Does Lantus suck?

[Finn]

I've never used Lantus so the only experience I have with it is everyone who posts here. I know this is a very small sample but I don't see anyone really saying anything good about Lantus. Eventually, people get it to work for them but it seems like there are way too many issues- highs vs. lows, huge drops in blood sugar, doctors insisting that doses should not be split & that it does last 24 hours. I know that Mr. Finn (EMT) takes lots of people to the ER for issues with their insulin doses and he says a HUGE majority of the people are on Lantus. So does anyone LIKE Lantus? Is it too much of a pain? Is there a better alternative? Should we rise up and throw away all the Lantus? :ridinghor What do you think?

[Funnygrl]

The vast majority of people are on lantus because that's what the vast majority of people with type 1 who aren't on pumps take, cause N is what sucks. And people with type 1 make up the vast majority of people who have diabetes-related emergencies.

I was on Lantus for a little while and did wonderfully on it. My blood sugar was great the majority of time, though I did go low most mornings and high most evenings, but that is just because people need different amounts of insulin and different times of day, and that's natural.

I've never heard of doctors discouraging split doses.

[jillsp]

I was on Lantus before I got on the pump and did great on it. It was the first time I was able to get my A1c below 7 in ten years. I think people are more apt to speak up and complain on here b/c they are looking for support and answers, you don't just come on here and post and say I love my insulin. NPH was terrible for me, and I had an incredibly postive experience with Lantus and an even more positive experience being on the pump. I thought it was the greatest transition. I wouldn't say Lantus sucks, but it might for some people. I would say diabetes sucks and leave it at that.

[JediSkipdogg]

Remember firstly that people come here to complain and vent sometimes. Rarely do you see someone come on here and post how great something is. I can probably namea handful of threads that were started because people recommended something.

As for Lantus...there really aren't many alternatives in the United States. There is NPH...however, one that can make great control on NPH should be crowned King. Very very few people can. NPH has a peak in the middle of it that if you don't eat directly on that peak, you are guaranteed to go low and many times in the hospital. As Mr. Finn if he remembers back to 1995 and how many people went to the hospital for insulin problems and how many go now. Also remember, the numbers may be the same, but diabetes has grown greatly since then.

Lantus is great because it's a peakless insulin. You can inject and technically not have to eat at all and your BG should never rise or lower. Can there really truely be a 24 hour insulin? Is tylenol the same for everyone that takes it? Both should be no answers. Our bodies react to drugs different. For some their lantus runs out at 22 hours, some it may last for 25 hours. But 24 is the average. The problem is if they make it any longer, then people will have overlaps all the time and they will go low in that overlap, so they try to make 24 hours the max expected time meaning more people will get 22 hours than say 25 hours. That's why many split it, so they cover that time and always have insulin in the body.

I would say the majority of people on lantus like it. The only other alternate is Levemir, which can you even get that in the US? You could use NPH, however, that is a required 2 shots a day with a mandatory lunch 4-6 hours after taking it or you get a mandatory ambulance ride.

There are a few problems with Lantus, but it's the problem with any long acting insulin. You base your Lantus shot off what you do in a standard day with no meals. Long acting insulins cover the meals. Now, what do you do if you decide to job on a day but you don't do that other days and you decide not to eat? You will go low. Same if you are having a stressful day at work and don't have time to grab something to eat, your BG will go down. Once you give the Lantus inject, you have to cover any exercise with carbs or any extra activities by eating. Or you can adjust your Lantus shot for less but remember, it lasts 24 hours, so cutting it by 2 units affects you for 24 hours, not just the 2 hours after you give it. So you might go high the rest of the day.

The other problem is you can't control how much works when. I'm on a pump now for a few reasons but one being I have such strange basal rates. I give .9 units of insulin per hour in the AM roughly and then double that to 1.5-2.0 units in the PM hours. Can Lantus do that? No. When I was on NPH back in the day, my one NPH dose was double my other to compensate for that. You can't really do that with Lantus 100% effectively. So some people have bodies like mine where they have drastic insulin changes throughout the day. Lantus won't compensate for that, and if one doesn't eat to compensate they go low.

Is Lantus the magical drug? No, the magical insulin would be the one that you give 50 units of in the morning, it only works when needed, and then if not all used in 24 hours it dies. However, that isn't seen anytime soon. So currently Lantus is the best solution for most people that don't want to go to a pump.

