Hi

[espee001]

Type 2 shortly starting Lantus

 

[Docb]

High @espee001 and welcome to the forum.

Do you want to tell us a little more about yourself and how you came to be diagnosed? A lot of members have been where you are now and can chip in thoughts and ideas for you from their experience.

 

[espee001]

I was diagnosed Type 2 nearly 6 years ago. My HbA1c was 91. I had it down to 56 but recently it is back up to 84. Was referred to the consultant and had a telephone appointment with him. He told me that he is starting me on Lantus. I think it is the unknown that is worst!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @espee001

We have a fair few T2 members here who use insulin as an effective part of their diabetes toolkit. It isn’t anything to be overly worried about and there should be absolutely no stigma in using insulin as part of your diabetes management strategy (sadly some Drs ‘threaten’ people with starting on insulin as if it were some sort of bad thing).

Diabetes is a complex and varied collection of conditions loosely grouped together into ‘types’ and in general terms - you need what you need.

Among each treatment option there will always be a balance between how your body responds to different foods and activity, and what help and support it needs to function well. The trick is to try to get the balance right for as much of the time as we can.

 

[espee001]

Welcome to the forum @espee001

We have a fair few T2 members here who use insulin as an effective part of their diabetes toolkit. It isn’t anything to be overly worried about and there should be absolutely no stigma in using insulin as part of your diabetes management strategy (sadly some Drs ‘threaten’ people with starting on insulin as if it were some sort of bad thing).

Diabetes is a complex and varied collection of conditions loosely grouped together into ‘types’ and in general terms - you need what you need.

Among each treatment option there will always be a balance between how your body responds to different foods and activity, and what help and support it needs to function well. The trick is to try to get the balance right for as much of the time as we can.

Yes I was threatened with insulin by the practice nurse and with being referred to the consultant one day and having my consultation the next has left me extremely worried. I haven't told my husband yet as he thinks insulin is the end of the world. I think my main concern is having hypos and eventually losing my driving licence.
Elizabeth

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Yes I was threatened with insulin by the practice nurse and with being referred to the consultant one day and having my consultation the next has left me extremely worried. I haven't told my husband yet as he thinks insulin is the end of the world. I think my main concern is having hypos and eventually losing my driving licence.
Elizabeth

I think we T1s have it easy in that regard. No healthcare professional would ‘threaten’ a T1 with insulin, or infer to them that it represents some sort of personal failure on their part - what an abhorrent thing to do! But to my mind insulin in T2 is NO different.

Your body simply needs the support of a little extra insulin, just like mine does. There is no blame or stigma to it. Diabetes progresses in some people, and when it does insulin makes perfect sense.

Of course insulin can‘t work in isolation - you need to tweak and balance your diet to be healthy and give the best BG outcomes you can manage, moderating your carb intake, and choosing the sources of carbs carefully to aim for as ‘in range’ results as you can.

Some people also contest that insulin ‘causes’ weight gain. But that hasn’t been my experience for 30-odd years. I gain weight when I eat too much, and lose it when I cut back, but I take insulin all the time. I’m roughly the same weight I was in my 20s (though not quite the same shape!).

And I still have my driving license too. 🙂

 

[silentsquirrel]

Yes I was threatened with insulin by the practice nurse and with being referred to the consultant one day and having my consultation the next has left me extremely worried. I haven't told my husband yet as he thinks insulin is the end of the world. I think my main concern is having hypos and eventually losing my driving licence.
Elizabeth

Good Morning, Elizabeth, and welcome to the forum!

I am Type 2, and have been on insulin for about 15 years. For me, my control was so much better once I started on insulin, I certainly don't see it as the end of the world. At 70, I still have my driving licence.

Hypos can be scary at first, just make sure you have glucose tablets or eg jelly babies in coat pockets and handbags, and in several places in your house, on all floors - you don't want to be negotiating stairs when hypo.

Good luck - it will soon become normal for you.

 

[espee001]

Good Morning, Elizabeth, and welcome to the forum!

I am Type 2, and have been on insulin for about 15 years. For me, my control was so much better once I started on insulin, I certainly don't see it as the end of the world. At 70, I still have my driving licence.

Hypos can be scary at first, just make sure you have glucose tablets or eg jelly babies in coat pockets and handbags, and in several places in your house, on all floors - you don't want to be negotiating stairs when hypo.

Good luck - it will soon become normal for you.

Thank you I think it is the unknown that is my biggest problem!

 

[espee001]

I think we T1s have it easy in that regard. No healthcare professional would ‘threaten’ a T1 with insulin, or infer to them that it represents some sort of personal failure on their part - what an abhorrent thing to do! But to my mind insulin in T2 is NO different.

Your body simply needs the support of a little extra insulin, just like mine does. There is no blame or stigma to it. Diabetes progresses in some people, and when it does insulin makes perfect sense.

Of course insulin can‘t work in isolation - you need to tweak and balance your diet to be healthy and give the best BG outcomes you can manage, moderating your carb intake, and choosing the sources of carbs carefully to aim for as ‘in range’ results as you can.

Some people also contest that insulin ‘causes’ weight gain. But that hasn’t been my experience for 30-odd years. I gain weight when I eat too much, and lose it when I cut back, but I take insulin all the time. I’m roughly the same weight I was in my 20s (though not quite the same shape!).

And I still have my driving license too. 🙂

Thank you. I know I have to get my diet back on track. I can do it for a few weeks but then it goes off again. It all depends on my mood.

 

[trophywench]

I'd already been Type 1 for 13 years when I applied for my provisional and learned to drive and I still have my licence, never had any points on it and now been using insulin for 48 years despite being an adult before I got diabetes. 4mm needles (single use ones so never get blunt) and the approx diameter of two hairs - absolutely utterly unlike any other injection anyone has ever had ! First jab I ever had - in hospital, she said 'top of your leg' so I duly lay back, hiked my nightie up, she swabbed the chosen spot, I closed my eyes, felt her one hand of my leg then Oh no! - she was swabbing it again! - for goodness sake woman, get on with it - so opened my eyes to give her a piece of my mind only to see her pick the kidney dish up with the dead syringe and used swabs in and telling me, That's done then - you'll start to feel better soon! and leave.

And that little story is 100% true. Not exactly frightening, is it?

 

[Madeline]

I’ve switched to insulin, and honestly it has improved my life so much! I also find the injections pain free, and am enjoying the flexibility the insulin has given me. Please don’t be scared of it, it’s no different to taking thyroxine for a duff thyroid.

 

[espee001]

I’ve switched to insulin, and honestly it has improved my life so much! I also find the injections pain free, and am enjoying the flexibility the insulin has given me. Please don’t be scared of it, it’s no different to taking thyroxine for a duff thyroid.

Thank you I am hoping that it will help and I will have more energy

 

[Madeline]

Thank you I am hoping that it will help and I will have more energy

I honestly have so much more energy, I’m sleeping better because I’m not up down up down all night, and it is just bliss to be able to have the odd treat knowing it won’t be a problem.