Frustrated

[Sharon33]

Hi everyone. I have had type 1 diabetes for 3 1/2 years and I am 33 years old. I am having trouble losing weight and I am on way to much insulin. I am still having trouble dealing with this disease. I take a total of 170 units of insulin a day. I am also dealing with extreme stress and depression. Does anyone have any suggestions for me.

P.s. I am in therapy as well.:confused:

[Tony]

Sharon,

Welcome to the forums! Hope you enjoy your stay here.

I feel your frustration. I use to get frustrated once in awhile. Now I don't let it get to me. As it is hard to control diabetes for me. I don't try to hard I guess.
Why can't we just take a pill and we can eat what we want. But we have to count are carbs and take the right amount of insulin. I guess it wouldn't be so bad if we had the control we want. It comes so easy for others. Maybe we need to set a goal.

What are you taking for insulin? That is alot. I'm only taking 28 - 40 units a day.

The insulin I think makes some people gain weight. How many carbs do you eat a day?

If you don't have your bg's in control you woun't be able to lose any wieght. Someone here had told me I'm not gaining wieght because my bg's are not in control. So maybe that is the same for losing.

[TAutry]

Sharon,

I echo Tony's welcome!:)

He raises some valid points. Managing diabetes is a complete lifestyle that includes medication, monitoring, diet and exercise. Fortunately, you aren't in it alone. You have your doctors and other caregivers, as well as, 17 million other diabetics!

In the instances you cite, I think your caregivers should be some help. They should be able to assist you in designing an overall approach to your diabetes that would include all of the above. As you know, Rome wasn't built in a day and your diabetes will not be subdued in a day.

Feel free to post any questions, thoughts or concerns. We are all in the same boat, to one extent or another, and we have to help each other out!;)

Travis

[Harold]

Visited your great state last October and loved it.

That's a lot insulin. What is your average calorie/carb intake per day? Did you go io diabetes classes or are they available there?

[Sharon33]

Aloha Harold,

My calorie intake is about 1500 per day. I did attend classes and get this carb count thing. You now that I think about it...I was referred to a MD at diagnosis and not a endro...I am just now getting referred. Do you think they can help me?

Sharon

[Harold]

That is a lot of insulin for a 1500 calorie diet. You may also be resistant to insulin. Yes I think the Endo will help especially if his nurse is also a CDE, if so this person will be the one you need to work with and ask a lot of questions of. Be sure you get a phone number you can call if you have a problem or question. You may ask him jf he thinks your resistant and for an oral med that may help you with it.

[thos]

The next question is what type of insulin do you take. There are several concentrations of insulin. Communicate your concerns with your doctor. My first year of Diabetes, I was given u-50 insulin. My doctor and I graduated to u-100 after the same concerns. It is very good that you are looking for information to make your management more manageable.

I wish you to have a good communication relationship with your Doctor.

Thos

[Gina]

1500 calories and 170 units...that is strange, as the others said you may be insulin resistant...and that could also be the reason you are unable to lose weight...i am on about 25-40 units a day and i am also having a problem with gaining weight...the more insulin that you are on, the harder it is to lose because insulin stores fat...

Are you exercising? even if its just walking for 15 minutes a day, it will help you and your blood sugars also...the more physical activity the better...even if its just cleaning your house, gardening, etc...you catch the drift...

As far as getting help, i think you made the right choice by going to therapy, when i was first diagnosed i never went for help and it took me almost a full year to get myself back to how i was before, my whole house was effected by my depression, i didnt go out for about 9 months only to work and home and when i came home i stayed in my room....then one day i got really fustrated with myself because it wasnt me to make something like DIABETES to take over my life, I went on a weeks vacation with my family and when i came back i got myself back to normal! Remember that you arent alone and to always talk to people when something is bothering you....its so much better than trying to deal with it on your own, i am living proof, if i would have talked to someone from the begining i wouldnt have been so bad for that year.

and also getting back to taking walks that is a very good stress reliever. it clears your mind, put your walkman on and start listening to music and not thinking about anything just walk and enjoy!!

hope i helped

[Kenneth]

Hello Sharon, I think an endo will be more helpful than a regular Dr.When I first started taking insulin I was taking pork insulin, I took that for a couple of years and then I changed to Novolin.The Dr.'s told me that you can become somewhat immune to the insulin(pork moreso).Whenever you take a shot only part of what you take actually works.Ask your Dr. questions, tell your Dr. what you think, its your body and there is nothing wrong with having a disagreement with your Dr.you should still listen to the Dr. but you should always voice your own opinion.If you have any questions just ask, I'm sure everyone will be willing to help.
Kenneth:)

[Gina]

i take just humalog because im on the pump