Anyone using insulin for diabetes?

[Spike56]

I just went on a diabetic diet, and stopped eating four hours before bedtime. No more bedtime snacks. I'm actually down 60 lbs. from my heaviest, and am still losing weight slowly. I'm good at self-preservation. I came down with viral pneumonia in 1991 and had such severe lung damage that I couldn't walk 100 yards. It was either quit smoking or quit breathing, so I quit smoking. It was the same way with diabetes. I have seen friends get body parts amputated, lose their sight, and die because of it. When my doc said, "lose weight," I figured it out. I refuse to die blind and crippled because I couldn't pass up a maple bar.

Larry,
Good advice here. I need to STOP eating so much late in the day ! I am an underweight diabetic. Keep trying to gain a few pounds but it has been impossible.

 

[Torvy]

Larry is on the right track. I'm not diabetic, but dad is type 2 and on insulin.

Diet is extremely important. It is not just sugar, but carbs that your body converts to sugar. Timing makes a huge difference. Using insulin to "make up" for a poor diet is a recipe for a short and/or miserable life. The less insulin you need to add (body produces it naturally), the better for your longterm health. (And pocketbook)

As always with medical stuff, your situation may be different than others. Other meds can mess with how your body processes. Work with your doctor.

 

[ArlyA]

Larry,
Good advice here. I need to STOP eating so much late in the day ! I am an underweight diabetic. Keep trying to gain a few pounds but it has been impossible.

What is your a1c?

 

[Spike56]

What is your a1c?

WAY TOO HIGH for the last A1C. Was under control well but the last year steadily climbing. Last Endo app't increased Januvia / Glimiperide doses, but... I do not think thats going to do it.

 

[ArlyA]

WAY TOO HIGH for the last A1C. Was under control well but the last year steadily climbing. Last Endo app't increased Januvia / Glimiperide doses, but... I do not think thats going to do it.

To be low weight, is common if your blood sugars are running to high, to often. Are you moving around? What does your doc say?

 

[Spike56]

To be low weight, is common if your blood sugars are running to high, to often. Are you moving around? What does your doc say?

LOL, basically, my doctor says (like the dieticians) to exercise all day, eat pretty much only salads, fresh veg's, salmon or chicken and drink only water. I work full time at a desk (more than full time actually) and, unfortunately still enjoy food that rabbits do not like.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Dieticians are horrible at gourmet food. Last night I made Reubens for dinner. The rye bread had 2g sugar, 36g carbs counting both slices. The rest of the sandwich was coarse ground dijon, 1 cup of home fermented sauerkraut with all the sugars fermented out, 1/4 lb. pastrami (it's what I had on hand), and muenster cheese. Tasty and filling. That was a BIG Reuben. Lunch today was my home made chili, made with pinto beans, home canned tomato sauce, onions, and lean ground sausage. Lots of fiber, no added sugars, only complex carbs. We also eat spaghetti sauce on spaghetti squash or Wacky Mac instead of pasta. The key to cutting out carbs is just don't buy them. We used to go through two big bags of chips a week. We haven't bought a bag in 2 years. No donuts, no cookies, no crackers, no French bread, a typical sandwich is two slices of the 45 calorie Sara Lee nut bread. Snacks are nuts and sunflower seeds. Drinks are my own flavored water, flavored with lemon or lime juice and topped off with a little diet tonic water; minimum 2 liters a day. No food or stimulants allowed after 6 PM. I never forget my Metformin.

The diabetic neuropathy in my feet has not progressed in 2 years. Fortunately, I don't have any sign of diabetic retinopathy. My exercise has dropped off, and my cardiologist says I need a new aortic valve. Time for a trip to the parts store, but I'm not terribly concerned. With care, I should still have a few decent years left.

 

[ArlyA]

If people eat a reasonable diet, move around a bit, keep there weight under control and again at a "reasonable" amount, type I and II will not lead to the cutting off of your toes, your feet, next one will be below the knee.. I'll not list all the other terrible side effects of not keeping your a1c in a good range.

I have a bad, leaky heart valve as well but no need to replace it yet.

