What's in your pump?

[Tony]

What type of insulin are you pumping with? Humalog or Novolog? Or Novorapaid for Canadians.

Have you always used the same insulin in your pump? If you changed insulins, please say why and which one has worked better for you.

[duck]

Humalog from Pump Day 1. I've had good experiences with humalog, but I would be interested in what others would have to say about Novolog.

[Tony]

I for got to say what I use. Humalog here too.

[MarkMunday]

Tony,

This poll (http://www.diabetes123.com/poll/poll20030824.htm) and the comparison to one done in 1998 is interesting. It shows the rapid growth in pump usage and the increased popularity of Novolog amongst pumpers.

I am on MDI but I have used both Novolog and Humalog. Novolog definitely peaks sooner. According to a study on it, Humalog and Novolog peak at 52 and 75 minutes respectively. Which would make Novolog more suitable for use in pumps.

Cheers,

Mark

[mark-TN]

I switched to Novolog from Humalog in my pump about 9 months ago. The Novolog seems to keep its strength better after the second day in the reservoir, especially in the summer time. It is my experience that the action of Novolog starts a little later than Humalog, but does indeed peak sooner, and it also has a little bit longer duration of action. I prefer the Novolog over the Humalog. YMMV.

Mark

[nantomsuethom]

Thomas has almost always used Humalog because that's the only insulin our insurance will cover for the pump.

His endo gave us 2 vials of Novolog recently and we did have better results, sites lasted longer too. So we prefer Novolog and are going to fight for it (unfortunatly we have 6 vials of Humalog left!).

[am1977]

This is a great question :) I use Humalog in my pump. I think it has worked pretty well for the most part, but i have wondered if my control would be any better with Novolog. I'd be interested in hearing what the Novolog pumpers have to say too. I'm always interested in improving my control in any way I can ;)

[Shalyndria]

I'm a Novorapid (Novolog) girl myself; never used anything but Novo products. Have heard that some ppl have slight allergic reactions to Novorapid, though, which doesn't occur with Humalog. I've also read studies, as Mark-tn mentioned, about Novorapid being more stable then Humalog for long periods and in higher heats, as well as packing more 'punch' than Humalog.

Great thread Tony :thumbsup: I'm interested in reading the experiences of those who've used both.

Shy

[notme]

Humalog. Never used anything else.

Nancy

[Dewey]

Over my years of pumping, I've been on two types of insulin:

Velosulin (Buffered Regular), and Humalog (when it was released in August of 96). I've never tried Novolog, but have heard many good things about it. It would be interesting to give it a go (with the endo's approval, of course), at least for a few days (if nothing else). I'm all about trying new things. :D

[archimeech]

I started using Humalog before I started the pump. I have since used Humalog exclusively in my pump. I don't even no if Novalog is available to me on my insurance plan, but I'd definately give it a go if it meant better results.

[PepsiLvr]

I've always used Novolog. All I know is that it works great for me.

[archimeech]

...Personaly I'm still looking for that pump that Koblenz keeps talking about. the one with 3 reseviors! lol:)

[jazzy1]

I was on Humalog for a couple of years before I switch to Novolog (all pre-pump). I found that the Novolg worked better for me. It was a little scary at first because the Novolog peaked sooner than what I was used to. Now that I'm on the pump, I've stuck with Novolog.

I'm with archi! I want the Koblenz pump, too!

[Dewey]

Originally posted by Archimeech
...Personaly I'm still looking for that pump that Koblenz keeps talking about. the one with 3 reseviors! lol
I'm with both you and jazzy on wanting that 3 reservoir pump. :D (Except, I'd probably skip the Guinness and go for extra coffee with French Vanilla creamer! Yum Yum! LOL) :D

[Belinda]

Humalog here....did a research study for Minimed with another insulin (can't remember the name!!!)but saw no difference with that one either...better ask when I go to the endo on Monday....

