They did. I had ketones in my urine, I believe it was 35? They didn’t test blood pH. I distinctly remember breaking down in tears after the visit, as I’d been trying to get in somewhere for a week and no one seemed to be listening to my concerns and symptoms.
So glad to finally have some medicine.
I forgot to add. Too many people are afraid of insulin, because too many doctors treat it like a punishment for non-compliant patients. In reality, many people (even type 2) can’t control their disease without it. Frankly, I’m far more afraid of the long term consequences of chronic hyperglycemia than almost anything else.
Historically, it was seen as a last resort, and by the time people started taking insulin their sugar had been running high for years and their complications were advanced beyond repair. That’s how insulin came to be associated with a short lifespan. I’m happy to have started it early so I can (hopefully) avoid the complications.
Hi Meg: I am really glad that you have long-acting insulin now. You may benefit from short acting, as well. And yes, do continue to push to be tested to see if you have Type 1. Autoantibody testing (GAD, ICA, IA-2, and ZnT8) is the test for autoimmune diabetes: if you are positive for any one autoantibody and have been diagnosed with diabetes, you have Type 1. For most of us, the truth is that we have to be our own best advocates within the medical system to get the best, most appropriate care. Best of luck to you! Also, here are my top ten tips for the newly diagnosed that you may find useful.
Yes, it’s been a week, do you have an update for us?
Oh my, I would be calling Endo’s all over the surrounding counties. You need those test run for sure. I am officially diagnosed as Type 2. I have no antibodies but very low insulin production. Endo calls me a Type 2 because that is all Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance allows either 1 or 2 and since I have no antibodies I am not type 1.
I was diagnosed in April with an A1c of 12.2 and used Long and short acting to get it under control (now at 5.8). Eventually I started having lows and putting on weight quick (too much insulin even at minimal doses). I have been using the low carb/keto approach with good success but do notice a dawning effect. Some mornings about 50% of the time my Fasting BG is around 130-140 and others it is around 100.
I am thinking there are some food, drink and lifestyle (stress, poor sleep etc) that make a stable blood sugar more fragile. Keep us posted and get that BG down!! My best advice is the “be the squeaky wheel and get your oil” Keep calling and bugging Endos eventually you will find someone who will let you in…
Hi Meg…I think it’s absurd of your doctor to keep pumping you full of Metformin, when Insulin is the better choice. Is she/he blind? At 2,000 mg a day; isn’t time to move on? We have experienced similar here. I don’t know WHY one needs to beg for what will ultimately be best for your body (short of a cure!). Please seek out an endocrinologist, and push for insulin. It’s so sad that we must jump through hoops every step of the way. Keep us posted!
Just a quick update! I’ve finally been scheduled for the antibody tests needed to determine Type 1 (should be sometime next week). Also, the Lantus I was prescribed has been amazing (90 or below fasting glucose most days) but my after meal glucose was still fairly high (200 and above). I was just prescribed some fast-acting insulin yesterday (Humalog) and so far I could cry at how well it’s working. I actually ate a higher carb meal last night (35g) and had a BG of 110 afterward.
My doctor says I look like I’m glowing compared to a couple of weeks ago. And I feel so much better. Hoping the glucose control continues with insulin therapy and I can kiss the depression and constant anxiety, lethargy and nausea goodbye (at least for a while).
Meg, these are GREAT News! It is wonderful to hear that your BGs are down!
Please let us know how the tests go. Your post made my day:-)
So glad I could make your day! Thank you for all the support.
This is FANTASTIC!! Well done you for hanging in there and persisting in getting what you need. Sorry it has come to this for you, but such great news to celebrate that you are on the right track! Thanks for sharing!
So, basal plus mealtime insulin is working beautifully. Sounds like it doesn’t really matter what the antibody tests show (although I’m sure you want to know the results): you’ve found a treatment regimen that works! I’m so happy for you
It’s a good outcome. It’s just a shame it dragged on so long. It’s obvious in hindsight and I’m sure your Dr is kicking himself he missed it.
You are going to feel even better in a month or two, as your body repairs/balances.
This may help for now. I would ask to go on a T1 course.
Basal testing to get that dose right.
a workbook about dosing
http://www.bd.com/us/diabetes/download/insulin_adjustment_workbook_complete.pdf
Sick day rules learnt now, is better than 3am with your head in a bucket
https://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.ispad.org/resource/resmgr/Docs/CPCG_2014_CHAP_13.pdf
+1. Over the past three quarters we have taken 12 classes, I think.
Hello Meg, I would certainly agree with others who have commented that you clearly need insulin to treat your condition. Metformin is a far less potent hypoglycemic agent and is also inappropriate as compensation for meal absorption – rather, it reduces hepatic glucose production moderately and is most effective in compensating for basal hyperglycemia (i.e. in between meals).
Based upon your family history and age you should probably consider whether you might be a monogenic diabetic (such as HNF1-alpha like me). Very few endocrinologists or diabetologists recognize this set of conditions, even though studies show that they represent ~2% to ~5% of all diabetics. The vast majority of monogenic diabetics are misdiagnosed as either type-1 or type-2 (about half and half).
I can help you investigate this more if you would like – please let me know.
P.S. I should have mentioned that you may be type-1 and by now should have hopefully been well tested for autoantibodies. If and only if these tests are negative you should consider monogenic diabetes.
Before my earlier reply I had not yet read your later post and assumed that you had been already fully tested for type-1.
Regardless of cause/type, my strong advice is to absolutely minimize carb’s. Peripheral (i.e. injected-subcutaneous) insulin CANNOT compensate for bolus (dietary) carbohydrate but can do a good job for bolus protein – the two nutrients stimulate the endocrine pancreas differently. Portal amino acids (over glucose) should dominate in your meal composition. It is the postprandial hyperglycemic transients that dominantly cause complications of diabetes (ref. Michael Brownlee et al) – this is well known.