Time requirement for Insulin therapy

[sam123]

Hello,

I just wanted to know from the experience of fellow diabetics that how much time it takes on an average for type 2 diabetic before he/she needs to start on insulin. When I was diagnosed 7 months ago, my fasting BG no’s were in the range of 270’s with an A1C of 10.6. Later on it started coming down and I was very happy to see it in the range of 80-90 and my last A1C in April was 5.4. Now from the last one and half months its ranging from 105-115, so I thought eventually it will keep going high and high and I will have to start insulin therapy, but I do not know how many months or years it may take.

Any response will be much appreciated.


Thanks,
Sam

[JediSkipdogg]

Usually they will increase the meds till you are maxed out on those. They may even try different meds for you. The last straw would then be insulin shots and that is kinda up to you and your medical team.

It's really hard to say when it could happen as everyone is different. Why was I diagnosed at 11 months old and some others on here at 15 years old or even 30? So far they haven't found the main cause of type 1, so obviously we all have it since birth but just up to when it strikes.

[xMenace]

Don't discount other causes too: sickness, stress, activity, diet, etc.

I don't know if there's an expected time frame. I know some that went on insulin in a couple of years and others who haven't after almost two decades.

[Worldcrzr]

I am a Type II on an insulin pump. I was diagnosed in 1983 and began insulin in 2005. That is over 22 years on various combinations of pills. My pancreas finally burned out. No matter what pill or combination of pills would work to bring my blood sugar count down to normal.

Once on insulin, I was having trouble controlling it until my endo put me on a pump. My last Hba1c was 4.7 a couple of weeks ago. When I went on the pump, my Hba1c was 8.5 and as high as 10.5 for a couple of months.

I fought insulin until I had to take it. I was afraid of giving myself shots. Well, I found out how much better I felt and that the shots didn't hurt that much. I still couldn't get it below 7.0 where my doctor wanted it. Once on the pump, I realized that I had power. Power to control my diabetes. I realize that not all Type II's qualify for a pump and not all insurance companies pay for a pump.

You probably have many years to go before you ever have to think about insulin. Learn to count your carbs, exercise and watch your fats. Had I done that, I may have been able to avoid some of the health issues I have today.

[Dan Gato]

Howdy Sam,
What meds are you taking?

You have a long way before starting on insuline, it's your choice for now.
Some type 2's benefit from it, to give the beta cells a rest.
I've thought about asking the doc for insuline, but there are a few drawbacks, one is you may gain weight, each person is different. Also you have to consider the insuline resistance.

For now reduce your carbs, keep a good weight, test often & give that info to your doc, watch your cholesterol & tryglycerides, read the posts here, motivate yourself.

See you

[sam123]

Currently, I am on Metformin (2X500 mg) and have lost almost 45 lbs in the last 7 months (came down from 197 lbs to 152 lbs).

[shockme]

hi sam!there really is no way to give an answer-every type 2 is different.in my case-i was dx'd in january.put on metformin-went from 2/day to 4/day.actos was added.then in april,i started on lantus.my bgs are much lower,thanks to insulin.trish

[Dan Gato]

Sam, congratulations on your weight loss, that's excellent !

I'm taking more meds than you.

Don't worry, be happy.

Remember visit the eye doc twice a year.
have your doc check your feet at every visit.
Diabetics skin gets tigh, due to the high glucose, so make sure you use some lotions/creams to help your skin.(search the forums to see what creams others are using).

see you

[pdxdennisj]

I lasted 13 years on oral meds, the last year without decent control. I was told that many folks start insulin after 5 years and have read that most are on it by 10 years.

[Lloyd]

I lasted 12 years on oral meds.

I am now on an insulin pump, and have much better control than I ever did on oral meds.

-Lloyd

[slipperyelm]

I'm 14 years since diagnosis and I think I'm a long way from needing insulin. However, insulin is a great thing and I'll be happy to use it when I need it.

I have learned from people on this forum that insulin injections are less painful than the finger sticks to test our blood glucose.

[Peggy]

Sam, there just is no answer to your question. Each of us is different. I know of some people who have been T2's for many many years and do great on diet and exercise, oral meds, or a combination of the three. The first year after my diagnosis we tried all kinds of combos of oral meds but I was so out of control, highs and way too many lows. I switched to an endo who suggested we try insulin for 3 months to see what happens. Within just a couple of weeks, I was finally in control and felt better than I had in years! After the 3 month trial was up I didn't WANT to go back to just oral meds. Been on it for over a year now. But only you, your body and your doctor can tell you if or when you will need to use insulin.

[desperado]

Hey Sam! As said it just depends on the person. Congrats on your weight loss. I was diagnosed almost 11 years ago and was put on insulin May of 2006. I have a sick gut and it wouldn't tolerate a lot of the types of pills out there.

[Prophet]

Hello Sam... I was diagnosed five years ago with Type 2. When I first got the news I was able to control with diet and pills. I was on Metformin 500mg and Glyburide 5mg. Then after about six months I went down hill from there. Didn't care and stopped taken my meds. Stopped testing and didn't go to my Dr. appointments. You have to love Kaiser. My Dr. did everything to get me in. From letters and phone calls lol...

Five years later and last week I was thrown into ICU because of my carelessness and now I am on insulin. I feel tons better though and I am going to tell you I hated needles. I took me a good ten minutes with plenty of encourgment from my nurses and wife for me to give myself my first shot of insulin. The poke on your finger tips do hurt more then giving myself a insulin shot.

So listen to your Dr. and watch what you eat. It can be years before you have to take any insulin if you have too. If you don't test and give up, you may have to take that insulin shot alot sooner then you planned....

[Laney1566]

Howdy.
I am Type 2. I started on Metformin/Glucophage and when I reached the max dose which is 2000mg daily btw, they added glyburide. I forget what the max dose was for that, but when I reached it, it was time for insulin. They took me off glyburide but I still take 2000mg daily of Metformin as well as mixing insulin. Even getting to the right insulin dose took several months. I had to email my Doctor weekly and Kaiser rules only allowed for a 5 unit increase. So to get to the 75units of Novolin "N" twice a day and 35 units of Novolin "R" twice a day took a long time.

I guess over time people can become resistant to Metformin as I did. It worked for me about 2 years, then from 1 hba1c to the next (3 months) I went from 6.8 to 10.5


You still have a way to go if you are only taking 1000mg daily.

[barko]

As many have already stated - it depends on where you are and what your levels are running. I went for 4 years on oral meds and never really had "control". But...I never really helped the situation much, as I mostly ignored diet and excercise. I am now on 10mcg BID Byetta shots with 2000mg Glucophage and my levels are much better, I excercise and watch my diet strictly. I have lost 35 lbs now and only have a little to go to be at my ideal BMI. But, even with all of that, I think I am still heading to insulin fairly soon, which is fine with me - whatever it takes to get my levels down ;-)

Don't be afraid of what can make you better - insulin is not a "penalty", its a blessing at the right time. The first place to start, IMO is helping yourself by watching diet, exercising and losing weight.

Blessings...