Insulin query

[deepsheth]

It's my first time using insulin. Any tips?

[Activity2004 Administrator]

Are you using insulin pens?

[Hidden]

Hi

I don’t have any tips as such but presuming you are getting it by injection all I can say is that, while it feels a bit awkward at first, it becomes second nature very quickly. Don’t forget to keep the pens in a fridge for when you are meant to. Oh yes and shake the pen vigorously before use!

[Boabphil]

Hi

Keep checking your blood sugar regularly - can't emphasise how important this is - at least 4 or 5 times a day but extra before driving or if high or low to monitor. I tend not to sleep at night with sugar lower than 6.5 mmols. If you can keep a diary of how much insulin you need for different meals that is helpful - it is easy to fall into the trap of taking the same amount of insulin for every meal which can cause problems. Don't be afraid to question the amounts of insulin you are taking in discussion with your medical advisors - it can take a while to get this right and our body's requirements also change both day to day depending on activities and longer term as well. If you are have a hypo, apart from immediate sugar obviously, you need to examine why it occurred - a pattern of hypos could mean you are taking too much insulin - low sugar when you wake up in the morning should be acted upon immediately by reducing insulin in steps and monitoring blood glucose response. I hope this is helpful for starters.

[Hidden in reply to Boabphil]

In the UK if you take insulin you can’t drive if it’s more than 2 hours since you last measured your BSL - at least that’s what DVLA told me in a letter when I started having to have insulin ☹️. This is to ensure you don’t have a hypo.

[Trisha1960 in reply to Hidden]

In UK you have to be 5or higher to drive ,