New to Insulin but not diabetes Type 2

[Megamart]

I’ve diabetes Type 2 for a number of years. Generally due to poor diet and sedentary life still. After first diagnosis I got myself of to the gym and done well keeping the blood glucose under control, then a lapse happened along with I’m feeling ok, I’m alright. The doctor soon put me in my place after a few years, telling me that i wasn’t going to be around for too much longer. After that speech i picked myself up and run the Great South Run for Diabetes UK. I went on to run a half marathon a couple of years ago. Yes it happened again, i had another lapse and now I have been put on Insulin for the first time. Here we go, another chapter in my life. I‘ve done all the legal bits regarding the drivings license etc, just need to learn about the day to day life with insulin. I have recently started training again to help maintain blood sugar level, well I thought it would, still seem to be a bit higher than I would of liked. Any advice will be truly grateful.

 

[Ljc]

Hello @Megamart . Welcome to the forum.

When they start people on insulin, though they have a formula to go by, they don’t actually know how much insulin we need as we are all different in this respect also they need to start us off conservatively as it can cause problems mostly but not always temporary if our blood glucose levels drop too quickly . We mostly have to go through many many tweaking of insulin doses initially, so keeping in close contact with your team/ nurse is important.

What insulin’s are you on.

 

[Megamart]

Hello @Megamart . Welcome to the forum.

When they start people on insulin, though they have a formula to go by, they don’t actually know how much insulin we need as we are all different in this respect also they need to start us off conservatively as it can cause problems mostly but not always temporary if our blood glucose levels drop too quickly . We mostly have to go through many many tweaking of insulin doses initially, so keeping in close contact with your team/ nurse is important.

What insulin’s are you on.

Thank you for the response.
That all makes sense with the eye sight. I had trouble wearing my glasses and has to take them off as my vision improved. It appears that in the last few days after my Covid injection number two that I have had to put my glasses back on. But its still better than it was before.
I’m currently on a low dose of Humulin

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi Megamart. Welcome to the forum.

It’s great that you’ve been able to get your numbers under control before. Blips happen so hopefully you’ll be back on track soon.

You mentioned exercise to control your blood sugar but what about your diet? That’ll have a greater impact so just wondering whether you’ve been able to look at your meals at all?

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Megamart 🙂 What insulins are you taking? It does take a while to get used to the practicalities of insulin, but it will gradually become second nature.

 

[Megamart]

Hi Megamart. Welcome to the forum.

It’s great that you’ve been able to get your numbers under control before. Blips happen so hopefully you’ll be back on track soon.

You mentioned exercise to control your blood sugar but what about your diet? That’ll have a greater impact so just wondering whether you’ve been able to look at your meals at all?

Hi Cherrelle,

Nice to meet you and thank you for the response.

I have been recording all the food that I eat and log it on my app. I have set a limit of 178g of carbs per day along with 230g of protein and 79g of fat. Total calories consumed each day, with a weight loss factor, is 2300 cal.
I have tried the keto diet but to remove carbs to a minimum made me quite ill with the side effects. I’m planning on reducing carbs over a longer period, or as required, to get my blood sugars between 5 and 7.
This is the reason for exercise and ultimately reduce my body weight and fat. I do believe that body fat retains sugars and makes it harder to control blood sugars. I have proven this before when I managed to get down to my near ideal weight.

 

[Megamart]

Welcome @Megamart 🙂 What insulins are you taking? It does take a while to get used to the practicalities of insulin, but it will gradually become second nature.

Hi Inka

I have initially been put on slow release Humulin. I’m currently on a low dose to see how things go. Things appear to be working but I do find at times that its quite unpredictable and you don’t get the results you think you should be getting. At present after my second Covid jab things have been unsettled. I don’t know if this is one of the issues/side effects from the jab.

 

[Inka]

Is that Humulin i? Or is it one of the mixed Humulin. There are a few different types.

 

[Megamart]

Is that Humulin i? Or is it one of the mixed Humulin. There are a few different types.

Just checked and its Humulin I.

 

[Inka]

Just checked and its Humulin I.

OK. So that’s a basal/background insulin. It releases slowly, as you say. How are your blood sugars? Are you going high at any particular times?

 

[Megamart]

OK. So that’s a basal/background insulin. It releases slowly, as you say. How are your blood sugars? Are you going high at any particular times?

I cant say I’m going high at any particular point in the day, involuntarily anyway, but only due to carb intake.
I’m always 10 and 18 subject to carb intake. If i start the day on 10 it will be about 10 by the end of the day Or if I start higher it will come down to that figure that I started on.
I think it will take a bit of time and weight loss to get my starting rate down so I can be more stable with my blood glucose readings. I’m beginning to see a pattern and where things can improve.

 

[Inka]

If you’re struggling with the effect of meals on your blood sugar, there is the option of a bolus/meal insulin. The Humulin you’re on isn’t really designed to deal with carbs, so the rises you’re seeing aren’t unusual.

Seeing patterns is good. You’ll gradually learn how your body responds. There’s no simple way sadly. It does take time to get control.

 

[Megamart]

Thank you for the information.
I will ask my diabetic team about the other insulin, if I ever get to see them. In the meantime I will keep logging and monitoring what I’m doing.