Gestational diabetes - horrible reaction to insulin

[NooNooHead]

I’m 30w1d and took my first insulin injection last night. I felt very odd just after taking it - tingling, prickling sensations in my arms and legs along with a horrible feeling of dread and anxiety. It’s now morning and I don’t feel quite right.

My blood glucose reading hasn’t improved with the insulin but I’m on a v low dose to begin with as I was very concerned with potential side effects of the insulin. I have a drug induced involuntary movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia (TD) and as a result, I’m very cautious about any new medication that I take in case it exacerbates any of my involuntary movements.

I’m now a bit scared to carry on taking the insulin. Of course, I realise that it is the best thing for me and baby, but I’m not sure I can put up with these horribly prickly tingling / crawling feelings under my skin for the next couple of months.

The diabetes nurse said it was more likely I would react to metformin as it has more side effects, and that it would most likely be the preservatives in the insulin that I react to if anything rather than the insulin itself.

I seriously get so frustrated with mi body at times. I just want a normal pregnancy without the worry of drugs, medication or reactions.

Not sure what I am asking here - just whether it would be wise to speak to my diabetes nurse about stopping the insulin.

There’s different types of insulin so definitely speak to your nurse. You need to anyway because it sounds like your dose isn’t right if it’s not making a difference.

insulin is a hormone not a medicine. try a different sort. the older regular insulin may be better than the newer analogues.

I would speak to the diabetes nurse as You need to rule out whether it is the insulin or the needle which is made of nickel. It doesn’t sound like an allergic reaction as you describe symptoms to arms and legs only? May be have a word with consultant or midwife too given your symptoms.
If you have been commenced on a long acting or intermediate insulin, it will need to be increased frequently.