Hi I’m new here

[mrsbrown66]

I’ve suffered from dka in march this year .drs have put me on long term insulin and I have not seen anyone since .Been back and forth with telephone calls with drs .I now have pains in my legs ,my blood sugars are still high. I’m lost as what to do any help thank you x

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome.

So sorry to hear that you have been left with so little support, particularly after being started on insulin.
Can you tell us which insulin they have given you and how much you take and when you take it?
Also, what sort of blood glucose readings are you seeing (actual numbers) and when do you test?

You really need to push for more support. It shouldn't be necessary but in the current climate you do need to be politely pushy to get what you need. The pandemic has massively increased the workload of the diabetes clinics in particular and people are falling through the net with referrals. You must get in touch with your Dr and tell them about the pains in your legs and your high readings and ask for a referral to a specialist diabetes clinic.

Have you adjusted your diet at all? Did they give you any indication of what you should or shouldn't be eating or ideally an amount of carbohydrates to aim for at each meal if you are on a mixed insulin?

I am really pleased that you have found the forum as it is a great place to learn more about diabetes and understand how to manage it better but also to get reassurance and learn a few practical tips from people who face the same challenges.
If you can supply more information in response to the questions above, it gives us a better idea of your situation and therefore make more appropriate suggestions.

 

[mrsbrown66]

I’m on lantus 30 units I take in the morning. I test before and after meals. Carbohydrate I have no idea. My readings varies from 13 in the morning and 26 at night .

 

[rebrascora]

Ok. Thanks for that extra info.
Lantus is what we call a basal insulin. It is designed to release insulin slowly to cover the glucose trickled out by the liver to keep our vital organs supplied with fuel in the absence of food. It would normally be used in conjunction with a fast acting insulin which we would inject before each meal to cope with the glucose released from the carbohydrates in that meal.
Carbohydrates (sugars and starches) are one of the 3 macro nutrients, the others being protein and fat. Things like bread and pasta and rice and potatoes and breakfast cereals and fruit are all high in carbs as well as the obvious cakes and biscuits and sweets etc, so if you are eating normal portions of those foods then these will be pushing your BG levels higher each time you eat and with no fast acting insulin to inject, this is why your levels are so high at night.

You need to either insist that they give you a fast acting insulin to use with food as well as the Lantus or reduce the amount of carbs you are eating. For instance, traditional breakfasts of cereals or toast (even porridge) are high in carbohydrate. Many of us have Greek natural yoghurt for breakfast instead with a few berries like rasps or blackberries or strawberries or stewed rhubarb with a little artificial sweetener or blackcurrants. These are the lowest carb fruits. We often use mixed seeds or chopped nuts to give it texture and they also add fibre protein and healthy fats. Eggs are also a good choice for breakfast. I like an omelette as you don't need any bread to soak up a runny yolk and you can have all sorts of tasty fillings depending upon what needs using up in the fridge. Cheese and mushrooms and peppers and courgettes and ham/bacon/chicken feature in mine quite regularly. Works well for breakfast or lunch and I have it with a large side salad and a big dollop of creamy coleslaw. Evening meals can be meat or fish with plenty of green veg and less potatoes... new potatoes are lower carb than baked or mash which can sometimes be as bad as sugar for hitting the blood stream and spiking your levels. Mashed cauliflower works really well as a substitute though, especially if you add a good dollop of cream cheese and a teaspoon of mustard. and top with some grated cheese if you like. Works well with high meat content sausages (cheap sausages contain more carbs) or gammon/ham or mince. You can use it to top a shepherd's/cottage pie instead of potato mash again with plenty of grated cheese. You can also grate cauliflower and use it instead of rice. It really is a very versatile low carb vegetable.

Anyway, I hope that gives you a few ideas of how you can start to reduce your levels a bit but if you don't understand anything just ask.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear you’ve been left a bit high and dry without much help and information about the insulin you are taking @mrsbrown66

For some people with T2, a basal-only insulin regimen can help to support their metabolism. Often people with T2 can still have a good level of insulin production, but insulin resistance can mean that they need a little extra to effectively manage their BG levels.

You have to be a little cautious about reducing carbs as you are on insulin (and may be on other meds which help lower your glucose levels). It’s important that you many any changes to your menu and carb intake cautiously and in stages. It wouldn’t be wise to suddenly opt for a low carb approach without also reviewing any meds you are taking. Meds and menu need to be in balance 🙂