[vrocco1]

The only thing that sucks about it for me is that I've been suffering for the last two and one half years with an A1C of 6.4. On top of that, I can only eat whenever I feel like it, and not worry about going hypo. (Sarcasm intended)

BTW... I forgot to qualify my post by indicating that I am a moron first. Lucky the edit post button was still still active.

[notme]

I used Lantus when it first came out years ago. My A1c dropped, but I had issues with it not lasting the 24 hours. The other issue I had was the minute amount it took to make vast changes. I would take 26u and it would not bring my morning numbers down enough. I would take 27 and I would go down too low. Very hard to make that small .5 unit change to come out just right.

[grace girl]

I've been on Lantus for almost 3 months now....and a lot of the questioning/rant posts you've seen here have probably been mine! I've been going through an ajustment period that has been complicated by a past horrible experience with mixed insulin. And I must state that most of my rants have been about my DOCTOR, not the lantus itself!

I am very happy with Lantus. It takes some time to find out what it's doing for you as an individual, but as you begin to get a grasp on that...it's really a great insulin. I have the freedom to eat when I want, to do what I want without fear of going low....and the horrible highs that I had before are a thing of the past.
With the exception of the pump, this is the closest I'm going to get to a functioning pancreas.
If someone were to ask me, I would reccomend it wholeheartedly...with the simple advice of being patient while you get you personal basal rate set, and learn how it works for you.

[Tokyo Cate]

After years of pumping, I went onto Lantus last fall and within a few months, my A1C dropped from 7.4 to 6.4. I don't have problems with Lantus not lasting for the full 24 hours, but I somewhat miss the multiple basal rates that allowed some protection from the dawn phenomenon. I also miss the memory function of the pump that stores how much insulin you have given and when (I once gave myself a double dose of Lantus when I was distracted at work).

Lantus is great. And, there are no problems with bad infusion sets or set changes at inconvenient times.

[valc3]

I'm on Lantus and very happy. Most of my dose adjustments were done when I first went on it. It lasts 24 hours for me. I don't have have problems with lows, due to the Lantus. I've been really happy with it. It works for me.

[Keezheekoni]

Lantus works well for me too, but it took about 2 months of adjusting the dosage to "just right" for me to see a positive, consistent bg reading. I'm also taking Humalog with every morsel of food while doing the whole carb to insulin ratio, but the Lantus keeps me on a pretty even keel. :)

Rikki

[lgvincent]

I hope it doesn't. I've gotten a few vials but am waiting until I use the NPH before I try it.

[grace girl]

Lantus is great because it's a peakless insulin. You can inject and technically not have to eat at all and your BG should never rise or lower. Can there really truely be a 24 hour insulin? Is tylenol the same for everyone that takes it? Both should be no answers. Our bodies react to drugs different. For some their lantus runs out at 22 hours, some it may last for 25 hours. But 24 is the average. The problem is if they make it any longer, then people will have overlaps all the time and they will go low in that overlap, so they try to make 24 hours the max expected time meaning more people will get 22 hours than say 25 hours. That's why many split it, so they cover that time and always have insulin in the body.


There are a few problems with Lantus, but it's the problem with any long acting insulin. You base your Lantus shot off what you do in a standard day with no meals. Long acting insulins cover the meals. Now, what do you do if you decide to job on a day but you don't do that other days and you decide not to eat? You will go low. Same if you are having a stressful day at work and don't have time to grab something to eat, your BG will go down. Once you give the Lantus inject, you have to cover any exercise with carbs or any extra activities by eating. Or you can adjust your Lantus shot for less but remember, it lasts 24 hours, so cutting it by 2 units affects you for 24 hours, not just the 2 hours after you give it. So you might go high the rest of the day.

I have to add that I wish that someone had told me all of what you said here when I first went on Lantus. It would have helped me to understand more of what was going on during all the adjustment period. I spent too many weeks frustrated because I wasn't getting the "typical" results. Just who is typical, anyway?

I really don't think there is a problem with Lantus. I think the problem lies with people not being really educated about what to expect from it.

