Comment by Brian (bsc) on May 5, 2010 at 8:56am

Are you seeing an endo? I guess I have real questions about your treatment. You are probably fairly insulin resistant and would benefit from increased metformin. Why are you on a basal insulin an a sulfonylureas? Unless you are eating like zero carb, I really don't see how you can manage your blood sugars on that regime. It is no wonder you end up in the 150s.

I know you may not like the whole needle thing and I know it sounds harsh, but some things you just have to do. And this is your health, so please take care of it.

Ok. Now that I am done with my totally irritating comments, I'll make a useful suggestion (its about time). There are three common syringe sizes, 1/3cc, 1/2cc and 1cc. They hold 33 units, 50 units and 100 units respectively. You can of course, get the larger syringes and inject a larger number of units. But let me caution you that some people find that injections over 50 units can have absorption problems and you may need to inject it in two different sites anyway (sorry).

Comment by Autumn Haley on May 5, 2010 at 9:06am

Dude! I've taken enough shots to know that a larger syringe means a larger needle, uggghhhh! I'm not okay with that, BUT with the pain I'm going through, I will consider it. I'm taking a crapload of Metformin already, I have a call in to my dr. to see what she thinks. She's just an MD, I've never seen an endo before. I am super insulin resistant! IDK the term sulfonylureas, i'll look it up so I can ask better questions though. Oh, and the 0 carb statement, no..that's not me. Now I do watch what I eat, honestly and I've started paying attention to how late I eat dinner. Trying to get in all done before 7pm (which is a challenge with my family lifestyle)
Thanks for your comments, I appreciate them very much! Sometimes I need someone who is willing to stand tall on their soapbox and tell it like it is! :)

Comment by Gerri on May 5, 2010 at 10:32am

Hi Autumn,

Beautiful name!

When you say Novolog as needed, does this mean you take it only if your reading is above a certain number?

One thing that may help is having your doctor teach you to count carbs & dose Novolog according to what you're eating. If you're high before bed, it won't help your morning fasting.

Lowering your carb intake will greatly help. If you're following the usual ADA recommendations, it's too high. Less carbs, less insulin.

It means another injection (sorry!), but Type 2s on insulin can take Symlin. There's a lot info here about it you can search.

Comment by Brian (bsc) on May 5, 2010 at 12:17pm

Dudette! (sorry, I'm still learning Texan). Sorry if I am preachy. A larger syringe body does not have to mean a larger needle. You can get a very fine gauge and shorter needle if you are more comfortable with that. I do know that BD makes a 100 unit syringe body that comes with 31 gauge (ultra fine) needle in an 8 mm length.

And I am sorry, I ready that you were on 1000mg of metformin when you wrote 1000 mg, twice a day. My bad. You can increase that to 2500 mg, but you are right, that is it.

My comment about the Amaryl (the sulfonylureas) is because I don't like that medication. Lots of people think that it will burn out your pancreas.

I know it can be hard. It sucks having to take injections, but it gets easier with time. You need to take care of yourself, not only to let yourself heal, but so that you a healthy and happy part of your family for many years to come.

Comment by Sarah on May 5, 2010 at 3:42pm

They definitely make 1cc/100u syringes with 31g 8mm needles.. I used to use them when I was pregnant :) Insulin syringes come in three sizes (30u, 50u, and 100u).. the various needle gauges and lengths are available on any of them... bigger volume in the syringe doesn't mean a bigger needle.

I think it might do you some good to see an Endo.. they may have some different strategies to manage your IR more effectively.. pumping may not help with the amount of insulin you use (you'd be refilling daily), but it's hard to say for sure.

Comment by Autumn Haley on May 6, 2010 at 4:31am

Texas is the BEST! If you've never been here, you're missing out! :) OK, so I went back to Diabetes America yesterday and made an appointment with them again. I'm going back next week, Monday. I have listened to ya'll and talked to a friend of mine who is a nurse and so far I'm thinking that I might need to pay more attention to the Novolog I take at mealtimes and maybe that will help balance out my day. I just forgot how to regulate that and how much to take to comp out for meals, etc. I don't wanna over do it and bottom out, i dont like that feeling at all.

Comment by Nite92 on May 6, 2010 at 4:43am

Hi Autumn... I was just reading your blog and my diabetic educator just put me on your type of regime, after being on Humalog 75/25 which my Endo. recommended for approx. 8yrs.and my sugars being all over the place with a lot of seizures mixed in due to my sugars dropping too low too quick! I only went to the Educator to have training for the insulin pump and when she reviewed my #'s changed me quickly. I am the opposite of you, since being on the pump yrs. ago for a short period it just had too many issues @ the time for my lifestyle. Now there are a lot of fail safes with the new pump and I was willing to give it another try. But extremely grateful for the switch in insulin instead. All ready my sugars are much better! But again it is a personal choice and from what I read in your blog it seems that at least a trial run of the pump should be considered! It is very convenient as far as the shots go, just changing the site of the insertion when your reservoir is empty. It will take lots of patience to get your basil just right. Bolus is easy since you just count your carbs. I hope this helps, I got my pump through Mini-Med, the Paradigm 723 with the GMS just last month. Good Luck! Laura

Comment by Brian (bsc) on May 6, 2010 at 11:33am

And just so you know, I have been to Texas. I really liked the barbeque brisket and the Chili. And I'm not talkin fake Chili and BBQ, the real stuff. But unfortunately, I'm just a little slow with the whole language thing, so please bear with me.

Comment by Autumn Haley on June 22, 2010 at 7:58am

Well folks, it's been a while and my insulin numbers are STILL on the rise. I have been titrating for some time now and so far I am up to taking 70units of novolog in the am and 95units at night. I ponied up to the 1cc size syringes and learned to deal with it. Even at this dose I am still waking up in the 140's!!! Can you say insulin resistance???? Basically what it comes down to at this point is weight loss. That's going to be the only thing at this place in the game that I can get my sugars down anymore before I really am swimming in insulin! I recently signed up for a program on NeedyMeds.com where I can get my meds for FREE!!! I am using over $1500 worth of insulin every month. That is crazy insane!!!

I recently had an ingrown toenail removed (about a week ago) and I am babying my big toe like crazy! It didn't start hurting until a couple days ago but I go into the food dr. on Thursday for a follow up appt. I don't want to get into details about feet on here, cause I think it's gross but mine looks okay. It's a little red near the nail and sore. I put peroxide and neosporin on it several times each day and soak it at night in soapy water. I have not taken one pain pill through all of this. The neuropathy has hidden most of the pain for me.

I just wanted to post an update and see how ya'll have been doing too! Have a wonderful blessed day! ~Autumn

Comment by Autumn Haley on June 22, 2010 at 8:01am

Ha, ha! I just realized that I posted the wrong insulin....If i took 70 and 95 units of novolog, i would be dead!!!! I meant to say Levimir...okay, now you can read on...oops!

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