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Is my diabetes treatment plan killing me
I was diagnosed with diabetes after two successive blood readings over 7, in Jan this year, a standard diagnosis. I was prescribed insulin ‘degludec’ injections abdominally (Tresiba). In addition to my family doctor who prescribed it initially, I have had follow up consults with the diabetes team at my local hospital twice, a consult with a hematologist and another with an endocrinologist. They have all lauded my progress with my 95% insulin readings on target, when the goal is 70% . My average daily readings are also spot on, at 6.5. On the freestyle libre
But are they not aware they are killing me? None of my treatment advisors has mentioned that one side effect of insulin injections is weight gain, a minimum of 4-6 pounds. And not one of them has mentioned a common side effect is cardiac arrest or stroke. Twice the rate who take oral treatment. The following are from 3 peer reviewed journal articles
". . . the majority of large observational studies show strong dose-dependent associations for injected insulin with increased cardiovascular risk and worsened mortality. "
I have read a dozen peer reviewed article based on research with thousands of patients in controlled double blind studies. The consensus is pretty conclusive . Don’t prescribe insulin injections . My 5 medical advisors have not mentioned that.
"Researchers said the findings of the new study call for a ‘paradigm shift’ for doctors as to how diabetes is treated. Instead of using sulfonylureas or basal insulin drugs ( my drug) as a second line treatment after Metformin, doctors should turn to the other effective classes of drug that carry fewer risks."
And in a major meta-analysis in "Insulin Linked to CV Risk and All-Cause Mortality":
"Despite a century of improvements in disease management, nearly 2 of 3 patients with type 2 diabetes still die from cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, we are entering a new and exciting era for diabetes management. Large randomized trials have recently demonstrated that several agents. . . effectively reduce risk of adverse cardiovascular events in diabetes patients Therefore, for the first time we now have drug options that not only lower glucose and HbA1c, but also improve heart health and overall prognosis".
Or,
"The Euro Heart Survey found that in patients with Diabetes and coronary heart disease, insulin doubled mortality as compared to oral glucose-lowering drugs".
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I am in shock that they went to insulin as a first choice. Are there other health factors at play?
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2 ReactionsTruth..what are so m e oral options?? Not one endocrinologist has suggested any ti me?? I too am concerned being on lantas; although it 8 units once a day? does anyone have suggestion for medication ..please.
ThankYOU!
I find the supplement berberine helpful along with eating proper foods and exercising as able. Ceylon cinnamon (NOT grocery store cinnamon) is also helpful. I suggest you investigate them online. Knowledge is power. Best wishes.
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3 ReactionsThank you! I do take berberine & will buy ceylon cinnamon~
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1 ReactionSorry, the doctors appear to invest in drug companies.
Have you switched to oral meds; if so which ones!
I take lantus & intend to get off asap.
Thank you!
I suspect doctors simply don't receive much education in foods and supplements. They are more trained in meds. Years ago when I asked my doctor if I could substitute berberine for my metformin, he hadn't even heard of berberine. However, he checked it out and then approved of my switching. HOWEVER, we must remember that neither meds nor supplements allow us to eat whatever and how much we want without consequences! (Also, keep your doctor aware of what you're doing.)
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4 ReactionsI take turmeric. It seems to help. But also taking Metformin x1 and Januvia x1.
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3 ReactionsHi,
I would be raising your concerns with your Dr's. You do have the option to stop taking what you don't like, the choice is yours.
I constantly have to weight up the pros and cons of medication. My rule of thumb is to be comfortable now, if that means a shorter happier life, so be it. Todate I have reacted to every T2 oral medication, binned Lantus insulin and am about to stop Protaphane insulin, all through unsustainable side effects. The medicine induced side effects have been more devastating in the short term than the problems caused by my T2 symptoms which are slowly destroying me anyway. As long as there are untried medicines for me I will keep trying to arrest my glucose levels and even put up with some manageable side effects if ness, because the consequences of untreated glucose levels are not enjoyable in anyway, shape or form.
Cheers
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1 Reaction@cheyne you are correct in that you have the right to choose not to use medications and treatments. I think you also should be able to learn about all your options, potential side effects, pros and cons of using or not using meds & treatments so that you can make an informed decision. A favorite question of mine is to ask the provider “if you were me, what would you do?” It is surprising the perspective you can gain when you ask the provider to consider this. It sounds as if you have ruled out oral medications and insulin to control your glucose levels. If you don’t mind me asking, what are you doing to regulate your glucose levels?
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1 ReactionHi,
Yes ruled out through unsustainable side effects. Doing absolutely nothing to control my glucose levels while the next step is pondered. I do as much as I can through my diet but sadly that is not enough. As diabetes is not my only health issue, hence my diet is mostly focused on the amount of food and fluid I can tolerate per day. I stopped my insulin 12 hours ago and already notice the intense migraines have gone and the 24/7 headaches are a lot less. I hope over the next day or two the irritability and aggression goes as well. Fasting glucose level has already risen and blood pressure has dropped slightly as well, still way too high though. My vision has cleared from being unable to see what I was typing to now being able to catch some of the typos and mistakes I make. I work across several computers but this one the spell check doesn't work where as my workshop computer does.
I assume people make informed decisions, erroniously, by the questions I read on forums. While not perfect Dr google is my side kick giving me vital information to form my own decisions. Importantly knowing which sites are reliable is a prerequisite to surfing the web.
I tend to do a lot of research on my health so I know the risks I take in doing what I have to to try and be comfortable, that is my main focus despite it obviously shortening my potential life span. I feel it is better to have comfort for a shorter time than be uncomfortable and impacting people around me for a longer life span.
Cheers