I was reading this post on Endocrine Today and wondered how many of our members who have type 2 diabetes are using insulin.
Can you share a little bit about how you got started on insulin? How long had you had diabetes at that point and why did you and your medical team decide to make the jump?
Well, Manny, I was diagnosed with Diabetes on 10/10/2008–just a few weeks ago. I went to see my Diabetic specials “team” (Diabetes America) and they put me on 30 units of Lantus under an “aggressive Glucose titration” chart or “basal insulin titration” so that they could get my BG down from the 300’s where they were initially.
The thing they told me was “we are putting this in your hands.” Because, I take my BG in the morning, before breakfast, then after 3 days I take their average and I have a chart that tells me whether to add units to my dosage, maintain, or subtract. So far, I’m up to 57 units at night, and my BG was 101 this morning! For me, that’s a step in the right direction, yeah?
They also have me on 2000mg of Metformin daily.
So, it would seem that it is working. That, and I’ve really been watching everything I eat shrugs it all seems to go hand in hand… amazing.
Sounds like you are being able to control your BGs. I would recommend trying a tool like SugarStats, SweetSpot or Log for Life, to help you track your BGs over time.
they gave me one sheet of paper… hehe that’s what I’ve been using.
I really don’t think they thought I would be doing this well… the way they were talking to me at the clinic… I go back on 11/20 for my first check up and my nutritionist had told me that IF my BG were around 199 at that time she would dance for me… shrugs
Where would I go about getting these tools??? (<<<—newb)
Sounds like they need to respect you: you are showing that you can achieve amazing BG values.
Here are all the URLs:
http://www.sugarstats.com/
https://www.sweetspot.dm/
https://www.logforlife.com/
well, I’ve not gone back since it’s been just under a month since my dx and my first visit with them 
I am certain they’ll be excited!!
Thanks for the links!! huggles
I have to say… I may not like Diabetes, but I do love it here, thanks for being the founder!!!
I was diagnosed with Diabetes in 1980. Up until this year I was able to control blood sugar using oral agents, exercise, and a fairly good diet. However, the oral agents stopped working a couple of months ago. The doctor said that years of using them had reduced the ability of my pancreas to secrete insulin at all. So now I am using insulin. Blood sugar control using the oral agents was much easier than using insulin. So far I haven’t been spectacularly successful at it. I notice that even a couple of crackers or a small cooky can send my blood sugar way up. So I have to really use self control and am trying to watch carbs closely. My doctor doesn’t seem to have a lot of advice on this. If anyone has any suggestions for where I can get diet tips from people who have faced the same problems, please tell me.
I would keep an eye on the Type 1 discussions. Sounds like, for the most part, you are now having to act like a type 1.
Did you get tested for antibodies and C-Peptide? What did they find?
I am glad you find the community useful, Squibble!
I was diagnosed with T2 in 2005. At first I was able to control my BG with just Byetta, diet, and exercise. As time progressed, the Byetta stopped doing the job, so they added oral meds which worked for awhile. Sometime during the second year my BG started bouncing all over the place anywhere between 30 to 500. Yes, I said 500. I was then referred to an endocrinologist who immediately put me on Lantus, which worked for awhile. The big number one side effect though was I gained about 25 pounds just in the first few months of using Lantus. But eventually the Lantus proved to be ineffective. I was taking between 200 and 300 units a day. I know that’s a lot! He eventually talked to me about the pump but never would follow through with it. I then began a search for a Dr. here in Statesboro, (a small college town with no endo’s) and was referred to an Internal Medicine Dr. who also has a diabetes educator on staff. I went to him for the last year, and he tried Levemir, Novolog, Humulin, and several oral meds with no luck. Between him and his Diabetes educator they decided it may be time for the pump. They actually had someone from Medtronics come down and put a sensor on me that I wore for three days and then picked it up to obtain the readings. It was then between the three of them they decided I needed to be on the pump. Thank God for good insurance! Within 24 hours of going on the pump, my BG was down to 135. I couldn’t believe it. My before meal average is 125 and my after meal average is 182. It doesn’t get much better than that. I’m averaging about 110 units of humalog a day, which is still a lot compared to some of the folks I’ve seen on this website, but its so much better than it was I am thrilled. I’m hoping it will get even better so that the amount of insulin I use will drop also. I don’t know if that’s possible or not. I wouldn’t trade this pump for anything. I couldn’t believe the cost, but now I would say its been worth every penny. I have a Dr’s apppointment next week and will ask him to check C-Peptide and antibodies, just so I know for myself where I stand with this disease. Peace to all. Bobby
I got diabetes 2007 around march, I was put on metformin 500mg a day and actos 45mg. My mother died of heart failure due to diabetes. I was in denial at first and said no way not me. I did what my doctor told me to at least at the beginning. I remember her telling me if I dropped some weight that I might be able to get off the pills. I did drop the weight but did not get off the pills. So, I got angry one day and said no way I am not going to be diabetic, but you don’t get to choose. I remember throwing my pills away. Well I got so sick I could not get out of bed literally I would throw myself on the floor in order to get out of bed. I went back to my doctor and gave her some lame excuse that I was remodeling my house which I was and that I had misplaced my pills. She saw right through me she said I was angry and depressed and that I was lying about misplacing the pills. I am very lucky I have a excellent doctor.
Anyway I was not able to control my sugar so she started me on insulin 20 units June of 2008 . I decided to get control of my diabetes and I was doing pretty good until last month. I was down to 10 units, but now I am at 14 units.There are very few moments in the day when I’m not considering my diabetes. Being diabetic is a harsh reality and you have to deal with it. I remember crying because I did not want to be on insulin but my doctor convinced it was for the best. I went to the hospitals diabetes center and the staff there showed how to administer the insulin and learned the whole diet thing. It is important that you have a sincere caring doctor thats works with you. I can call her anytime if I have questions and she will return my call.
