I am known as a very well controlled diabetic. I have A1C's at the 6.2 - 6.5 levels. My daily numbers are within 10 points of 120. I exercise, I eat low carb less than 100 carbs; and I take my meds (Janumet and Amaryl) as prescribed. I have asked, and continue to do so to start insulin, but to date there is no medical reason to do so, according to all 6 of my docs, and CDE. Okay, I'll accept that for now. BUT, when I take cortisone or any steroid for another medical problem, I use humalog on a sliding scale depending on what my pre-meal numbers are (and no I do not know the proper diabetic language). This usually lasts for 5 days until I get two full days of normal readings. My question is would I be in big trouble physically is I started to do the humalog daily at meals and kept using the oral meds that they have prescribed. I wouldn't say anything to begin with, however, after I have some great numbers, I would show them the better control. Am I being stupid, stubborn, or just messing when I shouldn't be messing,.
I would think it could be tricky to add humalog on a regular basis without going too low if you're already hitting 120 without it?
If it were me though, I'd totally try it, because thats what I do! Its not a great idea probably, but especially because you've used it before, and presumably have an idea of what your ratios would be and how to treat a low should you get one, I would think you'd be able to test it without getting into a bad state, and then at least you'd know for yourself if it made a difference or not and whether it was worth the effort. I don't recommend it, but in full disclosure I'd try it if I were you.
I guess reasons NOT TO could be that its not cheap stuff (unless you have stellar insurance), and research is shady as to whether or not there's much benefit to going from "good" to "lower".
There are several people here on TuDiabetes who have done what you are suggesting doing, with good success. I think that very knowledgeable people, who take a cautious approach, seem to do fine. Insulin has tremendous advantages.
i would be very catiously trying it. i would rather be steady in the 90s all day tan 120s. good luck and let us know how you do if you decide to try!! would you have to go off the oral meds to do this or would you continue with them too?
I would figure that whether or not regular Humalog use would help might depend on what your post-meal readings are. If you are doing very well without it, many doctors wouldn't find a need but, if you had say a more carby meal (it seems unlikely you'd eat 33/ meal so some might have more than others?), it might benefit from a whiff of 'Log. To me, topical insulin for T2s makes total sense. It seems as if the medical industry feels obligated to inflict a "plan" on PWD and the plan can't include any sort of lifestyle diversity.
Re steroids, I've had them couple of times for injuries and bronchitis and found that doubling my basal rate "covered" it which makes me think that Lantus/ Leveir might be more useful, as the 'roids tend to jack me up all day.
1 or 2 units of fast acting can certainly send you low. My ISF is 80-100 depending on time of day, so with BG of 130, 1 unit of humalog could send me down to 30.
It's hard to know the combined effect of the humalog, plus the other meds the OP is on. Obviously there is almost sufficient insulin being provided by pancreas, or possibly an insulin resistance factor.
Maybe using long-acting such as Lantus or Levemir would be more helpful to achieve a 20-30 reduction all day. Using humalog might require only .3-.5 units, which is hard to dose.
Well, when I do have to have a cortison injection, I can count on being in the 550''s to 200's for about 5 days, That is why I don't get them as often as I used to and they don't take care of the knee pain anymore anyway. However, as I have had more injuries that require steroids, and I've refused them, my numbers go up because of stress and dealing with immense pain. My doc and PA say no insulin required now, as I said I am very well controlled with what I am doing. But I do not call daily readings in the 180's to be controlled....so just wondering if others have tried this and NOT told docs till they've done the business,. I have the sliding scale and would use that as far as dosing is concerned.....but don't want to hurt myself either