Side Effects of Rapid Acting Insulin

[CrazyGramma]

Has anyone had any side effects from using rapid (humolog/novorapid). I was on it twice for about a year and stopped due to dizzy spells, loss of balance, lightheadedness. Reason I ask is that my discovery that I have been over-correcting and eating too many carbs with huge boluses may have been a factor. Now that I'm doing an overhaul I would like to switch back to rapid acting versus fast.

[milfordj]

While on MDI, I always had to premix Humalog with Regular insulins for same reason as you. This might have been due to slight gastropareisis (SP?), but was particularly true whenever I was eating a larger meal with more carbs, requiring more insulin, or when exercising after eating. My suggestion: go on the pump! EVERYTHING is working so much better now.

[Scratch]

While on MDI, I always had to premix Humalog with Regular insulins for same reason as you. This might have been due to slight gastropareisis (SP?), but was particularly true whenever I was eating a larger meal with more carbs, requiring more insulin, or when exercising after eating. My suggestion: go on the pump! EVERYTHING is working so much better now.
Her signature says she is using a pump.

[milfordj]

My Bad! I forgot that pumps can also use regular insulin.

[Mich]

The only thing I noticed was not really a side effect, but a direct effect. The difference between the lows caused by regular and Humalog/Novalog is dramatic.

With Regular, I woould feel the approach of a low and have about 15 minutes to respond. I could finish checking out at the market, then take the groceries to my car and chomp a few glucose tabs.

With fast-acting insulins, my first clue was a burst of nausea. The very first time, I treated it the same way and it almost got me. Now I know to reach for the glucose tabs quickly. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200. Most of the time I have to plan a short sit down just to make sure my glucose is working before I am up and resuming my previous activity.

Most of my lows are from unplanned activiity or (rarely) an overcorrection. The white spot you mention in the center of your vision is a symptom of low blood sugar for me. Must have something to do with nourishment of the macula?

Mich

[CrazyGramma]

Mich, I also experienced very strong lows on the rapid. So I take it your willing to deal with effects of a low on rapid because it is a better insulin?

Milfordj, I would give up my arm before my pump.

[CrazyGramma]

Scratch, how did you know I was a she?

I see that you are runner. Have you posted lots of stuff about exercise I can look up?

[Scratch]

Scratch, how did you know I was a she?

I see that you are runner. Have you posted lots of stuff about exercise I can look up?
I've got signatures turned off so sometimes if I think I should check to see if a person has treatment information in the signature, I click on the username and look at the public profile, which will have the signature and other stuff. Your profile says you're female.

I don't know if I've posted lots of stuff about exercise, although I did keep a thread tracking some about the training to run my first half-marathon and I've been keeping one making some short notes about the Broad Street Run which is 9 days away.

I have been mulling over starting up a more comprehensive thread about what I do for fitness after the Broad Street Run. Running was a good start, but I'm more interested now in something a bit more comprehensive than just being able to run long distances. It's been having some interesting effects on managing this diabetic condition and it's been something of an eye-opener to see just how short all of us probably are from being physically fit or attempting to approach what could be our physical best.

[Mich]

McCaffrey,

I prefer faster insulin because I always hated the feeling of being sleepy after eating.

I don't find it an inconvenience now that I know a low means "FIX IT RIGHT NOW." If I feel one coming (depends on how busy I am but usually around 60) I immediately pop a couple of glucose tabs. If it is soon after a bolus and it was a larger bolus, I stand by to follow up with more glucose. Usually I test before adding more--trying not to over correct.

A bolus of fast insulin gets you back to normal quicker after a meal or snack. Dr Bernstein does outline reasons for using regular, like having severe gastroparesis, so do check that out first.

Mich

[UpNorth]

I've never ever used regular and probably never will. But the hypos i get on Novorapid hit me hard and fast! I always have to carry glucose in my pocket or bag just for safety. But i don't get those hypos often at all. Most of the time, or i'd say 9 times out of 10 i catch a hypo while it's still just a "low" and not a full blown hypo. My last HYPO! was a couple of weeks ago, since then i've only been a tad low a few times :T

[CrazyGramma]

Looks like I will need to hit the library and get Berstein and Walsh books. And try the rapid again once I am stabalized.

[CrazyGramma]

I would like to be very fit. I was in an exercise study last year so I think I have the basics on how to do it.

[xMenace]

Looks like I will need to hit the library and get Berstein and Walsh books. And try the rapid again once I am stabalized.

Get Scheiner's "Think Like A Pancreas" too.

Now that your basals are getting straightened out, maybe you'll have better luck with rapid. I know nothing about insulin alergies.

[CrazyGramma]

UpNorth
Good to know that hypos on novorapid can be few and far between. Had a hypo on rapid once in the grocery where I had to get my hubby to grab a coke, sit me on a stack of cans of something, while I waited for my vision to clear of swerls and sparkles. Not a lot of fun.

[Mich]

MacCaffrey, you made me laugh!:T

I've gone low, verging on hypo in the grocery store. I pop a few glucose tabs and then usually stand still for a while, leaning on my basket and pretending to read a package.

I wonder how strange it looks to see a woman who looks like she's memorizing the same package for five minutes, gobbling candy from her purse?

Probably as strange as a woman sitting on a pile of cans having a coke;)

I would have recognized you...as a fellow diabetic.

Mich

[CrazyGramma]

love to make people laugh...the gobbling candys from the purse makes total sense to me....this one is better...many years ago I got low at the fabric store. I was already stressed up about getting the black velvetine fabric for the gown I was making for a ballroom dance party. The poor woman picked up the fabric before me and I just walked up to her and took it out of her hands. My husband and daughter were right behind me as I apparently looked like I was going to tackle her. My hubby ordered me to go and stand by the cashier while got the fabric measured and cut (after explaining to the other woman). Odd thng is I just stood there like an idiot. We went directly from there to the corner store to get a bigger choc bar. I would only eat a really big choc bar. My daughter was young and was not too impressed that mommy wouldnt share. That was the first and last time I did anything like that. I tend to learn by my mistakes. Thank God.

[UpNorth]

UpNorth
Good to know that hypos on novorapid can be few and far between. Had a hypo on rapid once in the grocery where I had to get my hubby to grab a coke, sit me on a stack of cans of something, while I waited for my vision to clear of swerls and sparkles. Not a lot of fun.



It's possible to avoid most Rapid hypos if knowing how long it lasts for YOU and when the peak usually starts, and of course, taking the right amount. Most hypos i have from Rapid is due to miscalculating my dose or when my physical activity is higher than i expect it to be, especially if my insulin is peaking at that time.

[CrazyGramma]

I agree. I will have to wait until I am finished my basal testing with the regular -get very stable and then retest with rapid. Very nice to see someone as young as you taking such good care. I spent a lot of years not doing my best but now that the technology is where it is - its easier.

[CrazyGramma]

Update - switched back to Novorapid from regular on friday night. Have had the best bg's this weekend! The regular was taking its sweet time getting going and lasting forever as my response to my new basal rates have been way more effective on the rapid.