I think it would be up to you and the Dr. to decide. Yours may be different, but since I was a type2 i used a sliding scale. so you check you blood sugar before meals and if you are over 150 you dose based on the scale. I have read that any extra sugar goes directly to fat. I don't know if that is true or not.

The true things that I know are , it hurts less to give yourself a shot than it does to prick your finger. The needles are only like 1/4 inch and it doesn't hurt. Most times I never feel it. The other thing is if you decide to try insulin you are not stuck for life. You can go back on pills. I did that.

I agree with Tek, need to talk with your Doctor. I have been on insulin for years, when I read a lot of these posts, I think it is amazing to be on a pill, tablet, and control sugars, I could not do it.

Grannie, do you find a lot of T2's are frightened of insulin and don't know much about it?

I'm a type 2, diagnosed in 2004. I've been in major denial. I have been taking Metformin and Glipizide. I continually had morning highs and was started on insulin. I was up to 30 units at night and still wasn't helping. The doctor's were considering adding a morning dose. Giving the shots are not bad at all. Never felt it! Anyway I couldn't sleep and just didn't like the fact that I was on insulin. Started on Medifast (of course when you cut out sugar & carbs your blood glucose is going to get better)and was able to get off insulin in 3 wks. I have lost around 15 lbs. and have been able to drop 1 of my glipizide pills. Very excited to go back Friday to get A1C checked. It is very important to stay in close contact with your doctors. Good luck with whatever your doctor decides is best for you!

Tek, dear, I am not sure I am qualified to answer that question properly.

I do know that education, testing and working with your Doctor is key. I found this tid-bit on line:

Sulfonylureasstimulate your pancreas to make more insulin.

Biguanidesdecrease the amount of glucose made by your liver.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitorsslow the absorption of the starches you eat.

Thiazolidinediones make you more sensitive to insulin.

Meglitinides stimulate your pancreas to make more insulin.

D-phenylalanine derivatives help your pancreas make more insulin quickly.

Combination oral medicines put together different kinds of pills.

When your pancreas, no longer makes insulin, or makes very little insulin, or makes some, but it does one no good. Then you go on insulin. I make some, but it does no good.

There has been a lot of discussion about testing, my opinion is, if you don't test, you cannot control this disease, yesterday I did not feel well, I tested 7 times, at one point I was at 135, I popped an extra one unit of insulin, I run a tight control on mine, whatever it takes.

Don't be in denial, when you know what your body is doing(testing) and what to do about it, you have nothing but control. It's a good thing.

I was taking oral medications and still was experiencing high sugar levels.... never a lower one. I finally decided to ask my Dr. if insulin may be the help i needed and he put me on it... however, it still wasn't working and every time i went back, he'd treat me like i was doing something wrong so i finally asked to be referred to an endocrinologist, which he did and when i saw her, she assessed my situation, listened to what i'd been telling her, set up an appointment with a dietician and a diabetic nurse, and then monitored my numbers. She changed up my meds, put me back on orals and took away my insulin, however one of the pills gave me really bad side effects, so she put me back on the insulin (mixed, 30/70) and monitored me again. Told me on my last visit that it obviously wasn't working so she changed it and put me on fast acting insulin at meal time and long acting for overnight. I tell you, it was like night and day, the difference. Within days my BS levels dropped to "normal" range and have been maintaining. After 4 years of high blood sugars, i am so grateful to have a Dr. that CARES!!! I feel great, and i feel good about myself again. I was frustrated before because i knew that i was eating right and exercising, but my BS levels still wouldn't drop. Now i'm a totally different person. My best advise.... get a good Dr. and don't take no for an answer. Listen to your body and it will always lead you true. Ask questions and demand answers. Good luck, hugs and kisses, Deb :o)