Which Insulins?

[Georgia]

Hi All

My appt with the doctor is at the end of this month & I want to discuss with him changing from NovoMix to MDI. I've beed told that a Lantus/Humalog regime is a good one but are there any other combinations to consider?

Cheers

:)

[vrocco1]

You could replace the Lantus with Levamir and the humalog with novalog. I don't think there is much difference. Check with your insurance (if you're in the US) to see which one they cover more fully.

They say the action of novalog is faster, and levemir does not produce weight gain, but overall, I don't think it matters.

I guess some people are still using R and NPH, but I'd stay away from that routine. Not much flexibility there.:thumpdown

[duck]

Novolog or Humalog for rapid-acting and Lantus or the Levemir for basal rates...I believe Levemir is relatively new, so the ONLY reason I wouldn't recommend it right now is that very few people are using it, and "support" for it would be limited, but I have heard nothing bad about it.

Georgie, don't take no for an answer when you ask to switch. Take your blood sugar readings to your doc, your A1c, etc. Make a case for needing better control.

[Georgia]

Hi - I'm in the UK. Levemir does sound appealing seeing as it doesn't cause weight gain!!

Duck, I don't think my doctor will say no as he will be only too pleased I want to gain the best control possible. I'm going to have the blood work done this week so we can discuss the results at my appt.

Thanks for the help guys.

[DeusXM]

Levemir's available on the NHS and has been for about a year or so now - we got Levemir quite a while before the US did. My own personal experiences with it haven't been great, sadly, but I've heard good things from other people. It also fits a Novopen and so has a much better delivery system compared to the frankly rubbish Optisets that Lantus needs.

[Georgia]

Thanks Deus - shame it didn't work for you. Will see what the doctor recommends too.