 

[kthompson]

I have been on pills for years. Doctor finally put me on insulin. I am using the Lantus Solostar pen and was wondering if anyone else uses it and if so how much dosage does it take. I started at 15 units with instructions to go up 1 unit per day till my morning blood sugar was 130 or below. After a week of 1 unit per day with no change in my sugar from 200 +, I started going up 2 units per day and now am at 60 per day. Morning sugar is still high,140-170 depending on the amount of exercise I got during the past day and how many carbs I had for dinner. I am a bit concerned about going any higher because if I am out working hard, like using a weedeater for 4 hours, at lunch my sugar has been down to 85 and less than 70 is supposed to be passing out point because of TOO LOW sugar.
Anyway, I am looking at what other folks are using for diabetes control when using insulin. These pens are rather expensive at $435 per month, even with Medicare it costs me $45 co-pay. The $45 isn't a big deal but I hate to see drug companies ripping folks off. I didn't think insulin was that expensive. Am I paying for the convenience of once a day dosage? I am not familiar with other options.

I only read this post and since I work with Medicare Coverage wanted to address the cost of insulin. Now is the time of the year to do this: if you have independent agent talk with them and if not do this: go to Medicare.gov. This is the Federal Government web site. Skip the front page that wants your email address, close it. Then click on FIND DRUG PLANS AND HEALTH PLANS. Go to the right side of that page and enter our zip code and I would suggest you select drug plan, part d.
Follow the instructions in it, you will want to be carefully in entering each of your prescriptions, the correct name of each drug, the dosage and how often you take it. On the pens. you will need to know the amount of each pen you buy and how many per month and that might be best guess. When you get all that done you will select pharmacy (suggest more than one) and also mail order to see pricing. There are drug plans that cover insulin at $30 to $35 per prescription per month. I would then back up and change the plans to Medicare Advantage Plans and search it. You normally find better pricing on the Medicare Advantage Plans than the stand-alone drug plans.

NOW, if you are going with a Medicare Advantage Plan be sure each of your providers accept it. Look carefully at the numbers, be sure ALL of your medicines are covered. Look at how the pricing may vary between the pharmacies.

If you need some further help send me private email. IN Subject line place Tractorbynet in there so I understand it is not scam. I am only licensed in South Carolina, but the search is the same in any state. I would be glad to help in thoughts from one friend to another.

In SC, BCBS has the best Insulin coverage and Humana does cover two of the brands and right off not sure past those. OF COURSE, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THEY DO THE SAME IN ANY OTHER STATE.

I suggest to any one if you have a professional independent agent go there first. If not got to Medicare.gov. I am license with and sell with the top five in my area. High price medicines can vary greatly from plan to plan. ALSO, if your income is somewhere about $25,000 for a couple of $19,500 for an individual and depending on what you own go to the Medicare.gov site and look at Low Income Subsidy or Extra Help. Two titles for Same thing.

Kenneth

 

[WVH1977]

I got diagnosed with type II 2 years ago. Doc wanted me on Metformin and Insulin. My lovely wife did some research and talked me into trying a diet with fasting involved (at first thought it was a bunch of non-sense). For 6 months, I ate any meat I wanted, whole fat butter, eggs, bacon, nuts, broccoli, carrots, cabbage and all the cheese I could handle. I fasted 2 days a week for 24 hours and the only thing sweet I ate was 70% dark chocolate. I cut out all carbs for the most part (breads, pasta, potatoes, etc.) and sugar/Splenda. When I went back to the doctor my blood sugar was normal and as an added bonus my cholesterol was normal. He could not believe it and thought I was an anomaly. He also said most folks don't have enough self control to actually change their diet. It was not easy at first but after a month I got used to it. I remember eating a salad one night after two months of this diet and the green pepper tasted sweet to me. The sugar cravings went away also. I also lost 35 pounds in the process and just felt better overall. My wife even said my snoring disappeared. I sleep better and am more focused.

I am not a doctor but wanted to share this with other diabetics because there is alternatives to pills and insulin. A lot of my information came from a Doctor named Jason Fung. I believe he is a kidney specialist. I have one of his books called "The Diabetic Code." I am really grateful that my wife pushed me in this direction. My health is so much better now and I eat when hungry. I just eat whole, real food that has not been processed and altered. Also, drink a lot of water.

 

[mjonesnh]

Was diagnosed in feb 21 with type II. Blood sugar 585 and a1c was 14+. Probably more than 14 but that was as high as it could test. That day started Metformin 2000 mg/day and Toujeo insulin every night. Over the course of about 7 months I was able to stop the insulin and start lower doses of Metformin through exercise and watching my carb intake. Today I am medicine free for diabetes and my A1C is 5.4. Low carb food, little sugar and walking 20+ miles a week changed things greatly for me. As a plus I am 40 pounds lighter now vs 2 years ago

 

[newbury]

I cut out all carbs for the most part (breads, pasta, potatoes, etc.) and sugar/Splenda.

Why Splenda? Most references seem to say "Sugar substitutes don't affect your blood sugar level."