[koblenz]

As soon as I get my AnimasIR1200, I will begin the Prototyping phase! Muhahahahaha, ahhhh ha ha ha (insert mad scientist laugh here)...

[soremom]

Humalog here. Tried Novolog before pump and left injection sites quite red so discontinued it.

With the three reservoirs, put Diet Mt Dew in one for me

Kim

[archimeech]

You know Koblenz, I don't think there is any reason we can't have one of the 3 resevoirs as a mixer? I'm all for Diet Mt. Dew with a dash of sour mix and a good stiff shot of Grey Goose!

I guess I'll have to shake it before I put it in. lol

[Brent44a]

Well, my pump has no resevoirs so far...LOL. At least not until my training next Tuesday. While I feel very confident that I could start the pump on my own or with minimum supervision, I have decided to play nice and attend an all-day training sesion before hooking-up (as my kids call it). I do have two vials of novolog in the refigerator primed and ready to go along with a box full of pump parephenalia from Animas. I did take the step of inserting the battery to check out the screen and experience wearing the pump without attaching the tubing just to get the feel and see how a 24-hour routine would go. I am happy to say all went well - one symptom I have is an easy time sleeping (too easy at times). I will, however, inquire on Tuesday about mixing a little diet coke and coffee in that resevior. It sure would make my life simpler to do so. Coca Cola (a great Atlanta based company by the way) and coffee growers world-wide might appreciate it if medical insurance would cover their products!! Of course, coke would then sell for $70 an oz and coffee would be a controlled product....:cool:

[PepsiLvr]

Hmmm... the things we could put in our pumps... caffiene, alcohol, hmmm... I like that idea! :-

[koblenz]

You know, you can get government grants for all kinds of research. It is just how you write the proposal.

I KNOW we could get a grant to explore this further!

[jen18]

I have only ever been on Humalog, hadn't really thought of switching cause thats what the doctor prescribed and I didn't know there was differences, but I just read about something called the "couch potato syndrome" which I think I have and now I'm thinking I might switch!

[KrisinNM]

"Couch potato syndrum?" huh?
I have always used Humulog until last month when my new endo wanted me to try Novolog because she didn't like Humulog (she also didn't like my pump or my meter). I found I was having to change infusion sites every day, sometimes more often as the site would swell up and the insulin wasn't being absorbed. Other than that I didn't notice any peaks or other difference. Needless to say, I am back on Humulog.
Also, has anyone read the insert that comes with the Novolog??? Don't subject it to temps over 98.6 and if using it in a pump, only put enough in the cartridge/reservoir for two days and change it out every two days. I think all these drug companies are in cahoots to rob us blind. :(

[JasonSmithMT]

Also, has anyone read the insert that comes with the Novolog??? Don't subject it to temps over 98.6 and if using it in a pump, only put enough in the cartridge/reservoir for two days and change it out every two days. I think all these drug companies are in cahoots to rob us blind. :(

It says the same thing on the Humalog and Apidra insert as well. I always found it interesting that the pump manufactures say 2 to 3 days and the insulin inserts say 48 hours.

I have always used Novolog and have had no complaints. Anyone using Apidra?

Jason

[Tony]

What would be very intersesting is to see how long they say you can use the prefilled cartridges with novolog for use in the paradigm pumps.
Unless the user can use the cartridge up in two or 3 days.

[KrisinNM]

One cartridge for my Disetronic lasts over one week (very insulin sensitive) and there is no way I am going to change cartidges every other day. I also do some "no-no's" like not changing the tubing when I switch infusion sets (waste of 20 units of insulin) and only changing the lancet in my finger poker about once a year. :-

[Belinda]

only changing the lancet in my finger poker about once a year. :-


Your kidding right? How many times do you check your bs....that little needle gets dull fast...your fingers must be sore... :confused:

[Alaska]

Humalog, no plans on changing

[KrisinNM]

Belinda, I check 5 to 10 times a day. The dull lancets don't hurt nearly as much as the brand new ones. Honest :)

[Dewey]

Your kidding right? How many times do you check your bs....that little needle gets dull fast...your fingers must be sore... :confused: Actually, the dull needles don't hurt very much (at least not on me). I don't necessarily go a full year without changing a lancet, but I can go on one for a loooooonnng time..lol :D :thumbsup:

[buzzborne]

I go for weeks sometimes without changing my needles... the insuflon has also been in and under the skin for about a wk or so... should be changed after 3-4 days... but sometimes I only change it when i notice a significant rise in bsl.

