Good Afternoon, Confused of Coalville here.

[Neal Higham]

Hi all,
For many years now (over 20) I have thought I was diabetic. I would regularly shake and feel dizzy in the afternoons until I ate something (anything). Blood tests showed I was not, I was informed.
18 months ago I was diagnosed as type 2 and put on to metformin 40mg per day. 6 months ago my long term measure (hb1 or something like that) went from 10 to 11and my metformin was doubled to 80 mg per day.
3 weeks ago my long term was at 12. something and still rising. The diabetic nurse who saw me for the first time said I was symptomatic of type 1 and should be on insulin. (constantly tired, sleeping most of the day, zero concentration etc) She booked me in for an urgent 48 hour appointment with the prescribing diabetes team in Leicester. Through a series of ****-ups, and me chasing them, 4 weeks later I had an appointment hurriedly arranged with a GP who specialised in diabetes at my own surgery.
To say I was given almost zero information was an understatement. He told me he had prescribed a long acting insulin that I should take once a day before bed. He printed off a chart I should fill in and monitor my levels 4 times a day. My aim was to get my early morning result down to below 8 by starting on 10 units of insulin, then increasing every couple of days by 2 units. I asked if I was type 1 or 2 and he said 2, because I am fat.
They had no testing kits at the surgery so I had to drive to another to pick one up. I picked up my prescription and was a bit confused by the contents. Thank goodness for the internet where I found videos on how to inject with the pen, how to put the needle on etc.
Over a week in, I am now at 22 units and my levels are still rising, called my GP and he said this is normal until I establish the correct amount. (rested ranges between 12-13 and evenings between 18-24)
To be brutally honest I am very confused and a little frightened.
Sorry for the extra long post.. any advice/guidance gladly accepted.

 

[Bubbsie]

Hi all,
For many years now (over 20) I have thought I was diabetic. I would regularly shake and feel dizzy in the afternoons until I ate something (anything). Blood tests showed I was not, I was informed.
18 months ago I was diagnosed as type 2 and put on to metformin 40mg per day. 6 months ago my long term measure (hb1 or something like that) went from 10 to 11and my metformin was doubled to 80 mg per day.
3 weeks ago my long term was at 12. something and still rising. The diabetic nurse who saw me for the first time said I was symptomatic of type 1 and should be on insulin. (constantly tired, sleeping most of the day, zero concentration etc) She booked me in for an urgent 48 hour appointment with the prescribing diabetes team in Leicester. Through a series of ****-ups, and me chasing them, 4 weeks later I had an appointment hurriedly arranged with a GP who specialised in diabetes at my own surgery.
To say I was given almost zero information was an understatement. He told me he had prescribed a long acting insulin that I should take once a day before bed. He printed off a chart I should fill in and monitor my levels 4 times a day. My aim was to get my early morning result down to below 8 by starting on 10 units of insulin, then increasing every couple of days by 2 units. I asked if I was type 1 or 2 and he said 2, because I am fat.
They had no testing kits at the surgery so I had to drive to another to pick one up. I picked up my prescription and was a bit confused by the contents. Thank goodness for the internet where I found videos on how to inject with the pen, how to put the needle on etc.
Over a week in, I am now at 22 units and my levels are still rising, called my GP and he said this is normal until I establish the correct amount. (rested ranges between 12-13 and evenings between 18-24)
To be brutally honest I am very confused and a little frightened.
Sorry for the extra long post.. any advice/guidance gladly accepted.

Neal I'm not surprised you're confused and a little frightened...I cannot give you any advice on the insulin use I know so little about it...I have no doubt other members will be able to help with that...however the way you have been treated is shameful...so your GP has said you are definitely type 2 because you are fat?...how professional is that...I am just wondering if you can ask for a second opinion...or another definitive test...is that something you would consider?

 

[Alister]

I was diagnose T2 in Feb & put straight on insulin (a basal which is the name for long lasting background insulin) & the time they had not confirmed if T1 or T2 buts suspected T2 because of my age (not explicitly my weight)
started @ 12 units am then upped to 16 & 6 & night.
What changes have you made to your diet. it is essential to control your carb intake as these are what cause the high BG readings (many Dr's & Diabetic nurses still recommend the NHS Healthy plate which in the opinion of many here includes far to many carbs)
with my low carb diet I am now not bothering with the night dose & down to 10 AM (I have also lost 1 1/2 stone since this time last year & now have a BMI in the ideal range)
my BG readings are usually in the mid 5's & regularly drop to low 4's before meals
If you are still getting he high readings you are indicating then I would suggest asking them to test for Type 1 just to be certain.
if confirmed as T2 then loosing weight if overweight should help considerably & if you adopt a low carb diet (cust or reduce Bread, pasta potatoes & rice to start with) that may be supprisingly easy. my biggest problem now is not loosing any more.

Also don't get scared about a possible T1 diagnosis. neither type is any less serious than the other the only real difference I can see is the type of treatment required - T1s MUST take insulin, T2's can usualy manage on just diet/drugs but may also need insulin.
in either case if well managed then complications should not be a significant risk.
I am sure the T1's will now correct any mistakes I have made.

 

[Pine Marten]

Hi Neal, I don't have any advice either as I'm not on insulin, but I wanted to welcome you to the forum. The way you were treated was shameful, and I'm sorry you had to experience it.

This is a great place for support and information, so others will be along who can advise you. All the best to you - keep us updated about how you get on.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Hi Neal and welcome to the forum from a T2. Sorry about you getting messed about.
As a diabetic we have to manage carbs. However, if you are T1, then the insulin matters at least as much.
I'm of a mind to complain about medical people. You can be thin and young and T2. You can be older and T1. Chase things up.
Metformin (and some other drugs) are used for T2 and not T1. So the diagnoses will make a difference to your treatment. Insulin works for both T1 and T2. So either way you should see some improvement.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Diabetes UK has a web page about testing, including the HbA1c (about half way down the page):
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing
It's an average that covers about 8 - 12 weeks.

 

[CathyB]

What an awful experience for you! I’m sorry you have had to go through that but I am pleased you have found us here. I am honestly beginning to despair of our health care professionals! You will get support and guidance from everyone, I’m type 2 and have no experience of insulin but I do know that diet control is key.

 

[AndBreathe]

@Neal Higham - Leicester has two very good hospitals for diabetes; one of which is in the same building a a research unit, looking at lifestyle and also looking at diabetes of all sorts.

Have a look at Leicestershirediabetes.org.uk (although it won't load for me right now). There are some great resources on there. Leicestershire Diabetes is at The Royal, and the Leicester Diabetes Centre is at The General. I know a number of people from both units, and they're very good, caring people.

Please go back to your Doc and ask for an urgent appointment. It does seem to take time to sort the levels out, after staring insulin, so your experience there probably isn't a million miles from frustratingly common, but you should be getting more support than you appear to be.

 

[Maz2]

Welcome to the Forum. I am sorry to hear you have not been treated well.

I am afraid I do not know about Type 1 and insulin but there are lots of Type 1s here who I am sure will be along to offer help soon.

 

[Emmakeets]

Hi @Neal Higham, I would definitely say that you need to ask for a referral to the hospital. The specialists there will be able to offer a lot more advise and support than your GP. I think it is unusual for a GP to just prescribe insulin without referral to a consultant, I was certainly changed to insulin by my consultant and the specialist nurse provided much needed support in the first few weeks.