Hi, I am new to insulin. Started insulin about a month ago. First few weeks my blood sugars were very high. Thank God for the chat room. All the people there calmed my fears. I will be forever grateful for this site having a chat room. Great bunch of people. I am using Levemir, 24 units. My blood sugars are gone down considerably since the first few weeks. But every now and then I get a high reading. I have truly watched what I eat now and do not eat very many carbs. Carbs are not my friend. My fasting blood sugar at one time was always in the high 200's. Still not as low now in the am as I would like for it to be. I am seeing taking insulin that is very much a process of tweaking the insulin to see exactly how much is needed to create a balance. I am so appreciative of this site. I know I have a place to go when I am not sure of what is going on with my body regarding being a newbie on insulin. Many years I was just on meds, Janumet and Glimpiride. Since my A1C was 8 the doc thought it best that I also be on Levimir. Thank you for this group. I know I will learn much being here
Hi Jeanette -
Welcome to the club, sorry you had to join.
I traveled down the inlusin road you're currently on about 3 years ago. Over a period of 18 months or so I went from 6-8 units of Humalog (quick acting) at each meal and 30-units of Lantus (long acting) at night to not using any insulin at all. I still shoot my finger 3-4 times a day just because I need to know what's going on, but my last 3 A1c tests have been in the 5.7-6.1 range
I took metformin for several years before using Insulin and that kept the numbers in line so I didn't worry about it. Insulin entering the picture got my attention. I've decided the answer to this process is to decide you are going to be THE BOSS. That means managing your diabetes is your job, and as The Boss one of the things you need to do is tap any-and-all resources needed to do the job right:
- keep good records to glucose tests, insulin usage, carb.intake, weight, exercise, etc
- make changes to you diet as you find things that you system doesn't handle well
- poke around this and other diabetes forums, there is a lot of good information available, BUT BE CAREFUL, there is a lot of personal opinion, including my utterances here, and as The Boss part of your job is to filter the wheat from the chaff
- take advantage of any diabetes education or support staff available to you, they have made the difference for me.
Oh! One other thing:
When you "fall off of the wagon", which you will do, don't get frustrated and beat yourself up, just walk into the bathroom, stand in front of the mirror, and talk it through with The Boss. I find mine is pretty understanding and willing to give me a hand climbing back up on my horse.
I think The Boss learned something from my Dad - he used to tell us that a lot of learning is the result of making mistakes and the only way to avoid mistakes was to do nothing. So mistakes are OK, so long as you learn from 'em.
Good Luck, I'll see ya around the forums.
I so agree with you GRBernard. I am a very proactive person when it comes to my physical and mental health. If I do not take care of me, who will? I am documenting my numbers so the next time I go to the doctors I can show when the numbers are higher. Usually they are higher in the morning fasting. It has been that way for quite a while. Always in the high 100's or in the 200's. I know I have Dawn Phenomenon and have researched everything there is to know and understand about the Dawn Phenomenon. As I have always said, Knowledge is Power. So I will be patient with my diabetes, something I was not when I first started on Levemir. I am taking 24 units a day but see that my blood sugars are still not where i would like them to be. I go to the doctor in a few weeks so we will be talking about what to do next. I would like to be referred to an Endo and really tighten up those blood sugars much more. Thank you for responding to my post. I will take what you have said to heart. This Boss is not going to let diabetes rule my life. I am in charge here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good deal! And good luck!