Humulin i slow release insulin

[Tricky micky]

Hi everyone, has anyone ever been put on Humulin i about 12 months ago for diabetes type 2 i was taking Metformin SR for a number of years but developed gastric problems. When the insulin go into my system after a few weeks i thought i was developing problems with my knee joints. i told the diabetic nurse my concerns because as i was finding it difficult to stand up without a struggle and said i imagined it was to do with the insulin or should i say the amount i was taking because my sugars were still high. so i took one metformin at the nurses request but developed the runs and stomach ache again. so now im just on the insulin injections. My sugars are still high and all the nurse says is add 10 percent. Surely this is not the answer. Im now on 55 units before breakfast and 48 before teatime. i read on google that if there's too much insulin in your blood it can cause uric acid and crystalize in your joints which would account for my trouble with my knee joints. but my nurse says she has never heard of it and if i cant get my sugars right add 10% again. can anyone offer any valid advice. I did stop taking anything last week but my sugars were too high so i started taking Metformin SR twice a day but had the runs again so i had to stop and return to the insulin. To say im lost with this situation is an understatement ive had another telephone conversation with the nurse and you guest it she said add 10% im seeing the doctor tomorrow because the situation is getting me down and both my calves are tender to the touch. Pls offer advice if anyone can
Regards tricky micky.

 

[grovesy]

Have you had any investigations of your knee pains?

 

[Inka]

Hi @Tricky micky I can’t help with the knee problem but I wonder if you’d be better off with a meal-time insulin too? Has that ever been considered?

How high are your blood sugars?

 

[Tricky micky]

Hi @Tricky micky I can’t help with the knee problem but I wonder if you’d be better off with a meal-time insulin too? Has that ever been considered?

How high are your blood sugars?

between 12 mmol and 20 thanks for replying meal time never been talked about. i can get them lower if i dont eat but all im told is add another 10% i feel its too much and if this doesn't get sorted ill empty the pen in one day

 

[Tricky micky]

Have you had any investigations of your knee pains?

ive got a floating piece of cartilage in the right knee but never had a problem at anytime until i started on insulin and my calves are very tender to the touch this is why i think i am injecting too much insulin into my body and its causing me probs my question to the nurse was can it crystalize and that was 12 months ago i feel like a cripple some days im on my own now after the wife passed 5 years ago and the bottom of my feet feel as if im waliking on cobbles im not really overweight possibly about half a stone

 

[Inka]

between 12 mmol and 20 thanks for replying meal time never been talked about. i can get them lower if i dont eat but all im told is add another 10% i feel its too much and if this doesn't get sorted ill empty the pen in one day

Ok, well that sounds like a mealtime insulin would be a good idea. You could keep a lower level of the Humulin I (which is a basal/background insulin) and then inject a faster-acting mealtime insulin which would deal with any blood sugar rise from the food you eat. Humulin I isn’t really designed to cover food which is probably why your blood sugar is high. Rather than continuing to increase the Humulin I, I’d see if you could get a fast-acting meal-time insulin to add to your regime.

 

[Inka]

ive got a floating piece of cartilage in the right knee but never had a problem at anytime until i started on insulin and my calves are very tender to the touch this is why i think i am injecting too much insulin into my body and its causing me probs my question to the nurse was can it crystalize and that was 12 months ago i feel like a cripple some days im on my own now after the wife passed 5 years ago and the bottom of my feet feel as if im waliking on cobbles im not really overweight possibly about half a stone

I really think you should speak to your doctor about your feet, calf and knee problems. There are a number of things it could be so it needs checking out. There might be treatment that could help you.

I haven’t heard about insulin crystallising like that, but perhaps there is some kind of connection with your diabetes or high blood sugar. It sounds very unpleasant for you so I hope a doctor could investigate possible causes and help you.

