DianaG......Guess what?? I'm on Insulin!!

HISIRISHGEM · 11-25-2002, 07:11 PM

Well, theres good news, and theres bad news. The dr. put me on insulin. The bad news, well, he doesn't think insurance will cover the pump. Oh well, at least I'm on insulin.

The only concern I have, is that from what Oana says, Insulin may not doing anything to help the high blood sugar.......What I thought was that the gluc helped that, but the insulin may make my sugar rise.....you have any idea..this is my first time and I have training on it soon before I start it....I just want whats best for me though.

He also prescribes T3 aside from my levoxyl (for hypothyroid) to help my tiredness all the time. I feel alert already since I started taking it this morning.

I have an appointment at the RE tomorrow for other results...and may find out when we can start TTC. I'm so nervous, but am thankful at the same time!!

VitaBella · 11-25-2002, 11:09 PM

I'll take a stab at answering this one, in case no one stops by here for awhile.

I THINK that what Oana means is that the insulin will bring down your blood sugar, but not fix your insulin to glucose ratio.

Like this...women with PCOS generally make too much insulin, which is what leads to weight gain. Gluc fixes that because it makes out bodies use the insulin more efficiently, so the body has to make less of it.

If your body isn't making enough insulin, though, your blood sugar levels will run really high - a situation that is dangerous by itself, causing blindness, nerve damage, and all the other dangers that are present with diabetes.

An imbalance of either one (insulin or blood sugar) makes TTC difficult, because your body wants to be in the most natural balance possible in order to create a homey home for that little peanut.

So, to sum it up...if your blood sugars are running high and Gluc isn't cutting it for that, you need to be on insulin in order to make your blood sugar be normal and prevent any damage to your body. If you have that extra insulin floating around in your body, though, it can make weight loss difficult - essentially, you're injecting extra insulin that your body may not use, which is the original insulin to glucose ratio problem that women with PCOS suffer from.

I think that DianaG has said that she has difficulty losing weight since she's been on the insulin pump, but she can clarify that for you...it's quite useful for TTC, though, and is the only diabetes drug that does not pass to the baby through the placenta.

I was considering asking to go on insulin, but am going to give myself six more months to lose some weight and try to get my blood sugar under control that way, along with diet and Gluc. They estimate that I have about 70% function of my pancreas right now, but I'll need insulin eventually...the longer I can put that day off, the better.

Hope this helps and is not too confusing! And DianaG, when you read this, hope you're doing well too.

HISIRISHGEM · 11-26-2002, 01:17 AM

Hmm, Ok, I get what your saying!! Is there a way to lose weight while on Insulin...I mean, can i control it with Lots of exercise and healthy eating....or must I have gluc?? I really don't want to gain weight...I want to lose it. I'm 5'2 weighing in at 223. Ugh!! Is there anything I can do to make sure I don't gain weight and maybe even lose the weight while on insulin??

O2bphishin · 11-26-2002, 12:10 PM

Becky-
Just wanted to add my two cents! Your RE will probably recommend getting your blood sugar under tight control before proceeding to TTC. I know that birth defects can occur when the blood sugar is not stable. This usually occurs early in pregnancy. I am not trying to scare you or make you worry! Tons of diabetics have normal pregnancies and healthy babies. The important thing is blood sugar control. I know it is disappointing to possibly have to wait, but the benefits will be so worth it.
Ask either your regular Dr or your RE to send you to a nutritionist to work out a gameplan for you. Losing weight is more difficult when taking insulin, but it can be done!
Good luck to you!!
Jenn

VitaBella · 11-26-2002, 01:10 PM

Losing weight can definitely be done while still on insulin...my good friend is a Type I and decided during high school that she was gaining too much weight.

She now watches what she eats and gets LOTS of exercise. Though she didn't have a lot to lose at the beginning, she's very healthy and has maintained a healthy weight for several years now.

I know that you're quite active with your foster daughters, which is a huge step. Excess insulin makes it harder to lose weight, so watching what you eat, exercising, and making sure you have a proper dosage of insulin will be really important.

Hope this helps!

DianaG · 11-27-2002, 11:27 PM

Hi Ladies!! I am glad I decided to check the boards before Thanksgiving.

Becky, That is great news about the insulin if the glucophage wasn't keeping your readings down. Jenn is absolutely right and having normal blood sugar readings the first nine weeks of pregnancy is essential. High blood sugar causes neurological defects such as spinal bifida etc... Most doctors will want to see your HA1C down under 6% before conception.

As to losing weight on insulin. I am losing weight, just much slower than when just on glucophage. I haven't gained weight on it. It is a catch 22 in that we don't want to add too much insulin and we don't want high blood sugar either.

My endo suggested I try to keep my blood sugar as good as I have, but try to see if I can keep the numbers the same and gradually decrease my amount of insulin.

We need the insulin, but try to use it sparingly. I have started being more careful about what I am eating and am using less insulin. Some people use insulin as an excuse to eat whatever they want and I feel that can be pretty detrimental to our health as well.

What kind of insulin did the doctor put you on and did he/she explain the peaks and meal timing to you? It is important to stick to a strict schedule when on insulin shots, so you don't experience lows by not eating on time.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

HISIRISHGEM · 11-29-2002, 01:57 AM

Diana, Nothing was really explained to me yet about the peaks of eating......He's guessed as to how much but he's put me Lantus 40 units. He's having me go to a class at the hospital first to teach me how to give myself the shots, where I'm hoping i'll learn about the peaks etc. I'm a bit concerned because my grandmas type 1 and been doing the shots since she was my age...she says 40 units is an awful lot and that my blood sugar could go really low causing me to go into a coma...I sure hope this Endo isn't using me as an experiment....he said that 1 week later I will be going to see him again...but its alittle over a week at December the 9th. I'm a bit scared that if I have too much, I won't know what the heck to change it to until the nineth. I don't want to put my health at risk.

