Type 2 new to insulin

mamma_caz said:

Hi have been diagnosed 11 years put onto Toujeo Pen and Humalog 200 Kwikpen 7 weeks ago, haven't got a bloody clue what I am supposed to be doing was sent away with start on 10 and 4 had no effect, have gradually increased to 22 and 10 levels have come down but still not good enough..
Used to know my body and what it was doing and how it reacted to diet etc., now I feel like I am wading through mud and fog..
Have NO CONTROL and do not understand how these insulin work, I know the basics but my DN is on leave and my very young doctor just likes to throw his weight around telling me how many times a day I should be testing what meds I should be taking and quantities but no advice on dosage for these new drugs, please can someone help or point me in the right direction..One thing I have noticed that I feel very tired now?
Also put on 6kgs majorly depressed

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Hi - I was put on insulin after having diabetes 12 years because they discovered I'm now insulin deficient (c-peptide test result). I've been on multiple daily injections of insulin since beginning of 2010. The questions you're asking are valid and I found the links below helpful for me to understand things a bit better with using insulin. Like you I wasn't given much information at all where I live and they just wanted me on a set amount of insulin per meal and set amount of basal units. Since understanding about carb counting, etc... it's helped me work out that my carb to insulin ratio is actually higher (probably due to insulin resistance).... basically I need at least 5 units of bolus insulin per 10g of carbs for my sugar levels to be controlled. This can vary for me at times depending on the type of carb I've eaten and my activity level. I hope the following links help give you a better idea so you can get better control. Of course you need to work out what your insulin needs are too and discuss with your docs.

Working out what your basal rate should be: http://www.salforddiabetescare.co.uk/index2.php?nav_id=1007

Carb counting with insulin (it says type 1 but it is appropriate for anyone on insulin): https://www.bertieonline.org.uk/admLogin.asp

I wish you the best.

Hi. If you are a T2 with excess weight, insulin can be a mixed blessing. You probably have insulin resistance and possibly already too much insulin in the blood. It is essential to try to reduce any excess weight by keeping the carbs way down. This will help reduce insulin resistance and will enable you to more easily find out what your injected dose needs to be. The Toujeo is a 24 hour insulin used to balance your liver's background glucose output. As a very rough check you need to adjust it slightly to keep your morning blood sugar between 5 to 7 mmol; make any changes slowly over several days and use the meter to check. The Humalog is for mealtimes. You need to be taught to carb-count. Most of us are started on 1 unit of rapid meal-time insulin to each 10gm of carb and we tweak from there using the meter to check 2 hours after meals over several days. Ask your DN for advice if needed