New to insulin

[fionaw]

have been type 2 for ten years and am now being prescribed insulin . Any advice on what to eat and more importantly not to eT with this would be much appreciated . Any other advice too please . Thank you

 

[Kaylz]

Something I've learnt from here is there is nothing you cant eat, but you will have to test and see what works for you, none of us can tell you this so testing is the key 🙂 x

 

[fionaw]

Appreciate that but will reading be different with insulin and will consumption of carbs change . Nurse is saying have to eat carbs with every meal but when I. TAblets only readings used to go high with carbs - confused

 

[Kaylz]

Have you been taught about carb counting yet, using your insulin to cover the amount of carbs in your meal, I know type 2's have to keep much of a closer eye on carbs, type 1's or like you now being put on insulin in theory we should be able to eat whatever we want as long as we cover it with the insulin as it brings the level back down, I think you might find that you will be lower in readings than before possibly but don't quote me on that, you will be able to up the carbs from previously if you were following a low carb diet but will just have to check obviously before food and 1-2 hours after to see what foods affect you, what are your levels like normally and most importantly if you don't mind me asking how do you feel about the change to insulin x

 

[Ditto]

Welcome to the forum fionaw. 🙂
-
I don't take meds at all so can't help. I just do low carb-sensible fat-moderate protein and wouldn't change that whatever meds I was taking I don't think.

 

[Robin]

Have you been taught about carb counting yet, using your insulin to cover the amount of carbs in your meal, I know type 2's have to keep much of a closer eye on carbs, type 1's or like you now being put on insulin in theory we should be able to eat whatever we want as long as we cover it with the insulin as it brings the level back down, I think you might find that you will be lower in readings than before possibly but don't quote me on that, you will be able to up the carbs from previously if you were following a low carb diet but will just have to check obviously before food and 1-2 hours after to see what foods affect you, what are your levels like normally and most importantly if you don't mind me asking how do you feel about the change to insulin x

Depends what sort of insulin Fiona is on, Kaylz. Some people with type 2 are put on a mixed insulin, taken once or twice a day, and then they have to balance their carbs out to what they've already injected.

What sort of insulin have you been put on, Fiona?

 

[Kaylz]

S

Depends what sort of insulin Fiona is on, Kaylz. Some people with type 2 are put on a mixed insulin, taken once or twice a day, and then they have to balance their carbs out to what they've already injected.

What sort of insulin have you been put on, Fiona?

Sorry x

 

[fionaw]

Have you been taught about carb counting yet, using your insulin to cover the amount of carbs in your meal, I know type 2's have to keep much of a closer eye on carbs, type 1's or like you now being put on insulin in theory we should be able to eat whatever we want as long as we cover it with the insulin as it brings the level back down, I think you might find that you will be lower in readings than before possibly but don't quote me on that, you will be able to up the carbs from previously if you were following a low carb diet but will just have to check obviously before food and 1-2 hours after to see what foods affect you, what are your levels like normally and most importantly if you don't mind me asking how do you feel about the change to insulin x

Really concerned and little bit frightened to be honest

 

[fionaw]

Depends what sort of insulin Fiona is on, Kaylz. Some people with type 2 are put on a mixed insulin, taken once or twice a day, and then they have to balance their carbs out to what they've already injected.

What sort of insulin have you been put on, Fiona?

Humulin M3 kwikpen - getting started tomorrow at clinic

 

[Ljc]

Really concerned and little bit frightened to be honest

Hi Fiona, Welcome. Im T2 and on insulin , I went on it just under a year ago.
It seems a bit scarey at first, however it's been the best thing since sliced bread for me.
Ps I'm not on mixed insulin

 

[Robin]

Humulin M3 kwikpen - getting started tomorrow at clinic

Ah, that is indeed a mixed insulin, so ignore the bit about carb counting and working out doses. You'll be put on a fixed dose to begin with, which gradually releases insulin throughout the day. Hence the need to eat an amount of carb regularly. They'll start you off on a conservative dose, and explain it all, and then tinker with the amount until they get it right.
(If at a future point, you feel this sort of insulin is unduly restrictive, you can ask to go on a different sort, which involves injecting for each meal, which was what Kaylz was talking about. It's as well to know at this stage that it exists, so if you aren't happy with the mixed insulin, you know that there are other options).
Good luck for tomorrow! Take a notebook and pen, there's lots to remember, and come on here and shout if you need more help.