[KickStart101]

I've never used Lantus so the only experience I have with it is everyone who posts here. I know this is a very small sample but I don't see anyone really saying anything good about Lantus. Eventually, people get it to work for them but it seems like there are way too many issues- highs vs. lows, huge drops in blood sugar, doctors insisting that doses should not be split & that it does last 24 hours. I know that Mr. Finn (EMT) takes lots of people to the ER for issues with their insulin doses and he says a HUGE majority of the people are on Lantus. So does anyone LIKE Lantus? Is it too much of a pain? Is there a better alternative? Should we rise up and throw away all the Lantus? :ridinghor What do you think?


Thanks For Mentioing About Lantus, Amy. Looks like we got the same impression. :thumpdown

My Insulin(which I'm pretty well regulated by)was discontinued last year so
I need a new long acting Insulin. I was planning on Lantus originally since
most in the beginning here were Happy with it. But through time there have
been many Folks with different complaints including possibly causing depression
and bad mood swings and I sure don't want to go there. I mean, it's time that
tells isn't it? So I was more leaning now to Levemir. Doesn't seem to be as many
problems. But I suppose we have to try what's out there(which isn't much
anymore)and what works for us individually. Good Luck with your adventure. ;)

[Finn]

Before I went on the pump I used NPH- that's why I have no basis to judge Lantus- I'm just going off what I've seen here. I'm not trying to question anyone's ability to take care of themselves or create an insulin revolution (lol). I also understand that as many pople are diabetic there are that many ways the meds will effect people. It's not a fun, predictable disease! And yes, bad news (and frustration) does get more press, as you know if you watch the evening news. I'm not trying to knock anyone for venting or asking for help!!! This forum is an awsome place for both!! I'm just trying to get all sides of dealing with Lantus. :)

[KickStart101]

I agree, me also. :)

[jillsp]

Before I went on the pump I used NPH- that's why I have no basis to judge Lantus- I'm just going off what I've seen here. I'm not trying to question anyone's ability to take care of themselves or create an insulin revolution (lol). I also understand that as many pople are diabetic there are that many ways the meds will effect people. It's not a fun, predictable disease! And yes, bad news (and frustration) does get more press, as you know if you watch the evening news. I'm not trying to knock anyone for venting or asking for help!!! This forum is an awsome place for both!! I'm just trying to get all sides of dealing with Lantus. :)


Of course, I just think you have to keep in mind, like you have said, that you are more likely to see complaints than good reports. I just don't want you to have a preconceived notion about Lantus that would keep you from being successful on it, b/c it is a REALLY good insulin. I have seen those Lantus causes depression threads and it makes no sense to me, as insulin is not metabolized in any way that it could cause CNS side effects. You are more likely to suffer depression from diabetes, but again, to each his own. Levemir has only been available in the US for a couple of months so it is WAY too soon to tell what it is going to be like. I've seen plenty of complaints about it too....it just hasn't been around as long for people to moan about it. I hope whatever you do, that it works great for you and it gives you the best blood sugars ever!

[corwin]

Remember firstly that people come here to complain and vent sometimes. Rarely do you see someone come on here and post how great something is...

Lantus is great because it's a peakless insulin. You can inject and technically not have to eat at all and your BG should never rise or lower. Can there really truely be a 24 hour insulin? Is tylenol the same for everyone that takes it? Both should be no answers...

Is Lantus the magical drug? No, the magical insulin would be the one that you give 50 units of in the morning, it only works when needed, and then if not all used in 24 hours it dies. However, that isn't seen anytime soon. So currently Lantus is the best solution for most people that don't want to go to a pump.

What he said. :)

I'm using lantus for over 4 months and I didn't find a single thing to complain about.

[KickStart101]

Well, I think we sure should have an honest poll of People
who have experienced using Lantus Insulin. We have been
disillusioned so far.

In other words are you Happy using Lantus or not?

If not why?

How long have you been using Lantus Insulin?

Pease do not be afraid to apply.

[KickStart101]

Well, I think we sure should have an honest poll of People
who have experienced using Lantus Insulin. We have been
disillusioned so far.

In other words are you Happy using Lantus or not?

If not why?

How long have you been using Lantus Insulin?

Pease do not be afraid to apply.

I and Many Want to know!!