Teresa
I started on insulin because I got pregnant and my endocrinologist said that having insulin shots is safer than taking metformin. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2002 and I had been taking metformin and solosa since then. When I wanted to get pregnant, my OB suggested that I stop taking solosa (I took it in the morning with metformin after lunch and dinner). I watched my glucose levels since I stopped taking solosa, and it was difficult to control. I suffered a miscarriage and my previous OB said that it was because of my diabetes.
Two years ago i started insulin shot because my glucose is uncontrolled and my attending Physician decided that i have start using insulin because oral medicine cannot bring down my sugar level.I observe that when i had started using insulin together with my oral medicines i felt better and my sugar level is controlled.
I’am using HUMALIN-N,23 units before breakfast and 20 units before dinner and also metformin 500mg,3xaday after every meal and Actos 500mg once a day.
PS:Please update me if what better medicine to use. thank you anf god bless
Let’s see, first i was diagnosed in Feb 2006 but I had the symthoms for at least 8 yrs before the doctor at the emergency room diagnosed me. So going to clinics acturally didn’t do me any good. Well in June 2007, I started working for the Mary Lee Foundation and in 3 months I got some great insurance at the peak of my diabetes going another direction. In January, I had gotten an infection called myrsa on my thigh and was taken in for a minor surgery and spent the night at the hospital. The next day, the doctor comes in and tells me that my glipizide alone is not working for me and that I need lantus 20 units a day and metformin 2 x’s 500 a day. Now my insulin went up to 26 a day to control my sugars. Because I work 3 different jobs and the stress is getting to me. So for now I’m listening to my doctor on anything new. So far insulin is my savior. So like Squibble, my bs readings use to be in the 300 - 400 at the time of my infection. So hail to the insulin. We shall one day get rid of the needles with hope----PATTI
I was originally diagnosed on July 19, 2007. My doctor immediately put me on insulin, Humalog Mix 75/25, 12 units in the mornings. That was the only injection that I had to give myself. Was apprehensive about giving myself the shot, but after the first day, it was no big deal. I am a real needle-phobic, but those needles were so small that I rarely felt them. In fact it hurt a lot worse to prick my finger than it did to give myself the shot. I was on that until May of this year. My A1c dropped in that time period from 12.7 to 5.69.
In May I was put on Metformin ER 500 mg twice a day. So far, so good. A1c still holding at less than 6. No side effects from the Metformin.
Hello Catherine, I was also introduced to Insulin only this month of August because oral medication can’t bring down my blood sugar. Humalin n is also my insulin with a dosage of 20 units in the morning (w/ 1 mg solosa) and 10 units before dinner. Somehow my sugar level right now is controlled.
I didn’t get tested for antibodies. I guess I don’t know what they are.
C-Peptide is a test for inflamation right. I have heard about it related to heart disease, not diabetes.
I was diagnosed with type 2 on Dec. 7 ,2001 . Pearl Harbor Day ! A day that I can really remember . I was put on Amaryl. Later , Glucophage was added . After a little less than 2 years , we decided that I just didn’t produce enough insulin anymore. I started on Lantus Insulin. It was 2 months after it came onto the market . When I started out I was injecting just once a day , but it just didn’t last all day . Now , I take a split dose . I also am still taking Glimepiride , but it just doesn’t work that well anymore . I expect to progress to basal insulin soon .
Hi Manny
I was diagnosed Type 2 in 1994 and was on oral meds. (increasing dosages and type) until eventually I was on 2000mg of Metformin; Glyburide AND Actos. The Actos was the last straw - I was getting hypo’s two and three times weekly and decided that I was having no control over my life - my A1C was down to 6.8 (good!!!) but I was just popping pills and waiting to see what would happen. Eventually (two years ago last September) I saw my GP and said I wanted to go onto Insulin (gasps all round from other type 2’s I knew!!!). I COULDN’T BE HAPPIER!!! My A1C is around 6.6, I only get hypo’s when I’m stupid (i.e. forgetting meals and other indiscretions!!!) and I’M IN CONTROL!!!
By the way, I use Novolin ge NPH night and morning (16 at night and 14 in morning) and Novorapid before meals(both with Novo;in 4 pens)and 2000mg of Metformin.
Don’t think you’ve “failed” if you go on Insulin - take control!!!
John V.
I was diagnosed with diabetes February 2001.
My doc finally decided it was time for me to start using insulin (Humulin N) May 2008. I wish I had started it a year and a half ago when his substitute doc thought it was time for me to start using insulin. How much damage, if any, would have been avoided in that time? I suppose I’ll never know.
Anyway, my BGs have never been where they should be because I can’t/won’t stop eating the stuff I shouldn’t. I also sit at my computer all day (I’m unemployed) and don’t walk the dog (and myself!) like I should. But at the time I was put on insulin they were quite a bit higher than they had been running. I think my oral meds (metformin 500x5 and glyburide 2 per day) have given up the ghost, but the doc still has me taking them.
I saw a diabetes educator at the local hospital; she’s really good - she’s type 1 but deals mostly with type 2s. She taught me how to inject, gave me a free pen (a $90 value!), etc. She also didn’t beat me up about my diet. She basically said since that’s my sticking point, we’ll just work around it and make sure I get my BGs where they should be.
I’m still trying to work out the best amounts (evening 50 units-ish and morning 30 units-ish) but I’ll get there.