I am curious what your feelings are towards the possibility of having to take insulin injections? Do you fear it? Try everything to avoid it? If so why?

My frame of reference is that I don't take any medication.

Having said that, I would prefer not to have to take insulin, but if need be, I will. It may be a good choice in part because its a natural substance. My CDE told me that compared to insulin shots, testing on your fingers hurt. To me, testing is a minor annoyance.

I am curious what your feelings are towards the possibility of having to take insulin injections? Do you fear it? Try everything to avoid it? If so why?

I am newly diagnosed and on metformin. I feel a bit afraid of the idea of having to go on insulin some day. I am a chicken about the pain of the shots! ;) However, if it is needed, I will definitely do whatever it takes to keep myself healthy.

I agree with the "not taking medications" thinking. However, with diabetes the medications do work and are what stands between you and serious complications because of beta cells being destroyed - other than what we do with diet and exercise.

I do not fear taking insulin, I just don't want to progress to that point. I would not hesitate to use insulin if if meant slowing or stopping the progression - and if it was necessary to control my blood sugars. I am doing whatever I can to prevent taking insulin just because it means I have lost more beta cells.

Holding off taking insulin when it is called for is just foolish and only makes the situation worse. The best solution here is prevention.

pipermac i am type 11 i am on metformin 5oo mlg 3 times a day and i take 35 units of insulin am and pm i take the premix flex pen its not as bad as i thought i was scared at first took me a half hour to give my first shot now im used to it both my mom and dad are insulin dependent so i kinda new what to expect i give shots in my stomac i dont feel it

I am curious what your feelings are towards the possibility of having to take insulin injections? Do you fear it? Try everything to avoid it? If so why?

It's my goal not to ever take insulin. I think that within a few years great strides will be taken involving a diabetes cure and the less wrapped up in it I am, the better off I will be.

Also, I feel I have some control over my diabetes at the moment. There is more chance of going hypoglycemic if you are on insulin. I've got myself to a point where I can almost sleep the whole night through. I feel good. If I had to worry about that, I wouldn't sleep as well.

Are you considering going on insulin? I don't mean to sound so matter of fact, my doctor told me that my goal is not realistic. I'm just very positive about the future of diabetics when stem cell research is allowed to move forward.

Actually I have been a Type I Daibetic for 25 years and have been on insulin for all of that time.

The Reason I ask the question is because Is because it seems to me the many Type II diabetics seem to try to do everything they can to Avoid Insulin. Yet Insulin is the Best treatment one can take for diabetes.

I have read many peoples comments about how difficult it is for them to keep there sugars down. and how some people are avoiding all the carbs they can.......Including Healthy ones like fruit.

Yet if these same People were to take insulin they would be able to keep much tighter control of there diabetes and essentially be able to eat whatever they want.

as for the Needles.....PRicking your finger to test your blood hurts more then an injection does and Taking the Injection is really not any more of an inconvenience then taking pills.

I would just think that More people would look forward to Insulin so that they can take more control over their life.

I don't have a problem with the thought of taking insulin should my Doctor ever feel that is the best treatment for me. I currently take 1000mg Fortamet once daily and it seems to do okay. A low carb diet helps me a great deal. However, I do lack willpower, so it's a good thing I have my meds.

Shsgg

The problems of low blood sugars are there when you use insulin, that is true. But, and there is always a but. It all goes back to preserving what beta cells we have left. Some type 2 have a lot more than others. By holding off and tuffing it out will make your insulin production reduce or fail even sooner, not later. Think about it, a type 2 is insulin resistent as it is - reduce the ability to produce insulin just adds to the problems you already have. Insulin resistence is not a simple thing - there are different reasons people have this - cures may come to different people at different times, if at all.

Pipermac

A type 2 on insulin cannot eat any different than one that is not on insulin. The insulin does not change the bodies resistence to insulin, it just is necessary to live.

Shsgg

The problems of low blood sugars are there when you use insulin, that is true. But, and there is always a but. It all goes back to preserving what beta cells we have left. Some type 2 have a lot more than others. By holding off and tuffing it out will make your insulin production reduce or fail even sooner, not later. Think about it, a type 2 is insulin resistent as it is - reduce the ability to produce insulin just adds to the problems you already have. Insulin resistence is not a simple thing - there are different reasons people have this - cures may come to different people at different times, if at all.

