Insulin and Diabetes FAQs
The questions and answers on this page are for educational purposes only. If you
have questions about your health or treatment, please ask your doctor or healthcare
provider.
Q: Does taking insulin mean I’ve failed with pills?
A: First of all, you haven’t necessarily failed. Diabetes is a progressive disease,
which means your treatment plan may need to change over time. As the disease progresses,
your pancreas is less able to keep up with the body’s need for insulin, even with
the help of pills. So your doctor may add insulin to your treatment plan to help
improve your blood sugar control.
Q: Isn’t taking insulin a last resort?
A: Your guide should be your A1C level. If it’s above the American Diabetes Association
(ADA) recommended level of 7%, or the goal your doctor or healthcare provider set
for you, don’t wait—ask about whether insulin is right for you. In fact, the ADA
recommends adding insulin to an overall diabetes treatment plan as one effective
option if diet, exercise, and pills aren’t enough to help control your blood sugar.
Insulin doesn’t have to be the last option you and your doctor consider.
Q: Does taking insulin mean my diabetes is getting worse?
A: Diabetes can get harder to handle over time, which happens when the body isn’t
producing enough insulin, or not using insulin properly. The type of medication
you take, the dose you take, and the length of time using the medications don’t
necessarily indicate the severity of your disease.
Q: Will taking insulin make me gain weight?
A: Insulin helps your body use the sugar it receives from food to provide energy
for your cells. Without enough insulin, the body can’t process all the calories
you eat and turn them into energy. This results in higher blood glucose levels.
When you start taking insulin, your blood sugar may be better controlled, which
means more of the calories you eat can be used as energy. While your blood sugar
may be better controlled, taking insulin, such as LANTUS®, may result in some weight
gain. Following a healthy meal plan and taking part in regular physical activity
can help maintain your weight.
Q: Isn’t taking insulin painful?
A: The needles used for injection are very small and thin. Insulin is injected into
the fatty layer just under your skin where there are fewer nerve endings and it
generally causes little discomfort. If you experience pain when injecting insulin,
you may not be using the appropriate technique. Ask your doctor or healthcare provider
about ways you can help reduce discomfort.
Q: Will taking insulin interfere with my daily schedule?
A: To many people with diabetes, taking insulin is part of their daily routine.
Insulin pens, vials, and cartridges currently available don’t need to be refrigerated
after the first use, as long as you throw away the remaining insulin after the number
of days stated in the storage instructions of the package insert that came with
your insulin. You should always refer to the information provided with your insulin
to understand storage conditions and proper handling.
Q: Isn’t insulin dangerous?
A: All medications have benefits and risks, so it’s important that you learn about
the side effects of all the medications you take, including insulin. The most common
side effect of insulin, including LANTUS®, is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which
may be serious. Some people may experience symptoms such as shaking, sweating,
fast heartbeat, and blurred vision. Severe hypoglycemia can be dangerous and can
cause harm to your heart or brain. It may cause unconsciousness, seizures, or death.
Other possible side effects may include injection site reactions, including changes
in fat tissue at the injection site, and allergic reactions, including itching and
rash. In rare cases, some allergic reactions may be life threatening.
Q: Can I get addicted to insulin?
Insulin isn’t an addictive medication. Most patients who take insulin to help control
their blood sugar, as part of a diabetes treatment plan, take it for the rest of
their lives. Your insulin dosage may be adjusted until you find the right dose to
control your blood sugar. Since diabetes is a progressive disease, this dose may
change over time as well, which is okay.
Q: Will insulin injections do anything to my skin?
A: Injecting insulin can make a small depression in your skin or cause your skin
to thicken. By changing your injection site each time, you may be able to reduce
the risk of developing these problems. If not, talk to your healthcare provider.