Going on insulin

[Jo23672]

Hi. I'm Jo and I'm new here. I've had type 2 diabetes since 2001. I take Metformin 4x500mg per day and Glibenclamide 2 x 5mg per day. My blood sugar levels are never lower than the low/mid teens and I've been told today that I will have to go on insulin twice a day. I'm devastated, frustrated, very confused and feel very alone. I'm frightened of needles (even doing my finger prick test fills me with dread!) and the thought of injecting myself scares me. I need any advice anyone can give me. Thanks.

 

[Vicsetter]

Hi Jo, afraid I can't help with your needle problems but apart from the driving licence restrictions (if you drive don't forget you have to notify the DVLA and your car insurer) you should find that the insulin makes a big improvement and gets your numbers down quickly. Have they said what insulin they are putting you on, twice a day sounds a bit odd?
The other good news is they should give you test strips.

 

[Medusa]

the only thing i can say is i fully empathise with you, i never had a needle phobia myself (probably a good job as i trained as a body piercer) but my brother who is type one diagnosed at age of 15 was always petrified of needles, back in those days he was using a proper syringe and vial of insulin not like the pens we have today, he has now been diabetic for some twenty years or more and has somehow managed it, i guess really because he had to, you will overcome it and manage to live with it, even though at the moment it feels like you cant, good luck with everything, maybe also worth speaking to your dr or nurse and explaining how you feel, they will probably be more understanding than you imagine and may have some tips or advice on how to overcome your phobia

 

[ukjohn]

Hi Jo It sounds easy for me to say having injected for the past 6 years, but believe me, the injection if done correctly does not hurt at all, in fact taking blood for the meter checking of your levels hurts more than injecting, as has been said speak to the Dr or nurse about your fear and they should go through it with you to help.Seeing you are on 2 injections per day I assume that you are on a mixed insulin, I have to inject 5 times a day 🙂

John

 

[vince13]

Hi Jo, I was just like you before I started on mixed insulin twice a day last January (one year in now and I rather wonder what I was so apprehensive about). Everyone said I would feel better once the insulin got the condition under more control and it's true. The finger-prick test still fills me with more worry than the injection - and no-one could have been more scared of needles than I was.

Once you get past the first one, and get into a routine, as John says, it really gets to be second nature. I won't lie to you, it isn't always easy to get up the courage to watch yourself injecting, but it really IS worth it. Above all be honest with your diabetic nurse/Dr and you should find that they can help you get over the initial fear of injecting.

Keep posting on here and let us know how you get on. 🙂

 

[Jo23672]

Thank you all so much for your messages. I've only just joined this site and already I feel supported and not alone anymore. I'm especially encouraged to read what Vicsetter says about my numbers falling quickly on insulin. The reason I'm injecting twice a day is because my diabetes nurse wants to start me on low amounts of insulin to start with. I'm assuming she'll increase the dosage over time. I'm not sure what type of insulin I'll be on yet,but will find this out at my next appointment which could be as early as next week. Once again, thank you all for your support. I'll carry on posting here for sure.

 

[macast]

glad you are feeling better about things since people replied to you.

I'm not on insulin so can't help.... but just wanted to welcome you to the forum x

 

[trophywench]

Hi Jo

Sympathies indeed. Still as others have said, impossible though it may sound, you do actually get used to jabs quite soon, even if you never actually love having to do em! And the pen needles are minute - in comparison to say a flu jab, which you will no doubt be familiar with!

But tell me, what dietary changes - if any - have you made during the time you've been on tablets? For instance - have you ever cut down on carbohydrate consumption to try and beat it? - because lots of T2's find that can really, really help.

 

[Vicsetter]

I started on a single dose of Levemir and progressed to 2 doses a day, which I assumed was the norm. Make sure you understand how and where to inject, it is important.
You should also pay particular attention to your diet as it is easier to put on weight when on insulin, again speak to the GP/nurse about diet but beware if they start taking about low fat, high carb diets.

