Reaction to Levemir

[TomK]

I've just been combing the net to find what's going on with my reaction to Levemir. Have been on Lantus for less than a year, but it didn't last 24hours so I was taking it twice a day. I felt very tired and dopey so thinking that it might be the Lantus, and since I was injecting twice a day anyway, my endo gave me some Levemir to try.
It's only been 4 days, but almost every injection site develops a sore bump that is slow to go away. From the literature I've found on the net (complicated medical articles), apparently this is a type III alergic reaction (whatever that is), but I couldn't determine if this becomes less an effect with time. The sore spots aren't quite as severe as the first few, but that might just be a fluke because it does vary quite a bit. Much worse in my belly so I've been sticking to my butt for the past few injections.

Anyone else with this sort of experience? It's tolerable enough that I want to give it a chance to see if it improves my dopiness, and the reaction does not seem to affect efficacy of the insulin. I'm hoping it subsides.

Tom

[Subby]

I've just been combing the net to find what's going on with my reaction to Levemir. Have been on Lantus for less than a year, but it didn't last 24hours so I was taking it twice a day. I felt very tired and dopey so thinking that it might be the Lantus, and since I was injecting twice a day anyway, my endo gave me some Levemir to try.
It's only been 4 days, but almost every injection site develops a sore bump that is slow to go away. From the literature I've found on the net (complicated medical articles), apparently this is a type III alergic reaction (whatever that is), but I couldn't determine if this becomes less an effect with time. The sore spots aren't quite as severe as the first few, but that might just be a fluke because it does vary quite a bit. Much worse in my belly so I've been sticking to my butt for the past few injections.

Anyone else with this sort of experience? It's tolerable enough that I want to give it a chance to see if it improves my dopiness, and the reaction does not seem to affect efficacy of the insulin. I'm hoping it subsides.

Tom

Sorry, can't help with the Lev, just wanted to say I got "tired and dopey" a lot on Lantus, the link was undeniable when I went right off it (and all long acting) onto the pump and when I returned to Lantus for a few days a few weeks later, it all returned.

I found that the butt really worked much better for my bigger, long acting shots, I'd encourage you to stay there, if it seems to help. Best of luck, hope it goes away. I get those bumps to some degree for pretty much any insulin injection, did so for 15 years, so if you think you are up to it and the Levemir is better, you may well just learn to deal with them.

[lorilei]

i'm on Levimir and have pretty sensitive skin..have't had too many bumps..but did initially get burning and itchiness which did go away...also I only seem to get the bumps on limb injections vs trunk..have you tried a different needle lengthy?

[jenb]

I initially had a reaction to Levemir (redness, swelling, a little itching). It has diminished almost completely over time. I found that cleaning the injection area with a sterile wipe beforehand seemed to quell some of the reaction (I don't need to do this any longer). I shoot in my inner thighs. 'Still jab myself too hard once in a while and cause some bruising, but nothing too scary.

Jen