Type 2 possible move to insulin

[Gooner9]

Hi, background is undiagnosed for quite sometime, regular in the 100+ but have managed to keep it in 50-60’s but start of the year had another 100+ and following a very strict low carb got back to 54, August was 62, so creeping up. Issue is I’m 5”10’ and 11st (had been 18+ for most of adult life) so can’t really keep losing weight on low carb. Specialist nurse thinks I was undiagnosed for so long that meds will just no longer work and says insulin may be the way forward, I’m not concerned on injections but just wanted to know what the general consensus on insulin is, good or troublesome? Thanks

 

[Leadinglights]

From the information you have given and looking at the list of diabetic medication you are taking which is perhaps not being as effective as it should together with your weight loss points to a misdiagnosis and you maybe Type 1 or LADA.
I would be asking your GP for some tests which could help to clarify. C-peptide and GAD antibody are the tests, but the results do take a while to come back so not instant.

 

[Gooner9]

From the information you have given and looking at the list of diabetic medication you are taking which is perhaps not being as effective as it should together with your weight loss points to a misdiagnosis and you maybe Type 1 or LADA.
I would be asking your GP for some tests which could help to clarify. C-peptide and GAD antibody are the tests, but the results do take a while to come back so not instant.

Hi, thanks for this, on my diagnosis and just not responding to meds, I was checked for LADA, and again 2 years or so later, both inconclusive. Its fairly regular to be referred to as ‘oh, it’s you’ so I’m not convinced, as diabetes is never is, straightforward

 

[EmmaL76]

Hi, thanks for this, on my diagnosis and just not responding to meds, I was checked for LADA, and again 2 years or so later, both inconclusive. Its fairly regular to be referred to as ‘oh, it’s you’ so I’m not convinced, as diabetes is never is, straightforward

Inconclusive could mean borderline antigad if tested for antibodies or lower end of normal c peptide. Either of which needs to be monitored overtime.

 

[gll]

Best thing I ever did was be switch onto insulin.

It took some time to get on the right regime.
Started on basal (long acting) insulin and while it did do a lot for me, it couldn't quite get me there so was moved onto a different basal and added a fixed bolus (fast acting) to have with meals and finally moved onto carb counting and adjusting mealtime insulin based on what I was eating.
All in all took about 4-5 months to get it balanced.

Its not perfect and like most I still have random days where you just have to shrug and never know why things are misbehaving but all in all my numbers are reasonable and I don't feel like garbage anymore.

Depending what they put you on, it is a little bit of work to stay on top of things but it has given me so much more freedom to eat a more normal diet without worrying if the extra spoon of carby veg would be the tipping point for that meal and I would end up higher than where I started etc.

The other benefit was being able to come off oral meds entirely. My body is a bit of a drama queen when it comes to side effects so switching off of all that was fantastic.
They might keep you on some of them but if any are problematic for you it might be worth discussing during your appointment.

If you have any specific questions or concerns, please ask away.

 

[DaveB]

Hi. Yes I would get the two tests done again if you can. Don't forget a negative GAD doesn't mean you aren't T1 as viruses can and do cause beta cell death (as in my case). The C-Peptide test is not that reliable. If you are losing weight and eating more carbs causes a big rise in BS then think LADA. Moving to insulin was the best thing I ever did for my diabetes when all the tablets stopped working. Yes, It's a nuisance and you always have to think about it particularly when driving but it works. With the Libre 2 or Devcom, management becomes a lot easier so if you do start insulin think about having a Libre 2 and if you push a bit you can get one on prescription.

 

[Gooner9]

Thanks all for your advice, I have a call with the specialist next week and will go through it better then, also talk about LADA, will let you know, thanks

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thanks all for your advice, I have a call with the specialist next week and will go through it better then, also talk about LADA, will let you know, thanks

Hope you get some clarity with the extra checks @Gooner9

And that the switch to insulin goes well