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What is insulin like...?

-Artemis-

-Artemis-

Well-Known Member
Messages
533
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Other
Hi there,

I've been diagnosed as t1 (or LADA - depending on your school of thought) and I'm in the honeymoon phase... I've got my HbA1c on wednesday and I expect it will be a bit rubbish as I've been sat in the 10's to 14's fasting for a while now... I then see my endocrinologist in a couple of weeks time, and I think he will talk to me about starting insulin... I expect what I start off with will be very low - possibly just long acting for now - but I'm still super nervous about it all.

What is insulin taking like? I'm worried that:

- life will be even more complicated than it currently is (I eat super low carb to keep my numbers down)
- plus I'm worried about hypos - currently they're virtually impossible for me as my numbers have been high - but I know insulin can cause them, and I live alone - so extra nervous about this.
- plus I'm also worried about feeling rubbish (I'm clueless as to whether it can have side effects...?)
- and, though I know this is less "important" - about gaining weight...

I'd really appreciate any advice and / or your honest opinions about what is life post insulin...

Thank you x
 
Hi Artemis. I won't lie, at the beginning, it can be quite daunting. You'll need to test more regular and there will probably be periods of dose adjustments as you try to gauge the right amount of insulin to keep your BG levels steady and in range. This isn't always totally straightforward as there will be certain days where your body doesn't play by the rules. You may have occasional lows and highs. If you stick to your current low carb routine then the amount of insulin you need will be small so I doubt weight gain will be an issue. Actually injecting is quite painless ( usually ) so that isn't a problem. Keep a detailed diary if you start, all carbs eaten, insulin and BG readings and any exercise you may take.
The good news is you very quickly become accustomed and it's like brushing your teeth. It becomes second nature. You'll instinctively know how much insulin you need and you should be able to recognise if you are too low or high.
A couple of things to consider though is informing DVLA if you drive as there are certain guidelines you need to follow if on insulin. Also, let your ins company know.
So, the worst thing about going onto insulin is the unknown, once you start, you very quickly become an expert in your own body, with a little work.
 
Good answer from Mo.
Insulin for me made me feel better.
My LADA went officially undiagnosed until the point at which I went to a doctor needing insulin so it came as a shock.
I hadn't actually realised how low and lethargic and generally unwell I'd been feeling in the months before diagnosis. It was insidious and I'd become used to it .
In hospital, I went straight onto insulin and within a few days I had a new lease of life . In spite of the shock of it all, I realised how much better I felt.
 
Hi Mo1905,

Thanks so much for your reply... Oddly, the thought of actually injecting doesn't worry me at all... it's the rest that does...

It's good to hear you get to know what your body needs... aside from the obvious rubbish feelings of getting the balance right and feeling high and feeling low, would you say there are any other side effects from taking insulin? Once I've got the balance right, will I feel better....? Currently I get really low energy spells...
 
Ooo, I somehow overlapped your reply; thanks Phoenix!! What you described is *exactly* how I currently feel - and part of what I'm worried about is feeling even worse than I currently do, as I currently feel preeetttttyyyy ropey most days.... So that's really reassuring to hear you felt better post insulin! :-)
 
Hi. I agree with the other posters. Injecting is normally painless and I've been using just the stomach for over a year without problems. I use a 4mm needle so check you are being given the smallest needle consistent with body fat depth. I was started on just long-acting by my nice DN but after a few weeks we agreed it would be nice to tighten my control. I suggested splitting the Levemir (Basal) which is quite common but she decided to add short-acting (Bolus) instead which I was really pleased with. Not splitting reduces the number of injections by one and I usually do no injections until lunch time. In 18 months I've only been near a hypo 3 times and no full hypos. I put that down to luck, overall good control and particularly low-carbing which keeps swings to a minimum. I know we are all different with insulin so I may just be one of the luckier ones. I don't measure very often; typically once or twice day and always before driving. The insulin has had no side-effects whatsoever and I'm really pleased to have moved on from all the tablets, starving myself and still having high blood sugar. My last HBa1C was 6.3% instead of 8.3% before insulin.
 
Ah.... relating very much to being fed up with feeling like I'm starving myself and still having high blood sugars! I 'wouldn't mind' the restrictions on my diet if it gave me more consistent rewards.... but was 10.3 fasting this morning and just tested and I'm 11.6 after a brekkie of almost no carbs - ground flax, coconut, protein powder, almond milk.... and the kicker is I still feel hungry cos my numbers are high... so yes, a bit fed up....! Thank you Daibell!
 
