and I don't feel myself at all. I just don't know why after 2 years of good control has it suddenly gone pear shaped.

Has this happened to anyone else?

Thank you
 
Hi @Sammykernow

Have you received antibody tests to rule out the possibility that you might have auto immune type 1?

Things that might point to a possibility that type 1 should be considered would be age < 40 on diabetic diagnosis, sudden untried for dramatic weight loss, blood sugar > 30, DKA.

Have you had a c-peptide test to see if you are making any of your own insulin?

Are you on any other medication? Do you have any other medical conditions?

You say you aren't feeling yourself - is that connected to the shock of going on insulin. Or is it your blood sugar? What is your blood sugar control like now you are on insulin? What kind of insulin are you taking?

Sorry for so many questions!
 
Sammykernow said:
Hello everyone.

I was diagnosed as type 2 just over 2 years ago. I have been on 2000mg metformin and 25mg alogliptin daily and it's been well controlled.

Out of the blue last weekend, for no reason my blood sugars rose to 32.3 then went off the scale. The hospital couldn't figure out what happened so decided to put me on insulin.

After seeing the diabetic nurse she agreed and I've been put on 20 units once a day. I'm struggling a bit to be honest and I don't feel myself at all. I just don't know why after 2 years of good control has it suddenly gone pear shaped.

Has this happened to anyone else?

Thank you
Click to expand...
Hi Sammy

I was diagnosed Type 2 in 12/2011. I maintained HbA1cs in the 40s/50s on diet/exercise alone until 3/2016.In August 2015 my HbA1c was 42. Throughout 2/2016 I fell lousy, frequent urination, night cramps 3 -5 times a night.I ruled out diabetes because I controlled it well, and nothing else had changed.
An eventual trip to the GP revealed an HbA1c of 102 ! Resumed blood testing showed all results in the 20s
: ((((((((
A referral to the local hospital Diabetes Clinic had me put straight on insulin. Obviously THEY make a decision about what insulin regime to start on. I was put on basal and bolus (basal at bedtime, bolus for meals). You appear to be on basal only.
I was started on basal of 8 units, which increased under their supervision to 26. At the end of June we mutually agreed to return to GP's supervision. At the time my HbA1c was 45. I was well chuffed.
Throughout my time at Clinic they suspected I was not Type 2, but tests failed to find a category to put me in
: ((((((
Since then I have slowly increased to 34 units, whilst reducing my bolus. Since I lowcarb, I feel there is a greater need for adequate basal.Less need for bolus.
Last Tuesday my bloods were tested for an HbA1c for my GP. By chance I discovered it's 38, a figure to scare the pants off your average GP/DSN.

YOU MUST BE GETTING HYPOS !!!!!!!!

Since March 29th I've not experienced one hypo, and I work physically, and drive.
I'm due to see the GP on Wednesday. Should be interesting !
I'm now testing multiple times a day to get the complete picture of my impressive/scary/worrying result.

Your insulin journey will be particular to you, so son't compare yourself with others unfavourably.

I'm just guessing that my (and your) pancreas is no longer functioning as it was. I didn't realise that could happen. As a diabetic we all have to live and learn.

Good luck with your journey, and bring all the questions you have to the forum

Geoff
 
catapillar said:
Hi @Sammykernow

Have you received antibody tests to rule out the possibility that you might have auto immune type 1?

Things that might point to a possibility that type 1 should be considered would be age < 40 on diabetic diagnosis, sudden untried for dramatic weight loss, blood sugar > 30, DKA.

Have you had a c-peptide test to see if you are making any of your own insulin?

Are you on any other medication? Do you have any other medical conditions?

You say you aren't feeling yourself - is that connected to the shock of going on insulin. Or is it your blood sugar? What is your blood sugar control like now you are on insulin? What kind of insulin are you taking?

Sorry for so many questions!
Click to expand...

Hi, thank you for your reply.
I have had antibody tests on Friday, results should be in tomorro. I'm 37 and been the same weight for the last 2 years and have been unable to lose even 1lb. I have lost 10lbs in the last 2 weeks though without even trying!!

I haven't heard of a c-peptide test. Maybe they did this in the hospital, I'm not sure. I have a telephone consultation with my diabetic nurse tomorrow so I'll ask the question.

I am in shock a bit I think, and I'm quite anxious about it all but I've suffered from anxiety for years and I don't recognise these symptoms as signs of anxiety.

I have a constant headache and I feel like I'm trembling all the time, my legs feel heavy and I'm exhausted. I'm normally so full of energy and up early but this last week I've struggled to get up and when I do get up I seem to have no energy to do anything.

My sugar levels are ranging between 5.6 (where I felt absolutely horrendous)and 17.1 so all over the place. Can't seem to control them at present.
I'm taking 20 units of lantus every morning.
 
It's great that you have had the tests. The antibody tests should tell you what type of diabetes you have. It does sound like type 1 might be likely.

If you have been at high levels for a while, even though 5 is not hypo and is normal blood sugar, because your body is used to running far higher, this will feel like a hypo to you. So when you feel horrendous at 5.7, you are having a false hypo. It's not very nice and it should get easier by gradually bringing your blood sugar down to get used to being in a normal range. The false hypos are probably why you feel so rotten. But also have high blood sugar, your sugars going up and down and the change might make you feel wobbly and knackered - it will get better as you get your blood sugar down to normal range.

Keep in close contact with your DSN and do tel then how rotten you are feeling with the false hypos. And tell them that you are still experiencing spikes up into the double figures - they might consider giving you a fast acting insulin.
 
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