[Metforminman]

Hi
I am new to this forum and I am looking for some help in regulating my diabetes. I was 1st diagnosed in 2000 with Type II and it has since moved through the gray area into Type I. I am on Metformin and slow & fast insulin. I was previously on Lantus for slow and Humalog for fast I have been on Novolog for the past year with no change, but recently switched to Levemir Flex Pens and have noticed that my glucose readings are high over long time. Has anybody else had this situation ?
Thank You
bruce

 

[jwags]

Welcome to DF. Did they do a GAD antibody test on you to determine you were a Type 1. Type 2 and Type 1 are very different diseases. One doesn't morph into the other. But many Type 2's are dependent on insulin, but they are still Type 2's. Most diabetes is progressive and requires more meds or insulin or a sticter diet. How high are your bgs on Levemir? Also what type of diet are you on?

 

[Shanny]

What has your doc said about running higher on Levemir? Has there been talk of increasing your basal?

Jwags is correct about your type. Unless you've been tested for GAD antibodies & proven to be type 1, then you are still type 2 only insulin-dependent. It happens a lot. If your doc is saying that you are now type 1, you need to ask him to show you the test results, because I'm betting you're still type 2.

 

[tony0611]

A "type 2 non insulin dependent" person can become a "type 2 insulin dependent" and vice versa. This happens all the time

But I don't think you can move from type 2 to a type 1. If you managed your diabetes with meds and diet for 10 years you most definitely are a type 2

My mom's using Levemir and it did take us time to reduce her BGs. My experience is based on me managing my mom's BGs for the last 2 months.

1. Keep increasing your dose (after talking to your doctor) of Levemir.
2. Are you taking this at night or in the morning ? With your doctor's instructions you can explore breaking your levemir shots into two rather than one.
3. I would also recommend reading a book - Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. He explains a lot about insulin.
4. Whats your diet like ? Are you counting your carbs for your meal time insulin. Are your post meal (2 hour) numbers under control. If your mealtime insulin is not working properly the levermir may not be able to bring down the sugars too.

I've found carb counting is mostly a exact math. I know each gram of carbohydrate raises my mom's BG by 5 points and each unit of fast acting drops her by 10 points.
(a)So if her before meal number is 110 and she eats 20 gms of carbs, her sugar would go up to 210 (110+20*5)
(b)And I would need 10 units to drop her back to 110 (210-10*10)

These are very individual numbers. You have to test a lot and find how carb and insulin effect you individually

I keep her post meal numbers around 110 - 120 after dinner and have now found that 16 units of levemir (increased it slowly) helps us get the same number in the morning.

It's a lot of hit and trail. But you will learn.

 

[Metforminman]

I have been using insulin for 7 yrs. 1st it was just Humalog then moved into Lantus a couple of years later. So I guess I am really Type II insulin dependent not I. It just seemed to me that since being on Levemir my sugars are way more out of control than on the Lantus. I shoot 50 units of Levemir in the am and then check blood glucose probably 10-12 x's a day and shoot Novalog as needed for correction adjusting of my carb intake. I am 6' 1&1/2" tall and weigh 210 so I am not obese.
I do not have insurance so it is difficult for me to have regular check ups with the Diabetes Center here in Southern Maine. I am going to call my Dr. to talk about this, but Primary Care Physicians are not diabetes specialists so I will have to see what he recommends