“Can I ever stop using insulin?”
I have been on insulin injections for the last 3 months. Will it be permanent or will I ever be able to get rid of them?
8 Answers
It is possible for patients to get off of insulin if they are type 2 Diabetics who work on lifestyle changes (exercise, diet, weight loss), as most type 2 diabetics are overweight and have insulin resistance. Type 1 Diabetics,(whose pancrease stops producing insulin) on the other hand, will need insulin injections for the rest of their lives.
If you have type 1 diabetes, you will need insulin for the rest of your life because you body does not make insulin. If you have type 2 diabetes, it may be possible for you to only use oral medications or non-insulin injectables. Usually, it requires strict diet, exercise, and significant weight loss.
Deirdre James, MD
Deirdre James, MD
Many people go on insulin if sugars are high. With proper diet, weight loss, and oral meds, a good percentage can get off in the future depending on the finger sticks and a1c.
I have seen patients stop insulin if they have something to reverse such as a poor diet, excess weight, and lack of exercise. I have seen patients stop insulin after a gastric bypass. So, if the problem is lifestyle, then sometimes straightening this out can reverse the insulin resistance and the body can go back to insulin sensitivity. Regretfully, it is rare if people change, but I have seen it. There is nothing new about living a healthy, active life. Do people wake up one day and start having one? Sometimes.
You must address this question to the doctor who prescribed insulin for you! You should also ask:
(1) Have I got type 1 diabetes? If so, you will need insulin for life (although a honeymoon period of very low dose insulin or no insulin at all can occur in the first year of insulin use).
(2) Have I got insulin requiring type 2 diabetes? In this case, insulin may not be a life sentence, because there may be other treatments to help blood sugar control and help to achieve significant weight loss, including bariatric surgery and/or GLP1 agonist injections (Byetta, Trulicity, etc.).
(3) Have I got a rare type of diabetes (monogenic diabetes or secondary diabetes)? This needs expert specialist advice.
TAW
(1) Have I got type 1 diabetes? If so, you will need insulin for life (although a honeymoon period of very low dose insulin or no insulin at all can occur in the first year of insulin use).
(2) Have I got insulin requiring type 2 diabetes? In this case, insulin may not be a life sentence, because there may be other treatments to help blood sugar control and help to achieve significant weight loss, including bariatric surgery and/or GLP1 agonist injections (Byetta, Trulicity, etc.).
(3) Have I got a rare type of diabetes (monogenic diabetes or secondary diabetes)? This needs expert specialist advice.
TAW
Insulin is not usually a one-way street, unless your pancreas can no longer make enough insulin. Deficiency of insulin happens when the beta cells in the pancreas are destroyed by the immune system, drugs, toxins, and severe diseases of the pancreas. More often there is a resistance to the effects of insulin caused by infection, stress, inflammation, pain and numerous drugs, especially prednisone and similar steroids. Obesity, overeating and inactivity also contribute to.insulin resistance. So if some of these problems can be overcome, you have a good chance of backing off insulin.
I would strongly advise to make dietary and lifestyle changes which may lead to weight loss and insulin sensitivity. There is a chance to come off insulin unless you have type 1 diabetes, which is due to the destruction of insulin-producing cells.
The answer to your question would require more information. Do you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes? If you have Type 1 diabetes, the answer is you will have to stay on insulin for the rest of your life to stay alive. If you have Type 2 diabetes, it may be possible to stop insulin. Lifestyle such as diet and exercise with wt. loss will help. I do not know if you are overwt., so I can't tell you how much wt. loss would help. Also, if you are Type 2, what oral agents have you been on? Have you used 2 or 3 oral agents at a time? This is the best I can do with the limited information I have. I hope it helps.
