T2 new to insulin

[Lisa65]

Hi I'm Lisa and I was diagnosed with T2 back in 2010. I was pretty overweight at the time but I lost almost five stone and got my A1c down to 5.4 (36) with metformin and low carb.

Fast forward several years and I managed to keep most of the weight off and keep my A1c below 48, until a few years ago when it started to climb quite rapidly. I was given Trulicity a few years ago but I felt really ill on it and took myself off it after about six months.

I skipped a review last year because I didn't much like the practice nurse who does the reviews and felt like she'd just tell me off for stopping the Trulicity I had asked her for insulin several times and she just looked at me like I had two heads or something.

Anyway this year I thought I'd bite the bullet and get my bloods done only to find to my horror that my A1c had leapt up to 87 I had been feeling a bit tired lately but no other symptoms.

Fortunately I saw a new practice nurse who actually listened to my reasons for not wanting Trulicity or anything similar (constantly felt nauseous and weak, terrible constipation, couldn't stomach anything except bland carbs) I said I didn't want forxiga because of the risk of thrush or urine infection. I said I already ate low carb and I'm not overweight, I showed her the actually pretty flat line on the Libre I had bought specifically to show her. I explained my problem seems to be constantly running high rather than having spikes from eating carbs and reiterated my request for basal insulin.

She said she understood and would speak to the diabetes team at the hospital, she got back to me a couple of days later and said yes!

So I have been on abasaglar for a month now, started at four units and gradually increasing. Currently on 14u and my average levels have dropped from 12/13 to 8 ish. I have also lost 2 kilos, as I've really tightened back up on the carbs. I am having a phone appointment in January with her and the DSN who comes in once a month.

So anyway, that's me. It's taken several years to get the treatment I wanted but I think it's going to work well for me

 

[dannybgoode]

Really pleased the new practice nurse has listened to you. Within reason patient led care has a lot going for it as with the correct guidance, we generally know what works for us.

I'm newly diagnosed and type unknown at the moment so they're assuming T1 and I'm on insulin. If it turns out to be T2 then I'm going to push to stay on it as it's working for me and I have other medical conditions that mean I'm not keen on the idea of any tablets really.

Good luck going forwards and hopefully it works will for you.

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Lisa65 🙂 I’m pleased you’ve finally got the medication that works for you as an individual.

 

[gail2]

Wellcome @Lisa65
well done on your progess
gail

 

[mashedupmatt]

Hi @Lisa65 and welcome to the forum - I admire your tenacity in getting the right medication for you (Top work by the practice nurse!) - Well done on your progress 🙂

 

[Lisa65]

Thank you for the welcome guys. Based on results so far the Abasaglar seems to be working well for me, I take it around tea time at the moment and my BG stays pretty steady overnight.
At the moment I am working part time, three days a week as a chef in a care home. I intend to retire next year sometime, along with my partner.

I have noticed on days when I go to work (I leave the house at 6am)my BG will start to rise as soon as I get up and continue to rise until almost lunchtime. Then a gradual drop throughout the afternoon to a low point around 5pm. Eating or not eating breakfast doesn't seem to make any difference. It doesn't happen on my days off so I guess it's stress or activity related as I am on the go constantly at work. It's a bit annoying and I was considering asking for some rapid acting insulin when I have my appointment in January, to use as and when required. They'll probably say no, but it's worth a try I guess!

 

[Chelseagirl]

I went on insulin as a T2 some 25 odd years ago. It makes managing my BG so much easier. Over the last 12 months I have also self funded a CGM which has made it even better. Now I’m at 42 with my Hb1Ac so happy.

 

[goodybags]

Hi @Lisa65 congrats on the weight loss & glad you were successful in getting the medication that will work for you

 

[PattiEvans]

Hi Lisa - good to see you here. The people are really helpful and do their best to answer any queries.

Has anyone ever mentioned LADA to you?

 

[Lisa65]

Hi Lisa - good to see you here. The people are really helpful and do their best to answer any queries.

Has anyone ever mentioned LADA to you?

Hi Patti, good to see you again. No it's never been mentioned, I have wondered from time to time if I have LADA, but surely it wouldn't have taken 15 years from diagnosis to insulin?

 

[trophywench]

Hi Patti, good to see you again. No it's never been mentioned, I have wondered from time to time if I have LADA, but surely it wouldn't have taken 15 years from diagnosis to insulin?

Oh, come on now Lisa - where is it written in stone that this is never allowed to happen?

 

[PattiEvans]

Hmmm it's a long time, but even as a T2 your insulin production could have gone down.

 

[Lisa65]

Oh, come on now Lisa - where is it written in stone that this is never allowed to happen?

Well you know Jenny, we're all experts here!

