Hi Everyone Newbie Here and anxious

[Serafina]

Good evening everyone. Serafina here, hello. I am oldie to Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetic since 2011, but a Newbie on these Forums. For a while now, I haven’t been doing so well in controlling my blood sugars. My last HBA1C was 101, so very high. My Diabetic Team decided to put me on Abasaglar Insulin once a day. I started insulin two weeks ago. I am currently on 14 units per day. Initially, I really did not want to go on insulin. The nights passed crying my eyes out! Blaming myself. I felt such a disappointment! Until this wonderful nurse explained to me that going on insulin was not to make me worse, but to aid me in getting better in my blood control and relieving some of the symptoms I was having. For the first week I was put on 10 units a day and I could see my bloods dropping. I test every morning and I started off with a morning reading of 23.4. On 10 units I have managed to get down to a morning reading of 13.0 (still high I know). However, after the first week of insulin, my nurse decided to up my dose to 14 units and I have been on 14 units for 4 days now and I haven’t managed to get below 13.0. In fact this morning it was 13.7. I’ve really overhauled my diet and started calorie counting and reducing my carb intake significantly. However, I can feel that anxiety creeping in, whereby I feel so overwhelmed by it all, coupled with this disappointment that my morning readings are not further dropping. For anyone reading, thank you for listening. Serafina 🙂

 

[Leadinglights]

Good evening everyone. Serafina here, hello. I am oldie to Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetic since 2011, but a Newbie on these Forums. For a while now, I haven’t been doing so well in controlling my blood sugars. My last HBA1C was 101, so very high. My Diabetic Team decided to put me on Abasaglar Insulin once a day. I started insulin two weeks ago. I am currently on 14 units per day. Initially, I really did not want to go on insulin. The nights passed crying my eyes out! Blaming myself. I felt such a disappointment! Until this wonderful nurse explained to me that going on insulin was not to make me worse, but to aid me in getting better in my blood control and relieving some of the symptoms I was having. For the first week I was put on 10 units a day and I could see my bloods dropping. I test every morning and I started off with a morning reading of 23.4. On 10 units I have managed to get down to a morning reading of 13.0 (still high I know). However, after the first week of insulin, my nurse decided to up my dose to 14 units and I have been on 14 units for 4 days now and I haven’t managed to get below 13.0. In fact this morning it was 13.7. I’ve really overhauled my diet and started calorie counting and reducing my carb intake significantly. However, I can feel that anxiety creeping in, whereby I feel so overwhelmed by it all, coupled with this disappointment that my morning readings are not further dropping. For anyone reading, thank you for listening. Serafina 🙂

It is often the case that people are started on conservative dose of insulin as it is better to reduce blood glucose slowly to help avoid issues with your eyes and nerves which can happen to some people if their blood glucose drops quickly.
Were you previously on oral medication as those are only effective if accompanied by dietary changes but if that was not working then you may be one of those misdiagnosed as Type 2 when they are actually Type 1 or LADA so bear that in mind. There are tests which could help to rule that out.

 

[Drummer]

If that is a first thing in the morning test then what could be happening is that your stores, previously stuffed to bursting point, are now beginning to empty out, so your readings are higher for the moment, but as things become a bit more normal you should see the level start to drop - but it is the last reading to go down during recovery.
Please do not worry. Don't assume that things are going badly as it might well be an indication of quite the reverse.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Serafina

Try not to feel disheartened by your move to insulin therapy. It isn’t at all uncommon, and isn’t something you should take as any form of judgement. Type 2 diabetes is a complex condition (and some suggest may actually be an umbrella term for several different sub-types). In some cases of T2 insulin signalling and release becomes impaired, beta cells can malfunction, and the pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin (especially if there is insulin resistance too).

Moving to insulin may simply be part of the way your diabetes has developed over time. It’s not necessarily because of what you’ve done. As a T1 I was not so exposed to stigma about my need for insulin - and should not be either.

Allow your levels to come down gradually - this is easier on the fine blood vessels and nerves. And try not to stress too much about early morning levels. Dawn Phenomenon can make these the most stubborn and last to come into line 🙂

 

[Serafina]

It is often the case that people are started on conservative dose of insulin as it is better to reduce blood glucose slowly to help avoid issues with your eyes and nerves which can happen to some people if their blood glucose drops quickly.
Were you previously on oral medication as those are only effective if accompanied by dietary changes but if that was not working then you may be one of those misdiagnosed as Type 2 when they are actually Type 1 or LADA so bear that in mind. There are tests which could help to rule that out.

Hello Leadinglights (love the screen name). Yes, I was on slow release Metformin before. Then moved onto the normal metformin. But my diet was terrible. I also never use to take the metformin all the time because it caused me an array of stomach issues. Also recently diagnosed with mild

It is often the case that people are started on conservative dose of insulin as it is better to reduce blood glucose slowly to help avoid issues with your eyes and nerves which can happen to some people if their blood glucose drops quickly.
Were you previously on oral medication as those are only effective if accompanied by dietary changes but if that was not working then you may be one of those misdiagnosed as Type 2 when they are actually Type 1 or LADA so bear that in mind. There are tests which could help to rule that out.

