Don't know what to do!!!

[Shaz White]

Why are my BG levels going up when I am taking more Insulin, I don't think the Insulin is working, rang my diabetes team this afternoon but the didn't get back to me

 

[Northerner]

What insulin is it Shaz? It's possible that it has got too warm or too cold, or there may be a fault with the cartridge or your pen (if that is what you are using). Try a new pen/cartridge, don't worry about wasting the old one. Let us know how things go.

 

[Shaz White]

I don't think its a faulty pen I have been steadily going up for the last couple of months I am on Humilin I was on 12 units at breakfast now on 18 but at lunch time I will have a reading of anything between 12 -15, I have lunch then before tea I will do another test and can be between 15 -20!!! I am now taking 26 units before tea I was taking 18, then 4 hours after eating my readings are 26 +, I am heading for trouble aren't I, I wish I understood this a bit more, does anyone have any tips on getting your levels down without pumping in huge doses of Insulin???

 

[Northerner]

I don't think its a faulty pen I have been steadily going up for the last couple of months I am on Humilin I was on 12 units at breakfast now on 18 but at lunch time I will have a reading of anything between 12 -15, I have lunch then before tea I will do another test and can be between 15 -20!!! I am now taking 26 units before tea I was taking 18, then 4 hours after eating my readings are 26 +, I am heading for trouble aren't I, I wish I understood this a bit more, does anyone have any tips on getting your levels down without pumping in huge doses of Insulin???

It sounds like you may have come out of the 'honeymoon' period after your diagnosis. Often, after people have been diagnosed and start receiving treatment, their pancreas will recover a little so insulin requirements are quite low. However, this can last anything between a few weeks and a few years and it may be that you have now reached the point where to are getting less support from your pancreas so need to inject more. I would suggest making an appointment as soon as you can so you can discuss your options, which hopefully will include a move to a basal/bolus system with a fast-acting and a slow-acting insulin to give you more flexibility and control. Are you able to test for ketones?

p.s. I was on a total daily dose of 65 units when diagnosed so don't worry about the amounts of insulin, but the need for more does need discussing with your nurse 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi Shaz

Very tricky with a mixed insulin as you can't really isolate the 'correction' part. Like Northerner I think you would have more flexibility and control on basal:bolus - though of course that doesn't help you in the meantime. Hope you can weather the storm until you can meet with your nurse!

 

[Shaz White]

Thanks for your replies Northener, I had an appointment with my Team on Tuesday thats when they said about uping the Insulin but he gave me the impression that by going up 2 - 4 units I would start going into Hypos, (I which I would have a hypo) they said give a ring if you start having continuous hypos they didn't say give us a ring if your levels go up. 65 units sounds scarey I take it you are not on that level now? Do you drink any alcohol?

 

[Northerner]

Thanks for your replies Northener, I had an appointment with my Team on Tuesday thats when they said about uping the Insulin but he gave me the impression that by going up 2 - 4 units I would start going into Hypos, (I which I would have a hypo) they said give a ring if you start having continuous hypos they didn't say give us a ring if your levels go up. 65 units sounds scarey I take it you are not on that level now? Do you drink any alcohol?

I'm a bit weird Shaz, I started reducing my insulin requirements quite a lot after about 6 months and it still seems to be coming down! I'm currently on about 20 units a day. Some people, usually Type 2 with a lot of insulin resistance need 200-300 units a day, but some need so little that it's hard to give small enough amounts so they have to have pumps - it really is very variable according to the individual!

It does sound like they expected the increased doses to potentially drop you low, but it seems you may have reached a point where you actually need quite a bit more. Keep at them and get that basal/bolus if you can as then you wil be able to 'correct' highs with extra insulin. As Mike says, this is very difficult to do with mixed insulins like the one you are on.

Try not to worry. Do you feel poorly with those high levels? If you start feeling sick then do make sure you speak to someone soon, like NHD Direct if you can't get hold of your team.

 

[Northerner]

p.s. Yes I do drink alcohol. Beer sends my levels high but lager and cider doesn't, nor do spirits! 🙂

 

[Shaz White]

Thank you Mike and Northerner I think I need to do the multi injections and carb counting to get this under control I will be ringing the Diabetes Team again on Monday, I feel ok get a few headaches and my eyes are playing me up I wear contacts normally but can't see very clearly when I am wearing them so have gone back to my glasses. I really don't want to be worrying about this I have had such a rough time, this time last year I had cancer!!! Why Me????

 

[Northerner]

Thank you Mike and Northerner I think I need to do the multi injections and carb counting to get this under control I will be ringing the Diabetes Team again on Monday, I feel ok get a few headaches and my eyes are playing me up I wear contacts normally but can't see very clearly when I am wearing them so have gone back to my glasses. I really don't want to be worrying about this I have had such a rough time, this time last year I had cancer!!! Why Me????

Shaz, you will get this under control because you already recognise the problems and are learning how they can be addressed. The problem with your eyesight will be temporary due to your higher than normal levels. Hope you feel OK over the weekend and manage to get hold of your team on Monday, but like I say, if you feel sick then do get some help before then. 🙂

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Humilin is a medium/long acting insulin.
So it sounds as if you need a bolus insulin as well now.
This will mean once you get it you can then cut back on the humilin and just bolus for your meals instead of the humalin being expected to do all the work.
Hope you are soon sorted.

Perhaps to help yourself until your team get back to you, it might help to cut right back on your starchy carbs.

 

[Shaz White]

Thank you Sue, all info very welcome at the moment 🙂