You may have been dreading the time when your doctor suggested you needed insulin to treat your diabetes. You may have been told that you must; start exercising, lose weight, and take a diabetes education class. If you did not do all of these things, you may have been told you would surely “end up on insulin.” You may have asked for another chance, then felt guilty when your sugars didn’t come down or stay down. Despite a good effort, do you still have high blood sugar? All the above will help control blood sugar, but if you’re doing the best you can and your numbers are still too high, it’s time to consider insulin.

Diabetes changes over time and treatment needs to change too. Pills may have worked for a while, but the longer you have diabetes, the more likely it is you will need to add insulin. Insulin can help you feel better and lower your risk of complications.

Common Questions about Insulin:

-Does starting insulin mean my diabetes is worse?

It means the treatment you’re using now is not keeping your blood sugar where it needs to be. Continued high blood sugar makes diabetes worse. Insulin can help this.

-Don’t shots hurt?

The truth is: taking insulin isn’t hard or painful. The insulin needle is about the length of an eyelash and is so well designed that injection pain is not likely. Almost everyone says that shots are more comfortable than finger sticks.

-Does insulin cause complications?

Many people delay insulin for years. They may agree to start only after they have complications. Any treatment that helps keep your blood sugar in range, including insulin, will lower your chance of complications.

-Isn’t taking insulin complicated?

There are many different kinds of insulin and scheduling options that can be tailored to your needs. Insulin pens and long acting insulin simplify things for new insulin users.

-Do you think I can really give myself shots?

Anything new can be hard at first, but there are many people who can help you. Diabetes educators can help make insulin fit smoothly into your life. Consider asking your doctor for a referral.

If you have discussed insulin with your doctor and are still reluctant, consider a one-month “trial.” Try out insulin for that time, and then go back to your doctor to reevaluate.

For more copies or referral forms: Bremo Diabetes Lifecare

804-285-8055 Extension 128 Fax:285-8059