I have been diabetic since I was 28.. I am now 41... I have taken metformin during this time and a year ago juenivia was added.. almost 2 months ago I started MFP and have lost 18 lbs so far but my sugar, no matter how hard I try stays in the upper 100s to 235... today my doctor started me on Lantus.. I am scared for 2 reasons.. first is I feel like a failure... Im scared this means I will never get rid of this disease no matter how hard I work.. second is that at one time the dr prescribed Actos for me and it made my arms and legs swell and now I am scared of any new meds and what might happen...My question is... does anyone here take or has taken Lantus and what is your opinions on it???

Hi Katherine. First and foremost, you are NOT a failure and you didn't ask for this condition. True there isn't a cure for type 2 diabetes- its managed by countless people successfully needing today's modern insulin therapy technologies. I clearly understand your fears given your experience using the Actos medication. Who wouldn't with those side effects?

The good news is there are also countless people who have been able to reduce and oftentimes eliminate their diabetes medications altogether by losing excess weight if needed, along with adopting healthier lifestyle habits to include reducing carbohydrates and increasing exercise to help reduce insulin resistance.

I've been treating my diabetes with Lantus along with Novolog mealtime insulin going on 15 years now complication free-, prior to this I was treating my diabetes with a Humulin basal/bolus (70/30) insulin mix since 1982 with no ill side effects either until newer technologies entered the market. I'm sincerely grateful for today's insulin technology, these medications offer me more flexibility and tighter glucose control as a result.

Lantus (a basal insulin) is a safe and widely prescribed medication. It's job is to take the glucose secreted by the liver and pack it into the body's cells to burn for fuel. Typically basal (background) insulin needs are highest during the night and early morning and the lowest in the middle of the day. I suspect your doctor will prescribe a lower dose at first to learn how your body reacts. It may take a few days for your body to react to Lantus. It's possible and likely he/she may need to increase your dose. Again, your not a failure here. It's a medication. an important tool you and I need for safe and effective blood sugar self management. It's important to communicate your self testing results with your doctor, as this will help him/her make any changes in dosing if needed.

This community is here for you, you're not alone here as you move forward-we're eager to offer any support and help when possible.

I've found (http://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Pancreas-Practical-Insulin-Completely/dp/0738215147) to be an invaluable resource towards gaining a better understanding on using insulin as a tool in my efforts towards better blood sugar control.

Feel free to message me with any questions or concerns you might have. I welcome any opportunity to help

Best wishes

~Bob

My diabetes got that bad it nearly killed me last year. I am now on insulin plus tablets.
Am scared though as it is acting up again. Blood glucose going from 3.4 to 16.5 in the same day. I recognise myself when im having an hypo.

When the Dr did my lab work, their results were that I was 135 (which they say anything past 99 is already diabetic).
BUT when I started testing it myself it said I was 178 :noway:
I don't know how the 2 #'s could be so different.
Ive been on metformin (1000 mg 500 morning breakfast/500 dinner) since April 9th.
Last week I got down as far at 68...slowly raised it back up.
One day earlier this week I was 73 but its since gone up to 87.
I was just weighed yesterday (3 wks ago from the last time) and lost 5.5 lbs.
I still have at least 102 but for my height Id like to lose slightly more than that but for right now that's a healthy goal for me.
I too have a fear of needles...I always have to ask for the baby needles & they always seem to think they know better than me but they forget its me that's getting poked!
I cried last month when I heard that I was diabetic & that no one else other than myself was going to have to start testing my sugar levels every day.
I made it my mission that I was going to do this right, head on so that I could get off ALL this stuff ASAP!
I asked them how long before I could get off the meds/needles & they said when I could stay stable, so its ideal for me to keep working at maintaining!
3 weeks ago I joined this site which has really enlightened me on what I was eating at & what value it was worth it to me.
Be careful...not all fruits/veggies are created equal...yes, theyre healthier than junk but as much as I loved bananas they had more carbs than what I wanted (1/2 is good).
My F-I-L who was found to be diabetic 3 months before me has fluctuated between 110-120 and he started off at a much lower # than me (at least by what the little machine indicates).
He hasn't been able to get it lower than 110 (my husband says his dad probably gets into the kitchen more than he should!).
MY F-I-L was shocked when he heard my #'s and & at 1st tried to say it was fluke but last week on Tues I was 91, Wed, something like 83 and Thurs 68...that's not just by chance!
Then this week 2 days ago it was 73, so clearly its not the goof of the meter because that would happen once, not over & over.
Good luck...I feel for you!

