new insulin patient

[goat723]

I have been recently put on Novalog 70/30 flexpen for about a week now, I was taking oral medication and I finlly has not been keeping my blood sugar under control, my dr. has me currently on 16 units in am and 16 units in pm, I am also taking 500 mg of metforming in the am and 500 mg in the pm, I'm I on too much medication as my blood sugar are still not under control, they are still going up and down just like a mountain peak, How much insulin will I need to be able to control my sugar and will I come off the metformin when that happens, I am also a bi-polar manic depressive patient and I am very depressed at thsi point due to the fact of the new use of insulin and things just don;t seem to be going in the right direction I am very confused, I have considered going in to see my internist and talking to him in person about how I am feeling both physically and emotionally, do you think tis mght be a good idea, or do you have any other suggestions....

any suggestions will be appreciated....

[jbssquared]

Your blood sugar level is supposed to go up and down, especially after you eat and during the time you are asleep.  The best mesure of how your blood sugar is doing is a test called a Hemoglobin A1C.  This test gives your average blood sugar over the last three months.  Your doctor should run the test every three months.  I'll bet based on what your takeing that it's a lot better than you think.  There is a home kit for this test but I don't recomend it because it's very complicated.  THe goal is to have an A1C under 7.  Talk to your doctor about it.  Best of luck. JBS

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

having to deal with physical illness is a challenge.  And having just had to start insulin is also obviously something you still have to come to terms with.

Like Dot said, the key is not just the meds (though they are very important) but it is diet and exercise and maintaining ideal weight that will help you get your blood sugars under control.

Talk to your internist by all means.  Hope he can help.  But also educate yourself as much as possible about diabhetes and what you need to keep this under control. That way you'll be able to manage things well and feel better about the whole thing.

Best wishes

[Dot.Calm]

I'm glad you posted here about your diabetic issues. Its simple to fix but its all up to you if want to be healthy.

"my blood sugar are still not under control, they are still going up and down just like a mountain peak,"

Controlling high blood sugar (glucose) is a simple and easy thing to do. You are depending on medication to control your glucose level instead of you taking control of your health. STOP consuming sweet drinks, sugary foods and foods laden with bad carbs, period. Read the ingredient label on food packaging!  Proper nutrition - more fruits and vegetables - and moderate exercise (like walking) will help lower and control your glucose level. If you are OVERWEIGHT, lose it. All the help and useful information on diabetes is here http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp

"I have considered going in to see my internist and talking to him in person about how I am feeling both physically and emotionally, do you think tis mght be a good idea,"

Yes indeed if you want hear what I said above from a doctor. Your PCP can't help you emotionally but a therapist or psychologist may in regards to your depression.