Insulin Myths
You may already be on insulin, or it may be the next step in treating your diabetes. Many people struggle with the thought of insulin because of what they have heard about it.
It is true that most people who take insulin continue to do so for the rest of their lives. But it is not like an addiction. Some people with type 2 diabetes can manage to make necessary lifestyle changes so that insulin can be safely discontinued without raising blood glucose levels.
It is true that most people who take insulin continue to do so for the rest of their lives. But it is not like an addiction. Some people with type 2 diabetes can manage to make necessary lifestyle changes so that insulin can be safely discontinued without raising blood glucose levels.
Insulin Myths and Facts
If your doctor has recommended insulin and you are struggling with the idea, consider the following beliefs and see if any of them may explain your own discomfort with the idea of insulin.
"If I start taking insulin, it will take over my life!"
One of the most common reasons why people avoid starting insulin is the fear that they will lose control of their lives. Luckily, this fear is unnecessary. Modern insulin regimens are flexible and easy to manage in almost any lifestyle.
"I've heard that taking insulin can cause more problems, like blindness."
There are many stories that confuse cause and effect. Poorly controlled diabetes can cause vision loss or kidney damage. It is the years of uncontrolled diabetes that can cause these complications and not insulin. Insulin is actually being used to help prevent more problems or complications like blindness.
"If I have to start taking insulin, it means that my diabetes is a lot more serious than I thought."
Many people avoid insulin because they believe it is a good way to keep their diabetes from becoming too "serious". If your blood glucose levels are high, it is serious. Whether you take insulin doesn't make your disease less serious, it just makes it easier for you to ignore the problem. When you begin taking insulin, you are now using a new and powerful tool to address a problem that has been serious all along.
"Using a needle? I don't think I could do it, it would just be too scary and painful."
This is a common belief. The truth is that thanks to modern technology, insulin injections are almost never painful.
"I've done everything I was supposed to do, and now I'm told I have to take insulin."
Learning that you need to take insulin can be discouraging. It may feel like you have failed with your diabetes care. But this is not necessarily true. In many cases, oral medication is not sufficient and insulin is needed because the pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin. And this is not your fault. It's the natural course of diabetes.
So if your doctor has asked you to start taking insulin, don't be discouraged or afraid. It is a very powerful tool to help keep your blood glucose levels in the target range and to prevent complications. There are many easy-to-use insulin injection options that can fit your lifestyle. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have.
This information is a summary from "Diabetes Burnout" hand has been provided with the permission of the American Diabetes Association.
"Diabetes Burnout" is recommended by the American Diabetes Association as an invaluable guide that addresses the emotional issues that can become barriers to good self-care.
Click on the image to go to the American Diabetes Association bookstore.
Note:Care4life has no commercial interest in any of the books or resources it recommends.