Insulin and weight loss

[JaxTerri]

I'm Type 2 and have been on meds for a few years. Ate what I wanted and didn't take good care of myself - I'm 45. Seven weeks ago my doc took me off all the meds and put me on insulin - Lantus at bedtime and Apidra before each meal. In 7 weeks my BGs have gone from fasting of ~300 to now ~140. My doc wants them below 100 so I'm working on that. My after meal BGs have gone from ~400 to now ~90, so after meals BGs are where they should be. I'm eating great....no carbs, and am learning what various foods do to my BGs. I've also joined the YMCA and work out at least 3-4 times a week. I'm doing great compared to my old lifestyle and feel like I should be dropping weight bigtime. Unfortunately I've only lost 8-10 lbs (varies daily). I'm very happy with my BGs and know I'm getting healthier by the day; however I've very disappointed that I can't lose weight. My doc explained to me that the glucose has been floating in my bloodstream for years and is now being used thanks to the insulin. He said it was normal to gain weight when starting insulin and that the weight will eventually start coming off. Is that anyone's experience here? I want to hear stories of folks who have gone from meds to insulin and how they are doing now. Guess I'm needing some motivation :) I know this is my life now as I want to live....and don't want diabetes complications if I can do anything to prevent them. I'm ~100 lbs overweight so have a long way to go so it's too early to lose hope. I will do this and any words of wisdom are appreciated. Thanks!

[Cyborg]

The best advice I can give is to not give up. Even if you have a lapse and you break down at the dessert bar, keep getting back on track.

Now that you are taking insulin, you are not wasting as many calories that were being wasted when your bg was very high. This means that you need to control the number of calories you are consuming much more tightly. Try recording your calorie intake for a week and you may be surprised. Good luck and keep us posted.

[shockme]

hi jax!i was on oral meds,then lantus was added in april.fortuneately,i haven't gained!take care,trish

[rachelb]

I've had the same kind of thing happen. As soon as I start on any kind of insulin I gain weight, rapidly. I can't understand how this is better than high blood sugar (not that either is good) and it is emotionally very difficult to handle.

I've tried lots of diets and I haven't managed to find the one that takes off the insulin weight yet except to stop taking the insulin - then the weight falls off!

If you've managed to get motivated enough to change your diet and to start working out, stick with it, you're already doing the right things and patience may be your best option. I wish I were more patient.

[pdxdennisj]

Seems to me that 8 lbs in 7 weeks is right on target. My Diabetes dietitions have always told me that slow is real. When I was at 215 lbs they told me to stay on a 1500 cal a day diet and I should drop about a pound a week. That 1500 is about 500 per day less than is necessary for maintainance. 7x500=3500.
3600 cal = one pound. Keep up the good stuff.

[JaxTerri]

Thanks for your input so far. I know I should be satisfied with 8 lbs but I'm used to losing more than that in a week when I've dieted in the past. My doctor is happy and told me to concentrate on my BGs and the weight will come off. I've started working out at the gym as well so that will help as well. Just wanting to learn as much as possible about insulin since I know nothing about it. I do have family members that are diabetic but are all doing well with meds....I'm the first to go on insulin. I know I am doing what's right for my body but it feels like I've failed since the meds didn't work. I feel like my family are all looking at me like I'm gonna die or something since I have to take shots. I guess I feel like if I loose weight they will at least see something good coming from it.

[Cyborg]

Have you had GAD Antibody or C-Peptide tests done?

[JaxTerri]

No I haven't had those tests. What are they for?

Also, What does it mean if you are Type 1.5? I know the difference between Type 1 & 2 but am not sure what it means to be Type 1.5 but I see it a lot here.

[gettingby]

I'm with Cyborg. Don't give up!! I have faith that you can do this.:)
Hang in there. You know we are all here to back you up with support.

[Jill-O]

It is frustrating! I recently started on insulin and while I like how it's helping me get to my goals regarding blood sugar levels, it is making me get more out of my food than I'd like.

[Cyborg]

It is frustrating! I recently started on insulin and while I like how it's helping me get to my goals regarding blood sugar levels, it is making me get more out of my food than I'd like.

Definitely one of the downsides of insulin... :(

[Emm]

Also, What does it mean if you are Type 1.5? I know the difference between Type 1 & 2 but am not sure what it means to be Type 1.5 but I see it a lot here.

Type 1.5 is basically a slower onset form of T1. We start out slowly, so it often looks like T2. But when the honeymoon is over we need insulin every day just like T1s. It's still auto-immune and still means having a crapped-out pancreas :(

The differences between T1 and 1.5 are small, and don't mean a lot. It's just another label, really!

Also, it depends who you listen to... some people use the term 1.5 to mean Double Diabetes (Someone with T1 who has also developed Insulin Resistance and could be T2 as well, and I guess it could be a T2 whose Pancreas has been attacked by their antibodies too). I think most use T1.5 to mean LADA diabetics. That's Latent Auto-immune Diabetes in Adults.