After being prescribed Metformin for some years I unfortunately started to have stomach issues and had to transfer to a Trulicity Pen injecting just once a week which I was very happy with and according to the Diabetic Nurse was doing very well.... until the shortages began and it was decided that my BMi did not meet the 'criteria' for a GLP1 even though I had used if for approx.18 months! Under duress they sent me to a Diabetic Team in January 2025 who introduced Insulin (Lantus and NovoRapid). I have gained weight dramatically, and can no longer control my GBs, they are constantly spiking and experiencing Hypos, I wear a sensor so have daily readings that are sent to the Team. My BMi is increasing so much I am already reading overweight this constant increase in weight is making me so low, depressed and miserable. I have reached 11 stone and do not fit my clothing anymore. According to their statics I am 2 stone overweight. I am a small frame and never had weight issues and do not overeat. I have requested to see a Endocrinologist specialist as I believe that Insulin is not a suitable option for me. The Team are constantly changing the prescription and have now increased to add more Novorapid, I am not sure this is necessary and may cause more weight problems.Has anyone else experienced this problem with Insulin please?
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Type 2 Genetic Diabetic since approx. 2006
- Thread starter Jenx2
- Start date
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
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Welcome to the forum.
It did seem a bit of a big step to start you on insulin when there may have been alternative oral medications alongside diet that would have been sufficient to reduce your blood glucose.
What sort of diet were you following when you were taking the metformin and did that change when you started the Trulicity and what have you been advised about the carbs you should have with your insulin doses. Are you counting carbs or are you on fixed doses of Novorapid.
It sounds as if your team is managing your condition rather than you.
Hi there @Jenx2 and welcome to the forum. Thank you so much for sharing what you’ve been going through - I’m really sorry to hear how tough things have become for you lately. It sounds incredibly frustrating to have been managing well on Trulicity, only to be moved onto insulin due to circumstances outside your control. That kind of sudden shift - especially when it results in both physical and emotional challenges - can really take its toll.
You're definitely not alone in what you're experiencing. Weight gain can happen when on insulin, particularly when rapid-acting insulins like NovoRapid are added. The constant balancing act between trying to prevent high readings and avoiding hypos can be exhausting, and it’s no wonder you're feeling low and discouraged. When your body suddenly starts storing more energy (fat) and you’re not eating more, it feels deeply unfair - and that’s completely valid.
Your instinct to ask for a referral to an endocrinologist sounds like a very good one. Endocrinologists can often look at the bigger picture, including hormonal and metabolic factors, and may help advocate for the most appropriate treatment tailored to you rather than a formulaic BMI-based approach. Sometimes, people do end up being switched back to GLP-1s or trialling other medications like SGLT2 inhibitors (gliflozins), especially if insulin clearly isn’t working well for their body.
In the meantime, you might want to ask your team a couple of things:
- If they’ve considered insulin resistance as a factor (and whether adjusting types or timing could help)
- If the spikes and hypos are due to mismatched carb/insulin ratios rather than needing more insulin
- If a dietitian can review your sensor data alongside your food intake to help fine-tune things
It might also be worth keeping a journal of how you’re feeling - emotionally as well as physically - to share during your next review. Changes in mood and well-being absolutely matter and should be part of your care.
Please know you’re not doing anything wrong, and you deserve to feel heard and supported. This isn’t easy, but you’re taking the right steps to advocate for yourself. Please keep us posted on how you get on and be kind to yourself.
You're definitely not alone in what you're experiencing. Weight gain can happen when on insulin, particularly when rapid-acting insulins like NovoRapid are added. The constant balancing act between trying to prevent high readings and avoiding hypos can be exhausting, and it’s no wonder you're feeling low and discouraged. When your body suddenly starts storing more energy (fat) and you’re not eating more, it feels deeply unfair - and that’s completely valid.
Your instinct to ask for a referral to an endocrinologist sounds like a very good one. Endocrinologists can often look at the bigger picture, including hormonal and metabolic factors, and may help advocate for the most appropriate treatment tailored to you rather than a formulaic BMI-based approach. Sometimes, people do end up being switched back to GLP-1s or trialling other medications like SGLT2 inhibitors (gliflozins), especially if insulin clearly isn’t working well for their body.
In the meantime, you might want to ask your team a couple of things:
- If they’ve considered insulin resistance as a factor (and whether adjusting types or timing could help)
- If the spikes and hypos are due to mismatched carb/insulin ratios rather than needing more insulin
- If a dietitian can review your sensor data alongside your food intake to help fine-tune things
It might also be worth keeping a journal of how you’re feeling - emotionally as well as physically - to share during your next review. Changes in mood and well-being absolutely matter and should be part of your care.
Please know you’re not doing anything wrong, and you deserve to feel heard and supported. This isn’t easy, but you’re taking the right steps to advocate for yourself. Please keep us posted on how you get on and be kind to yourself.
Lisa65
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi and welcome. I am also T2 on insulin although I like it very much and hated Trulicity! Just goes to show we are all different.
Sorry you are having so much trouble with it.
İf you are on fixed doses set by your team rather than adjusting it yourself according to your needs, you might be taking more than you actually need, leading to hypos, then maybe over treating the hypo and going too high. Once you get on that roller coaster it's hard to get off,and putting on weight is horrible when you don't want to.
I manage by eating low carb (probably no more than 60g a day) which means I don't need much fast insulin, just a couple of units with a carby meal. My basal insulin keeps me steady overnight and when I'm not eating.
I hope you can get some answers soon and start to feel like you have a handle on things again. Take care.
Sorry you are having so much trouble with it.
İf you are on fixed doses set by your team rather than adjusting it yourself according to your needs, you might be taking more than you actually need, leading to hypos, then maybe over treating the hypo and going too high. Once you get on that roller coaster it's hard to get off,and putting on weight is horrible when you don't want to.
I manage by eating low carb (probably no more than 60g a day) which means I don't need much fast insulin, just a couple of units with a carby meal. My basal insulin keeps me steady overnight and when I'm not eating.
I hope you can get some answers soon and start to feel like you have a handle on things again. Take care.
OMG its so good to hear someone is actually listening and understanding my agony. Am I am wondering if I am missing other opportunities, but hopefully an appointment with an Endocrinologist may help! My thyroid has been checked due to weight gain and has been marked as normal, I can only assume its the Insulin thats the culprit. I am of a small frame and I think the weight gain is now causing other health problems, which is what I am going to point out at my next appointment. Your response brought tears as I felt isolated with these symptoms, thank you so much for listening. I will keep you posted on my journey.
Hi, Like you say its odd that diabetics can be so different. I agree with your observation on the doses and think that another introduction of NovoRapid is too much, and the comment of a 'roller coaster' is a perfect description... I just want to get off and feel I have got to that point. I will check the amount of carbs per day and try and stay focused. With my sensor I am often in the green only at night, when I am not eating! Thank you again for your response. I should have joined this forum earlier!