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Type 2 and insulin

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K

Keljc79

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Good afternoon everyone ☺

I am new to the forum, but not diabetes. I was diagnosed 5 years ago, but struggled with control ever since. I cannot tolerate metformin and I am currently taking pioglitazone and gliclazide, which I'm on the maximum dose for each.
I suffer from high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, high chlosterol and angina, which I had a triple bypass 3 years ago, and more recently, I have been refered to my local eye hospital for extra tests and have an appointment for this at the beginning of june as my last diabetes screening brouht up some issues, not sure what exactly yet until my appointment.
I have spent years being controlled by diabetes and want to turn the tables and begin controlling it. My question is basically will insulin help me to do this? I want to make changes and take diabetes by the horns and take control and not sure if insulin will help me. I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow and before I go in, I just wanted to see what everyone's thoughts/experiences were regarding insulin. Thank you
 
Welcome , sorry can't help as not on Insulin but someone who is will be along soon I am sure.
 
Hi welcome from me.
I'm type 2 and was put on insulin in January. Tbh for me it has been the best thing since sliced bread.
However their are other medications that may be suitable for you. I don't know much about them as I have only been on Metformin stopped last year , Gliclazide and insulin. I am sure others who are more knowledgable about medications will be along soon
Another thing that's helping me is cutting down on total carbs in my meals and snacks.

Personally I think it would be a good idea to speak to your diabetic team.
 
Hi and thank you Ljc. I just want to take back some control and stop my erratic readings. For examp,e today, i have all kinds of readings fastING 6.2, then 2 hours post breakfast 8.0, pre lunch i was 4.6, then post 9.8 then pre evening meL 5.6, which i have just finished so yet to check post., yesterday pretty much the same up and down like a yo yo lowest 4.0 highest 12.4 and everything inbetween. I'm trying low carb and have cut out so much but finding it hard to give up certain things. I've completely given up chocolate, crisps, rice, pasta and if i have bread i have brown. which has been so hard, so to give up even more would be torture, sorry if that sounds like im not willing. I am trying, for example, for breakfast I would eat rice krispies/toast/cornflakes but given up them and found that I can tolerate a little bit of porridge. For lu ch I always had a Sandwich at work with a banana/apple/pear and yoghurt, now changed to ryvita crackers/ salad with strawberries in natural Greek yoghurt and cut out lots of processed foods and now walk the 30 minute journey to and from work daily, so trying and heading along the right track, I think ☺
 
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Ljc can I just also ask, if you don't mind, was it your decision or your doctors to start on the insulin.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. I'm not on insulin just wanted to say hello.
 
It was docs while I was in hospital but I knew I was was heading that way as BG was very high up in the 20s but I did have a Nasty infection which wasn't helping. My levels still fluctuate a bit too much at times,
Take today I was a little hypo before dinner 3.6 I didn't treat it as my meal was nearly ready, an hour afterwards I was 9.7 😱 another hour I was 9.4.

do you have a mid morning snack, I've found it helps keep my levels more even till lunch
The walking to and from work will definitely help you.
I've learned to like wholemeal bread 🙄 some people here have a slice of Bergan (sp) bread or a lidle protein roll though I've never tried them myself .
Have you been on those diabetic meds long.
 
I'm wondering if this book might help you.
The first year, type 2 diabetes by Gretchen Becker.
I've just started reading it myself
 
I have been on pioglitazone and gliclazide for years but only a few months on the max dose of gliclazide started off on it really well and was never above 7 and then fasting always in the 4s/5s. It's only the last few weeks that I have noticed them creeping back up after breakfast and after lunch, but always stable after evening meal, today had shepherds pie with veg, before I was 5.6 after tea I was 5.9 so a very slight increase which is really good, just doesn't seem to do much after my breakfast and don't take them with lunch as been told to take 2 twice daily breakfast and evening meal so lunch readings are always high Ljc And yes have a morning snack, I work in a school so have a snack with the children and then an afternoon snack as well to keep me going until tea time as have an early lunch and walk home so often go to low with the gap and walk.
 
I know Gliclazide can only be taken twice a day.
I'm wondering if you have become more resistant to your own insulin in the mornings, I read about it on this forum, don't know what to do about it though.
 
Aahhhhhh not heard of that but that seems to fit Ljc as fasting levels are always good then after breakfast always seem to be back high then before lunch in the 4s with a morning snack and also after lunch high unless I just eat a salad daily. Evening meal stable so you could be right. I will have a chat to my GP tomorrow and see what he says. He did mention insulin briefly when I went for my last A1c results but he increased the gliclazide first.
 
If you can't give up the sarnies, it's worth trying Burgen soya & linseed bread, or even better, Lidl High Protein rolls. These rolls are huge (oddly triangular in shape) & less than 10g each.
 
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