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Insulin

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J

Johnb

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Type 2
Hi all, new to the forum but been type 2 for seven years. All the drugs that I have been prescribed haven’t worked or controlled my sugars. I have had reactions to all with severe abdominal pain. Iam now told that I will be put on insulin. Has anybody had similar and did insulin sort it out? I still work and drive so abit worried about my licence . Thanks in advance of any reply s
 
Johnb said:
Hi all, new to the forum but been type 2 for seven years. All the drugs that I have been prescribed haven’t worked or controlled my sugars. I have had reactions to all with severe abdominal pain. Iam now told that I will be put on insulin. Has anybody had similar and did insulin sort it out? I still work and drive so abit worried about my licence . Thanks in advance of any reply s
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Hiya. I had the same situation, tried every tablet and injection going and nothing helped. Until I started insulin. Don’t expect it to be a magic bullet, you’re usually started on a really low dose then increase it over time so it will take quite a while to get to the dose for you. Once you find the right dose that does change frequently too, but I have far better blood sugars with insulin than with anything else.
 
Hi @Johnb . Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear you have had problems with so many T2 diabetic medications .

Firstly please don’t panic about going onto insulin , do you know which one(s) yet as their are quite a few. It will most definitely bring your BG levels down but they need to do this slowly for a couple of reasons

1. Everyone’s needs of insulin varies greatly , so doses cannot be an exact science, much tweaking is needed to find out what works for you.

2. They will want to bring your BG ( blood glucose) levels down slowly as bringing them down too quickly will cause some unpleasant problems, fortunately most are temporary but sometimes not.
I have a couple of questions for you.
What changes have you made to your diet since you were diagnosed .
How did you come to be diagnosed.
 
Hi thanks for the information, I am just in the process after being referred by the GP to the local Hub. They contacted me last week for the first time. I have altered my diet over the years to reduce sugar and lower carbs, I exercise daily and my weight has been stable for the last 5 years. Could still with loosing a few pounds, but working on it. I was diagnosed after having a Caterac operation when things didn’t improve 7 years ago.
 
Don't be scared of insulin @Johnb - your body's been producing it since you were born!

Do you actually drive for a living, if so what Class, or is your driving just for 'social domestic & pleasure purposes and commuting' as insurance policies say?

I have only ever held a licence for 3 years as I already had Type 1 before I learned to drive and hence have always treated it with insulin. Due for renewal again in the summer. Yes there are medical questions we have to answer but not tricky.
 
Johnb said:
Hi thanks for the information, I am just in the process after being referred by the GP to the local Hub. They contacted me last week for the first time. I have altered my diet over the years to reduce sugar and lower carbs, I exercise daily and my weight has been stable for the last 5 years. Could still with loosing a few pounds, but working on it. I was diagnosed after having a Caterac operation when things didn’t improve 7 years ago.
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trophywench said:
Don't be scared of insulin @Johnb - your body's been producing it since you were born!

Do you actually drive for a living, if so what Class, or is your driving just for 'social domestic & pleasure purposes and commuting' as insurance policies say?

I have only ever held a licence for 3 years as I already had Type 1 before I learned to drive and hence have always treated it with insulin. Due for renewal again in the summer. Yes there are medical questions we have to answer but not tricky.
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Thanks for the reply, I used to have class 1 HGV but gave it up after speaking with various hauliers who told me they would not employ someone with diabetes due to insurance. I know that isn’t politically correct, but I just wanted them to be honest. Iam an ex mechanic who just advises my employer regarding technical issues, but it does involve driving, plus I have a long commute. I have spoken to some people lately who are on insulin and they have told me their license has to be renewed regularly and it effects their insurance premium. My wife doesn’t drive much due to illness and I pick the grandkids up alternate weekends (after covid) who are 90 miles away. So you can understand my concern.
 
Johnb said:
I have spoken to some people lately who are on insulin and they have told me their license has to be renewed regularly and it effects their insurance premium.
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As I have Type 1, I have no choice but to take insulin and have done so for over 15 years.
I do not believe my car insurance price is affected by my 3 year driving license. If the DVLA are happy with me to drive (because my doc is happy for me to drive), I believe any price hike by insurance companies would constitute a disability discrimination.
 
helli said:
As I have Type 1, I have no choice but to take insulin and have done so for over 15 years.
I do not believe my car insurance price is affected by my 3 year driving license. If the DVLA are happy with me to drive (because my doc is happy for me to drive), I believe any price hike by insurance companies would constitute a disability discrimination.
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I was told by my insurance company that as long as the DVLA are happy to issue a license then they are happy to insure me
 
helli said:
As I have Type 1, I have no choice but to take insulin and have done so for over 15 years.
I do not believe my car insurance price is affected by my 3 year driving license. If the DVLA are happy with me to drive (because my doc is happy for me to drive), I believe any price hike by insurance companies would constitute a disability discrimination.
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Thanks Freddie, that’s good to know. I’m sure I will find out soon.
 
@Johnb (I once knew about your sloop) - it has been illegal for an awfully long time to increase a motor premium because of diabetes.

I worked in insurance either for insurers or for insurance brokers for 41 years from before I had diabetes until when I retired.

May have been OK to do that 50+ years ago but absolutely not since I passed my test!
 
Hi @Johnb from another insulin user. Like all others I have to renew my licence every three years. It is just a form for me to fill in and another for my consultant. It does not prevent you from driving Group 1 and does not impact your insurance.
 
trophywench said:
@Johnb (I once knew about your sloop) - it has been illegal for an awfully long time to increase a motor premium because of diabetes.

I worked in insurance either for insurers or for insurance brokers for 41 years from before I had diabetes until when I retired.

May have been OK to do that 50+ years ago but absolutely not since I passed my test!
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Thank you so much for the information, it goes to show how things can get distorted down the lines of general discussion, and it pays to ask the people that actually deal with it. Thanks
 
Welcome to the forum @Johnb

If anything I think modern technologies have allowed people to drive in even more contexts with diabetes - and even pilot commercial airlines! There is more opportunity for commercial drivers to continue now I believe - as long as they have sufficient BG readings in the appropriate range, and have full awareness of any impending hypoglycaemia.

As people with diabetes, we just have to follow the DVLA guidance, meet the appropriate criteria, and take our Drs advice 🙂
 
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