Abscesses at injection sites from Lantus

[Cluck]

I've been Type I for just over 7 years (adult onset) on Lantus and Humalog insulins. Over the past couple of years I've been developing abscesses at injections sites on my abdomen and upper legs from Lantus insulin.

These abscesses have been sterile (cultured several times) and seem to be due to the action of the insulin carrier rather than my injection protocol.

Has anyone else had similar problems?

I've since changed my long-acting insulin to Levemir which has a slightly different action and does not sit under the skin in the fatty tissue in the same way. So far (2 months) I have no new abscesses developing.

Any thoughts, advice or similar would be much appreciated.

[Mindstorm]

You're allergic to the suspension ingredient (or "carrier" or whatever is the proper way to word it) in the insulin. Your body must've fought the injection site areas like hel! when you gave yourself shots. Did it itch or anything after giving yourself a shot those times?

Given that you used so many different bottles and still got abscesses consistently, I'd guess that it had to be an allergic reaction to what was in the insulin.

Maybe you just used it long enough that your body finally became intolerant to that suspension agent/carrier/thingy/words?

It's good that it seems like you've solved the problem though. Hopefully the issue will never develop again.

[Subby]

I've been Type I for just over 7 years (adult onset) on Lantus and Humalog insulins. Over the past couple of years I've been developing abscesses at injections sites on my abdomen and upper legs from Lantus insulin.

These abscesses have been sterile (cultured several times) and seem to be due to the action of the insulin carrier rather than my injection protocol.

Has anyone else had similar problems?

I've since changed my long-acting insulin to Levemir which has a slightly different action and does not sit under the skin in the fatty tissue in the same way. So far (2 months) I have no new abscesses developing.

Any thoughts, advice or similar would be much appreciated.

I'd agree that if the Levemir works and the issues are not occuring, it's hopefully problem solved.

Reactions like this do occur, it doesn't seem common, but it is known. There was a member here who got not only these reactions at site with the smallest amount of any insulin, but it acted systemically - the issues traveled around the body and caused other major side effects. To get it to that degree is extremely rare. Luckily she has reported doing a lot better with pump technology.

[Cluck]

I'd agree that if the Levemir works and the issues are not occuring, it's hopefully problem solved.

Reactions like this do occur, it doesn't seem common, but it is known. There was a member here who got not only these reactions at site with the smallest amount of any insulin, but it acted systemically - the issues traveled around the body and caused other major side effects. To get it to that degree is extremely rare. Luckily she has reported doing a lot better with pump technology.

Thanks for the info./advice. Yeah my reaction to the Lantus has gradually occurred and did not become that obvious (or annoying) until the last year or so. I'm just thankful that the reaction has not been systemic!

I am really hoping that the Levemir does not start doing the same thing to me, otherwise I will be forced to start pumping and I'm not sure that I'm ready for that. I guess I am concerned about leaving a catheter in place for 3 days and I'm wondering how my seemingly sensitive skin would deal with that ..... ugh.