Hello

[Suzi888]

I was diagnosed some years ago but have just been told that I need to start on insulin. I am on some temporary tablets until I give the nurse some readings on Thursday.

Very nervous as I’ve struggled with all treatments so far. I can’t take metformin as it gave me stomach cramps, as have several other medications since. I’ve stupidly been in denial for quite a while, lack of symptoms until I take meds hasn’t helped.

mental health issues have bought things to a head - could my sugar levels be causing my issues, is my struggle causing me to spike my sugar levels (comfort eater)? Are the two unrelated?

sorry for the essay on my first post

 

[Leadinglights]

High blood glucose affects every cell in the body including the brain so the two are interrelated.
Your HbA1C must be quite high for them to be suggesting insulin. I gather dietary changes have not been successful for you.
Finding a way to reduce your blood glucose be that by significant dietary changes or medication will certainly help your wellbeing but insulin is the only option then it should not be regarded as a threat.
What other medications have you tried?
Welcome to the forum by the way.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Suzi888

Sorry to hear about the difficulties you’ve been having, and that it has lead you to slip into a period of denial and comfort eating

It’s great that you’ve joined us though. And I hope the support and encouragement of other forum members will help you.

High blood glucose levels can have a negative impact on mood, and can make it harder to keep on top of things. Hopefully the insulin will give you the means to manage your glucose levels more effectively over the coming months.

Insulin isn’t commonly said to have the sorts of side effects that other diabetes medications can have (eg stomach cramps). However it is important that you balance your insulin with your food intake - so tackling your comfort eating will be an important part of this next stage of diabetes management for you I think.

Are you getting access to help and support for your mental health?

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

Hi @Suzi888 and welcome to the forum 🙂

I react very badly to lots of meds so understand the concern about starting a new one - but do try not to worry (easier said than done, I know), there is very little chance of an adverse reaction to insulin. It's one of the few meds I've been able to use with no major issues, and in the very, very unlikely event of your having a reaction to one brand, you should be able to change to a different one.

Being stressed or upset or anxious is likely to cause your blood sugar to spike, even before you start comfort eating, so it's likely your mental health issues are raising your blood sugar, but that is not your fault. It sounds like your physical and mental health are interacting in a vicious cycle, so hopefully having insulin will make you feel better both physically and mentally, and break the cycle.

 

[Eternal422]

Hi @Suzi888 and welcome to the forum! You will find lots of people on here who can offer advice and support, going through the same things as you.

Insulin is definitely not something to be worried about and I’m sure you will very quickly get used to doing your injections (which are painless and very easy to do). Not sure what they will start you on, but a basal-bolus (long acting insulin with a short acting insulin to use to cover carbs eaten at meals) is definitely more flexible. I started on a mixed insulin which although easier to use straight away with two fixed doses per day, did mean that I had to eat at consistent times and with roughly similar amounts of carbs, which can be a nuisance depending upon your routines and lifestyle. It is very unlikely you’ll have any bad reaction to insulin which is similar to what the pancreas produces, so something practically natural rather than a drug that will always have some side effects.

I wish you well, keep asking questions of your nurse and on here!