Fed Up

[keith2904]

I was diagnosed Type 2 about 16 years ago but for some reason my body started rejecting my metformin and Gliclazide about six months ago. Nurse said this meant I could not take oral meds anymore but I just wanted to try something different. Anyway I am on the Ozempic weekly injection but its very slow in working. She rings me every two weeks and I give her my readings. She says its not good enough and I have to go on Insulin. Ozempic leaflet says it can take 30 weeks to start working properlyand only been on it 12 weeks. Every contact I have with the nurse is negative and she says I'm not doing well enough.Makes me want to give up and go at it on my own with no meds.

 

[SueEK]

I can understand your frustration Keith and sorry you are faced with this. Do you really not want to go on insulin, some other members seem to have found their lives a bit easier with insulin, although I can’t personally comment as do not use it. Is there anyone else in your practice you could speak to or perhaps request a referral to the Diabetes Care Team so you could discuss it further. Sorry I can’t be of any help really but I’m sure others will be along later who will be far more experienced than I. Take care. Sue

 

[keith2904]

Thanks Sue. I'm not against insulin. I just don't think I have tried alternatives yet. I'm seeing the nurse in a couple of weeks. Her manager told me to stay away from insulin as she said it causes a lot of hypos and affects driving and DVLA. I'll see what happens in a couple of weeks. Thanks for your help. Keith

 

[PhoebeC]

Thanks Sue. I'm not against insulin. I just don't think I have tried alternatives yet. I'm seeing the nurse in a couple of weeks. Her manager told me to stay away from insulin as she said it causes a lot of hypos and affects driving and DVLA. I'll see what happens in a couple of weeks. Thanks for your help. Keith

Totally valid reasons for wanting to hold off a little longer.
Can you explain to her again why you would like to give it a little longer? And ask her why she is so keen to move on from the current set up?
Can you get a second opinion?

 

[Kaylz]

Her manager told me to stay away from insulin as she said it causes a lot of hypos and affects driving and DVLA

sometimes insulin is necessary though, Type 1's like me for instance and there are many insulin dependant Type 2's, causing lots of hypo's isn't 100% true though as when you've established your correct doses it shouldn't cause too many hypo's, gliclazide can cause hypo's and you've used that and the DVLA should've been made aware about that, insulin isn't "the devil" or anything and can be great for a more flexible approach to life, relax a little more around food choices should it be a basal/bolus regime, many would jump at the chance but you have to do what you feel is right for you xx

 

[keith2904]

sometimes insulin is necessary though, Type 1's like me for instance and there are many insulin dependant Type 2's, causing lots of hypo's isn't 100% true though as when you've established your correct doses it shouldn't cause too many hypo's, gliclazide can cause hypo's and you've used that and the DVLA should've been made aware about that, insulin isn't "the devil" or anything and can be great for a more flexible approach to life, relax a little more around food choices should it be a basal/bolus regime, many would jump at the chance but you have to do what you feel is right for you xx

Hi, I just feel she has chosen Insulin without letting me try other meds. I was without any meds for 3 months before I managed to see her. She is the only Diabetic Nurse in a large practice and works part time. She is always rushed. I don't see insulin as bad. I just think its a big jump without trying other meds.

 

[grovesy]

I have just had a thought the hypo on Insulin is a bit of a Red Herring to me as I got plenty of Hypos on Gliclazide and I was on the slow release version.

 

[keith2904]

I have just had a thought the hypo on Insulin is a bit of a Red Herring to me as I got plenty of Hypos on Gliclazide and I was on the slow release version.

I know. That really worried me because I was on Gliclazide for about 7 years and I din't know it had to be reported. I had many hypos on the M56 on the way to work and was resuced by jelly babies.

 

[grovesy]

I no longer take it , and I was having some that I did not recognize initially as hypos.