 

[Martyn P]

Hi I'm Lisa and I was diagnosed with T2 back in 2010. I was pretty overweight at the time but I lost almost five stone and got my A1c down to 5.4 (36) with metformin and low carb.

Fast forward several years and I managed to keep most of the weight off and keep my A1c below 48, until a few years ago when it started to climb quite rapidly. I was given Trulicity a few years ago but I felt really ill on it and took myself off it after about six months.

I skipped a review last year because I didn't much like the practice nurse who does the reviews and felt like she'd just tell me off for stopping the Trulicity I had asked her for insulin several times and she just looked at me like I had two heads or something.

Anyway this year I thought I'd bite the bullet and get my bloods done only to find to my horror that my A1c had leapt up to 87 I had been feeling a bit tired lately but no other symptoms.

Fortunately I saw a new practice nurse who actually listened to my reasons for not wanting Trulicity or anything similar (constantly felt nauseous and weak, terrible constipation, couldn't stomach anything except bland carbs) I said I didn't want forxiga because of the risk of thrush or urine infection. I said I already ate low carb and I'm not overweight, I showed her the actually pretty flat line on the Libre I had bought specifically to show her. I explained my problem seems to be constantly running high rather than having spikes from eating carbs and reiterated my request for basal insulin.

She said she understood and would speak to the diabetes team at the hospital, she got back to me a couple of days later and said yes!

So I have been on abasaglar for a month now, started at four units and gradually increasing. Currently on 14u and my average levels have dropped from 12/13 to 8 ish. I have also lost 2 kilos, as I've really tightened back up on the carbs. I am having a phone appointment in January with her and the DSN who comes in once a month.

So anyway, that's me. It's taken several years to get the treatment I wanted but I think it's going to work well for me

The Libre machine with the Senor on the arm does sometimes give up to 2 or 3 units out. This was confirmed by the makers telling me. So if you get a reading of say 3-0 on the Libre but a Blood Test Machine gives a reading of 5-5 or even 7-3 so the Blood Test Machine will be the correct reading.
The makers of the Freestyle Libre 2 machine made by Abbott has confirmed that the Sensor can be wrong and should be checked on a Blood Test Machine. So please get a Blood Testing machine from your Doctor so you have both. Then if you have a reading to High or to Low check with a Blood Test. I have called Abbott and they confirmed that you should check Sensor reading with a Blood Test if you unsure as the Sensor can be an Incorrect reading, and not correct. Abbott the makers of these told me this.
I have had Type 1 Diabetes 54 years so have seen all sorts of machines and as have said the Doctors and Nurses only look at readings 2 weeks back. This is not the way to control Diabetes you need more than 2 weeks readings. Make a note of results so you can tell them how long you been having High results and then you can tell the Doctor/Nurse how you seeing the results. This is a great help I find. Hope this may help, but some will disagree on here. Sorry.

 

[Lisa65]

The Libre machine with the Senor on the arm does sometimes give up to 2 or 3 units out. This was confirmed by the makers telling me. So if you get a reading of say 3-0 on the Libre but a Blood Test Machine gives a reading of 5-5 or even 7-3 so the Blood Test Machine will be the correct reading.
The makers of the Freestyle Libre 2 machine made by Abbott has confirmed that the Sensor can be wrong and should be checked on a Blood Test Machine. So please get a Blood Testing machine from your Doctor so you have both. Then if you have a reading to High or to Low check with a Blood Test. I have called Abbott and they confirmed that you should check Sensor reading with a Blood Test if you unsure as the Sensor can be an Incorrect reading, and not correct. Abbott the makers of these told me this.
I have had Type 1 Diabetes 54 years so have seen all sorts of machines and as have said the Doctors and Nurses only look at readings 2 weeks back. This is not the way to control Diabetes you need more than 2 weeks readings. Make a note of results so you can tell them how long you been having High results and then you can tell the Doctor/Nurse how you seeing the results. This is a great help I find. Hope this may help, but some will disagree on here. Sorry.

I've got a test machine and strips thanks 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Glad to hear the absalgar is helping you @Lisa65

Well done for persevering 🙂

Are you seeing a positive impact in your BGs, but just pootling along a little lower in your range?

 

[Lisa65]

Glad to hear the absalgar is helping you @Lisa65

Well done for persevering 🙂

Are you seeing a positive impact in your BGs, but just pootling along a little lower in your range?

Yes, I still get nasty spikes from certain foods, I'm using the libre to try and find out what those are so I can stop eating them, but my running levels have come down from 11/12 to 5/6. I even saw a 4.9 this morning!
I also run high in the morning on the days I work, but there's nothing I can do about that unfortunately. I'm retiring in a few months anyway 🙂