[caswellhb]

I'm starting the life of Insulin injections. Another step on the path, I guess.
My Question is: What do I need to know?
The Insulin will be Novamix 30.

Heather.

[Peggy]

I use a pen for my insulin and it is so much easier and less painful than regular syringes. If your's isn't in pen form you might want to ask your dr about it, IF your insurance will pay for it. I think the MOST important thing to remember when you're on insulin is to pay closer attention to how you are feeling and always have some form of glucose on hand. Lows are no fun, especially when you are driving. If you start feeling funny while you are behind the wheel pull over as soon as you can, get some glucose into yourself and wait til you are feeling better to get back on the road. It's much better to be late than have an accident. Good luck!

[Funnygrl]

I would recommend against Novomix. Why did your doctor choose this one for you?

[shabbie6247]

hi heather, welcome to the club!

my tip is just relax....dont get too stressed at first trying to get it just right. i've been on injections for 9 months now and i'm only just getting it nailed!

buy yourself a copy of 'using insulin' isbn 1884804853

its the best thing that ever happened to my BG's!

[shabbie6247]

novomix does come in a pen btw ;-)


funnygirl, do you have experience with novomix?

ive read plenty of people have problems with mixed insulins. some reckon their control was better when they switched to multiple daily injections (MDI)

[SueM]

Originally Posted by caswellhb

I'm starting the life of Insulin injections. Another step on the path, I guess.
My Question is: What do I need to know?
The Insulin will be Novamix 30.

Heather.

You need to inform DVLA that you are now on insulin and your ins company.

Mix is pretty **** as you will be feeding the insulin.
You would be better off using a syringe and mixing the 2 in same syringe that way you can adjust your short acting for high carb meals.
Oh and welcome to the pin cushion world

[xMenace]

You should be intimate with the profile.

NovoMix® 30

Your testing should try to prove that this profile matches your meal and basal profiles. Personally I think the stuff is rubbish. Go straight to MDI.

[Funnygrl]

I don't have personal experience with Novomix, honestly, because I knew better.

It pretty much sucks because it's a mix of novolog and N, arguably the worst insulin known to man currently.

N sucks because it's a suspension, making it's peak variable. When it peaks and how long it lasts depends heavily on where you inject it, how active you are, and luck. The usual twice a day dosing results in a peak in the middle of the night (great if you have severe DP and can match this peak precisely to when this occurs, otherwise very sucky and prepare for night time lows). The other peak occurs in theory at lunch time, but usually right before. This means you treat lows before lunch, then eat lunch, then spike high afterward. The fact that the N has such drastic peaks puts you at high risk for lows, and forces you into a very regimented schedule.

The fact that it's a Mix means if you are a little high or a little low you can't adjust your dose to correct for that- you're stuck with the ratio they set for you, when really, it's night the correct ratio of basal/bolus for most people anyways. Most people have a 50/50 ratio not a 70/30 ratio, but the ratio is skewed cause it uses the peak in the basal to account for a lack of bolus. Overall, a bad method.

This will work for some type 2s though, simply because their own pancreas makes up the difference, and this is just supplemental.

Doctors prescribe it because apparently people don't wanna take more than 2 shots a day, and are too stupid to mix their own insulin. Honestly, if you insist on 2 shots a day, at least get 2 separate bottles and mix it yourself, though sometimes it's cheaper to have 1 bottle, but that's not an issue in the UK.

[pjams]

My endo is against mixes because one cannot change the ratio. She put me on 10 Units of Levemir at bedtime and Lovolog (that's NovoRapid outside US) 3 times before each meal time (5-7-6 Units). That means 4 shots a day, but that does not bother me. The pens with fine needles are virtually painless and can be used anywhere, even in restaurants without anybody noticing that. Depending on the carbs the doses can be changed. I am pretty happy with this for the time being. I went on insulin just three months ago. That's the best thing I ever did!
Jay

[cheryl]

Your finally on insulin. I am so happy for you. I hope all goes well for you.....I have been wondering when you were going to go on it....

Cheryl

[caswellhb]

Sooooo mixes not so good then? I guess it is at least a starting point though? I'm just looking forward to feeling better at the moment.
I had forgotten that I need to inform DVLC. Thanks for the reminder.
I injected an Orange so that my Doc could see me handle pen etc. The Orange survived.
I will going to have more sessions with Oranges and warnings etc. at midday on friday and then I will be on my way.
Thanks for all the input folks!

Heather.

[owlyn]

Congrats on going on Insulin. I think you will feel much better. Mixes are not good, and I think they shouldn't be allowed. Others have mentioned the reasons, and I agree 100% Additionally, Novolin and Humulin (Lilly) are NPH insulins, and have a poor uptake curve. IOW, they peak at a certain time, usually around 4 hours after injection. This can play havoc with lows and eating. If you can ask the doc for Novolog or Humalog for your rapid (bolus) insulin and Lantus or Levemir for you basal.

I think many doctors use the mix so as not to scare people completely off the idea. If you demonstrate that you know what is going on, he may do the 'right" thing for you from the start.

[statdeac]

Heather, I started out right on MDI 7 years ago, then shifted to pumping last year. The start up was not all that difficult, all things considered.

That said, I have nothing much relevant to say about mixes. I have only heard others refer to them, usually telling about when they used to be on mixes. I'm not really sure why some doctors feel that it is necessary to start someone out one regimen to get used to injecting before going with something that actually conforms better to the action of the pancreas.

I am glad that you are starting insulin at all. At least you wont have to be running so high all the time. Good luck. We are here if you need us.

[kgm0612]

Just wanted to wish you Good Luck, Heather!

Karen

[shockme]

i personally was very upset about starting insulin.but after a week of lantus and i started seeing better control of my bgs-i wodered why i'd felt that way...ditto about the novamix.good luck,heather.trish