[jandawalter]

HI Everyone

I'm new to this forum and pleased to have found it!

I've been living with diabetes for almost 8 years. I thought I had Type 2 - now my new specialists think I have LADA. I've been on a cocktail of drugs for eight years - Diamicron, Diabex XR, Cartia, etc etc and my BGLs were just going higher and higher. I've been suffering with migraines for the last few months and decided to get some more opinions.

I've now found a great diabetes educator and a new Endo and I'm on insulin and I feel great!!! Interested to know more about anyone using Novomix 30 and what they think about it - any side effects I should know about??

[fgummett]

G'Day jandawalter! Welcome to DF! Glad you found us Stick around, ask questions and tell us about yourself

[xMenace]

Welcome.

Originally Posted by jandawalter

Interested to know more about anyone using Novomix 30 and what they think about it - any side effects I should know about??

IMO the stuff is dangerous. Our needs our varied, even on an individual basis. We need flexible regimens. Mixes are not flexible. How do you make corrections for high BG? What do you do if you get sick? Exercise? Need to lose weight? Plus it's very humpy. If you don't appreciate the peaks and valleys or they don't align well with your natural rythms, good luck. Finaly there's the ratio. Who say's 30 is optimal? SOme geekie drug rep? Polls here show a wide range of basal to total insulin ratios.

All that said, some have done well with it.

[jandawalter]

Hi Michael

I'm very new to using insulin (week two) - so you're saying its better to fine tune with a basal and bolus insulin?

I started on Lantus Solostar at night which wasn't having much effect during the day. Plus Diamcron and Actos during the day were having little effect

The new specialist believes my BGLs are so high that it will take a while for these to come down - although I'm seeing some results with Novomix.

Regards
Anne

[mortis505]

Basal/Bolus is much better than a mix insulin. Unless you like eating the same exact things, day in, day out at the same times. You need to be able to adjust the doses you take to caover unexpected snacks, or if eating out or at a friends. With a mix you just cant do that as you aren't just injecting the fast acting, you are injecting the long acting as well. Too much of that and you will be fighting lows all night long.

Get on lantus/levemir for a basal and work with your endo on adjusting your rates. Use a Rapid acting to cover meals and snacks.

The downside is more injections per day. The upside is better numbers and better control. Not to mention a happy support team that will be proud of your efforts.

[jandawalter]

Thanks Mortis

That makes sense. I think the Endo prescribed Novomix because I was a bit hesitant about using insulin and thought the twice a day option sounded less intrusive to my working day. I didn't think about what it really meant. I'm only just learning about types of insulin.

I am concerned about putting on weight too.

Cheers
Anne

[mortis505]

Talk to your Endo about a AntiGAD antibody test, and a C-peptide test. These can serve as definitive markers towards a proper diagnosis. As far as the weight gain, exercise. Its a dirty word I know. But that's what works best.

[jandawalter]

Talk to your Endo about a AntiGAD antibody test, and a C-peptide test

I've had these done on request by my diabetes educator.

C-peptide was 0.4 fasting
Glucose 11.3 mmo/L fasting
AntiGAD was 0.12 U/ml (no antibodies demonstrated)

Although apparently the second Endo said it's a bit inconclusive because my first Endo started me on Lantus before getting any tests done.

Thanks
Anne

[kgm0612]

Welcome to the forum. Glad you found us!

Karen

[jandawalter]

Thanks Karen - I wish I had found this forum so much earlier. I've been trying to live with diabetes for eight years and haven't found my Endo very helpful.

[davef]

Hi,

Can't help with your insulin questions/regimen but wanted to say hello and welcome to the forums. As you are finding out, there are lots of knowledgeable and experienced people here who are happy to help and support.

Visit & post often,

[UpNorth]

Welcome to the forums

The best you can do is probably to throw the novomix into the bin and get yourself a nice basal-bolus combination. Gives tons more freedom and flexibility. When i was first diagnosed, my doctor mentioned putting me on a mix insulin to get a "soft start up to the life of living with diabetes" but i choose to go straight on MDI instead and haven't looked back! It doesn't take very long to get used to having 4-6, somtimes even 7-8 injections every day The results you can have, is so worth being a pincushion for!

[matingara]

hi and welcome from the deep south.

please tell us about your diet and latest A1C results.

that will help us to help you i think.



-- Joel.

[jandawalter]

Hi AllMy HbA1c's have been steadily rising:Jan 05 7.4Jul 05 8.0Nov 05 7.6Feb 06 8.4Jul 06 7.3Nov 06 7.8Feb 07 8.0Apr 07 8.6Jul 07 8.5Nov 07 8.9Apr 08 9.7July 08 9.3The Endo I have had for the last few years seemed to concentrate more on my cholesterol and less on my BGLs.I was finally enlightened by a diabetes educator/dietician who I visited once I was put on insulin.I felt great as soon as I started insulin, but I'm having a bit of a battle trying to get the blood sugars down to some sort of even and within normal range.I've asked to be put back on Lantus (14 units before bed) and I'm now trying Novorapid during the day.I'm off all meds, however the second Endo wanted me to go back on metformin. I tried taking it again and spent the day on the toilet!!I am really anxious for quick results even though I know that's not going to happen. Getting a bit frustrated - everything I seem to eat sends my blood sugars soaring.Anne

[jandawalter]

Not sure what happened to my last post!!!!

My recent HbA1cS

28/4/07 - 8.6
24/7/07 - 8.5
24/11/07 - 8.9
12/4/08 - 9.7
5/7/08 - 9.3

Total Cholesterol 6.2
LDL 4.02
HDL 1.16
Tri 2.3

I try to watch what I eat, but I realise now I have been eating too many carbs.

Where can I find info on a good diet for insulin dependent diabetics?

Anne