One Year Anniversary
Find a Conversation
One Year Anniversary
| Wed, 01-02-2008 - 12:28pm |
It was one year ago today that I received my Type 2 diagnosis. After battling for a year, I feel like I am worse off than I was then. My numbers are higher, my A1C has increased, and I generally feel lousy.
My current protocol includes 4 mg of Glimepiride twice a day along with diet and exercise. My doctor has discussed adding either Lantus or Levemir at night which I am strongly in favor of.
Is there anyone with experience using either of these insulins who would be willing to share their story?
Thank you.

Pages
Amy
Hi
Congratulations!!!!!! one year of hardship is over! it was not an easy year for me, either also it was not happy ending as I thought I'm taking my insulin, watch my diet and have my walk, I had 2 episodes of coma, landing in ICU twice in one month, I thought I was doing something horrible to land me in this situation, unfortunately, they don't tell you every thing when diagnosed, any way I'm using Lantus since almost 2 years now, and I can say it feels much better than the novo nordisk insulatard, it has less effect of a shake when the sugar level is law, and it doesn't kick in the middle of the night as insulatard used to do with Me, it's slow acting and it doesn't let you down ,because of its slow act it doesn't lead to the coma stat I used to get in. I feel safe using it.
most important not forgetting to take it on the night. for me that something I had to learn by experience, the difference between day and night insulin, it would be also better to be injected in thigh this way its slow taking and lasting.
I wish you well, we are living and have diabetes, not the other way around, so take it easy don't let it spin you around, like it did with me. one day at the time,
best of luck
Huda
Just an update ... I have been on Levemir since January 2nd, 20 units in the evening. I have had lower fasting readings that I have ever had, still not "in range", but at least nearing the ballpark! My pp readings are still a bit higher than I'd like them to be so I am going to try and work with my carb intake and see if that helps them at all. I have an appointment on the 21st to follow up with my doctor. It will be interesting to see if she makes any adjustments right now.
My body still is adjusting to the more normal readings and my vision is returning to normal so things are definitely looking up!
Sue
I did some research on Levemir to provide you with some more information. I already knew that it was specifically developed for over weight type 2 diabetics. It has been tested on pediatric and adult type 1 and type 2 diabetics and found to be safe for all of them. I did find out that it can be given in split dose twice per day if needed and the starting dose is 10 units. There is a math formula for basing the dose on the patient's weight. Because it hasn't been studied it is not approved for use in pregnancy or with nursing mothers.
But one of the most interesting things I found is that once the vial is opened you can use it for up to 42 days. This should cut down drastically with the wastage that occurs with Lantus. (Lantus can only be used for 28 days after opening the vial.)
As with all insulins it can cause weight gain. Since weight is such an issue in type 2 diabetes I can't figure out why they design our drugs to help us lose weight, not gain it! So you want to balance the amount of insulin you are taking with the amount of carbs to achieve your optimum blood sugar level. You don't want to be on more insulin that you need and you can't lose weight if you are chasing hypoglycemia.
You really need to ask your doctor for a dietitian referral for meal planning, especially if you have seen a dietitian in a very long time. That being said, here is the carb pattern that the dietitian established for me: 30 for breakfast, 30-45 for lunch and dinner and 15 for a bedtime snack. This is a pretty usual distribution of carbs through out the day and was established for me. I have no way of knowing what would be established for you. But I think you are on the right tract to look at your carb intake and what it is doing to your blood sugar.
Now if I have confused you with anything here please get back to me and I will try again. But it certainly reads like you are making progress and that is wonderful.
Have a great weekend.
Pages