Question for diabetics

[PatsMom]

I've had type II diabetes for years and have controlled it with diet and oral medications. I've resisted testing my blood sugar levels just because I hated the thought of sticking my fingers. Unfortunately for me, my A1C has been creeping up and my doctor believes that it is time for me to begin taking insulin. She is sending me to a program dedicated to diabetes care for sessions with a certified diabetes educator who will train me in how to do the shots and test my blood sugar. She warned me that they will be emphasizing that once you start taking insulin it is critical to monitor your blood sugar. She's been trying to get me to test for years.

How many times per day do other diabetics test their levels? She said that I should probably plan to test before meals and at bedtime. Does the testing before breakfast come close enough to a fasting glucose to compare it to the fasting target?

I know I can ask all these questions when I see the new doctor and educator. I'm just mentally trying to get myself prepared for all of this. My doctor faxed in all the prescriptions to my pharmacy and I'll be picking up syringes, etc. before my appointment with the educator. My doctor said to think of it as the beginning of travelng no where without a bag of diabetic supplies! Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[Swimnoid]

How high is your A1C? Has your doctor mentioned byetta as an alternative medication?

 

[PatsMom]

We did't talk about Byetta but I may ask about it. For the last 8 or 9 years my A1C's were always between 6.5 and 7. Then about 6 months ago it jumped up to 10.2, probably partly because I started using Advair and albuterol. We added Actos to the glucophage and I really cracked down on my eating and got the number down to 8.5 which is still way too high. Even if I don't go on insulin, my docor was pretty emphatic that I need to start testing my glucose frequently just to try to stay on target. My diet is pretty good but I am trying to increase my exercise which would help. And I could stand to lose a few more pounds.

I am giving myself pep talks trying to convince myself that shots and frequent finger sticks are better than the long term effects on uncontrolled diabetes.

 

[Talking Hands]

I test 3 to 4 times a day. More if I am feeling sick or weird. It really isn't as bad as you think it will be. My doc gets on me if my Hb1Ac is higher than 6.5

 

[kimsuenew]

I am a newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic (just 4 months now). I test 2-3 times daily, more if I feel a "bit funky".

For the first month or so I could not do it myself. I prepared everything. but had to have hubby or son actually push the button on the lanclet thing to get the blood to test. Finally, after a month of driving them bonkers... I thought enough is enough and began doing so myself.

You can do it!

For about the first month that I did it myself I cringed everytime, and for some reason, closed my eyes as I pressed it. Now... it is a quick, uneventful process!

I am not sure how well you will do with giving yourself a shot of insulin if you cannot conquer your fear on testing, a shot seems a bit more invasive than a prick.

I did find that different lanclet were easier to use than others... I actually tried three different BS monitors and stuck with the Ascensia Contour as it worked the best for me and also had the best lanclet/pricker (for me that is).

I would try more than one out to find which works best if I were you, and be sure to try it set on the most shallow setting possible. Good luck!

 

[yecats]

You'll adjust and you will get used to it if you have to go to insulin. I come from a famiy of insulin dependent diabetics and found out 2 years ago that I had become one myself. I was very afraid of needles (I was okay giving a family member a shot) but have adjusted since as I give myself 1 to 2 on a daily basis. I have learned over the past 2 years to trust my own instincts and adjust the insulin as needed, not everything works on everyone as the doctors insist they do.

What you will truly need to learn over time is how certain foods react on your blood sugar. Triglycerides(? - things fried in grease) really shot my bloodsugar (bs) to the moon so I know now that on those occasions that I am going to eat fried food to give myself more insulin to combat it. It is a funny thing for me to say that I can eat a piece of cake with icing and my bs will not be anywhere as high as when I eat fried shrimp. The first 4 or so months after learning I had become diabetic I did test my blood a lot to determine exactly what range a certain food item would place my bs. Once I knew this I learned what level of insulin it would take to control my bs. I now only test my bs at night before going to bed unless I feel bad then I will test a bit more often. I don't test nearly as much in the morning as the insulin that I give myself for breakfast covers me for both breakfast and lunch. You will have to experiment for a while but you will get to know what works.

As I said a number of people in my family are diabetics. We have all been seen by different doctors and specialized endocronologist. Some of the info. they give us is the same (pamphlets) and then some advice provided is different. Elderly people have a tendenancy to be brittle diabetics. My grandmother just went to a new endo. who instructed her to take 40 units of insulin a day (about 25 in am and 15 at night). If my grandmother took this much she would be dead. She is still in the process of adjusting the insulin as she wakes in the middle of the night in cold sweats with a bs of 50 and she is almost comatose at this level and this is when she gives herself 10 units at night with a bs of 300. Everyone is different and insulin will work slightly differently on everyone.

My first insulin was Lantus and I turned out to have very bad and multiple side effects from it within my first 2 weeks of taking it. My doctor didn't believe I was having these problems from the insulin (Lantus was brand new on the market when he prescribed it and I found comments on the net that other people were having my problems as well with it) but that was the only thing that had changed in my life so he placed me on the regular old insulin and all of those side effects went away within 2 days. My dad has also had a similar problem with 2 different insulins he was on. Know your body and watch to see if any ill side effects happen when you take the insulin. My other grandmother has been saved by my dad. Granny went into a coma a few years ago because the doctors were following the standard procedure in handling diabetics (meaning sliding scale use of insulin) in the hospital. Since then we have all learned this does not apply to granny (brittle diabetic) and everyone who sits with her now when she is hospitalized is drilled to deny the night insulin if she is 200 or below. This has saved her on many occasions. If you feel that your doctor isn't helping or listening to you then find another doctor.

Lastly, byetta - I have known 2 people who have attempted to take this product (doctors are beginning to swear by it) but they both had to stop taking it due to severe side effects so if you are prescribed this watch yourself carefully.

I am not trying to scare you but to let you know that you may have to learn to adjust your own insulin and not follow the doctors every word - he is not in your skin to understand your plight. Best of luck.

 

[PatsMom]

Thanks for the encouraging words. I am slowly convincing myself that this is the way it is going to be. I will do my finger sticks and the insulin. I am picking up all the prescription stuff at the pharmacy today and hopefully will have my appointment with the diabetes educator next week.

 

[Buckalew11]

I have to ask...can't you stick your forearm instead of your fingers? My dad always checked his in his arm. I hate finger sticks and could never do this to myself. it is bad enough to have someone else stick me. Good luck with the new doctor.

 

[shopn24seven]

It's almost been 2 weeks for me.
I use the onetouch ultra. I can hardly tell I am pricked and I am the BIGGEST baby in the world. LOL.
Type 2 and with eating RIGHT (carb hi protein watching...) and taking meds/exercise, my sugars are just OVER in the am (102/104)