As for my Hemoglobin a1c, last time I did it, 3 months ago, it was 6.6...I've been watching whats going in my mouth lately so we're both thinking its lower. We'll see, because he took another HmgA1C to make sure.

DianaG · 11-30-2002, 10:19 PM

Rebekeh,
Mine was 6.6 before insulin too! I don't think the 40 units of lantus will cause you to go too low. If it was humalog or Regular I would be concerned because they hit you pretty quickly. I was on 35 units of lantus at bedtime and didn't get lows and I also took humalog with all my meals and snacks.

I think if she is type 1 then she is used to the quicker acting insulins in which you use much less insulin and lantus is time released with no peaks, so you maintain an even blood sugar level. (In theory, lol!)

If you are taking a shots class then they will teach you about the various types and the peaks etc... (It is all also on the little insert the pharmacist gives you when you pick up your prescription)

I am sure you will be a quick study and get the procedures down very quickly.
Best Wishes,
Diana

PS. How was your Thanksgiving? I made a great pumpkin pie with splenda that didn't hurt my blood sugar too badly.

HISIRISHGEM · 12-01-2002, 03:43 AM

Our Thanksgiving was a very peaceful quiet one. For that, we are thankful!! We've had a new foster kid in the house and she's been horrendous....but she was on a visit which is why things were so peaceful. It was just DH, our other foster daugher Alexis, and myself.....we enjoyed the time together making dinner and watching movies. The new girl has brought many emotions for us all....so we give thanks to God for His mercy.lol

On the Splenda, I've bought the kind that is free and you just pour out onto the spoon. I used it one time on cheesecake and it gave this horrible aftertaste. How much do you usually use for recipes....I'm thinking that I used waaay too much and may start splenda again.

Thank you for your wisdom!! I'm excited to go on Lantus. Now if I could just hurry up and get that class. The RE knows I'm just being started on Lantus, yet still thinks its safe to use clomid this month to ttc......whats your thoughts on this??

MRucker · 12-02-2002, 04:55 AM

Diana,
I noticed while reading the posts..that you are on an Insulin pump. I have been on mine for almost 6 years now...I absolutely love it.....what kind of insulin are you taking with it? I am on velsolin (sp?) it seems to work really good for me....I am on alot of insulin though...I go through a vial in 3 days....I also do the glucophage 850mg 3 times a day...but I really can not fuss...with walking every other day and swimming every day...my A1CH is only 4.9.

Rebekeh
My dr would help me ttc..as long as my a1c was below 7.....but wanted it more controled....which I have done....I have to have morning levels of 60-90....and wants it below 120 2 hours after I eat...Will you be counting your carbs..with your new diet? Or do you know yet?

Good Luck with getting your classes.

Michelle

HISIRISHGEM · 12-02-2002, 11:20 AM

MRucker,

I just took my morning test (before breakfast) its 174. Waaaaaaaay over what your dr. says is acceptable. My question, since I am new to all of this is how do I control what my numbers are before breakfast since its fasting?? Is that what the insulin controls??

Also, How did the both of you get covered under insurance. Its so hard to get on the pump......I've been put on regular needles because the Endo says that insurances usually only give to type 1's. Any advice would be appreciated.

MRucker · 12-02-2002, 08:54 PM

My morning reading..is usually in the 60's....but I am on the pump....and it is a constant flow of insulin....

About the pump....call your insurance company....find out if they cover the pump..and the supplies...Ours coverd 80% of it....and if your dr feels like you would do better on it...then there should be no question when it comes to the insurance company....

My dr didn't even question about the pump.....I hate shots..and absolutely refuse to give them to myself at the time...kinda irronic now though..doing shots...ttc...LOL....

Michelle

HISIRISHGEM · 12-02-2002, 09:40 PM

Thanks Michelle!!

DianaG · 12-02-2002, 09:57 PM

Rebekeh,
I think if your doctor is behind your getting a pump and the insurance company sees that you need to get your numbers down then they should be able to work with you to cover it. That is what I did. It helped that my doctor after the second m/c was behind me 100%. Insulin should not interfere at all with the clomid. If anything it will help it work better, are you still taking the glucophage? The glucophage should help your fastings to be lower than they are. What did you eat before bed? Insulin is perfectly safe throughout pregnancy as well.

Michelle,
I use humalog in my pump. I go through less insulin though, about 2 vials a month. I have my basal rate set to give me 20units in a 24hour period and then I take 1 unit for every 17grams of carbohydrates I eat. Your doctor's numbers are the same ones my doctor gave me. Those are the targets for pregnant women and he figures I should get used to keeping them there now. My doctor has given us the go ahead to start clomid my next cycle. Are you a type 1 or type 2 diabetic? Will you continue on the pump after you are through with ttc? I am thinking about just exercise and oral meds after we are through ttc. I hate even the one shot every three days!

HISIRISHGEM · 12-03-2002, 01:49 AM

Unfortunately, My Dr. kinda told me that the insurance would give me probs....he didn't seem like he would back it up. He said that he would see how my blood sugar goes and if it goes all over the place and cannot be handled by shots, then he would consider it.

I'm not still taking Gluc. Should I be?? How much should I take I wonder?? will I still have to take 1000-2000mg of it or because I'd be on insulin just 500mg??

I didn't have any carbs....I don't remember having anything the night before really.