[fishy]

Deus,

It wasn't my intention to "jump on you", I certainly wasn't trying to "shut you up" and of course it's very important that people report adverse reactions to drugs both directly to medical professionals on public fora like this.

My point was more that perhaps a little circumspection and caution is called for when making claims about possible side-effects of such a widely used drug. Statements such as "Lantus can cause serious side-effects in almost a fifth of its users" are irresponsible in my view unless you can provide at least some reasonable evidence to back it up. If I'm a new Lantus user reading this what am I to think?

"the allergy rate is something like 10-15% compared to the usual 2-3%"

Says who? Aventis say the rate of allegric reaction is 3-4%. Are you saying they are wrong? If so on what basis? Can you provide links to evidence supporting this claim?

Again its not that I am saying you are wrong -- its just a that its a serious claim and one that should not be made lightly and without some justification.

"However, when 9 people at the same clinic go onto Lantus and then suddenly develop depression, I think I'm fully obliged to think that, you know, maybe there's something in this whole Lantus-depression thing"

Or it could just mean that 9 people at your clinic got depressed. Like I say depression is *very* common.

"The fact that the side-effects I and others have had aren't mentioned by Aventis proves nothing"

Obviously. But you do have to counterbalance these anecdotal reports against the evidence of various clinical trials which didn't find these side-effects. I think your first step in trying to ascertain if there is anything to these reported side-effects is to look up exactly how many and what sort of clinical trials were done for Lantus.

"Don't you think it's right that we should demand a full enquiry?"

I think it's right you should raise your concerns with your doctors and in public. And if there is evidence of a pattern then by all means take it further.

But talk of demanding a full enquiry on the basis of what has been said here seems at least premature and even slightly hysterical. Your posts sound almost like somethng your read in the Daily Mail ("Seven Ways Lantus Could Cause the World to End Tomorrow" ).

BTW, on your specific case, I note that you have only been back on Isophane since a "few days" prior to your original post. From my own personal experiences I can tell you that a few days, weeks or even months of remission is not a sensible timescale in which to judge changes in clinical depression. It's just not an on/off condition and you have to be very careful about making assumptions based on short term changes.

Finally, I'm very sorry that you had problems and suffered from depression and I wish you well and a speedy recovery.

Best wishes,
Matthew

[Belinda]

Just a thought.....
I have never taken Lantus. From what I am reading and from what I have studied for special education I am wondering if Lantus is part of a medical imbalance it is causing in some of you? Maybe you are taking other meds that don't mix well with it? Sounds like severe mood swings is a chemical imbalance. I don't know but when I read these post that is what came to my mind. Hope that all that are having side effects finds an insulin that works for them.

[Jon]

It is good that we are made aware of the possibility that Lantus causes depression or other side effects. It is not enough to have my son stop taking it, but if he does start to show these symptoms, I will know what to change first.

[rzrbks]

Information is neither good not bad. It is how you use it. IMO, it's good that Deus let everyone know that there were indeed side effects to be concerned about.

Now, each of us have information that will allow us to visit with Dr./endo/CDE and understand what is the best route for each of us indiviually.

I know that I would never drink beer at room temerature, but, it's nice to know that the option is there for peope for whom the idea appeals.

Thanks for the Heads-up Deus.

[bgast1]

I am very new to all of this. I am on 35 units of Lantus at bedtime, and I still don´t have my blood sugar under control. However, I don´t think that Lantus is giving me any side effects. I, supposedly, according to my wife and doctor am depressed. (Of course, I remain in denial as to this, I don´t feel depressed) Therefore, I am on Paxil at the top dosage. I was also on Welbutrin at the top dosage for about a week and experienced horrendous mood swings and was unable to control my emotions, whatsoever. I went to the doctor and requested that I be taken off the Welbutrin immediately. Within 24 hours, I had marked improvement in my moods, and withing 48 hours, I was back to normal. All this time, I was just starting Lantus. As has been mentioned before, sometimes anti-depressents can cause severe discomfort as well. Perhaps it was not the Lantus, but some other medication in conjunction with the Lantus. However, I hate shots. I find that this Lantus stings quite a bit sometimes. But I am new to it, will I ever get used to it?

[HeatherP]

I think there's a few things you can do to reduce the sting: Don't know if you keep it in the fridge, but you could let it "warm up" to room temp a bit before injecting. You could also try numbing the site w/ an ice cube first. The sting may also have to do w/ the amount you're injecting. I take relatively small amounts and so it doesn't sting most of the time. Try experimenting a bit - you may find that you have areas that are more sensitive than others.

It takes a while for everything to fall into place - give yourself some time and take one day at a time.

HeatherP

[lgvincent]

How uncomfortable is the sting it creates?

[bgast1]

The sting isn´t too bad. Just annoying enough to make be think twice before injecting myself. I keep the insulin at room temperature all the time. Also use short needles, but I think they are the Reli-On brand which I think are sub par to the BD brand.

It stings mostly after I pull the needle out. Not as much going in. Actually the finger sticks are worse than first injecting myself.

[HeatherP]

If it stings after injection, then more than likely it's the Lantus itself. You should post a question about reducing Lantus pain specifically - there's lots of people here who could make some helpful suggestions.

When you stick your fingers, are you using the sides? Thinnest lancets? Lowest device setting?

HeatherP

[bgast1]

Yeah I use the sides at the lowest setting, It´s really not that bad. I´m just being wimpy. Besides, we´re all in same boat aren´t we?

I´ll try that idea on another post about Lantus pain. Tonight it stung quite a bit, but also there was a drop left after I pulled the syringe out and that probably contributed to the sting as well as my not getting the full dosage I was supposed to get. I´ll get better in time.

[lgvincent]

I would have to agree with the stinging finger pricks. I've always preferred having blood taken from my arm than having it taken from a finger because it hurts less. However, as much as I check my blood sugar now, my arms would be black so it's not practical. I do use the sides of my fingers and as shallow a setting as I can to get the blood. I don't know how thin the lancets are. It's still uncomfortable. I guess my response belongs in another forum heading though.

[HeatherP]

Most likely, but what the heck! BD makes a 33 gg lancet I think. I'm still using the ulra fine II's. I don't change them very often. For the time being I'm lucky - don't have too much difficulty. Can't get blood from alternate sites, though. It's like there's only blood in my fingertips, and not my arms or legs. Weird.

HeatherP

[joe_34]

bgast1
the sting that you are feeling has nothing to do with the temperature or the amount you are taking,it is to do with the bad design of the syringe,due to the amount of complaints about it i think it has been put under review,it is caused because of the pressure you have to put on the plunger at the top instead of the side,since changing onto pork i also changed my pen where i click a plunger at the side and have had no pain since,so no matter how you take it you will allways have stinging from it,i hope i have helped

joe

[Lorna]

I've now been on lantus for just under 2 years, after having been on a rejeme of 3 injections of humalog and one of humulin I per day. Since starting to use lantus I have been a lot happier, and more confident and my blood glucose control has improved dramatically. (Reduction of about 3% in my HBA1C) I did however, put on about 3 stone in weight in the 2 months immediately after Istarted using the insulin. Has anyone else experienced this?

[DeusXM]

The reason you're feeling a lot better is because your control is a lot better. Unfortunately, one of the more common side-effects of good bg control is weight gain (although this can be avoided).

As I said, Lantus is a brilliant insulin as far as bg control is concerned, but in a small minority of individuals it can have some bad side-effects.