Newbie no longer in denial

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Star

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Type 2
Hi All

I've had type 2 diabetes for 5 years now and have only just started to admit to myself that I have got it. I hate needles but with the support of my GP I've started to do my tests at home. However, my sugars are constantly high and my GP has suggested I go on insulin but this terrifies me. I'd love to hear about your experiences of insulin before I make a decision. 😱
 
Hi Star
Welcome to the family, joining this group was one of the best things that I did, and you will find it will give you support along the way.

I am type2 and diagnosed almost 4 years ago, I have been on insulin from day one, I take Levemir twice a day and Novorapid at mealtimes, I now think nothing of it,it becomes routine. You say you hate needles, there was no one more scared of needles than me, I would refuse to go to the dentist until my face was swollen with pain 😱 but believe me, there is nothing to be scared of with insulin injections, you will get instructions on how to do it, and there is no pain.

John
 
Hello and Welcome Star , I can only really echo what John has said , I am a type 1 so had little choice about Insulin . I will say I am probably one of the worst needlephobes I know though , I'm scared to death of them, saying that Insulin pen needles really are tiny and not at all like a "real" needle and as John also said insulin injections are painless anyway. Good luck whatever you decide and let us know how you get on.
 
Hi Star, welcome to the forum!🙂 I've been on insulin from day 1, and it really is a bit of a misnomer to call them 'injections' - they're nothing like the other injections you get in life. The insulin only needs to go beneath the skin, so the needles are really tiny and the vast majority of the time you will feel nothing at all - I'm not making this up! Don't be scared, the insulin will get those levels under control and you'll feel so much better for it! I know you are scared, but I think once you get started you will understand.🙂
 
Hi Star,

Welcome to the forum! great to have you here and another person on board.

I am sorry to hear that currently your sugars are running high and this is leading you to feel nervy about perhaps starting on insulin injections. Its understandably a difficult time. Like northerner says, they really arent as bad as they sound, you just have to do it for abit before you get used to it. It is also important to remember to take things one step at a time. Injections may not be for life in your particular case but you must approach it sensably and make time for this transition. High numbers can make you feel rotten and injections are often a small price to pay for better control. Ultimately it is your choice and I hope you find the info out there to help inform your decision. Scrawl through a few threads using the search option, there is lots of discussion about injectable insulin.

All the very best xx
 
Star said:
Hi All

I've had type 2 diabetes for 5 years now and have only just started to admit to myself that I have got it. I hate needles but with the support of my GP I've started to do my tests at home. However, my sugars are constantly high and my GP has suggested I go on insulin but this terrifies me. I'd love to hear about your experiences of insulin before I make a decision. 😱
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Dear Star,

Welcome to this forum, reading the previous posts makes me feel better because I too don't like needles but accept that one day I may well have to "bite the bullet". However, I have been a type 2 for 15 years and am still "diet controlled". However, take a look at this: If you don't put glucose (i.e. carbohydrates) into your body, how can you have high blood sugars?. Yes, it's a tautology but it gets you thinking about a controlled carbohydrate approach to blood sugar control. Now this approach is not easy, not because it won't work if you do it right, but because carbohydrates are addictive - I could still die for a Danish pastry sometimes! If you decide you would like more info' before making a final decision, send me a PM (Private Mail), I don't want to bore the rest of these good people - they all know I've only got one story to tell.

Warmest Regards Dodger
 
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good morning star and a warm wlcome to the forum
 
Star said:
Hi All

I've had type 2 diabetes for 5 years now and have only just started to admit to myself that I have got it. I hate needles but with the support of my GP I've started to do my tests at home. However, my sugars are constantly high and my GP has suggested I go on insulin but this terrifies me. I'd love to hear about your experiences of insulin before I make a decision. 😱
Click to expand...

Hi Star and welcome to the site. I was at a meeting yesterday and got chatting to a lady who was type 2 who was saying the same thing as you about needles. What I said to her was it's really not as bad as you expect, as the others have said they're not 'real' needles. For me the blood testing is worse than the injections so if you've overcome that I'm sure you'll be ok with insulin if it becomes necessary.
 
Hi Star...

Welcome to the forum...the large extended family....:D

Heidi
xx🙂
 
Welcome Star 🙂

If you do have to start on insulin then as the others have said it's not too bad at all.
What kind of numbers have you been getting when you've been testing at home?
If you don't want to go on insulin then maybe you could look at your diet, making changes to the amount and type of carbohydrates will help your numbers. many people with type 2 like Dodger have sucess using a controlled carbohydrate diet.
 
Thank you all for your messages of welcome and support. I wish I had known about this forum when I first got diagnosed. I will follow up the advice and do some more research.

Thanks again
Star 🙂
 
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