I was just prescribed Humalog Mix 50/50 today. One of the reasons I didn't want to have to start insulin is because of fear of weight gain. I have been losing weight over the past couple of months because of the diabetes and then a little more with diet over the past few weeks after being diagnosed. I would love to lose about 25 more and keep it off.

What are your experiences with insulin and weight gain/loss? Any tips on my continuing to lose weight while taking the Humalog?

I was just prescribed Humalog Mix 50/50 today. One of the reasons I didn't want to have to start insulin is because of fear of weight gain. I have been losing weight over the past couple of months because of the diabetes and then a little more with diet over the past few weeks after being diagnosed. I would love to lose about 25 more and keep it off.

What are your experiences with insulin and weight gain/loss? Any tips on my continuing to lose weight while taking the Humalog?

You have been losing weight because your blood sugar has been out of control. Basically, your body has been starving. Insulin allows glucose to enter the cells of your body. If you don't have enough readily available insulin, then the glucose can't get into your cells and they starve. When your weight is maintained, you have a balance between the amount of nutrients getting into your cells versus the amount of energy you are burning off through exercise.

Taking insulin doesn't make you gain weight. Eating more than you are burning off will. At this point it is possible that you have become accustomed to eating more than you would normally require if your insulin requirements were being met. So, you are going to have to balance your exercise and your food intake while balancing your blood sugar. It is hard work, but is certainly do-able. Whatever you do, don't run high blood sugars in order to lose weight. That is a very good way to kill yourself slowly and painfully.

Cora

Thank you for your explaination. Yes, I understood why I was losing weight and trust me, I'd rather NOT lose it THAT way. I have been taking my meds and following my diet to a T in order to try to get my blood sugar under control. So far, the oral meds haven't worked and I'm hoping the insulin will do the trick. I also hope I won't have to take it long and my goal is to eventually be able to control my BG by diet and exercise alone.

However, I have taken care of many patients who've told me they gained weight when they started insulin and it is listed as one of the side effects. But I've also taken care of many patients who are thin and on insulin. But before having this disease myself, I never thought to ask people thin, overweight, or obese if they gained weight while taking insulin to try and get an idea how many people it effects this way.

That fact that you were losing weight further suggests to me that you may have type 1.

That fact that you were losing weight further suggests to me that you may have type 1.

They drew blood to test C-Peptide & GAD today to find out. I've been testing my urine ever since the diagnosis of diabetes and have had moderate to heavy ketones each time, which is usually found in Type I and causes weight loss.

Guess I'll find out in about a week.

Just thought I'd let you know I was told Friday by the diabetes specialist at my doctor's office that, according to the GAD & C-Peptide tests, I am Type 1. It definately explains why I developed everything so quickly (blood glucose was normal less than a year ago, then all of a sudden 300s-498, occasionally 200s)...sudden development of symptoms, the three oral meds wouldn't work, quick weight loss, and heavy ketones. Unfortunately, I'll be on insulin for life with no chance of controlling with diet & exercise alone.

Back to my original question.......has anyone had success with weight loss while on insulin? Any tips, please?

I have had T1 for over 41 years and have only recently had a bit of a problem with weight. The reasons for that are numerous, including 5 months on Lupron, which put me into instant menopause. My rear end explosed sideways. lol

Anyway, as I said earlier, you have to balance exercise, food intake, and insulin. At the moment I would suggest learning all you can about your case of diabetes first. That means learning what your basal requirements are and how much you need per carb.

I am not a big fan of mixes and feel that you can get much better control with lantus (or equivalent) and rapid acting. Once you have good control, then worry about the weight. You can't do it all at once. Once you are stable, then gradually cut your insulin and carbs and increase your exercise.

I have lost 25 pounds in the last year. The truth is that I am not working that hard at it so I'm only losing about a pound every 2 weeks. Not great, but not bad either.

In addition, I would strongly recommend getting a pump. They are fabulous and make all aspects of your life much easier. The nice thing with a pump is that you can dial down the insulin while you are exercises so you don't go low and have to eat while you are losing weight.

The bottom line is that people with diabetes lose weight the same way everyone else does. It becomes more difficult when you have lows and need to eat. Whatever you do, don't run high in order to lose weight. That is a very good way to land yourself in the hospital and get complications.

Best of luck to you.

Cora

Thank you, Cora.
No, as I said before, I would never purposely stay high in order to lose weight. I have seen too many patients with uncontrolled diabetes lose toes, feet or legs, kidney damage and having to go on dialysis, blindness, peripheral neuropathy, and cardiovascular problems. I pray that I can avoid all of that by getting my blood glucose under control and keeping it that way.
Good luck to you in losing the weight that you want to lose. In doing it slowly, you are more likely to keep it off.

The diabetes educator told me I should ask the endocrinologist next week when I go for my first visit there about a pump. I have known a couple of people with them and they liked them. But for me, I'm not so sure I want to go that route just yet...IF I will be able to find the right insulin and dosage for me to control it. I was surprised when I had to start insulin, but it doesn't hurt and I don't really mind giving myself injections. Ideally, I'd rather not have diabetes or use insulin. But I'll just have to accept that.