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Original poster

They want to put me on Insulin scaredti death

46 replies

Blossomflowers · 02/10/2014 11:55

I am looking for some advice, I was diagnosed with Diabetes a couple of years, on Metformin. However recently ended up in hospital with serious raised Glucose and Ketones had to go on a drip. GP has finally sprung into action and referred to a specialist it now seems I was wrongly diagnosed and have late onset Type 1 and they want to put me on insulin now as in today. I am terrified think this is going to change my life forever, I am so worried I will get the dose incorrect too much too little, am very confused. Have appointment booked with specialist nest week she has already ordered insulin from surgery, seems decision has been made. Anyone out there who been through the same?

OP posts:
mausmaus · 02/10/2014 11:59

you will be fine.
it will take a bit to adjust but you will get help with that.
when your blood sugar is under control you will feel much better and you can lead a normal life (bar minor adjustments)

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 02/10/2014 13:51

Any new diagnosis is scary when you don't yet fully understand what is happening or what to do but from what I've heard you should be given the number of a diabetic liaison nurse Blossom.

Original poster
Blossomflowers · 02/10/2014 13:59

Hello donkey you keep finding me Smile I was on the phone for over an hour with a specialist last nigh she wants to see asap and go onto insulin. I just need a little time to process this, thought I could manage with diet and exercise. Had panic this morning as ketones present again but have low carbed and drank tons of water and now back to trace. I think stress has not helped in all this. You will be please to know FW ( for anyone else my X) is being very supportive

OP posts:
DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 02/10/2014 14:09

I saw this thread on Unanswered Messages a couple of hours' ago and debated should I reply, hope she doesn't think I'm trailing after her on MN!

I don't know much about diabetes at all but a neighbour where I used to live had it. I do know that when you say on your thread you're not feeling well especially when not eating properly my ears prick up.

Glad ex is being helpful (!).

Original poster
Blossomflowers · 02/10/2014 14:43

donkey always lovely to hear from you. I have to be honest with all the stress in life I have managed my diabetes appallingly. Though if it is 100% Type one it was inevitable I would have ended on Insulin, just got to get my head around it.

OP posts:
itwillbebetter · 02/10/2014 14:46

I feel for you, my Ds (11) got a type 1 diagnosis in June and we were terrified and felt like we would never get the hang of it. But we have and so will you. It was only in this last 90 years that replacement insulin was 'invented' so before that a diagnosis was dire news. Nowadays, although its proper scary and seems like your life will change forever, with the help of insulin it is manageable.

It's a massive thing to get your head round, you must be scared (we were!) but you will process it and then be able to deal with it.

I hope you feel better soon Flowers

Original poster
Blossomflowers · 02/10/2014 15:51

itwill thank you. I feel so sorry for kids who have to live with this. My mum is on insulin and she always seem to having hypos and she is a nurse so not seen it that well managed though I sure it can be. What scares me is I am single and work from home alone if anything went wrong then no one here to help. It is the early days that worry whilst getting used to things

OP posts:
millymae · 02/10/2014 16:39

Your story is just like my OH - and like you he didn't much fancy the idea of having to inject himself with insulin.

Initially I can't pretend it wasn't scary and he was VERY careful about what he ate, but now several years down the line he barely gives it thought - it's just what he has to do and he gets on with it.

We all eat what he does - his diet is a healthy one most of the time, and on the odd occasion it isn't it doesn't seem to do him any harm. He started on 3 injections a day but within a couple of years chose to try 4 injections and has remained on these ever since. He tests his blood before every meal and adjusts the dose himself depending on the result and what he is planning to eat. He has obviously managed to get the hang of this because each time he goes to the clinic his blood results are spot on.

He would be the first to admit that although he hated having to inject at first he felt 10 times better for moving onto insulin. It hasn't stopped him having the odd drink, sweet or piece of cake if he wants one and he's still able to ride his bike and play football. He now sees the blood testing and the injections as part of his daily routine and a small price to pay for staying alive.

Whilst he would never have chosen to be diabetic it's a condition that is definitely manageable. When you go to the clinic his one piece of advice would be to make use of the diabetic specialist nurse, pick his/her brains and don't be afraid to contact them for advice whenever you need to as in the early weeks you'll have a lot of worries and questions. Good though our GP is he was pretty clueless when it came to insulin doses etc and OH wasted a lot of time making appointments to see him when he would have been better picking up the phone! He also found an appointment with the hospital dietician very helpful when he began to lose a lot of weight.

You don't say whether you have a job outside the home, but if you do make sure you tell your employer that you are moving onto insulin and also if you drive you need to tell your insurance company.

Good luck with your appointment next week.

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 02/10/2014 21:37

If it's def type1 the they've no choice about the insulin - you cannot do it with diet. In a way it will be easier - you don't have to watch your diet like you do with type2 (eat cake and take insulin instead of not eating cake!).

My son has type1. It is hard work to manage it, but it is manageable. Make sure they put you on mdi (4+ injections a day! carb-counting to adjust the insulin dose at each meal). Don't let them fob you off with fixed doses of mixed insulin twice a day - it might seem appealing to do fewer injections but it's much harder to keep your blood sugar under control, so more hypos, and more highs too.

