Does insulin keep you awake?

[Katakaniki]

Hello,
I have had type 2 diabetes for over 4 years. I take 4-5 injections a day and my endo suggested that I go on a pump. After much research, I have pretty much decided on the Minimed. I would like that smallest pump <can't think of the model number> that they make. I am very insulin resistant and take 85 units of insulin a day right now. I don't want the larger pump with the bigger reservoir because of the size. Can I buy the smaller pump and just add more insulin to the reservoir if I needed more?

My second question........ whenever I inject Novolog or Lantus at bedtime, it always keeps me awake. For instance, last night my BS was 187 before going to bed. I injected 5 units as a correction and went to bed. I could not sleep at all. I finally got up 2 hours later and my BS was 110. I had to eat something to get my numbers back up before I could sleep. It's like whenever my numbers are within range, I can not sleep. I don't think I have ever had a hypo. So, assuming the pump will keep my numbers within range all night, what if I can't sleep?

Everyone tells me that I will get used to normal numbers, but it has been 4 years and not happened yet. When my numbers are normal during the day, I have no energy and extreme fatigue. It's like my body wants to run on higher numbers or I don't function very well.

Does anyone have problems with insulin keeping them awake? I could never take any type of basal insulin, like Lantus, because it always kept me awake. Thanks. Kat

[Gordonm]

The MM 522 pump holds about 175-180 units after priming. That is the most I have been able to get in the resevoir. Using 85 units a day will get you 2 days out of the resevoir. Yes you can refill and go through the priming and all but if it was up to me I'd get the 722. It is not that much bigger and you get right at 300 units. If you are using 85 on injections you will most likely use less on the pump. I went from 56 units of MDI to around 35 units on the pump. So I use the smaller 522 and can get right at 4 days before refilling.

I have had mine for 5 months now and my numbers at night have been great. You will get used to having good numbers and you will sleep much better. I don't sweat going to bed with numbers in the 90 to 100 range. On MDI I would go low with those numbers. If everything is setup right you will be fine.

I have no problems sleeping with the pump. Actually sleep better and have way fewer night time lows.

[Lloyd]

[QUOTE=Katakaniki;207587]Hello,

My second question........ whenever I inject Novolog or Lantus at bedtime, it always keeps me awake. For instance, last night my BS was 187 before going to bed. I injected 5 units as a correction and went to bed. I could not sleep at all. I finally got up 2 hours later and my BS was 110. I had to eat something to get my numbers back up before I could sleep. It's like whenever my numbers are within range, I can not sleep. I don't think I have ever had a hypo. So, assuming the pump will keep my numbers within range all night, what if I can't sleep?

QUOTE]

All I can say is unless you eat before bed, you will be getting small amounts of insulin constantly rather than a large amount in one injection.

I think that may help.

Also, you can set the rate to whatever you are comfortable with, and gradually work it down.

Most pumps give you a 30 day trial period, if it keeps you awake you can return it. Check with minimed on this.

-Lloyd

[Injecto]

Nope. The fear of going low does however.

[greengirl]

Part of the reason you might not be getting use to normal numbers is because when you get a normal reading, you eat. You got a reading of 110 but ate a snack to bring your glucose up, patterns like this could be whats keeping you in that loop.

With the pump you will get a little insulin all the time. So if your normal range, then you will get enough insulin to keep you there but not so much that you will go low. That might help get you use to it to.

Have you looked at the cozmo pump? It holds 300units.

[Funnygrl]

The MM 522 pump holds about 175-180 units after priming.

The literature states that it holds 176 units before priming.

You can change the reservoir without changing the site though, but that seems like a pita when the 722 is marginally bigger.

[Stroupie]

I too have trouble with a sluggish feeling when my sugars return to normal but I am fairly sure that this is because my sugars are rarely normal. When i am able to keep them normal, I feel much better. Your body gets used to your sugar being high and even a normal reading can feel like a low, if that makes sense. You have to reverse this process by keeping them as close to normal as possible. I am on a pump and I know that it does not keep me up at night, and you have a better chance at keeping your sugars normal.

[dgrilli]

Short answer is no. Insulin keeps me from loosing weight and it seems to make me feel better through out the day. It has a funny way of doing just the right things like when I eat I used to feel like I was going to lay down and go to sleep.

I also since injecting insulin have found that my stomach now works quite efficiently now.

I fear I'm actually hooked on this stuff. When I go with out it, I get these terrible withdrawal symptoms so I always keep it flowing.

It would be nice if I didn't have this habit but I can think of worse things to get hooked on.

I love the stuff.