My own T2 experience

[Nannerjoe]

I'm a 55 yr old female with T2. I was diagnosed 3 or 4 years ago.
I'm just wondering if the amount of insulin I take is an extraordinary amount?
I take:

Apidra:
breakfast - 24 units
lunch - 25 units
supper - 29 units

and

Lantus:
bedtime - 90 units

Until very recently I haven't been a very good diabetic....not watching what I eat like I should and my blood sugars were alway high. 420 when I was diagnosed. And generally in the 200's the past year or two. I've got them down now and am being really careful to eat healthy and check my blood sugar at least 4X a day.

I started Weight Watchers a couple weeks ago and that has helped me a lot. I've changed my eating habits. I really am determined to make this a life change because I'm so tired of feeling so crummy all the time. My vision is very blurry (I go to the opthalmologist once a year....just saw him about a month ago). I'm hoping over time my vision will clear up some.
I've had neuropathy for years. The pain from the neuropathy is why I went to the Dr. to begin with and was diagnosed with T2. Dr. said no telling how long I'd been "diabetic".

Just curious about the insulin. How many units do you take each day? I know some folks take different amounts according to how high/low their blood sugar levels are. But those of you who have "set" amounts .... I'm just wondering what your situation is?

For most of the time since I've been diagnosed, I've really been a very BAD diabetic. In denial about the whole thing. But I'm determined to stay on track now. I just want to feel good.

[MadRebel]

Dr. said no telling how long I'd been "diabetic".
Hello and although I'm somewhat of a n00b here I still want to say welcome and just add a small comment.

When I was dx'd in Jan, 2000 I asked the same question about how long I'd probably been a diabetic and didn't know it and the Dr. said that, normally speaking, that once all the symptoms appear and the dx is confirmed that a person has had diabetes from 10-12 year's without knowing it. So...for 10-12 year's for this monster has been reaking it's havoc on us before anything is done. So, being the sceptic that I sometimes can be, I thought that was a bit long to be having diabetes without knowing it, so I did some research on my own on the internet and sure enough, he was just about right. I read on various place's on the internet that it would more likely between the 8-10 year's that we've had it prior to dx and not knowing it. That's still a long time.

I hope you get everything under control and I wish you good health in the future. Just hang in there and everything will come round for you.

Greeeeeetz

[wiseguy]

When I was dx'd in Jan, 2000 I asked the same question about how long I'd probably been a diabetic and didn't know it and the Dr. said that, normally speaking, that once all the symptoms appear and the dx is confirmed that a person has had diabetes from 10-12 year's without knowing it.
Wow... 10-12 years?! That's just plain scary. I had all the common symptoms before I was diagnosed. I guess this is why a person should see a doctor more often than once every 30 years.

[mommaterra]

I had gestational diabetes with my last child, had the glucometer and tested occasionally, so I know I wasn't diabetic until the year or two prior to dx, even by current, stricter standards. I was a fat activist, hanging out with a number of folks who were already dxed with DM. I was actually asymptomatic, but sometimes I felt kind of off, dizzy and a little nauseated, which is all I felt during GD. I requested a test, and confirmed my DM, A1c 7.2.

However, the luxury of an early dx was somewhat negated by my choosing not to test when menopause messed with my BGs. I ended up with an A1c more than two percentage points higher than at dx! I suspect there are lots of ways to worry, and to ponder the coulda-shoulda, but I'm way too good at those to need the practice. :) My focus is on getting me back to where I was when I did have great numbers -- A1cs in the 4s with no lows, ever. For me it means Bernstein's low-carb, exercise, and metformin.

Since I'm not on insulin, I have no clue what's customary. There are many others here who have great knowledge, and even better, years of experience. Good luck in your quest, Nannerjoe, to get back on track and feel better! --diana