[am1977]

I am currently on Humalog, but if those cartridges come out for the pump w/ Novalog, I am willing to give it a try. I hate those little bubbles too! Such a pain :mad:

[bel4_20]

Well?.. now that I can officially give an answer here Im using novorapid (novolog) made the switch from humalog ...but I'll give it a couple of weeks before compareing.

[docta-docta]

Well?.. now that I can officially give an answer here Im using novorapid (novolog) made the switch from humalog ...but I'll give it a couple of weeks before compareing.

Cool. Would love to know if you see a difference.

In theory, according to the literature, Novolog has better antibacterial properties, allowing for the infusion set to remain in for slightly more time.

Novolog also peaks in slightly more time, but when it does peak, it peaks slightly more than Humalog, and has a little more of a tail effect.

This tail effect seems to more closely mimic real insulin, my opinion.

[Super-D]

It's interesting to note that MOST insurance companies approve Humalog as opposed to Novolog, but, according to my CDE, Novalog is the only approved insulin for use in a pump in the US. My endo prescribed Novolog, but my insurance wouldn't pay for it (well, they wouldn't pay as much). It really ticks me off, too because I have better control with Novolog.

Has anyone heard anything different about the approval of Novolog over Humalog in pumps? I've never looked it up, but have always been curious. I guess it could be important information for those of us who prefer Novolog in the ongoing battles we have with our insurance companies.

Super-D :nerd:

[docta-docta]

It's interesting to note that MOST insurance companies approve Humalog

Ahhh, you bring up a wonderful point. One of the largest insurance plans for Rx is MedCo (www.medco.com). Under "Physicians", they have a PDF that you can download of all the formularlies.

For "Novolog", it suggests using Humalog instead.

It's true. The FDA has approved Novolog for the pump, though in a survey I saw last year, most people have Humalog in their pumps, still.

You might note that Novolog has had some "free after rebate" programs last year. Novolog reps have also been very giving of their product to switch patients over to their insulin.

The reason Novolog isn't covered....? I guess it won't be too surprising -- Novolog has been on the market for less time. It takes several years and several requests from doctors, pharamcists, and patients, before they add something to the formulary. Since Humalog is older, it's also likely that an agreement with the manufacturer has been made to make it the "Preferred Insulin." (e.g., they're giving a better deal to the insurance company).

Ironically, the retail price of both drugs is the same.

That isn't by coincidence, either. Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly do a fine dance of their prices, to make sure that one doesn't "shut out" the other. Unfair? Yes. Illegal? Prove it.

[happypumper]

I started with Velosulin in 96. That wasn't a whole lot better than MDI in some respects, due to the slow action. The minute Humalog became available in my area, I became undoubtably the FIRST patient to use it. I haven't looked back! :)

[Clint]

I use Humalog

[Dewey]

I started with Velosulin in 96. That wasn't a whole lot better than MDI in some respects, due to the slow action. The minute Humalog became available in my area, I became undoubtably the FIRST patient to use it. I haven't looked back! :) You sound like my twin, Happy! :D I started in February of 96 on Velosulin (aka "Buffered Regular"). I was also very ecstatic to get on Humalog when it was released (I believe in August or so, can't remember exact date....lol)! I've been using it & loving it ever since. :thumbsup:

[Rachey128]

I use Humolog :D

[MacnReef]

Humalog here.

