Type 1 Diabetes and Insulin resistance?

Question

I have been a Type 1 Diabetic for over 18 years. I have two questions here.
1) for the past 2 years i have been on more and more insulin, put on over 25 lbs, am always in a fog and constantly tired; and my blood sugars are on a constant roller coaster. Do you think i may be suffering from insulin resistance? I looked it up online, and all the symptoms explain exactly what i am going through. Any suggestions on how to help this? I changed my diet to more protein over 3 months ago once i figured what may be going on, and my blood sugars are still a mess and i am still on tons of insulin. Do i maybe need some medication to control this? I also exercise at least 5 times a week ::i walk/jog:: and i do not see any improvements.

and 2) Like i said earlier i pout on over 25 lbs in 2 years, and no matter how hard i exercise it will not budge. I job and do sit ups and my stomach is still flabby...any suggestions to lose this extra buldge?

Answer 1

Ok, a few suggestions for you.

You may be building up a resistance to the type of insulin you are using, so it might be worth having a chat with your doctor to see about trying something different. I've been diagnosed for just under 13 years and my insulin has changed 3 times.

Another suggestion is to think about the size of needle you're using. They come in all different lengths. I actually found that the 12mm was better for me because the 8mm wasn't going in far enough, and therefore my body wasn't recieving the dose it should have been.

Are you rotating your injections? Have you got any hard lumps just under the skin? Ok, maybe I'm trying to teach you to suck eggs, after 18years, but you wouldn't believe the amount of diabetics who I've spoken to, who've been diagnosed longer than me and still don't know about lipodystrophy. It's certainly not pretty.

Lastly, there's a new thing that has started to get implimented at my clinic for type 1 diabetics to take metformin along side their insulin, for those who don't seem to be getting the insulin they should - ie their HbA1c wont come down. I started on it and my HbA1c has started to come down already.

You don't mention your age, but I was listening to something that said that once you hit 30 - it becomes really hard to fight the fat. You're exercise doesn't seem to be a problem, so I suggest going for a chat with your dietician. Mine gave me some great advice recently because I've been snacking too much on comfort food.

Give it a try and good luck :)

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

What type of insulin(s) you using? I'm sure the added pounds are the cause of your added insulin...and yes, that would mean insulin resistance. If you're not taking fast acting insulins like Novolog or Humalog based on what you're eating you need to see an endocrinologist that specializes in diabetes and see about changing your insulins. You should be taking at least 4 injections a day, or more, anytime you put food in your mouth, unless it's to correct a low. If you're already on MDI's then consider an insulin pump. You'll get much better control and it's much easier to lose weight. The cause of extra weight is extra calories along with the extra insulin. If you're on the typical roller coaster, eating to correct lows, then too high later, then too low, you're definitely on the wrong insulin treatment and should get into see an endo ASAP! There's also a new medication for Type 1's called Similin? Not sure of they spelling. It's the first new medication, that isn't insulin, for type 1's. You should speak to your doctor about that one too. It will help lower your insulin needs. The more insulin you're taking the harder it will be to lose weight. Good luck.

Answer 4

I am a Type I, have been for 34 years now. About 10 years ago I had put on 20 lbs and had glucose that was either too high or too low. I went to a nutritionist who put me on a counted carb diet to control my glucose. I did not exercise.

I followed the diet religiously. I dropped 25 lbs, got great control over my diabetes, and my insulin needs dropped by 25%. I am still taking the same amount of insulin and my control is still tops.

Here's a clue: The more insulin you take the fatter you get. My nutritionist said diabetics tend to get on a never ending circle: my glucose is high, so I'll take more insulin: oh-oh, now I'm hypoglycemic so I have to eat; and repeat. Once on this cycle you suffer from increased insulin needs, you overeat, and you gain weight. Please, see a nutritionist it may just be that you need to get off that cycle, not that you are developing insulin resistance.

Answer 5

2

Answer 6

Diabetes is tough, there is a new long acting insulin, levimir, out with less weight gain, you can consider to try that. Secondly, besides exercise you can try to cut down on calories in each meal and see if that helps you lose some weight, Insulin resistance is typically a feature of type II DM, yet you can discuss things like glucophage, actos or avandia with your endocrinologist, these are insulin sensitisers and I would think worth a try at least, good luck

Answer 7

I am a type 1 diabetic for over 30 years and
I had the same thing happening to me about 6 years ago. My Dr. said it is insulin resistants BUT I just left it at that. I am now blind and on dialysis! Don't let this happen!!!
Your body is changing rapidly now and setting in for the big kill. You have to fight back twice as hard now.
I can "see" now that if I have went the extra mile (or in my case the extra 5 miles!) I could have saved my life.
Do what ever you must to bring down the BS and get those extra 25 pounds off. I have finially gotten them off but its because I can't eat anymore & get drained every other day.
No more excuses get them off. if just exercise is not working than its your diet.
And why did you increase protein??? That is the #1 killer of the kidneys. Don't add any carbs but try eating more veggies and fruits (canned, rinsed, drained are best for us) & what about the salt?
Talk to your doctor, try a renal diet THAT will take off the pounds real fast.
God Bless & Good Luck

Answer 8

I am writing to tell you what an incredible impact these methods had on my life! I have had type 2 diabetes for 27 years. For me, the worst part of this horrible disease is the severe pain I constantly get in my feet. The pain is so bad that I avoid standing and walking as much as possible. I've got to tell you that within the first month, my feet stopped hurting altogether and I can now walk totally pain free.

Believe it or not, I even danced at my niece's wedding last month, something I have not done in a many years. I've been following the book for six months now and my blood sugar is well within normal range. I feel great!

I recommend you use the Type 2 Diabetes Destroyer to naturally reverse your diabetes.

Answer 9

There is a good chance that the dosage of insulin if you are on one type may not be working. the body can build up a tolerance to the drug and it may require a higher dosing. You may want to talk to your doctor about your scheduling of insulins. If you are on an insulin that is before meals you may want to think about adding Lantus (which is an insulin taken at bedtime) to your schedule. Also you can either take the insulin before or after meals. The biggest suggestion I can make about the weight can may seem simple but your balance of protein and carbs is probably off. This maybe why you are gaining weight because you may be storing the protein, which is heavier than the carbs. try rotating in your schedule an elliptical machine or something to help your problem.

Answer 10

I know exactly how you feel. I'm going through the same thing. I've always had terrible eating habits and I'm trying to change them. I have been trying different all natural remedies to see if I can find something to make me feel better. I know that I take too much insulin, but I can't find a way to regulate what I am taking. I have lowered my intake in the past couple of days because of a drink I am trying called Limu.