It is often the case that people are started on conservative dose of insulin as it is better to reduce blood glucose slowly to help avoid issues with your eyes and nerves which can happen to some people if their blood glucose drops quickly.
Were you previously on oral medication as those are only effective if accompanied by dietary changes but if that was not working then you may be one of those misdiagnosed as Type 2 when they are actually Type 1 or LADA so bear that in mind. There are tests which could help to rule that out

Hi there Leadinglights (loving the screen name). Thank you for your message. Yes, I was on slow release metformin for years. But I never use to take them properly. Then was moved onto the standard metformin and they caused me an array of stomach issues. My diet use to be bad too. So here I am.

 

[Serafina]

Welcome to the forum @Serafina

Try not to feel disheartened by your move to insulin therapy. It isn’t at all uncommon, and isn’t something you should take as any form of judgement. Type 2 diabetes is a complex condition (and some suggest may actually be an umbrella term for several different sub-types). In some cases of T2 insulin signalling and release becomes impaired, beta cells can malfunction, and the pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin (especially if there is insulin resistance too).

Moving to insulin may simply be part of the way your diabetes has developed over time. It’s not necessarily because of what you’ve done. As a T1 I was not so exposed to stigma about my need for insulin - and should not be either.

Allow your levels to come down gradually - this is easier on the fine blood vessels and nerves. And try not to stress too much about early morning levels. Dawn Phenomenon can make these the most stubborn and last to come into line 🙂

Hello there, thank you for your message and kind words of encouragement. I have lately been also diagnosed with mild gastroparesis. So that’s another thing I worry about. It’s a long ol’ journey and at times a tiresome one. But I’m willing and ready to make big changes. More so around the eating and exercising.

 

[Serafina]

If that is a first thing in the morning test then what could be happening is that your stores, previously stuffed to bursting point, are now beginning to empty out, so your readings are higher for the moment, but as things become a bit more normal you should see the level start to drop - but it is the last reading to go down during recovery.
Please do not worry. Don't assume that things are going badly as it might well be an indication of quite the reverse.

Hello Drummer, thank you for your message and explanations. Much appreciate. Thank you 🙂

 

[Leadinglights]

Hello Leadinglights (love the screen name). Yes, I was on slow release Metformin before. Then moved onto the normal metformin. But my diet was terrible. I also never use to take the metformin all the time because it caused me an array of stomach issues. Also recently diagnosed with mild


Hi there Leadinglights (loving the screen name). Thank you for your message. Yes, I was on slow release metformin for years. But I never use to take them properly. Then was moved onto the standard metformin and they caused me an array of stomach issues. My diet use to be bad too. So here I am.

It is quite surprising that they did not try some of the other oral medications and encourage you to make some dietary changes which can be the most powerful thing that people can do to reduce blood glucose. I hope you get on with the insulin but it is not necessarily the easy option and requires some discipline otherwise things can quickly go awry.

 

[Nile DUK]

Good evening everyone. Serafina here, hello. I am oldie to Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetic since 2011, but a Newbie on these Forums. For a while now, I haven’t been doing so well in controlling my blood sugars. My last HBA1C was 101, so very high. My Diabetic Team decided to put me on Abasaglar Insulin once a day. I started insulin two weeks ago. I am currently on 14 units per day. Initially, I really did not want to go on insulin. The nights passed crying my eyes out! Blaming myself. I felt such a disappointment! Until this wonderful nurse explained to me that going on insulin was not to make me worse, but to aid me in getting better in my blood control and relieving some of the symptoms I was having. For the first week I was put on 10 units a day and I could see my bloods dropping. I test every morning and I started off with a morning reading of 23.4. On 10 units I have managed to get down to a morning reading of 13.0 (still high I know). However, after the first week of insulin, my nurse decided to up my dose to 14 units and I have been on 14 units for 4 days now and I haven’t managed to get below 13.0. In fact this morning it was 13.7. I’ve really overhauled my diet and started calorie counting and reducing my carb intake significantly. However, I can feel that anxiety creeping in, whereby I feel so overwhelmed by it all, coupled with this disappointment that my morning readings are not further dropping. For anyone reading, thank you for listening. Serafina 🙂

Hi @Serafina I am so sorry to hear what you have been through , I really appreciate your story I can see the efforts you put in to control your blood sugar levels. I would suggest looking into the diet advice we provide here:https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/i-have-type-2-diabetes
Just for a clearer Idea on diet management as your exercise and diet is very important in the remission of type 2. If you haven't already I would have a read of this article on the new trial for type 2 remission being rolled out by the NHS also : https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_u...iet-to-help-people-with-type-2-into-remission
For overall advice and guidance please give our helpline a call and we can run you through a few lifestyle changes and dietary plans that can help wit your blood sugar levels at : 0345 123 2399

Hope this helps!

 

[Leadinglights]

Many Type 2s will find a low carb regime is one which will successful and that may be one of the options mentioned in the links Nile has posted BUT as you are on insulin you need to be careful about making dietary changes without checking what would be suitable for you at this stage.

 

[Serafina]

Hi @Serafina I am so sorry to hear what you have been through , I really appreciate your story I can see the efforts you put in to control your blood sugar levels. I would suggest looking into the diet advice we provide here:https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/i-have-type-2-diabetes
Just for a clearer Idea on diet management as your exercise and diet is very important in the remission of type 2. If you haven't already I would have a read of this article on the new trial for type 2 remission being rolled out by the NHS also : https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_u...iet-to-help-people-with-type-2-into-remission
For overall advice and guidance please give our helpline a call and we can run you through a few lifestyle changes and dietary plans that can help wit your blood sugar levels at : 0345 123 2399

Hope this helps!

Hi Nile, thank you for your message. I will definitely take a look at the links provided and give the number provided a call.