Pipermac

A type 2 on insulin cannot eat any different than one that is not on insulin. The insulin does not change the bodies resistence to insulin, it just is necessary to live.


Actually that is not entirerly true....Type II daibetes can be one or a combination of 2 things. Insulin resistence or the lack of ability to create enough insulin. in Both cases Insulin injects will help and give you more freedom in what you can eat.

Shsgg

The problems of low blood sugars are there when you use insulin, that is true. But, and there is always a but. It all goes back to preserving what beta cells we have left. Some type 2 have a lot more than others. By holding off and tuffing it out will make your insulin production reduce or fail even sooner, not later. Think about it, a type 2 is insulin resistent as it is - reduce the ability to produce insulin just adds to the problems you already have. Insulin resistence is not a simple thing - there are different reasons people have this - cures may come to different people at different times, if at all.

Pipermac

A type 2 on insulin cannot eat any different than one that is not on insulin. The insulin does not change the bodies resistence to insulin, it just is necessary to live.

Your insulin production will only fail if you are not in control of your diabetes. Why would I want to take insulin if my numbers are good?

My brother-in-law does insulin with a pump. We were having breakfast one day and he told me he can have 90 carb grams a day if he wants. I don't eat that many and he can compensate with additional pumps for whatever he eats.

I had insulin after surgery when I couldn't eat and my sugar was high from the drip. It brought my numbers down somewhat but they were golden only when I got real food and my own meds back.

The newer insulins that prevent spikes and protects beta cells are better but not as good as staying in control with diet and exercise if you can.

Shsgg

I don't disagree with you, what I was saying is that not all type 2 diabetics are insulin resistent for the same reason. It is a situation much deeper than my knowledge. It has been explained to me and I cannot quote any of it. The cells resist at a different level. What I was getting to this - if you (not you personally) are waiting for medical science to solve the type 2 condition it is more difficult than just one problem that fits all.

As far as eating what you want because you take insulin in only playing a very dangerous game with your health. The body makes insulin and other hormones to counter insulin with great percision. It is a very complicated process. Us humans cannot duplicate that process to the degree it takes to eat like non-diabetics. Blood sugar control is difficult enough. If you accept the ADA standars of a rise of 80 after a meal then you might be okay sometimes. I don't want to be sick and do not ever allow such spikes. Well, I like to think that I can really do that all the time. I shoot for a rise of no more than 20. I get it almost all the time.

Shsgg

I don't disagree with you, what I was saying is that not all type 2 diabetics are insulin resistent for the same reason. It is a situation much deeper than my knowledge. It has been explained to me and I cannot quote any of it. The cells resist at a different level. What I was getting to this - if you (not you personally) are waiting for medical science to solve the type 2 condition it is more difficult than just one problem that fits all.

As far as eating what you want because you take insulin in only playing a very dangerous game with your health. The body makes insulin and other hormones to counter insulin with great percision. It is a very complicated process. Us humans cannot duplicate that process to the degree it takes to eat like non-diabetics. Blood sugar control is difficult enough. If you accept the ADA standars of a rise of 80 after a meal then you might be okay sometimes. I don't want to be sick and do not ever allow such spikes. Well, I like to think that I can really do that all the time. I shoot for a rise of no more than 20. I get it almost all the time.

I don't agree with the ADA standards much. I watch those spikes too because I want to feel good throughout the day.

If the cells resist at a different level and they need to find a cure for every level, we are in trouble. Do you think that they can adjust their findings once they know how to control say the highest level of resistence?

Just asking your opinion.

Just to add.........what you eat and how your control is does not nessacarily Affect how your Diabetes will Progress. The Truth is that No One knows exactly what causes Diabetes. IF someone has Type II and it is going to get worse...the Odds are there is nothing they will be able to do about it.

Just to add.........what you eat and how your control is does not nessacarily Affect how your Diabetes will Progress. The Truth is that No One knows exactly what causes Diabetes. IF someone has Type II and it is going to get worse...the Odds are there is nothing they will be able to do about it.

I told my dr that it was my goal never to go on insulin. He said it was unrealistic but I look at insulin as a step deeper into diabetes and I am hoping a cure or at least some more effective ways of treating it become available.

If I must go on insulin, I'll deal with it. I'm still hoping and praying that we all have some substantive meds for this disease real soon tho. :)

GG

Shsgg

I agree with what you say about why would you take insulin if your blood sugar levels are good. The only reason to take diabetes, for the most part, is becuase you do not produce enough insulin. If you produce enough insulin, like most type 2 do, more insulin in just going to overload you system with insulin which leads to other problems.