 

[fionaw]

Ah, that is indeed a mixed insulin, so ignore the bit about carb counting and working out doses. You'll be put on a fixed dose to begin with, which gradually releases insulin throughout the day. Hence the need to eat an amount of carb regularly. They'll start you off on a conservative dose, and explain it all, and then tinker with the amount until they get it right.
(If at a future point, you feel this sort of insulin is unduly restrictive, you can ask to go on a different sort, which involves injecting for each meal, which was what Kaylz was talking about. It's as well to know at this stage that it exists, so if you aren't happy with the mixed insulin, you know that there are other options).
Good luck for tomorrow! Take a notebook and pen, there's lots to remember, and come on here and shout if you need more help.

Thanks for this - any tips on what I should be asking - really nervous about this

 

[stephknits]

I think it's important to discuss your lifestyle and your normal eating patterns. Do you tend to have the same breakfast at the same time, or do your meals vary a lot? How about your job etc, do you tend to do similar things every dag, or are no 2 days the same? These sorts of discussions should help you and the DSN sort out a good starting point for your requirements.
Ask about good injecting technique.
Ask about hypo symptoms and have a plan on how to manage (e g buy jelly babies and put them everywhere!). You might not hypo for ages, but good to be prepared.
Find out when you will next review your doses. Is there a number you can call on to get advice on making any adjustments.
Good luck, let us know how you get on

 

[trophywench]

Excellent list of questions Steph.

That last one is very important - you will need some 'hand holding' for a while! - we all do.

 

[fionaw]

I think it's important to discuss your lifestyle and your normal eating patterns. Do you tend to have the same breakfast at the same time, or do your meals vary a lot? How about your job etc, do you tend to do similar things every dag, or are no 2 days the same? These sorts of discussions should help you and the DSN sort out a good starting point for your requirements.
Ask about good injecting technique.
Ask about hypo symptoms and have a plan on how to manage (e g buy jelly babies and put them everywhere!). You might not hypo for ages, but good to be prepared.
Find out when you will next review your doses. Is there a number you can call on to get advice on making any adjustments.
Good luck, let us know how you get on

First injection this morning - when tested two hours after breakfast was down a little but not huge amount ( breakfast was two boiled eggs and slice of seeded brown bread ) , some raspberries mid morning. Will test again before lunch and see what happens then . Planning home made soup for lunch then chicken casserole for tea . No adverse feelings so far . Thanks for listening

 

[grovesy]

Hoping it works out for you and have no adverse feelings.

 

[Ljc]

First injection this morning - when tested two hours after breakfast was down a little but not huge amount ( breakfast was two boiled eggs and slice of seeded brown bread ) , some raspberries mid morning. Will test again before lunch and see what happens then . Planning home made soup for lunch then chicken casserole for tea . No adverse feelings so far . Thanks for listening

It is worrying when you first start on insulin, but you'll soon be an old hand at it.
TBH it's best if your levels come down gradually, rather than rapid as there is less chance of false hypo's or your eyesight temporarily getting worse.
The false hypo's are horrid but not in anyway dangerous, just your body is used to running on much higher BGs,so thinks it's being starved when in reality your levels are well above hypo level. a high protein snack will sort it out.

 

[fionaw]

Any ideas for snacks that won't spike blood sugar

 

[Kaylz]

Any ideas for snacks that won't spike blood sugar

Cheese if you like it, a small handful of nuts but again testing your levels after a snack is key to finding what works best 🙂 x

 

[Greyhound Gal]

Pepperami's work for me as well, and sugar free jelly with berries in it for when I want a sweet fix.