I am T2, on Metformin 2000 mg and Glyburide 5mg also Cymbalta 60 mg for neuropathy (all takem once a day) My fasting blood sugars are hardly ever under 100 (110, 128, 120, 130) I try to follow a proper diet, tending to "slip" at times, but nothing major. I have been in the 200's & 300's already, but not steady.

Is it possible to eventually turn to type 1? Please tell me no!!!:confused:

I am T2, on Metformin 2000 mg and Glyburide 5mg also Cymbalta 60 mg for neuropathy (all takem once a day) My fasting blood sugars are hardly ever under 100 (110, 128, 120, 130) I try to follow a proper diet, tending to "slip" at times, but nothing major. I have been in the 200's & 300's already, but not steady.

Is it possible to eventually turn to type 1? Please tell me no!!!:confused:

No, it isn't possible to turn into a type 1, but it IS possible for Type 2's to become insulin dependent.

Type 2 is, unfortunately, a progressive illness. While originally it may be due strictly to the body's insulin resistance, after years of trying to cope with that (through increased insulin production by the pancreas), sometimes the insulin-producing cells start to wear out and die, thus the body now isn't even producing enough insulin, plus the cells are still insulin-resistant. This can necessitate eventually going on insulin.

At this point, you may need either an increase in some of your oral medications, more weight loss (if you're overweight), more exercise, or a combination of all three in order to stave off the necessity for insulin. On the other hand, if none of that works and you do need insulin, you might only need a small amount added to what you're already doing, maybe only one shot a day.

While many people dread going on insulin, it is far better to go on insulin than to let your blood sugars run high all the time and risk the potential for major complications of the illness. If you've been doing everything right (diet, exercise, etc.), this is NOT a failure on your part, but rather a sign of the illness progressing. If, on the other hand, you've NOT been eating right, not been exercising, etc., then perhaps this is the wakeup call you need to take better care of yourself.

Ruth

P.S. I just realized I should have explained the difference in the two types to you. Type 1 is an autoimmune illness. Something (frequently a common virus such as a cold, flu, etc.) causes the immune system to go into overdrive, during which time it mistakes the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas for foreign invaders, and so destroys them. There is actually a test, called the GAD Antibody test, for T1. If the GAD is positive and the C-peptide shows reduced insulin production, then the diagnosis is T1. In T2's, the C-peptide may be below normal, but there is usually at least some insulin production and the GAD test will be negative.