New here.. insulin injections and hunger!

[Sandy Julyan]

Hi, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 13 years ago but it has recently 'deteriorated' and I have now been on insulin for about 3 weeks. I am currently injecting 7 units (gradually increasing until I get to a level at which my blood glucose readings are mostly under 8). That's all fine but does anyone else on insulin find it makes them really hungry?

 

[Ally beetle]

Firstly welcome to the forum. Yes it is extremely common to feel hungry when you take insulin. It is because insulin is one of the things that make you have that hunger feeling when you do not have diabetes. It is all to do with your body's primitive signal pathways to encourage you to eat if you have insulin traveling in you blood stream which you do if you inject. I hope this makes sense.

 

[Margaret Wilson]

Hi,Margaret Wilson here, my next 3 monthly BG test will determine whether I have to go on insulin ( it looks likely) I was diagnosed two yrs ago and have lost about 4 st.(which was much needed(but I do not want to put it all back on, r u managing to keep ur weight stable? Iknow this is really important to the diabetic control. I am elderly but still want yo keep this under control. How r u managing the injections and how often do u inject? Thank u for the help. Margaret

 

[Ditto]

Hello Sandy, welcome to the forum. 🙂 I didn't know insulin made a person hungry? Good grief, I hope I never have to go on it, I'm hungry all the time as it is, I'd freak out if even hungrier.

 

[khskel]

It should improve when your BG levels stabilise, at least it does for T1s. I presume it's the same for new insulin junkies of all types. Delighted to be corrected if I'm wrong.

 

[Ally beetle]

It should improve when your BG levels stabilise, at least it does for T1s. I presume it's the same for new insulin junkies of all types. Delighted to be corrected if I'm wrong.

Indeed it should improve your BG if you are deficit in insulin or your body excepts that form of insulin to open the cells to glucose transportation. It is a very complex system our bodies are and so many different things can be going on and that is why doctors do so much trial and error if things do not work out right.

 

[Ljc]

Hi, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 13 years ago but it has recently 'deteriorated' and I have now been on insulin for about 3 weeks. I am currently injecting 7 units (gradually increasing until I get to a level at which my blood glucose readings are mostly under 8). That's all fine but does anyone else on insulin find it makes them really hungry?

Once I sorted out my insulin doses and my BG levels evened out, that terrible hunger disappeared. This is because the fuel (glucose) our bodies need is unable to get into the cells where it’s needed , it’s insulin that unlocks the cells doors.
Hopefully your hunger will ease soon.

 

[Sandy Julyan]

Hi,Margaret Wilson here, my next 3 monthly BG test will determine whether I have to go on insulin ( it looks likely) I was diagnosed two yrs ago and have lost about 4 st.(which was much needed(but I do not want to put it all back on, r u managing to keep ur weight stable? Iknow this is really important to the diabetic control. I am elderly but still want yo keep this under control. How r u managing the injections and how often do u inject? Thank u for the help. Margaret

Hi Margaret, I inject (at the moment) 3 x a day (before meals). I haven't really had any changes in weight in the last few years though I could do with losing a few lbs. The injections are not difficult at all. I use a pen (similar to the epipens) and turn the dial to the number of units needed then inject into my stomach .. only a few bruises so far but it can sting a little.

 

[Sandy Julyan]

It should improve when your BG levels stabilise, at least it does for T1s. I presume it's the same for new insulin junkies of all types. Delighted to be corrected if I'm wrong.

It has definitley helped with my BG levels.. they haven't been this low and stable for a long time! 🙂

 

[grovesy]

It has definitley helped with my BG levels.. they haven't been this low and stable for a long time! 🙂

Glad it seems to helping reduce your levels.

 

[Lucy Honeychurch]

I was starving just after diagnosis but it calmed down once my bgs stabilised and now I eat less than before I was diagnosed 🙂

 

[Margaret Wilson]

HI SANDY thank u for answering my questions!! It does help a lot when it is the unknown!! I will let u know at a later date(end of Nov.) If the doc decides to start me on it. I am keeping a record if my readings,but of course I think it all depends on the Hbac 1. My fasting ones are between , 6.8 and 7.5 after dinner its 8.5 and 13.2. I also reading the other comments have helped. Thanks everyone. Margaret Wilson.

 

[Margaret Wilson]

At least I will know what to expect.

 

[Margaret Wilson]

In retrospect Sandy I am sorry I seemed to start ranting about myself and not acknowledging your question,which I could not answer,forgive please. I keep saying I am still trying to get used to this technology. I am better face to face. I really feel as though I doRANT !!!!!! Sorry.