 

[margie]

Hi Jo and welcome.

There are a couple of members who have had needle phobias - hopefully one or two may spot your post. A lot of people seem to imagine the needles to be huge but they are really tiny. If your nurse could show you a needle you would probably be quite suprisied.

I hope that your transition to insulin goes smoothly.

 

[Mark T]

Hi Jo, welcome to the forums 🙂


If you are needle phobic I can quite understand why you would not want to go on insulin or any injectable.

But if you have to go on injections then maybe you might want to discuss MDI if you can get past your phobia. The downside to this is that it can lead to doing 4 or 5 injections a day 😱

Two injections per day sounds very much to me like mixed insulin. From what I?ve read this is actually an inflexible regime since it can force you to set meal times and set carbohydrate intake.

 

[Monica]

Hi Joe and welcome 🙂
I'm sorry to hear that you're scared of injecting. What exactly frightens you? The thought of pain or the look of the needle?
If it's the look of the needle, there's a needle available which is covered at all times, so that you never see it. My daughter couldn't bring herself to inject, I had to do it until our DSN suggested we try that one.
http://www.directlinemedical.com/me...-needle-novofine-autocover-30-gauge-1-3-inch/
This is what it looks like. The clear tube around the needle retracts when you push it against your skin and comes back out again when you lift it.

Good luck with your insulin start 🙂

 

[PhilT]

Hi Jo, I like you am needle phobic and when I was told I had to go on insulin a few years ago the thought of having to inject myself filled me with dread😱.

When I went to see the DSN to be shown how to inject I mentioned I was needle phobic and she was very understanding getting me the smallest neddles available at that time which were 5mm. It took me a while to pluck up the courage to do a test injection without the insulin but I managed to do it ok.

When I was at home and it was time to do my 1st proper injection I was sitting there going over everything that the DSN had told me about injecting, it took me over 30 mins to finally pluck up the courage to attempt the injection but when I had done it I didn't feel too bad about the needle.
Over time it became easier to do the injections until I don't even think about the needles now. I still hate needles(can't look when I have a blood test done) but I have learned to tolerate them out of necessity.

I'm sure once you get used to it, you won't even think about the needles!

Good luck

Phil

 

[Jo23672]

But tell me, what dietary changes - if any - have you made during the time you've been on tablets? For instance - have you ever cut down on carbohydrate consumption to try and beat it? - because lots of T2's find that can really, really help.

Hi Trophywench

I went to see the dietician a couple of weeks ago and she told me that although I was eating healthily I needed to halve my portion sizes. I treat myself once a week to a cake or some chocolate and she said that's fine. I have one question. I've heard from some people that insulin can cause weight loss, but I read a message from someone on here that it can cause you to put on weight. I'm not sure what to believe.

 

[Robster65]

But tell me, what dietary changes - if any - have you made during the time you've been on tablets? For instance - have you ever cut down on carbohydrate consumption to try and beat it? - because lots of T2's find that can really, really help.

Hi Trophywench

I went to see the dietician a couple of weeks ago and she told me that although I was eating healthily I needed to halve my portion sizes. I treat myself once a week to a cake or some chocolate and she said that's fine. I have one question. I've heard from some people that insulin can cause weight loss, but I read a message from someone on here that it can cause you to put on weight. I'm not sure what to believe.

Hi jo. Welcome 🙂

As long as you don't overeat, insulin won't make you put on weight. If you're burning off all the calories you consume, there'll be no reason for your body to gain weight.

What it does do, is efficiently convert excess calories to fat. So your dietician's advice should see you ok.

You may find that the reduction in portion sizes on its own will bring your BGs down, so you may not need to stay on the insulin. Wight loss and exercise are very good ways of reducing insulin resistance, but many find that their resistance will increase naturally over time anyway.🙂

Rob

 

[Jo23672]

I should add that I'm a wheelchair user (on top of everything else!) so I find exercising difficult and keeping the weight off practically impossible!