What an inspiring story! It's always good to hear that changing your food choices is possible,and that you can manage diabetes even when you've been using insulin. Thanks for sharing! ~Lynn /Glucerna

I was diagnosed as a Type 2 almot 5 years ago and was put on Lantus last September. That was the motivation that got me onto MFP and finally doing something serious about my weight. I was able to stop the Lantus in March and I'm waiting for my next A1C to see if I can reduce/eliminate the metformin.

Yes, insulin is scary, but it is a tool. I found that once I got my sugars under control I felt better. I also started exercising. Both my personal trainer and doctor said that 30 minutes of exercise a day is like 5 units of long acting insulin. If you aren't exercising see if you can start working that into your routine.

One word of warning about being on Lantus and losing weight. As I lost weight, I had to be very aware of my blood sugars and worked with my doctor to determine a protocol for lowering my Lantus dose as I lost. I had to be on the watch for hypoglycemic episodes.

Take a deep breath and exhale. You can live with being on insulin, and you might be able to get rid of it if you lose weight and exercise.

My story: I have been type 2 for ten years now. I was on Actos and developed bladder cancer. That was the first time I made an effort to get off meds. I was then on glimpride, victoza, and lantus. I had to switch to bydureon insted of victoza because of health insurance coverage. Only once a week injections but with a bigger needle that left pea size bumps that take months to go away. I didn't know if I could, but I decided that I was going to do everything in my power to get off meds and be healthier. I purchased a book called Diabetes without Drugs by Suzy Cohen, R Ph. Now I am not endorsing this book but it had some very interesting advice in it. I won't go into too much detail, (PM me if you want mote detail) but a fe things I have done:

I drink a green Superfood drink daily, I use Nanogreens. I take her recomended dosage of vitamin D3. Beyond that I have eaten much cleaner, wholesome foods. I excersize more. Since the first of the year I have lost 24 pounds, gotten off bydureon & lantus. The way my numbers look, I should be off glypride soon. I'm not sure what made the change, maybe a combination of everything. All I know is that you can make a big difference by feeding your body what it needs and wants, exersizing, and living a healthier lifestyle. FYI > The treatments were a success and my cancer is gone.

Good luck to everyone and do your best!

My story: I have been type 2 for ten years now. I was on Actos and developed bladder cancer. That was the first time I made an effort to get off meds. I was then on glimpride, victoza, and lantus. I had to switch to bydureon insted of victoza because of health insurance coverage. Only once a week injections but with a bigger needle that left pea size bumps that take months to go away. I didn't know if I could, but I decided that I was going to do everything in my power to get off meds and be healthier. I purchased a book called Diabetes without Drugs by Suzy Cohen, R Ph. Now I am not endorsing this book but it had some very interesting advice in it. I won't go into too much detail, (PM me if you want mote detail) but a fe things I have done:

I drink a green Superfood drink daily, I use Nanogreens. I take her recomended dosage of vitamin D3. Beyond that I have eaten much cleaner, wholesome foods. I excersize more. Since the first of the year I have lost 24 pounds, gotten off bydureon & lantus. The way my numbers look, I should be off glypride soon. I'm not sure what made the change, maybe a combination of everything. All I know is that you can make a big difference by feeding your body what it needs and wants, exersizing, and living a healthier lifestyle. FYI > The treatments were a success and my cancer is gone.

Good luck to everyone and do your best!

How exciting that you've lost weight and were able to get off some of your medications. I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago and I'm trying to eat better and incorporate exercise. I would love to know more details about the book you read. My A1C was 11.4 three weeks ago. I have about 100 lbs to lose.

Congratulations on taking care of yourself and getting much healthier blood sugar management. I really like your quote: you will manage this disease instead of it managing you. Perfect! ~Lynn /Glucerna

Don't be so hard on yourself! Your doctor should have made it clear to you exactly what he wanted you to do with all of your medications. It can get really confusing, and you're not alone in not being 100% sure which medications to take, or when to take them. Most physicians have an emergency phone number you can call during non-office hours so you can be sure you're following his instructions. ~Lynn /Glucerna

ugh dr appt from hell... I gained 5 pounds after losing 18... dr increased my lantus to 25 from from 20 and also added victoza, he said it will help alot with my weight loss as well as help bring down my A1C number.. which is at 9.7 as of March...oh and yeah he finally let me know I should continue taking my metformin 1000 mgs twice a day...

That's good the doctor was about to add the victoza to aid in the weight loss and to help bring your A1C down. The 5 pounds is just a minor setback. Stay strong!!

I know you're disappointed about the weight gain, but it's good that you have clarification from your doctor on taking the Metformin. Both Metformin and Victoza often help people lose weight, so these can both be positives for you. Hang in there! ~Lynn /Glucerna