Kathleen Weaver might be considered the godmother of diabetes bloggers. After all, she started blogging about her experiences back in the dawn of time (about 2003), when the word “blog” brought nothing to mind but a spill of some sort for most folks. For her day job, Kathleen’s an accomplished high school computer science teacher in Dallas, TX. We’re delighted to host Kathleen today, as she provides a little window into her “other” life as a Type 2 PWD living on insulin.
A Guest Post by Kathleen Weaver
When I was first diagnosed with diabetes, my doctor and I were unable to find a pill that would control my diabetes to his and my satisfaction. Side effects were an issue, and the variability. Since I am a computer scientist, I am a control freak and a numbers junkie. I just couldn’t deal with eating the same meal three times in a row and seeing complete different numbers on my meter four hours after eating. In fact, when on oral medication, I felt my blood sugar meter was the ultimate random number generator.
My cousin, who is a PhD Pharmacist and who was working with the VA hospital at the time, told me that they were having good luck putting their patients on both Metformin and insulin at the same time, then getting them stable and off the insulin. I relayed that to my doctor, and he suggested that I try insulin on its own and not use a pill, since insulin is the gold standard, and I was willing to do the injections.
I went on Eli Lilly’s 70/30 insulin. I wasn’t happy with it either and had lots of highs and lows, and was eating to keep from going low. On reflection, I would have done better on a different mix. We added a rapid acting insulin (the 30 part of the Lilly insulin), and a sliding scale and that worked much better. Also I was doing better with carb counting. I did have an A1C between 6.5 and 7.0 the whole time, but too much of the time I was low, and I was gaining weight. About a year in, the doctor suggested I research the pump and think about it.
It took about a year’s research between deciding it was the right thing, finding out which pump to choose, and how to pay for it. I couldn’t get approval as a Type 2 with the insurance I was on, but I was in a place where I could work a few extra gigs, get extra pay and pay for it out of pocket. I also had to pay for supplies for a few months out of pocket, but when my workplace switched insurances, they picked up the supplies. They have also paid for two insulin pumps since.
On the insulin pump, I have had A1C’s as low as 6.3 — that takes a lot of work and I’ve had a few things go on in the workplace where it was hard to test. Things have stabilized and are now going much better. Back then, my A1C was as high as 9.3 when I wasn’t testing.
I wouldn’t be able to do some of the things I’ve done medically if I were on oral medications. I have severe knee pain, and I just had my second steroid shot on Monday (they tried it in November with good results). My knee is much more comfortable with the steroid shot, but it also elevates blood sugar. Last night I shot up to about 450, but am back normal today.
I’ve also had steroid shots to control foot pain — a bout of plantar fasciitis which hasn’t bothered me in a few years.
I won’t use oral medications, though my mother does with fairly good results. She is quite rude and complains that she would rather die than go on insulin. Not me. In fact, the excuses like “I’d rather die than go on insulin” is probably one of the most irritating of comments made by people who aren’t on insulin. I’m sure anyone who is on insulin has heard that. Here I am taking insulin, doing well on it, and someone I loves says I’d be better off dead? Really?
I also have severe needle phobia, but I do manage as long as I don’t see the needle go into the skin. I always look away when someone else gives me a shot, and I really don’t like them telling me it is going in. I just want them to do it. There are some infusion sets that I have difficultly with because you have to see the needle enter the skin. I prefer pens to vials when I have to inject, because I don’t have to look to aim. I’ve also gotten pretty good at looking the other way.
Even with needle phobia, I have found a way to deal with insulin because I know it’s best for me.
Thanks Kathleen: we know lots of people who think T2s on insulin pumps don’t exist.
btw, Readers: Kathleen’s collection of blog posts is now available on Kindle.
I enjoyed reading this! You are a testimony that defies the myths that your insulin is ‘worse’ because you’re taking insulin..not so! Thanks so much for sharing your story.
I enjoyed reading this! You are a testimony that defies the myths that your insulin is ‘worse’ because you’re taking insulin..not so! Thanks so much for sharing your story.
I use a pump and the maximum dosage of metformin. The metformin cuts my need for insulin by more than half.
-Lloyd
Glad to hear that others have problems with oral meds and manage insulin even with a needle phobia. It gives me encouragement.
You go, Kathleen – you are clearly a leader and a trooper. I’m with you on the steroid shots – it helps to have a pump! I’m not needle-phobic but admire you even more for finding ways to take insulin in order to take better care of yourself.
As to mom, who is so unsupportive, well feh, I guess ya just gotta say the serenity prayer (accept the things you cannot change….).
Warmest wishes.
Oral meds to address the insulin resistance, without which, a lot of Type 2s would need an awful lot of insulin, huge doses of which can be dangerous. Since you were going low, does not sound like this was a problem for you. I think if oral meds are not working well, you have no choice but to try insulin. For our Type 1, it’s not an option.