[valc3]

I've already replied that I'm on Lantus and happy with it. I've been on Lantus for 15 months. I haven't suffered any depression with Lantus.

[JasonJayhawk]

I found that it only "sucks" if I didn't spend time titrating myself to the right dose, which was twice a day (AM and PM) -- finding the right dosage for each time of the day, as well as considering if I had eaten a higher-fat meal prior to bedtime, would determine my dosing.

[vrocco1]

Well, I think we sure should have an honest poll of People
who have experienced using Lantus Insulin. We have been
disillusioned so far.

In other words are you Happy using Lantus or not?

If not why?

How long have you been using Lantus Insulin?

Pease do not be afraid to apply.


Why don't you start a poll? Very simple question. Yes or no, does Lantus suck? Since, as I said earlier, I'm suffering with an A1C of 6.4 (for over two years) my answer would be "yes, it does suck". I forgot to complain about the fact that it lasts 24 hours also (for me). That really sucks!

[sofaraway]

i've been using lantus for about 3-4 weeks now, and have foudn it works really well and keep my blood sugar very stable. eg. went to bed last night on a 8.6, 3am 8.6, 7am fasting 8.7.
not had any problems so far

[jen_slc]

I've been using Lantus for 3 1/2 years and I think it's great because pumping is not an option for me anymore. I wish it truly did last a full 24 hours to save myself an extra shot, but that's not a big deal. I've been pretty happy with it, once I found the correct dose and timing.

[Shocked]

I've been a user since Sept. '05. The only negative thing about Lantus for me is/was, once I had figured out how much I needed, my needs changed due season/activity levels etc.

[KickStart101]

Thank you all for your replies. Good to know that People are
Happy with Lantus. We were just worried after hearing complaints.
I realize that it takes some tinkering to get it working right for each
individual.


I've been using Lantus for 3 1/2 years and I think it's great because pumping is not an option for me anymore. I wish it truly did last a full 24 hours to save myself an extra shot, but that's not a big deal. I've been pretty happy with it, once I found the correct dose and timing.


Yes Jen, it's unfortunate that it doesn't work the full 24 hrs. for
everyone. Taking one shot of long-acting a day would be nice but I
already take my long-acting twice a day so that's no biggie, just as
long as it works. Thanks again, I feel better. :)

[steph1]

I have been on Lantus for about a year now. I have liked Lantus overall and have definitely enjoyed a lack of hypos overnight. However, my A1C's on NPH were around 6.4 - 6.8. Since switching to Lantus, my last few A1C's have been in the low 7's!!
The big problem for me is that I somehow have suffered about 10-15 lbs. of weight gain (and I am a small person to begin with). And I know that everyone is denying the weight gain thing on Lantus, but I have been checked for thyroid and any other issue. Everything came back normal. So I am having to assume that my weight gain is due to the Lantus (it's the only medicine I take).

[Funnygrl]

I have been on Lantus for about a year now. I have liked Lantus overall and have definitely enjoyed a lack of hypos overnight. However, my A1C's on NPH were around 6.4 - 6.8. Since switching to Lantus, my last few A1C's have been in the low 7's!!
The big problem for me is that I somehow have suffered about 10-15 lbs. of weight gain (and I am a small person to begin with). And I know that everyone is denying the weight gain thing on Lantus, but I have been checked for thyroid and any other issue. Everything came back normal. So I am having to assume that my weight gain is due to the Lantus (it's the only medicine I take).
You know those overnight hypos? They lower your a1c.

And improved control causes weight gain.

[steph1]

Really? I am thinking of switching back insulins to NPH...if you can believe it. I don't see enough positive change to constitute staying on Lantus. Maybe I am missing something about my overall health, but a higher A1C and extra fat aren't enticing me to stay on Lantus any longer. I'd switch to Levemir in a second (I have a carton in my fridge), but I am trying to have a baby and Levemir hasn't been tested yet...so I am in a rut. And I'd go on the pump, but I have no coverage. I wish we had more choices!!

[Keezheekoni]

I want to say that I've been on Lantus for at least two years...but to be honest, I don't remember that far back! LOL

I've had to tweak my dosing many times, however it typically does last me the 24 hours. I have not had any problems with it at all. :)

I hope to soon be on a pump which will do away with my need for Lantus, but it's been good to me thus far.

