# What's it like to use insulin? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 27, 2012, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-it-like-to-use-insulin/623286 "2012-05-27T22:18:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-it-like-to-use-insulin/623286/21 "2012-05-29T15:02:27Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > That’s obviously a fake staged bag. I can tell, because a REAL diabetic’s bag has at least 30 used glucose test strips stuck in the seams and linings. 😃 Hehe. I had a bottle breaking accident over the weekend so I gave it a wash (and hence an empty) over the weekend. I thougth maybe my bag stinking of beer might be a bad thing at work 😃 ---
**Author:** ![evasgram](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ec9cab/32.png) [@evasgram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evasgram)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-it-like-to-use-insulin/623286/22 "2012-05-31T02:15:15Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > I don’t know, that seems somewhat melodramatic to me (and I say that as someone that has been Type 1 since 1993). Everyone has their warning signals and, frankly, it is EXTREMELY unusual to sleep so long that it is going to be dangerous. You always wake up in time to do something about it. > > Most hypos are more mildly unpleasant and if you are regularly going EXTREMELY low then, to be honest, you’re not doing it right and it is time to go back and see your doctor/nurse. > > You just learn to always have a packet of sugar tablets on you just in case. Hell I currently have … _goes to check_ … six in my bag at work. Here, have a look: > > [http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2346328/Photo%2029-05-2012%2014%2004%2057.jpg](http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2346328/Photo%2029-05-2012%2014%2004%2057.jpg) > > (Note the Lantus hiding in there as well). That’s what being on Insulin is like. You always remember to do that. You get very used to injections very quickly, the first one is scary but pretty soon after that it is second nature. Sorry if it sounds melodramatic to you, but it is my reality. It is not unusual for me to wake up with levels in the 30’s. I cannot lower my doses because it is also not unusual for me to go quite high. I understand that my case may be different than yours, but it seems as if you are questioning my experiences. I have seen several doctors and it is just how my body is. I don’t claim to be an expert on insulin or diabetes, but I do know what my experiences have been. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-it-like-to-use-insulin/623286/23 "2012-05-31T05:01:35Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > That’s obviously a fake staged bag. I can tell, because a REAL diabetic’s bag has at least 30 used glucose test strips stuck in the seams and linings. 😃 LOL. Don’t forget the alcohol swab packets ripped in half and the extra little bottle of test strips that isn’t shoved into the tester pouch. At home I have the cutest miniature galvanized trash can I got somewhere. It is about 1 pint in size and the lid is very tight. It is great as a container to hold the used swabs, needles and test crap before tossing it into the garbage. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-it-like-to-use-insulin/623286.md?page=1)