Thanks so much for your post. Insulin is appropriate for many people with type 2 diabetes and many are afraid to go on it. After a lot of persuasion, they eventually see how much better they are doing and settle down. Many people are so scared, they refuse to start. I will share your story with those that are so afraid of insulin, they say they would rather die than go on it.
I too am a T2 who avoided insulin for so long even though the oral meds were only partially working. I finally put on my big girl shoes and added insulin pens to my regimen. That made a huge difference for quite a few years and I am glad I finally did it. When my endo suggested a pump I was again very resistant. But I started looking in to them and made a decision to try it if my insurance approved (the only way I could do it). They did finally approve it and I started on the Omnipod six months ago and I could not be happier. My A1C is going down and I feel so much more in control with the pump.
I am the classic person who is afraid to try the meds that would help me due to fear or stigma so I too encourage anyone who has hesitated moving forward with insulin in your diabetes battle to do so if your endo recommends it. At least think about it before totally discounting it as an option for you. I finally decided I would rather live with insulin.
I too am on insulin with type 2. I have wild changes in my sugar levels. Mostly my own fault, I am sure. I am using a 70/30 mix. I have backed off of the metformin from 3 500mg pills a day to maybe one or two depending on how insulin resistant I have become. We normally keep a night schedule. Even though we have been retired for 5 years.
I normally take 5 supplements with my tea in the morning (to me morning is 12 noon.) I take Ubiquinol (CQ10), Lecithin, A strong B complex, and a strong Alpha Lipoic Acid. I normally add in a Tumeric pill as a cancer inhibitor.
My tea consists of two Bigalow cinnamon, one Tulsi Indian Breakfast Tea, One Ginseng-Honey, One double green Match, and 3 black red rose tea bags mixed into a boiling teapot that is 24 ounce. Into that I normally add 3 one ounce Ginseng extact liquid bottles. I refresh the pot with water. I normally add one capsule of 500 mg cinnamon into the teapot as well.
If I exercise, the daytime levels go down to around 70-90 on the meter. If I don’t they stay around 185. Normally the tea causes a jump of about 40-50 points without exercise. With exercise it nose dives.
Our normal meal is around 7 p.m. By 10 or 11 the levels jump into the 275 to 300 range. If it gets beyond that, I supplement with 500 mg Metformin in combination with 500 mg cinnamon tablets. Usually one each per hour. This brings things back to a level under 200.
There is a direct relationship between how much carbohydrate I ingest and how high the sugars go. Also most carry out food contains too much sugar for me.
The effect of the ginseng is well known in the orient. For a 69 1/2 year old man, it maintains my muscle levels. It is a known semi-steroid used to prolong life in the orient. Their diet consists of brown rice and various seafoods for the most part. A cabbage plant that is fermented called Kimche is a stable in Korea. It smells to high heaven! It is also highly peppered.
I would love to see a study of type II amongst the Korean country people who have maintained the primitive diet vs the modern American diet.
I suspect their type II levels to be at less than 1% of the population. The study would have to be people that have stuck to the older diet.
So far I have been able to control the sugars with liberal amounts of mild exercise like walking through a department and grocery store like Walmart or Meijers.
The problem with the insulin is weight gain. It is not uncommon for someone to gain 24 to 36 pounds the first year they are on the insulin. I have picked up about 15 pounds in the last year. It has stablilized meaning I am not gaining much more. It has caused an increase of lower abdomen weight which worries me. Come Spring, I am going out on my bicycle in an effort to push that weight level back to normal for me, which would be around 195 pounds on a 5/7 frame. I have also crossed most bread off my list of available foods. I go for the Eziekel sprouted grain bread now. I also shop at natural health food stores more. I have added milk back into my diet to up the calcium levels to keep the arthritis down.
(In my case Acidophicos(wrong Spell) works to reduce swelling) Have to be careful as it contains way too much sugar for a diabetic. I have also found that a supplement called L-Carnosine helps with the glucose levels for me. I strongly suggest that you discuss anything you take with your family doctor. If you feel uncomfortable with this or he or she is highly critical of what you try, then get someone you are comfortable with. It is important to maintain a good honest relationship with those prescribing for you. Gosh, I am way too chatty here, gonna get off now.
Thanks for your clarification. I prefer to make out the print Marcy Lu
YAY, Kathleen! I commend you for being proactive about your own health, in spite of obstacles erected by insurance companies, and sometimes by doctors who truly don’t understand that each T2 is different, and you have to keep working at it until you find what works. Needle phobia is a toughie (I have a different phobia, and understand just how hard it can be), and I’m so encouraged to hear that you have found ways to deal with it. Happy to have you as my “diabetes sister”, even though I wish none of us had it!
Good info .Thanks for article.
Useful info about diabetes, thanks for the work.