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The Question
08/12/09
11:17 AM
"Why does it seem that my insulin requirements keep increasing? It seems to work for a short time, then adjusts and I need to increase my dose again."
Asked By:
kyra0814
Category:
Type 1
Background Info Hide
I was diagnosed type 1 in January of this year. My c-peptide was .5. Things went well for about 5 months (guessing honeymoon is over!). Now my sugars are constantly high in the low 200's. Working with my endo and her nurse we have increased and switched numerous times, but it seems like the new regime works for a 1-2 week period and then suddenly I'm back in the low 200's again. I am about 20 lbs overweight, most of which was gained back after starting insulin, and won't budge despite diet and exercise. No thyroid problem per doctor. Any help?
Expert Answers (1)
08/13/09
09:26 PM
Dear kyra0814. When people are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes they often have a "honeymoon period" such as what you have experienced. It is common that people's insulin amounts will need adjustment. You should also review with your diabetes team members things like your injection technique and where you are giving your shots. Are you giving your insulin at the right time based upon your meals and the type of insulin? You might need to exercise more to help you lose the extra 20 lbs you seem to be carrying. As the cells in your pancreas that make insulin (beta cells) die off, your insulin needs change. Eventually, this will stabilize. Just be patient and work closely with your healthcare team. You may also want to review your diet with a dietitian who has the certified diabetes educator credential. You may be eating more calories than you really need.
Answered By:
Janice Fisher
Accreditations: RD, LD, PHD, CDE, BC-ADM
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(1 Answer)
Community Answers (2)
12/06/09
08:27 PM
You go girl! I hate it when I cannot get a straight answer, or just get a the same line over and over. I asked a question very similar to yours a few months back. I have been type one for 22 years. My BGs seemed easy to control through my childhood but after puberty they went sky high and like to stay there no matter what I do.
Different insulins, methods of injection, oral medications, diets, exercise, etc. etc. all seem to work quite well for a couple of weeks to a month, then they peter out and my BG's go back to where they started. It is very frustrating, especially when you cannot get a decent answer for it from the 'experts'.
So far the only way I have found to lose weight is to cut down on my insulin. DUH, right? Anyway, when I exercise I do not snack, I cut down my basal rate on my pump which is a lot harder if you are on injections. I also started eating very low carb. Uninformed people will give you all sorts of reasons not to try this, but there are more and more studies coming out saying it is not bad for you. After all, it is a relatively easy change to make that can cut your insulin dose in half or more, which is they key for diabetics to lose weight.
Maybe you have not been type one long enough to build up antibodies to the injected insulin you take, but ask your doctor about possible insulin resistance anyway. If you have this problem, your doctor can give you some oral medications that will help (for awhile anyway!)
No matter what you do, try to stay positive, and try to find a doctor that will LISTEN to you and not dismiss your concerns out of hand because they think you do not know what you are talking about. I have seen so many doctors that were so far behind the times it wasn't even funny. Of course they thought they knew everything though!
Answered By:
cc_racer
FLAG
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08/14/09
07:46 AM
Thanks for your explanation about the needs continuously changing. Although I have to say your comments on “exercise more” and track calories and see a dietitian aren’t much help at all, in fact they compound my frustration. I’m always looking at posts and they have the same asinine generic answer. I work with a personal trainer and could pretty much have a degree in nutrition, so I find it insulting that you assume because I need to lose 20lbs that I don’t know a thing about nutrition or physical activity.
Answered By:
kyra0814
FLAG
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(2 Answers)
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