[KickStart101]

Hi Steph: I do recall other people saying they had gained weight after
going on Lantus. Also some people on the pump have gained weight.
That's a shame that your A1c has gone up, I'm assuming nothing else
has changed except for going on Lantus.

You do realize you may have more lows going back to NPH plus being
pregnant for the first tri-mester? I was never on NPH(my younger Brother
was)but I had more lows in the first 3 mths. Then again you may not since
we are all individual. Good Luck to You. :)

[someone]

Lantus is so much better than NPH, which I am assuming is what you are on. Although pumping gives slightly better BG results, Lantus offers much more flexibility than other options. If I was not on the pump right now, I would definately be on Lantus.

I will say that there is one problem I had with Lantus, you get the same basal amount throughout the whole day. If the basal amount you need in the morning for example is much higher than what you need in the afternoon, you have to have a snack in the afternoon to compensate for that extra basal. This can sometimes be very annoying.

[someone]

You know those overnight hypos? They lower your a1c.

And improved control causes weight gain.

Right, because if you are getting the proper amount of insulin, you body is actually absorbing the sugar/carb you intake. :)

[SJJ]

Lantus was a godsend for me. Getting off of NPH was the best thing I ever did! It eliminated the horrible, unpredictable lows of NPH. However I had to take many bolus injections, which is why the pump is preferrable to me. I never had any problems with Lantus, although sometimes it stung when I gave the injections. The dose was about 20 units, so it was a large shot.

[MamaCat]

My endo put me on it because, at the time, it was brand-new, one-shot dosing, and supposed to be better than sliced bread. I never could get stabilized, would crash every am about 4:00. I finally tried taking it in the morning but still didn't get it figured out. And the Lantus was so painful -- not the injection but the insulin itself -- I would ache for 10 minutes! So I went back to my Ultralente (now off the market) which worked great for me. Now I'm on the pump and have only ONE insulin that does everything I need it to do. I probably should get a back-up in case my pump ever fails, but I think I would consider Levimir before going back to the Lantus.

[kemist]

I would like to get away from having to take an NPH shot b4 bedtime as I am doing now. I only take 2 units. Is there a methodical approach to figuring out my lantus dose for my body?

does it involve something like taking my lantus shot, and not eating (and taking boluses) in order to see if I have enough lantus in my body to cover my day?

kemist

[Funnygrl]

I would like to get away from having to take an NPH shot b4 bedtime as I am doing now. I only take 2 units. Is there a methodical approach to figuring out my lantus dose for my body?

does it involve something like taking my lantus shot, and not eating (and taking boluses) in order to see if I have enough lantus in my body to cover my day?

kemist
Typically initial lantus dose is determined by taking your total N dose for the day, and giving 80% of that as lantus in one shot at bedtime.

[Tokyo Cate]

I do remember that when I started with Lantus nearly a year ago, that I would develop somewhat painful or irritating bumps at the injection site after shooting up, but I don't notice it now. I love Lantus. My Hg A1C has been stable at 6.4 without intensive management since going on it. For me, it lasts for 24 hours. It has none of those life-threaten ting concerns I had with long-acting insulin in the early 1990s that forced me to go on the pump.

So many people here love pump therapy and get great results; I was really happy yesterday when I went swimming for the first time since going off the pump and I didn't have to worry about it a) being stolen, b) my blood sugar going out of control. Not that swimming is important to me, but it is nice that I have that extra freedom.

Before I upset the pumpers, I think pumping through the 90s saved my life and the technology is better now than my MM 506; however, Lantus is far better than the long-acting insulins we were using long ago.

We should all be lobbying our health care ministries to invest more in diabetes research and education and forcing researchers to share information (as like Bill Gates) rather than protecting information so they can get the large patent windfall.

[Georgia]

I have been on Lantus since April & so far it is working for me. I take it each morning at 9am & my fasting are fine, except when my hormones are playing havoc...but that's a whole new post ;)

[MamaCat]

Before I upset the pumpers, I think pumping through the 90s saved my life and the technology is better now than my MM 506; however, Lantus is far better than the long-acting insulins we were using long ago.

