[Ailsa]

I have a slightly different take on this to some of the others Bonnie.
I actually do think it is possible to get reasonable results on the actrapid/protophane mix. Just that, like the others, I don't think premixed insulin is the way to do it.
I used actrapid/protophane for MANY years. But always mixed it myself in the syringe. That meant I could alter the amount of actrapid if I was exercising or sitting around & also have a different ratio of the two night & morning. I don't agree with the person who said you always go up to 10 after meals. The way the peaks of the 2 insulins overlap are designed to help prevent this. I managed to achieve near normal A!cs when I was pregnant using that system.
I do have strong anti feelings about premix though. It doesn't give the flexibility required. I believe it was invented as a marketing exercise for the sellers of the stuff, & also for people (mainly T2s) who didn't like the idea of a syringe. Maybe that's an issue for you? but in the end a syringe & a pen both have a needle on the end. It's exactly the same thing.

Obviously there is a reason I am not using actrapid/protophane any more.
When I was using that I was generally getting A!cs 7.2 - 7.8. I actually don't think that is too bad but believe it is near impossible to get under 7.0 long term.
However the dissapointment for me when I switched to Lantus, was that there was no improvement. Also I was always high or hypo with the the Novorapid. In fact it was more frustrating than its predecesor.
I now realise the reason for this was that I was not told about carb ratios at the time & was still trying to work pretty much on the set carbs per meal I had been taught at an earlier era. There are some goods books on this like "Using Insulin" by John Walsh. I am now hoping to get in the 6's for my next A1c. It could be that like me, you're not getting the best help.
Have to also say, that my change of approach has made a huge difference to how I feel about my new insulin as there is now no doubt that it's all a lot easier day to day. After all A1cs are not the only thing to consider.
Hope this is constructive.