I have had diabetes (known) for less than a year. Becasue there is a famliy history of type 2 and I have bad kidneys, I was screened yearly so it was caught early. I just started insulin therapy (tried Byetta first-not for me and Junuvia) A recent hospital stay that required insulin treatment that worked..I asked the doc to try it going forward--because we knew it worked.
After getting over the needle phobia for Byetta--well theshots are not so bad..and I feel so much better. Even the doc said had he known how well I would respond to insulin he'd have put me on it sooner...turns out I am pretty insulin sensitive--(can a type 2 be insulin sensitive-topic for another post-but curious)
But other peoples reactions that have type 2 are bordering horrifying...poor you, well maybe you can get off it soon...you're too young to have to be on insulin...etc....not one positive among them...seems there really needs to be a mind set change..and not just among patients?
Have you noticed how many people with Type 2 are using 100 units of Lantus? Not 93. Not 112, but 100.
That's generic dosing, and it means the doctor who prescribed the Lantus hasn't the time or knowledge to help the patient get the dose exactly right.
Usually the generic dose is set too low to avoid hypos, but because it is too low, the patient still has high blood sugars which make them more insulin resistant.
Plus, since Lantus is a basal, they still have very high post-meal blood sugars that cause roller coaster hunger.
Bottom line: If you are using insulin, hunger after the first few weeks is a sign you are not using the right dose!
You said:
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disorder, and eventually the beta cells of the pancreas will no longer be able to make sufficient insulin, no matter how hard you've worked at managing your diabetes.
I hope that statement is incorrect! My goal is to achieve nondiabetic BGLs through my low carb lifestyle so I won't burn out my beta cells and my type 2 diabetes will not progress.
I understand some diabetics have so much damage already, they need to take insulin because their own bodies can't produce enough. But I believe many of us can avoid that route if we lower our carb intake far enough and soon enough. Our pancreases won't burn out if we don't overwork them by eating too many carbs.
I am experiencing fluctuations between low of 150-440 at what point does someone go on insulin. I believe i am at this stage, the meds make sick and are not helping now. I have developed problems with my eyes.
Anybody with similair experiences?
Luvdogs805@aol.com write to me directly
Just FYI, if you reuse syringes on insulin pens, you will eventually allow air into the pen, and it will fail to dispense the correct amount of insulin. If you prime the pen (shoot out 2 units into the sink) and see nothing but a drop instead of a stream, you will know you've gotten air in the pen or caused a blockage. Use a new one every time and there's no problem. And the syringes are MUCH less expensive than, say, a pair of kidneys.
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For those that have a CDL license, you can't get a health certificate if you use insulin. They are worried about blackouts, and having a 80,000 lb semi-truck ( fully loaded, not all are that way ) with a blacked out driver isn't a good thing.
So that would be another reason some people wouldn't want to go on insulin, they would lose their job.