Since you won’t be on insulin for a while, and have had high blood sugar for so long, I think someone has misinformed you about the type of diabetes that you have.
Did a doctor say that you are type 1, or are you assuming this because you need insulin?
Most type 1’s are very thin. Having blood sugar that high, for that long and being overweight is usually a sign of type 2, not type 1.
Type 2’s have insulin resistance, are usually overweight, sometimes very overweight, and if it goes on untreated for too long can also require insulin to get things under control.
Requiring insulin doesn’t mean that you have type 1. Many type 2’s need insulin too, and in fact most will need it as they age or if they’ve had diabetes for a few years and have burned out their beta cells. I had to start insulin at diagnosis. I’m a type 2.
High blood sugar can kill a type 1 pretty quickly, as it climbs very fast to lethal levels, leading to diabetic ketoacidosis. If you are truly a type 1, by now you should have been in the hospital with DKA, and you probably would have died without insulin.
A type 2 can survive without the insulin longer as it takes much longer to get up to lethal levels.
Prediabetes is a condition that precedes type 2.
Have you ever tried Metformin, and did it help at all?
If you were type 1, you would likely have lost weight, not gained it, when your blood sugar started creeping up again.
Has anyone ever tested you for GAD antibodies?
I’m just asking these questions because it seems like you are describing symptoms of type 2, not type 1. Needing insulin does not make you a type 1.
Let us know what treatments you have tried, other than losing weight, and what effect they had.
While you are waiting to start insulin, try to drink more water. Water helps your body flush out excess sugar. You’ll have to go to the bathroom a lot, but it will help. (Just don’t get carried away, too much water can be bad for you).
Try to cut back your carbs as much as you can, I know its hard on a tight budget, but its necessary.
What are your meals like? What do you eat and how much? We might be able to suggest some meals to help get things under control.
For example, with high blood sugar, instead of cereal for breakfast, have scrambled eggs. No juice, no toast, just eggs and a glass or two of water. If you want tea or coffee, skip the sugar and milk.
For lunch you could have some cottage cheese on lettuce, rather than a sandwich. The lower carb you can eat for now, the better, within reason of course.
I hope things turn around for you soon. If you are on a very low income, you can apply for help. Some of the insulin companies will help out with a 2 or 3 month supply, which can get you through a tight spot. Your doctor has to fill out a form for you and it takes a little while. In the meantime, your local diabetic clinic might be able to supply you with a bit of insulin to get started.
