Being moved on to insulin - T2

Gooner9

Gooner9

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi, I’m T2 and for the last few years there’s been a steady rise in my HBA1C from late 50’s to a steady mid 70’s, they say that I was undiagnosed for several years and that tablets are not working anymore, I currently on Metformin 2000mg, empag 25mg, linagliptin 5mg and gliclazide 240mg daily and will be moved on to Lantus 10 units and keep the Metformin and empag and see how it goes, also being put on a free FreeStyle Libre2
I’m told this will be much better for me and my vitals but to me this feels a little like a final step, my question is, insulin, is it a good thing? Thanks
 
Hello,

Sorry to hear.

Looks like you have tried all the medicine route and insulin is the only option.

I am T2 and been on tablets for years and a few months ago my best option was to go on Insulin, but I refused and been on a super strict low carb diet, which for me has worked well.

Can i ask are you gaining weight (Glicizide does this) as losing weight may help with BG control, but then I guess it is more complicated than that and everyone is unique and different and so is there BG and body.

There are many on this forum that usebinsulin so may guide you further.

Good luck.
 
Sounds like all the medication hasn't really worked, unfortunately, and your healthcare team wouldn't have taken the decision lightly to put you on insulin therapy - I'm T1 but only a couple of years in after diagnosis and it is daunting moving on to injecting yourself (however many times a day) but it could really help - I'm not in best position to be able to give too much advice, but as @Newbie777 says, there are many T2's on here who are taking insulin who I'm sure will be able to give you good advice and support - good luck with it all and I hope it works with managing your diabetes
 
Insulin is the best thing I ever did. Don’t forget to report the starting of insulin to the dvla if you have a driving licence and let your car insurance know that you have a medically restricted licence. Also familiarise yourself with the rules around driving on insulin.

There’s a good thread somewhere on the forum I’d recommend about the limitations of libre too, and all the training on the Abbott libre website.
 
Insulin should work fine if you aren't overweight and 'insulin resistant'. GPs often move T2s onto insulin when they may be overweight and probably need to cut the carbs down first. For me insulin was a game changer when all the tablets no longer worked, I had cut the carbs way down and was slim and essentially LADA. So, it's the right solution when other things are in place.
 
Hi @Gooner9 sounds like a good idea that your going to be offered insulin if the other Meds just aren’t doing the job
and great to hear your going to get CGM to help you also, think there’s quite a few of us T2’s that need some extra help

Often I remember back when my GP (a different one to the GP I’m currently under at the moment)
kind of threatened me quite a few years ago with the attitude of everything else hasn’t worked so the only option will be insulin,
and back then I was so anxious and quite depressed at the thought,
but it’s honestly been fine for me, and others who I’m sure will agree

how’s your weight do you need to loose any at the moment?
 
Hi thanks all, it sounds positive on the whole, weight wise I’m a fairly steady 12st ish and 5’10” so ok, but for most of my adult life a was very overweight, 18.5st at my height, hence why I was probably T2 for sometime before being diagnosed and why I’m here now!
I have tried the stick carb diet to some effect initially but recently the results weren’t as positive, and I struggle with it tbh.
 
Having looked at your signature and can see that you have quite a big increase in meds.

Low carbs is good for some people but not all and also if you want the full benefit of Glicizide then you do need eat carbs, its catch 22.

How do you take your medicine? This can make a big difference, also do you eat?
 
Newbie777 said:
if you want the full benefit of Glicizide then you do need eat carbs
Click to expand...
No you dont

Gliclazide tells your body to make more insulin. It doesn’t matter whether you eat 0 carbs that day or 1,000, the gliclazide will tell you body to make more insulin regardless.

So “if you want the full benefit of. Gliclazide then you do need to eat carbs” makes no sense because carbs don’t impact how Gliclazide works.

However, the risk of taking Gliclazide and eating low carb is that Gliclazide will tell your body to make more insulin regardless of your blood sugar and what you eat, so it can send your blood sugar low if you then have more insulin in your system than you need.
 
Thank you Lucy,

Did not know that and it's good to know.
 
Thanks everyone, I feel a lot better about moving to insulin now, will let you know how it goes, starting on 25th
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top