I checked on Levemir here in Sweden. Novo Nordisk is a Swedish/Nordic company, so Levemir has been on the market here since 2004, but it has only been approved under our pharma benefits for treatment of type 1 diabetes, but Lantus is approved for all, so I will ask my nurse about that. A trivia note: the name "Levemir" is pronounced to sound like the Swedish words that mean "live more.")

Meanwhile, my BGs stayed in required ranges today with zero Humalog before meals, so I think my Humulin is doing its job very well combined with LC.
Rosemary

Sprucerose, nice to hear that at least some specialists are becoming more open to, and even recommending, a low carb approach.
Call me biased, but I think Dr. Bernstein's approach is an excellent one.

Here's an update on my BG readings.

Average readings last 2 weeks
BKFST -- 146
LUNCH -- 132
DIN -- 125
BED -- 136

Average readings two weeks prior
BKFST -- 178
LUNCH -- 166
DIN -- 144
BED -- 159

Average readings BEFORE LC diet (2 weeks prior to above readings)
BKFST -- 246
LUNCH --205
DIN -- 238
BED -- 237

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Hi, I'm new to the forum. I've been taking Lantus for a few years with no positive results; the pills didn't work either. The Lantus made me appear 9 months pregnant, and I couldn't lose weight. I decided to try my own instincts before the doctors kill me. I've learned over the years that they are often wrong, i.e. I hade many a fight with doctors because I refused to take estrogen; they told me I wouldn't live very long and pretty much would shrivel up like an old prune. Well, they changed their tune and began taking the estrogen away from their patients when the results of research were finally in; estrogen will not protect your heart and will give you cancer.
I do have diabetes 2, and my sugars are high. I exercise a lot to no avail. I also have other health issues: sarcoidosis stage 3, fibromyalgia, anxiety and depression-all of which happened at the same time.
I've stopped the Lantus and have just started Atkins. I'm hoping with the diet and continued exercise as well as weight loss will lower my blood sugars. I do want to know how long the diet begins to show improvement? Thanks!

GREETINGS --
As a Type 2 diabetic you need a coordinated strategy (diet, exercise, and medications) to control your blood sugars. The most important tool you have is your blood glucose meter. I have been using Lantus and Humalog insulins since they became available about five years ago. Humalog insulin is designed to control your blood sugars associated with the food that you eat (also known as bolus insulin). Lantus insulin (also known as basal insulin) is designed to control your blood sugars between meals and while you are sleeping. The proper dosages of the insulins typically need to be established using a trial and error testing process. If you were expecting to control your blood sugars at all times with Lantus you were misinformed.

In the case of dietary strategy the more carbohydrates you eat the harder it is to control your blood sugars. As an overweight diabetic with insulin resistance there is likely to be excess insulin and glucose circulating in your blood stream and it will combine with fat cells to create fatty tissue in your abdominal area to store the glucose for future use. I now limit carbs to 10-15% of the calories I consume and that in combination with proper insulin dosages has allowed me to control my blood sugars (average daily blood sugars of about 100 mg/dl) and keep my weight in check. A well-organized exercise program helps in the area of general wellness and also in reducing my weight.

wambo1941

Act, my blood sugars started to go down dramatically after five days on Atkins. I had some initial difficulties with insulin reactions (a problem you don't have to deal with) while I adjusted my insulin on a trial-and-error basis, but not on my own. I am working closely with with my diabetes nurse on this (and amazing the heck out of her with the immediate impact of LC). At this point, the only exercise I am doing is walks of 30 minutes to one hour, three times a week. I will increase that as my weight goes down (knee problems make the walks painful at this weight).

I agree with Wambo - your glucose meter is your best friend. I check my BG a minimum of three times a day and usually more like five to eight these days as I am losing weight and my insulin requirement is still dropping (more slowly now, but still). I am fortunate enough that I don't have to worry about the cost of test strips and the like because diabetic supplies are free where I live; I know that cost can be an issue for people in the US (if that is where you are), as it used to be for me. But I would encourage you to test very frequently. I am also testing, for instance, to check out the effect of specific foods/beverages on my BG levels so that I can know for sure which foods keep me at the most stable level and which cause a spike (coffee, for instance, which I love).

Good luck,

Rosemary

Welcome Wambo - I remember you from another site. You have lots of good tips! Glad to see you here!

To me, Dr. Bernstein's law of small numbers, just works. It allows me to cut my insulin, and just deal with it all better. I believe in this book so strongly and really he answers everything in there and does so very well.

Pf, Talk To Yr Dr. And See If He Will Alow U To Go Onto A Sliding Scale, That Is If You Bs's Are 120 Or Below No Insulin, Above 150 A Certin Amount, It Really Looks Like Your Diabetes Is Like Mine, I Call It Allergic To Carohydrates And Not Kidding. After 34 Yrs As A Diabetic Mine Is Under Control With Very Limited Carbs, Induction Could Be My Life My Dr. Says. But Oh Well T Beats Insulin And Pills. Deb

I'm going to see my Dr. in early July after doing tests in late June. I will talk to him about this. I think I still need a basal dose of long acting insulin, but maybe not. We'll see. I'm going to experiment again when my life is calmer in June.

In the meantime, I've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, so I'm interested in how my body will respond after I start getting treatment for that. Unfortunately, that appointment to see the pulmonologist is not until mid June.

I'm just plugging along with modest weight loss, but excellent blood sugar control. In fact, I went to a buffet last week, ate lots of fried shrimp and prime rib, and my sugar only went up to 150 afterwards. I'm sure I had more than my 12 carbs, but my body responded well. And I did stay away from the desserts and stuff.

I still have high morning readings, but that trend is more obvious now that the rest of the day is controlled. I think switching to Lantus and a sliding scale would work for me.