 

[grovesy]

ive got a floating piece of cartilage in the right knee but never had a problem at anytime until i started on insulin and my calves are very tender to the touch this is why i think i am injecting too much insulin into my body and its causing me probs my question to the nurse was can it crystalize and that was 12 months ago i feel like a cripple some days im on my own now after the wife passed 5 years ago and the bottom of my feet feel as if im waliking on cobbles im not really overweight possibly about half a stone

Well it is likely that the the loose cartilage is why you have the problems with your knee, and nothing to do with Insulin. I have had one total knee replacement and I have never taken Insulin. In the years before having my knee replacement had varying degrees of restricted mobility and pain due to the problems with my knee. I even used a walking stick at times.

 

[rebrascora]

I had a lot of joint pain and particularly in my knees before I changed my diet to low carb. I thought I was approaching the point of needing a knee replacement. Now I am comfortable walking and running, even down hill and it happened pretty much as soon as i changed my diet, so there may be something in either it being the insulin or more likely the acidity from the increased glucose in your blood.
Not sure if you are aware but diabetes is not just about sugar in your diet but all carbohydrates are broken down into glucose by the digestive system and absorbed into the blood stream, where, as diabetics, we have difficulty metabolising it. By reducing your intake of carbohydrates you can bring your BG levels down instead of needing more insulin. That means less bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, breakfast cereal even so called healthy foods like porridge and fruit all contribute to higher BG levels. Eating more fat and protein from eggs, meat, fish, cheese, avocados, nuts, etc and plenty of leafy green veg, which always tastes better with a knob or butter or a dollop of cream cheese, is the way to bring your levels down through what you eat.
If you want to tell us what you normally have for breakfast lunch and evening meal, we can make alternative lower carb suggestions which might help you. Things like bacon and eggs instead of breakfast cereal or toast. Or Creamy Greek natural yoghurt with a few berries and/or chopped nuts/seeds if you prefer something lighter. Of a Nature Valley protein bar if you fancy a "grab and go" breakfast.
An omelette and salad with a big dollop of cheese coleslaw is a favourite breakfast or lunch for me and I can vary the filling depending upon what I have that needs using up in the fridge. Yesterday I had a salmon fillet with asparagus for lunch. Took just a few minutes to cook. Then I had a large chunk of one of my favourite cheeses last night with a hot chocolate and a shot of rum in it. Not saying these things are what you should eat, but just gives you an idea of what sort of things you can have on a low carb diet and that it can be very enjoyable food, just different to basing meals around a plate full of carbs like bread and spuds.

 

[Inka]

ive got a floating piece of cartilage in the right knee but never had a problem at anytime until i started on insulin and my calves are very tender to the touch this is why i think i am injecting too much insulin into my body and its causing me probs my question to the nurse was can it crystalize and that was 12 months ago i feel like a cripple some days im on my own now after the wife passed 5 years ago and the bottom of my feet feel as if im waliking on cobbles im not really overweight possibly about half a stone

You could also ask to see a podiatrist. Your “walking on cobbles” description rang a bell. If you Google you’ll see others complaining of similar feelings. It might not be connected to your diabetes or your insulin so it would be sensible to see a GP or podiatrist. This could be something easily sorted and even if it’s just one thing you sort eg your foot pain, hopefully it will lighten your load a little.

 

[Jamie M]

Hi Tricky Micky,I am on Humulin twice a day.Once 20 minutes before breakfast (14 units) and 20 mins before dinner (13 units).I have been using insulin for just over a year with no problems.I thought my usage was high but seeing yours had made me think it’s maybe not.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Tricky micky

Check the patient information leaflet in the box to see whether joint pain is listed as a side effect. This will give you an idea of whether this was discovered during the extensive clinical trials that insulins need to undergo, and if so how common it was.

The crystallising you talk about certainly isnt something I see mentioned on the forum, and we have lots of insulin users of all doses and types of diabetes.

But leg and foot pain and changes in sensations ARE things that are commonly mentioned here, so there may well be other causes (either related to your diabetes or completely separate), so it is definitely worth discussing your symptoms with your Dr.

Let us know how things go 🙂