[overclock]

Sorry to ressurect an old thread but my insurance is putting Humalog on Tier 3 and Novolog down to Tier 1. Both are Tier 2 right now. This doesn't happen until September.

It has been a while since I studied insulins. Can someone please explain to me the peak and tail effects of Novolog and how I might have to change how I bolus. Thanks!

[Poe]

Hey Overclock, I got the same darn letter from MedCo. Guess I'll be switching to novolog come September 2005, until then, humalog!

Interesting switch on the tiers, gotta be a kickback to someone, somewhere.

[Zokes]

I'm using Humalog, but as a result of this thread will ask my endo about his opinion on Novalog.

I make it a point to change the needle for bg testing twice a year, whether it needs it or not! :whistling

[David76]

I switched to novolog in December because of this thread, and the biggest difference I noticed was that it seems to have a more consistent effect, especially after being in my pump for 3 days. With the Humalog, on the third day I often had to raise the basal rate a bit b/c the insulin seemed to become weaker.

[Barcino]

Blue coolaid in mine. Works like a dream.

[Oradev]

I'm in the process on getting a vial of Novolog to test out. I will let you guys know how it works out.

[Amanda_Jo22]

Blue coolaid in mine. Works like a dream.

DUDE, and all this time I've been using red coolaid! No wonder!!
Actually I've heard that any of the starbucks blended drinks work well.

[Barcino]

DUDE, and all this time I've been using red coolaid! No wonder!!
Actually I've heard that any of the starbucks blended drinks work well.

Yes, blue is actually better. I have a friend that works at Starbucks corportate office in Seattle. He says they have 2-3 frappucino machines per floor, plus full espresso machines in every kitchen along with everything they have in an actual store. Good thing he's not diabetic or he'd be pumping caffeine with all of it they have floating around there.

[Oradev]

I started using Novolog tonight in my pump. I will let you guys know if it reacts differently.

[ricardo]

I started using Novolog tonight in my pump. I will let you guys know if it reacts differently.

Why the switch? did someone tell you it's "better" than what you were using. I'm just guessing--you've been on Humalog?
Ricardo

[duck]

Why the switch? did someone tell you it's "better" than what you were using. I'm just guessing--you've been on Humalog?
Ricardo

Read from the beginning of this thread, the people here who have used Novolog and Humalog seem to feel it worked "better" and lasted longer than Humalog, and the pumpers seem to feel it held up longer in the pump as well.

I have yet to try it, though...

[Amanda_Jo22]

Yes, blue is actually better. I have a friend that works at Starbucks corportate office in Seattle. He says they have 2-3 frappucino machines per floor, plus full espresso machines in every kitchen along with everything they have in an actual store. Good thing he's not diabetic or he'd be pumping caffeine with all of it they have floating around there.

Ok that's it, I'm so putting blue coolaid in my pump from now on. Hmmm maybe your friend can send me some caffiene to mix in w/my blue coolaid (no need for the actual coffee, just the caffiene will work :D )

[angivan]

Hi -
I'm new to the forum, have had Type 1 for 22 years now (and counting!). I found these postings on a search engine. My insurance is forcing a switch from Humalog to Novolog. I'm a pumper, and have really fine-tuned my settings over the last few months. I'm concerned that I'll have to start all over again. I'm confused because I see some postings saying that Humalog peaks faster and doesn't last as long, and I see the same things about Novolog on other sites. Is there a definitive answer, or is it different for everyone? Just wondering what to expect.

Thanks,
Angivan

[JediSkipdogg]

I am making the switch but it wasn't a forced switch. It was Novolog is 50% cheaper through my insurance for me. As for the peak, I've heard the same thing and I think it just depends on how your body reacts. THey are made up of different chemical compounds and one or the other your body may react to faster.

[UpNorth]

I'm on novorapid... been on it most of the time as D... only used humalog for a while when i was on the D tron+ pump... Novorapid works better for me.