how long is it ok to not take insulin if prescribed

[Bill Robertson]

Hi folks.
So since 13th May, been T1 with insulin.
As I can't get through to hospital diabetic team, thought I would ask here.
Started on 4 per day, 6,6,6,12 for night lantus.
So been left to it since 15th June, but a bit unsure on something.
Was told pinprick test (before breakfast, lunch, dinner, sleep) level needs to be between 6 & 10. Thats the goal.

So myself I have been reducing the insulin as figures have been low. (only 1 unit of insulin)
Now, since 20th July, I have been taking no insulin during the day, 3 units Lantus for overnight.
Day readings range from 4.1 to 7.9 (one occasion I had 10.3, took 3 units Novorapid, 2 hours later felt rough, tested, 3.8, O/J & some Raisins put it up to 6.6 in 20 mins) Before bed readings are usually between 8.8 & 11)

My question is, am I ok not taking the insulin as long as the readings remain between 6 & 10 (ish)
If I take it at the moment, my level bombs out.
Any suggestions? Is this ok? Bearing in mind it hasn't been long since diagnosed....

 

[Schrodinger]

Hello Bill welcome to the forum.

With you being so new T1 you might be in whats called "the honeymoon period" this is where your pancreas is still coughing and spluttering out insulin which may be why you are ending up so low.

I cant give medical advice and being so new I would still be pestering your Diabetic Team.

As a long term T1 personally I would not be taking insulin if running between 6 & 10 HOWEVER 10 is usually the upper range of whats considered "normal" for a T1 so if you are heading above that level you just need to watch you dont suddenly start climbing higher and heading in to Hyper territory ( which can make you feel just as bad as going the other way)

Reading before bed of 8.8 to 11 are OK but what are your reading of a morning time and are those night time reading after evening meals?

AS I said cant offer medical advice only your diabetic team can do that but the one thing you will learn is that we are al differnet, what works for me 50+ years T1 might not work for you and visa versa.

Take care.

 

[Bill Robertson]

Mornings are usually in the 6 to 6.9.
My evening test is just before bedtime.

 

[leonS]

When I was diagnosed in 1972 I had this happen. Eventually I was discharged from hospital on no insulin. So I suppose the answer is if you don't need if you don't need it and you just inject what you need.

I would mention that in 1972 a BG test required a large sample of blood a fully equipped bio-lab, and the result came back in seven hours. You are in a better position than I was to check treatment required.

The no need of insulin (honeymoon) period lasted only a few weeks and I needed to use insulin again.

I am NOT offering any advice except that if you do decide not to use insulin DO check BG frequently. The wheels can come off the waggon very quickly and the result might not be good! It might be better to call your team and just say "I do not appear to need insulin at the moment, so I am not injecting any, but I will continue to check BG twice a day. Is that OK?" At least it will make them feel that they are important.

 

[Bill Robertson]

Great. Thank you for your replies.
So glad this forum exists & (as pointed out) it's not medical advise, it's advise from real people with the same problem.
Best help so far & yes, I will try the Diabetes team at the hospital again tomorrow.
Thanks folks

 

[DaveB]

Hi. My DN said to keep the morning reading between 5 & 7 which I agree with. A reading of 10 is surely too high?

 

[Bill Robertson]

Hi. My DN said to keep the morning reading between 5 & 7 which I agree with. A reading of 10 is surely too high?

Yes. Usually between 6 to 6.9 mine is.

 

[Bill Robertson]

It sounds like you are doing a great job, but diabetes can kick you in the ass very quickly and very unpleasantly so for a newbie T1 I'd say you need to ring the DSN until they answer you and get some guidance out of them.

Will do

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Might also be worth asking about a half unit pen which will allow much more subtle dose adjustment?

 

[Bill Robertson]

Might also be worth asking about a half unit pen which will allow much more subtle dose adjustment?

 

[rebrascora]

I guess this would have happened to me if I hadn't been misdiagnosed as Type 2 initially and started on oral meds and strict diet to bring my levels down. My HbA1c was 112 at diagnosis but I managed 6 weeks without insulin by cutting my carb intake right back to get my BG levels down.

 

[Robin]

Hi. My DN said to keep the morning reading between 5 & 7 which I agree with. A reading of 10 is surely too high?

I think that sometimes people are told to aim for below 10 in the first instance so they don’t bring their Blood Glucose down too quickly, which can cause transient neuropathy and sight problems. Or have too many hypos when they’re first experimenting with what dose they need. Later on, it can be fine tuned down to 4-7.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Hi. My DN said to keep the morning reading between 5 & 7 which I agree with.

That'll be the before food range I believe. I've heard different figures for the after food max.