"Think like a pancreas" is an excellent book to read. Knowledge is power with T1!

tiredgranny · 02/10/2014 21:43

u also have to notify dvla if on insulin

PloddingDaily · 02/10/2014 21:48

Hiya...just wanted to reassure you - I've had type one for over three decades now & the progress that has been made in treatment & education is fab. You will be ok. Smile

Take a look at www.diabetessupport.co.uk
There are loads of friendly diabetics of all types & experience there who will be able to share their experiences. Ask your diabetic nurse about carb counting and insulin ratios (how many units of insulin per 10g carbs you personally need at each meal / snack). It can feel quite overwhelming at first, but you'll get there! Smile

All the best Thanks

Original poster
Blossomflowers · 03/10/2014 10:24

Thanks for your advice and sharing experiences.I will know 100% if type 2 or late onset type 1 when my results come back. I sounds so terribly regimental, counting carbs to ratio of insulin oh my. I love cooking and eating ( am not over weight, eat healthly) but this is so over whelming the thought of it make me feel ill. Have so many other dramas in my life atm so that probably not helping. Am worried of having a Hypo on my own, what then.

OP posts:
bojangles · 03/10/2014 10:36

I have been type 1 for 15 years having been diagnosed in my late 20s. You will feel so much better with insulin in your system and your body functioning properly again. The first time you inject is the worst but you do get used to it and it will bring you freedom in what you eat. I eat pretty much what I like and have learnt to adjust my insulin doses. I'm now on a pump which has given me even greater freedom.

It's all a shock now and I remember the fear of going hypo alone but just carry lucozade, glucose tablets or even jelly babies and you will be fine. I have never collapsed, just felt wobbly, sweaty and weak. It passes in approx 15-30 mins for me once I've eaten enough sugar.

I second the recommendation for the book 'think like a pancreas' it really changed my way of thinking.

Original poster
Blossomflowers · 03/10/2014 16:41

bojangles great post thanks. I know it is going to happen, I have been really low carbing today, loads of water ( almost like a like a last ditch attempt to convince myself that I can control this) And just tested this pm and am 16.9, totally rubbish and ketones, so this can not go on I know. Think I will get the book

OP posts:
ChestyNut · 03/10/2014 18:15

Do you have ketones OP?
Are you blood ketone monitoring or dipping your urine?

sidsmissis · 05/10/2014 22:18

I have late onset type 1 and could have written all the things you have written so far. I too was diagnosed two years ago. It became apparent very quickly that medication just wasn't going to work so I went on to insulin.

Like you, I was on my own all day and was scared to death about hypos and there being no-one else around. The reality is that they are not that bad. You will probably get plenty of warning that one is starting to happen and it's just a case of getting some sugar. For me this means a drink of lucozade and a biscuit or a slice of toast.

It does all seem a bit boggling with the carb counts and ratios but you will get lots of help, especially at first. Once you have wrapped your head around it, it means you can eat a normal diet. The injections are fine, just tiny needles and mostly painless. There will be a fair bit of trial and error at first and lots of testing your levels but once it's sorted it's relatively straightforward.

I have been on Insulin for a year now and the whole thing is second nature. You will feel so much better when you start insulin and your worries will soon fade.

Original poster
Blossomflowers · 06/10/2014 11:16

sid thank you, I know I will get my head around it.
chesty Yes am testing Ketones, this morning sky high am in a bit of a panic actually and waiting for GP to call back, probably end up in A and E again.

OP posts:
HolgerDanske · 06/10/2014 11:18

You will be just fine.

It's a shock to the system at first, sure, but it quickly becomes second nature.

My daughter has managed everything just fine on her own, with a little support from me, since she was diagnosed as a teenager.

Edenviolet · 06/10/2014 11:21

Good luck. My dd2 (4) has type 1 and although at first it was daunting now that we are used to it its just part of day to day life. The carb counting and adjusting doses made things much easier and she eats all sorts of things. In June she got an insulin pump which is great.
If you do have type 1 and are anxious about hypos perhaps look into a cgm they are great.

Hope things are ok but if not there's always lots of support on here and there's a diabetes board too Thanks

Original poster
Blossomflowers · 06/10/2014 11:29

Thanks again, does anyone on here know how to rid the body of ketones? Have drank loads of water, waiting for GP to call me back.. Am very shivery and cold. God wish I had not tested this morning got myself into a panic.

OP posts:
JellyBabiesSaveLives · 06/10/2014 11:30

Blossom, how high? Are you testing urine or blood? If its blood and its over 3.0, don't wait for the GP, get someone to take you to A&E and shout a lot. Apologies for scaring you, but DKA (high ketones with type 1 diabetes) can kill, quite quickly.

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 06/10/2014 11:31

The only way to get rid of diabetic ketones is to inject insulin.

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 06/10/2014 11:32

And what is your BG now?

Original poster
Blossomflowers · 06/10/2014 11:36

BS is 14.6, I don't have any insulin, ketones 0.8 or 8 don't really know how to read this

OP posts:
JellyBabiesSaveLives · 06/10/2014 11:46

OK. Are you testing the ketones with a blood meter? Or a wee strip?

0.8 is only slightly high (0.6 is normal). 8.0 would be very very high indeed.

BS of 14.6 is not too bad - not ideal but not dangerous right now.