I have been advised to increase my insulin (Hullin) back to my original 30 units, following how I was feeling tired and having painful arms and hands.it was reduced by half that feeling has not reduced by the reduction. My HB1 in May was 55. down from 67. Added to being told to increase insulin my DN is leaving the surgery and they have no replacement for her, and the doctors are just overworked and know little about diebetes. Where can I get advice and help, I feel my health is going in one direction.
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Unsure what is best
- Thread starter Franklin
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As a Type 1, my insulin dose is adjusted according to my blood sugar levels.
Do you finer prick (as well as HbA1C)? if so, what are your levels like?
High levels make me feel tired but so does heat. High levels can also make any aches and pains more pronounced but I would not adjust my insulin dose based on how I feel - I would adjust it only based on blood sugar levels.
Do you finer prick (as well as HbA1C)? if so, what are your levels like?
High levels make me feel tired but so does heat. High levels can also make any aches and pains more pronounced but I would not adjust my insulin dose based on how I feel - I would adjust it only based on blood sugar levels.
My BG rang from 12 min in the morning first test to twenty before bed. I don’t adjust my insulin I am type 2 so take it at regular time twice a day.
Those levels are higher than usually recommended so I am not surprised by the advice to increase your insulin.
They are definitely candidates to explain your symptoms.
(But I am not medically trained.)
Inka
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I remember you from an earlier thread @Franklin I’d do what your diabetes nurse said and put the insulin back up. Reducing it hasn’t helped your pain, it seems, and has only given you high blood sugar.
Sometimes we really have to push to get answers. Have other things been ruled out as the cause of your hand pain eg rheumatism, arthritis, etc? If not, say you’re still suffering and ask for further investigations.
High blood sugar over a long period of time damages the body and can cause many problems, including nerve pain the the feet and sometimes hands. So keeping your blood sugar in range will help.
Sometimes we really have to push to get answers. Have other things been ruled out as the cause of your hand pain eg rheumatism, arthritis, etc? If not, say you’re still suffering and ask for further investigations.
High blood sugar over a long period of time damages the body and can cause many problems, including nerve pain the the feet and sometimes hands. So keeping your blood sugar in range will help.
I got the feel my DN has lost interest, she is changing her specialty and leaving to practice. Leaving me and many others in uncertainty about the future. My issues are still the same and do not look like improving. Current issues with NHS overworked and people are suffering.
Inka
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I’m sorry to hear that @Franklin That much be frustrating and upsetting for you. I do think the advice to put your insulin back up is sensible though. For your hand pain, I would think that would be a matter for your GP or, if you couldn’t speak to them, a general nurse in the Practice because it might be unrelated to your diabetes.
I’ve just googled trying to look for any books for Type 2s on insulin but I can’t find any. I’m going to tag a few helpful people who might know @Lucyr @everydayupsanddowns @Ljc
Diabetes is hard work, and, to be honest, I’ve found I’ve had to get on with a lot of the work of controlling it myself. Remember you can always ask for suggestions about your diabetes here. No question is too silly or too trivial.
As for your hands, I do urge you to speak to your GP. Although they have been busy with Covid, they are still working on general health. You shouldn’t have to suffer pain. Don’t feel you’re ‘being a bother’. It’s their job to help people and you deserve help as much as anyone.
I had blood test all have come back normal nothing indicated for arthritis. I watch my carbs reduced them more now, speaking to a doctor at my practice is near impossible not only do you have to get past the receptionist you are passed to a nurse to be triage they seem to make decisions and I am passed back to the DN she gets angry as She has done her bit so I am going round in circles. Complaining only causes more problems and gives doctors reasons to bar you. Do local health authors have a diabetic team which are separate to your doctor.
Lucyr
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Hello and sorry to hear you’re struggling. I am a Type 2 but use insulin, two kinds a background and a mealtime insulin. Are you using a background insulin or a mixed insulin?
I felt abandoned the same as you for a long time really, especially when only seeing the GP nurse as they didn’t tend to have much knowledge about using insulin. Asking your GP for a referral to the hospital diabetes team to get more specialised advice would be a good step. I’ve managed to stay under the hospital for a while now, (they do tend to try and discharge me when my a1c improves though I try to avoid being discharged!) and it makes a world of difference.