Hey, no offense taken, Cate. My decision to go onto the pump was a long time in the making. I never wanted something attached to me all the time, and I still don't like sleeping with it. But, I had had too many years of trying to outguess all those basal insulin curves and was tired of fighting with them for control. The very first day on the pump I knew I was ready for it. At times the "extra appendage" is inconvenient, but that is overriden by all the conveniences, such as more level bGs and privacy while dosing in public. Plus my meter sends its results to my pump, which has an onboard calculator to help me make decisions about bG corrections, etc.

I'm glad the Lantus works for you -- I felt the same way when I went to UL (UltraLente) from the NPH. At the time, they called the UL/Humalog combo the "poor man's pump." It was a lot a better than NPH/Humalog and HUGELY better than NPH/R!

[MamaCat]

I take it each morning at 9am & my fasting are fine, except when my hormones are playing havoc...but that's a whole new post ;)


Hey, that's a whole new forum! I remember that some years ago there was a book that basically said we all are governed by our hormones. (Anyone remember the title?) Each hormone affects every other hormone. It is surely true! Insulin is a hormone. Now some of us are adding the hormone amylin (Symlin) to our therapy. We feel the adrenaline when our bG drops. And of course, we females know what progesterone & estrogen do! I think that's what makes management so difficult -- all those hormones playing off one another and every one of them in constant flux! What's a body to do?!

[Simons]

Maybe I am the odd ball but I liie Lantus. I have been on it for several years and feel that it lasts the full 24 hours for me.
I have been D for 63 years and so have been on most different kinds of insulin over that period of time.
Along with the Lantus I use Novolog prior to meals.
Simons

[Geoff]

Hi, all. Here in the UK Lantus is now the first choice of insulin given to all new type 1 dibetics. I myself was put on it from day one just over a year ago. I use it once every night around 22:15hrs, useing between 18-20units. It took me about 1 month to get the doseage right, it is the basal part of my basal/bolus regermin, I use Novorapid (aspart) insulin 3 times per day before meals. My hba1c was 13.9 when diagnosed, it is now 6.0. I have put back some pounds, but this is possible with any insulin use as insulin can stimulates your appetite. Take a look at this UK site for more info on Lantus and it use, it helped me alot.

http://medweb.bham.ac.uk/easdec/prevention/lantusnotes.htm

[Lilly164]

for my Lantus has helped make my sugars more reasonable. That is, the numbers make more sense. My endo suggested changing from bedtime to 12 noon to provide a bit more for dawn phenonmen (sp?). That didn't seem to do any real good, but the time was more convenient. Then I changed to 4PM. Yeah, this is a better time.
I have been using the Lantus with Opticlik pen for a year now and finally feel comfortable with the pen.

[statdeac]

For people who tolerate it well, Lantus (and possibly Levimir) for basal + Humalog (or Novalog) for boluses = the next best thing to pumping.

Only probem is that Lantus is peakless and provides a "consistent" basal rate through the day (until it wears off), so if you have differing basal requirements throughout the day, the only option you have is to make adjustments with food or boluses to correct.

Just one opinion from someone who has been able to make it work.

[grace girl]

I replied to this thread once, but I'm doing it again because I've learned so much since then.
I guess every drug acts different in everybody, or else I'm just about as strange as it comes. Lantus is NOT peakless for me. It peaks after 15 hours of working like a Mac truck. The remaining 9 hours of the 24 hour period it actually acts like it's supposed to. I've tracked it for 3 months, and finally found an endo who saw what I see. It made my nights total misery for months because of the constant lows. I'm taking it in the morning now, letting it's insane peak work for me, and I'm doing rather well with it.

In spite of all of this, I think Lantus is great stuff. I've actually lost 5 pounds since I went on it almost 4 months ago, but I think that's because I'm taking about 15 units of insulin LESS a day now on this program than I was before when I was on the mixed insulin. I sometimes think it gets a bad rap when it comes to the weight gain issue as most people are put on it after diagnosis and just about everyone gains weight when they finally get some insulin in their body and they start actually processing food again. (I did.)
It does burn some, but I've learned two things that actually have reduced that down to nothing. Make certain that the alchohol has totally dried on the skin before injecting and draw the Lantus about 15 minutes before shooting and let it come to room temperature. My doc told me this trick, and it works.

Personally, I don't think lantus sucks. I think having to take insulin period sucks. Given that, we each have to find the combination that works for us.