As far as diet and exercise along with medications keeping down the progress, it will. It is more often said that you can reverse type 2 if caught soon enough and take a very aggresive approach. We all hope for such results when we first start treatment. Weight loss and getting all your test results in line.

Taking insulin is just one of the realities of type 2 faces. It is more 'natural' than the pills. Though it is only needed in more advanced stages. If your beta cells are still in good shape the only answer is TAKE THE LOAD OFF THEM. They will hang in there is they are not producing excess insulin. Well, more than that. Insulin is not the only hormone beta cells produce that are part of the process necessary for good control.

The goal recommended by the ADA is below 7.0. My goal is for the mid 4's. That is what the average person live with. There is no reason those numbers cannot be reached - that is if you do not have other problems that will keep you higher. Health problems besides diabetes dictate how we eat, exercise and what medications we can take. For the most part what I have to say refers to us that don't have these other problems. I am not talking about things like high blood pressure. If you get your numbers down and loose weight that helps that condition a lot. Same with some heart problems. I follow Richard Bernsteins teaching as much as I can - it really works and make sense. Giving up the foods that I love dearly is not as difficult as learning to live with the complications I am facing, just like the rest of us.

I told my dr that it was my goal never to go on insulin. He said it was unrealistic but I look at insulin as a step deeper into diabetes and I am hoping a cure or at least some more effective ways of treating it become available.

If I must go on insulin, I'll deal with it. I'm still hoping and praying that we all have some substantive meds for this disease real soon tho. :)

GG
I think we all hope that......but insulin is the most effective way of treating it right now.

The Part I find hard to comprehend...not just with you.....is why this "Fear" or "Concern" about taking insulin?

I guess being on insulin for 25 years and seeing how well controlled one can be and still have the freedom to basically eat what i want(Within Reason) makes it difficult for me to understand.

Pipermac

There is one concept that is quite different with type 2 and type 2. You are type 1 and, of course you understand very well, that you do not produce insulin, but your body can handle insulin. You do not have insulin resinstence.

Type 2 make insulin but can't process them very well. When type 2 get to the point where they need insulin because they do not produce enough insulin it does not change the fact that they can't process it very well. If I were to go on insulin my diet would have to be just as tight. Excess insulin leads to weight gain and other problems. For me it would be just another treatment to indure to keep in control. That is why I would not want to go on insulin.

Hello pipermac,
It is interesting reading this posting tonight. I had to visit my CNP today because I was extremely sick this weekend. I recently read in a magazine that it is sometimes better to go ahead and get on insulin and it will possibly save some of the beta cells from working so hard. I talked to my CNP about taking insulin along with my meds (1000mg metformin-twice/daily, 2mg advandia-twice/daily). She wanted to try the new med on the market right now (Byetta). I recently had to reach a new point in my life with acceptance because dr's always told me if I lost weight my diabetes would get better, needless to say I have lost 25 lbs, with 50 more to go and my fasting sugars are anywhere between 140-182. I will be on three meds and I am to the point of welcoming insulin at this point.

Thank you for posting this question and letting me "talk."

Pipermac

There is one concept that is quite different with type 2 and type 2. You are type 1 and, of course you understand very well, that you do not produce insulin, but your body can handle insulin. You do not have insulin resinstence.

Type 2 make insulin but can't process them very well. When type 2 get to the point where they need insulin because they do not produce enough insulin it does not change the fact that they can't process it very well. If I were to go on insulin my diet would have to be just as tight. Excess insulin leads to weight gain and other problems. For me it would be just another treatment to indure to keep in control. That is why I would not want to go on insulin.


Not sure if you Missed my earlier comment...but not all typeII's are insulin resistant. many just dont produce enough insulin.

And there is not any evidence that Having High sugars actually harms your beta cells. the truth is that No One knows what causes the beta cells to Stop producing enough insulin, Why people become resistant to insulin or why the immune sytem kills them(In TypeI).

Pipermac

I tood the time to look back into this just to make sure - what makes a type 2 a type 2 to is insulin resistance. A type 1 does not produce any insulin. Okay, a very simplified discription, I know that.

The high blood sugars by being out of control causes more insulin to be produced which they know causes beta cell burnout. While they do know very little about diabetes they do know the cause and effect of high blood sugars.