In terms of resources I used the same books that are reccomended for Type 1s on insulin. Hopefully someone else can share what the two are as I can’t remember the names.
You can also do the online Bertie course which is about adjusting insulin. If you’re not taking two seperate types of insulin you won’t be able to put that into practice but there might be interesting background information in the introduction part.
The other way to learn is by reading and posting here, asking questions when you don’t understand, sharing what insulin’s you’re on, doses, blood sugars, that type of thing and seeing if anyone has any suggestions.
I felt abandoned the same as you for a long time really, especially when only seeing the GP nurse as they didn’t tend to have much knowledge about using insulin. Asking your GP for a referral to the hospital diabetes team to get more specialised advice would be a good step. I’ve managed to stay under the hospital for a while now, (they do tend to try and discharge me when my a1c improves though I try to avoid being discharged!) and it makes a world of difference.
In terms of resources I used the same books that are reccomended for Type 1s on insulin. Hopefully someone else can share what the two are as I can’t remember the names.
You can also do the online Bertie course which is about adjusting insulin. If you’re not taking two seperate types of insulin you won’t be able to put that into practice but there might be interesting background information in the introduction part.
The other way to learn is by reading and posting here, asking questions when you don’t understand, sharing what insulin’s you’re on, doses, blood sugars, that type of thing and seeing if anyone has any suggestions.
trophywench
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I believe @Franklin told us he is taking Humulin Insulin which since there at least 3 different kinds of it that they make, we still would need to know exactly which one it is, before even attempting to suggest what he might do with it. However I certainly agree with the comments that from his meter results, reducing the dose of it has done absolutely nothing to help, in fact it has done the opposite, so again, I think it sounds like he ought to increase it - but maybe instead of the whole extra 15u - add 5u first, and see if that helps reduce his BG tests - if not another 5u and again test test test - until he does achieve better results.
PattiEvans
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Hi Franklin I think you are on Humulin insulin? They .make several different kinds, can you tell us which exact one you are on, so we can offer more apt suggestions. A friend of mine is on Humulin I which is just background, but they also do mixed insulin which also covers meals. was typing this whilst @trophywench posted
Inka
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In terms of resources I used the same books that are reccomended for Type 1s on insulin. Hopefully someone else can share what the two are as I can’t remember the names.
Do you mean these two @Lucyr ?
Think Like a Pancreas’ by Gary Scheiner.
And Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas (ignore the title - it’s great for adults too)
Do you mean these two @Lucyr ?
Think Like a Pancreas’ by Gary Scheiner.
And Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas (ignore the title - it’s great for adults too)
Lucyr
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Yes thanks, think like a pancreas is one I found useful. I haven’t read the second one quoted but I know a lot of people recommend it.
Inka
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How frustrating for you! Yes, big hospitals have a consultant-led team plus proper DSNs (diabetes specialist nurses). I know there were a number of Type 2s at the clinic when I went years ago but I now go to a separate clinic because I have an insulin pump so I’m not sure if that’s still the case. You’d have to be referred by your GP.
The other thing to investigate is if your surgery or your local cottage hospital have any visiting DSNs. My GP has one that comes once a month, and the nearest small hospital has one that comes regularly too. They would be more informal and probably easier to access than a hospital clinic led by a consultant.
As said above, if you can tell us the exact name of your insulin, we can tailor any discussion more appropriately. There are various Humulin insulins and it makes a difference which one you’re on.
My insulin is Humulin I, it has a green top on the pen. I do not have a cottage hospital it was closed several years back. just have a two very large hospital to deal with all things. My concerns are my BG has been high for several months 3 at least and I had very little advice on how to deal to reduce it. This site has given me some help and I am doing what most say to reduce my carb intake. I must say my other half is wonderful and she has always tried to keep me eating healthfully. I have lost 6kilo in 8 weeks and its is still going down but the DN over the phone consultation did not feel that was important, I am due another blood test next month that may pick something up, she did say my white platelets were down would that be caused by the diabetes ??.
Pumper_Sue
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So is it a mixed insulin, with numbers on it like 70/30 and cloudy which you have to roll in your hands before use or a cloudy with just humulin on it or is it clear?
Pumper_Sue
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I am assuming it is Humulin N which is a basal insulin only. What are the instruction in the patient leaflet?
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