Just b/c Type 2 Doesnt Mean No Insulin

[almonkey]

I keep reading posts that say "no no insulin, Im a type 2" or 'because this board is mostly for Type 2s and you dont need insulin, ...." This is WRONG!!!

First of all Type 2 Diabetes is a PROGRESSIVE disease. As a Type 2 diabetic you should get in control as quick as possible and try to stay there to SLOW the progression of this disease.

2ndly- if your doc hasnt told you that you have a good chance of ending up on insulin to stay in control...than Im going to tell you! Studies show that 70% of Type 2 diabetics will need insulin sometime in their lifetime to control their diabetes! This isnt a bad thing. A bad thing is neuropathy, vision problems, amputations, infections that wont heal, heart disease and stroke. Insulin is made to be exactly like what non-diabetics produce in their bodies and absolutely lowers blood sugar. The complications will make you lead a miserable life. Insulin can help prevent these same complications.

Type 2 diabetes usually starts with insulin resistance...meaning usually because of body fat, your body is less sensitive to your own insulin...from there you try to produce extra...then the beta cells "burn out" and you produce less...

My advice to Type 2s is this... Loose weight (most Type 2s are overweight) change your eating habits and understand why breads, pastas, juices, crackers etc. should be strictly limited in your diet.

Start some type of exercise. Even a brisk 20 minute walk will help your blood sugars, help your body be less insulin resistant, and make you feel better!

And lastly, if you have a doctor that doesnt suggest you start on insulin and youve already been on 2 or 3 pills for diabetes and you arent moving towards under 7% a1c, change doctors...he doesnt have your best interest in mind!

Giving yourself 2-4 shots of insulin is a breeze compared to walking w/out toes or 1/2 a foot or even a leg!

[SamQKitty]

As a long-time Type 2 diabetic who is now on an insulin pump, I just wanted to say that I couldn't agree more with you, Almonkey. It is particularly disturbing to me how many doctors do not take Type 2 seriously enough!

When I was diagnosed, back in the 80's, they only had one basic type of oral medication, which made your pancreas increase its output of insulin. Those old medications (sulfonuryeas) actually increased the progression of T2 by wearing out the pancreas even more quickly.

Nowadays, with the advent of medications such as Glucophage and Avandamet, which work by decreasing the body's insulin resistance, the necessity for going on insulin can be delayed a lot longer.

However, the progression of T2 is different for each individual, as is the stage at which diagnosis occurs. So, if you've tried diet,exercise, and oral medications and your doctor says you need insulin, don't feel as if you are a failure because of that. It's not YOU that has failed, it's your pancreas. And, as Almonkey has pointed out, it's far, far better to take shots (even 4-6 a day, which is what I was doing before the pump) than to suffer heart disease, kidney disease, possible stomach problems like gastroparesis, diabetic neuropathy, amputations, eye problems (retinopathy and/or blindness). All of these things can be prevented with tight control, and sometimes tight control can only be achieved with insulin.

Ruth

[SamQKitty]

As a long-time Type 2 diabetic who is now on an insulin pump, I just wanted to say that I couldn't agree more with you, Almonkey. It is particularly disturbing to me how many doctors do not take Type 2 seriously enough!

When I was diagnosed, back in the 80's, they only had one basic type of oral medication, which made your pancreas increase its output of insulin. Those old medications (sulfonuryeas) actually increased the progression of T2 by wearing out the pancreas even more quickly.

Nowadays, with the advent of medications such as Glucophage and Avandamet, which work by decreasing the body's insulin resistance, the necessity for going on insulin can be delayed a lot longer.

However, the progression of T2 is different for each individual, as is the stage at which diagnosis occurs. So, if you've tried diet,exercise, and oral medications and your doctor says you need insulin, don't feel as if you are a failure because of that. It's not YOU that has failed, it's your pancreas. And, as Almonkey has pointed out, it's far, far better to take shots (even 4-6 a day, which is what I was doing before the pump) than to suffer heart disease, kidney disease, possible stomach problems like gastroparesis, diabetic neuropathy, amputations, eye problems (retinopathy and/or blindness). All of these things can be prevented with tight control, and sometimes tight control can only be achieved with insulin. Don't think of insulin as your enemy, but rather as your friend that will keep you healthy!

Ruth

[skb1780]

I have been a Type 2 Diabetic for years. I take insulin twice a day and my blood sugar is always out of control. I am not overweight at all and am very active. I think my insulin resistance is bad. I started taking extra chromium picolinate, magnesium and folic acid. It has helped some. Someone said to take cinammon tablets and so I just purchased them. Does anyone else have any suggestions for me?

[SamQKitty]

Yes, I do have some suggestions.

You didn't say what type of insulin you're taking, but I would suspect you may be on NPH, since you mention taking it only twice a day. Also, since you've already been T2 for years, there's a strong possibility that your pancreas is no longer producing enough insulin, and that on top of insulin resistance is causing the difficulty in maintaining good blood sugar control.

If you're not already doing so, you need to see an endocrinologist. A new insulin regimen is in order. It may be that the only way for you to achieve tight control at this point is through MDI (multiple daily injections), which would most likely include a combination of Lantus insulin as your basal insulin, with injections of Humalog or Novolog before each meal and snack.

Like you, SKB1789, I started on oral meds, graduated to two shots a day, then four+ shots a day, and I'm now on an insulin pump. My latest A1C was 6.9, and I'm aiming for 6.5 next time. My doctor says that although I started out as a T2, he now considers me the same as a T1, because he feels that after years and years of insulin resistance and insulin over-production, my pancreas is completely worn out.

On the other hand, SKB, since you're not overweight at all, it's possible you have T1.5, which is like T1, except the islet cells don't die off all at once, but rather over a period of months or even a few years. If, however, you're T1.5, your body is no longer producing any insulin at all, and you will definitely need multiple daily injections.

While all of those supplements will, indeed, help somewhat, they cannot compensate for a pancreas that is no longer producing sufficient insulin. My best advice would be to consider going on the "poor man's pump" (the Lantus/humalog combination) and perhaps, if your insurance would cover it, eventually going on an insulin pump. It takes a lot of dedication...you must learn how to count carbs and be committed to testing at least 4-6 times a day, sometimes even 8-10 times. But it becomes habit pretty quickly, and it's worth it in the long run.

A relative of mine who refused to go on insulin for years after his doctor recommended it, and who is finally on two shots a day but who hasn't tested his bg for at least 2 years, is already suffering from severe neuropathy, gastroparesis, and kidney problems. I, on the other hand, after 21 years with diabetes, have, (knock wood!) no complications at all.

Good luck, and do keep us posted.

Ruth