 

[WVH1977]

Why Splenda? Most references seem to say "Sugar substitutes don't affect your blood sugar level."

I don't have the research in front of me but I read that Splenda is just as bad as sugar. It has been a while and I would have to dig back into it. I believe there is still conflicting evidence for and against Splenda as a substitute. I started using Stevia. That is probably bad too. lol

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I got diagnosed with type II 2 years ago. Doc wanted me on Metformin and Insulin. My lovely wife did some research and talked me into trying a diet with fasting involved (at first thought it was a bunch of non-sense). For 6 months, I ate any meat I wanted, whole fat butter, eggs, bacon, nuts, broccoli, carrots, cabbage and all the cheese I could handle. I fasted 2 days a week for 24 hours and the only thing sweet I ate was 70% dark chocolate. I cut out all carbs for the most part (breads, pasta, potatoes, etc.) and sugar/Splenda. When I went back to the doctor my blood sugar was normal and as an added bonus my cholesterol was normal. He could not believe it and thought I was an anomaly. He also said most folks don't have enough self control to actually change their diet. It was not easy at first but after a month I got used to it. I remember eating a salad one night after two months of this diet and the green pepper tasted sweet to me. The sugar cravings went away also. I also lost 35 pounds in the process and just felt better overall. My wife even said my snoring disappeared. I sleep better and am more focused.

I am not a doctor but wanted to share this with other diabetics because there is alternatives to pills and insulin. A lot of my information came from a Doctor named Jason Fung. I believe he is a kidney specialist. I have one of his books called "The Diabetic Code." I am really grateful that my wife pushed me in this direction. My health is so much better now and I eat when hungry. I just eat whole, real food that has not been processed and altered. Also, drink a lot of water.

I did the same, but wheedled the doc into prescriptions for metformin and atorvastatin, because they are anti-agathics; they slow the ageing process. My chocolate is sugar free dark chocolate coated almonds. A1C dropped from 8.4 to 5.6.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I don't have the research in front of me but I read that Splenda is just as bad as sugar. It has been a while and I would have to dig back into it. I believe there is still conflicting evidence for and against Splenda as a substitute. I started using Stevia. That is probably bad too. lol

I tried stevia, but can't taste it. Genetic fluke, I guess.

 

[SgtSluggo]

If people eat a reasonable diet, move around a bit, keep there weight under control and again at a "reasonable" amount, type I and II will not lead to the cutting off of your toes, your feet, next one will be below the knee.. I'll not list all the other terrible side effects of not keeping your a1c in a good range.

I have a bad, leaky heart valve as well but no need to replace it yet.

Just want to say that for many people with type 2 diabetes, your words ring true. However, type 1 cannot be controlled by any kind of diet - a proper insulin regimen is essential. Additionally, many patients with type 2 have other factors other than their diet affecting their insulin resistance (and thus blood sugar). Things like genetics can prevent people from controlling their T2DM with lifestyle changes alone.

 

[Spike56]

I have the same problem. Having talked to my doctor, I'm going to buy Trulicity and give it a try. It is approved to treat Type 2 diabetes when used in combination with diet and exercise. And it is supposed to help lower A1C. Have you tried it?

No I take enough meds, and I would not attempt to just go and buy something to try ?

 

[ArlyA]

Just want to say that for many people with type 2 diabetes, your words ring true. However, type 1 cannot be controlled by any kind of diet - a proper insulin regimen is essential. Additionally, many patients with type 2 have other factors other than their diet affecting their insulin resistance (and thus blood sugar). Things like genetics can prevent people from controlling their T2DM with lifestyle changes alone.

I didn't mention the use of humulin because all diabetics need to move around some,,,, and eat a reasonable diet. All diabetics are different and by that I mean, we all are.

 

[ArlyA]

The healthcare system we have is a bit of a fraud. For instance, all my newish doctors want family history. They want that, to sell drugs. I've never told them that anyone in family had diabetes. I have a home kit blood tester. It has never said I was out side the normal. But if the list had been sold, that there was a history, then private gets a bit more expensive. If I had told them there is a history, which there is, they would have sold me on drugs, I didn't even need to take. And very expensive drugs at that, charged to my private medical "insurance." At some point, we have to end this, and go to Universal Care like every other First World Nation. And stop this crazy unregulated system, we have now.

You are reading to much into them asking about your family history. Any good doc will ask you this and that, including if you have pretense to this disease, or others. Your healthcare is not a conspiracy. I've had some GREAT docs over the years and a few poor ones but the good ones asked me questions. Lots and lots of them.