Can't add much more than what's already been said.

Don't fear insulin as provided you get the dosage right you can keep hypo's to a minimum, you will never escape them completely but provided you retain your hypo awareness symptoms there's not a lot to be concerned about at this stage, any problems then come back and ask away.
 
get yourself a good meter that does bloods and keytones, that will let you keep an eye on you high levels.
don't be frightened about injecting, its not a problem, just embrace the fact that (like the rest of us) you'll have to do it to stay alive.
also try and get Lantus Solostar as you flat insulin, that should stop you going into a hypo while asleep. it works for me, also any problems you might incounter, this is the place to find the answer as we are all in the same boat
 
SpikeThacker said:
get yourself a good meter that does bloods and keytones, that will let you keep an eye on you high levels.
don't be frightened about injecting, its not a problem, just embrace the fact that (like the rest of us) you'll have to do it to stay alive.
also try and get Lantus Solostar as you flat insulin, that should stop you going into a hypo while asleep. it works for me, also any problems you might incounter, this is the place to find the answer as we are all in the same boat
Click to expand...


Thanks SpikeThacker! Two questions.... how do I get a meter that tests for ketones...? I currently have the accu-check mobile, which I love as it's strip free - but I don't think it tests for ketones.... do I need to get another one...?

And - what's a Lantus Solostar...? Is it anything like the Death Star... ;-) ;-)
 
-Artemis- said:
Thanks SpikeThacker! Two questions.... how do I get a meter that tests for ketones...? I currently have the accu-check mobile, which I love as it's strip free - but I don't think it tests for ketones.... do I need to get another one...?

And - what's a Lantus Solostar...? Is it anything like the Death Star... ;-) ;-)
Click to expand...
i use Freestyle Optium Neo meter which does both...........and i wish i could say Lantus Solostar was a character from starwars ,but its a flat insulin that stops you going into hypo while asleep
 
Ah... well thats almost as cool as the Death Star...! :D

Helpful info.... Thanks :-)
 
-Artemis- said:
Thanks SpikeThacker! Two questions.... how do I get a meter that tests for ketones...? I currently have the accu-check mobile, which I love as it's strip free - but I don't think it tests for ketones.... do I need to get another one...?

And - what's a Lantus Solostar...? Is it anything like the Death Star... ;-) ;-)
Click to expand...

The Glucomen LX Plus meter tests for ketones, I just phoned their helpline up and they sent one through the post free of charge, make sure to tell them that you are starting on insulin mind.

Lantus Solostar is a disposable basal insulin pen :)
 
Brill info... Thanks noblehead! :-)

Will I have to get rid of my accu check mobile for normal sugar testing or can I use both...? I love my mobile meter! :-))


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
-Artemis- said:
Brill info... Thanks noblehead! :-)

Will I have to get rid of my accu check mobile for normal sugar testing or can I use both...? I love my mobile meter! :-))

As a LADA, you don't need to test for ketones, just keep on using your mobile if you lime it.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Click to expand...



Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
-Artemis- said:
Brill info... Thanks noblehead! :)

Will I have to get rid of my accu check mobile for normal sugar testing or can I use both...? I love my mobile meter! :))
Click to expand...


No you won't, the Expert doesn't check for blood ketones so you just explain to your gp/consultant that you also want a meter that checks for this, I have a script for bg strips for the Expert and one for the Ketone strips for the LX, if like me you don't get bothered too much by ketones then the strips will last a long time anyway.
 
Pilgrim22 said:
Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Click to expand...

@Pilgrim22 really...? Why is that...? I thought ketones were from high blood sugars and could affect any diabetic, regardless of type...? I know my endocrinologist spoke about it last time we were assessing whether I should start insulin yet or not... he warned me that without insulin to be aware that nausea etc could arise - and if it did to contact him/go to A&E right away.... he also says that LADA is just a name for the inbetween phase of having a fully failed pancreas though, and therefore being exactly the same as a type 1... Curious to understand more on this as I'd love it if there were something less to worry about... :)
 
Soooooo tired at the mo.... really struggling today and need a little light at the end of the tunnel - will insulin help me feel less exhausted all the time...?

Hba1c taken today; results Friday, t-14 days till I see the endocrinologist.... blood sugars pretty much permanently between 9-12 at the mo and really fed up of feeling so pants :'(
 
Yes it should help with the tiredness, high bg does wear you down as your body is working overtime to get rid of the glucose, once your levels are stabilised things should improve, if not then see your gp and get some blood test done, it could be low iron levels amongst other possible causes.
 
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