Lantus Log: Star Date 1-14-06

[Aftiel]

No, I am not a Star Trek fan - the Title just sounded cool :)

There are posts here about what Lantus is like, what to expect from it, etc. I thought I would post my personal experience on the day I started Lantus and Novalog.

VITAL STATS:

43-ear-old Male
6'1" - 185-190lbs. (depending on time of year lol)
Type 1 almost 30 years, using Humilin L and R

INFORMATION:

I started Lantus this morning (switching from Humalin,) so I thought I'd post my experience.

Yesterday (after a morning high) was a good day. 100-120 range all day.

I ran my BG high on purpose this morning (because switching insulin makes me nervous.) so I was a little over 200.

My Doctor put me on 20 units Lantus, 3 Units Novalog.

I took 18 units Lantus, 2 units Novalog - then I ate at 7:30 am.

Rougly 1.5 hours later - I was sitting at 120 and feeling great. Am still in the 120's - so far so good.

OBSERVATIONS:

I do not like the pen. At all. It may be my lack of coordination, but it seems terribly "clumsy" to me - so I see me going back to regular syringes.

I do notice it seems more "even" - I don't feel that familar Humilin R ramp up as my BG drops.

I will reply to myself later tonight here to give a better picture.

- Aftiel

[camjen1]

Does you DR always tell you how much Novolog to take at each meal? When I was on Lantus I was never told to take a certain dose of Humalog. I was always suppose to carb count then inject accordingly to the # of carbs I preferred to eat within reason. Also if he is saying for example take another 4u at 12:00 pm then it looks as if you don't have the flexibility you should have when using Lantus. That was my whole problem with me before I was on Lantus. I couldn't get control because the insulin controlled me and told me when I would have to eat. With regular insulin you couldn't even think about missing a meal. With Lantus your bs should maintain at a normal level throughout the day if your dose is exact. If you didn't want to eat then that wouldn't be a problem you wouldn't have to worry about running high or low. :)

[JediSkipdogg]

I think too many people are still not on the carb counting bandwagon. They are told to take 4 units of insulin and to eat this many starches and fruits and such. If they eat extra they either don't calculate it in and run high till their next shot or they just guess how much extra insulin to give. It's a method that was used for pretty much all of diabetes until about the past 5 years when they started really pushing carb counting. But some doctors still don't understand that concept.

[Aftiel]

My Doctor only made the recommendations on dosage since this is my first time using a new insulin.

Having been Type 1 for a looooong time, I am used to adjusting my dosage based on my meals (which is why I didnt take her exact recommended dosage.)

So far, Lantus and Novalog have acted beautifully today.

So no, I dont inject blindly based on any hard and fast rule - I adjust based on my eating and my activities.

- Aftiel

[gettingby]

Good Luck with the change of insulins and I hope you have a good experience with the Lantus and Novolog.

[KickStart101]

Hi Aftiel: Thanks very much for posting this. I've heard most are happy
but some are unhappy about being on Lantus. Too bad you can't use the pen. Maybe try again later on. You'd be surprised how far determination gets
you, if you want to do or use something in particular. But the syringes don't bother me much either. Did the Lantus sting?
Looks good so far. Keep us posted. Thanks. :)

[Cinnabon]

Wishing all runs smooth..
I'm looking in to that regimen when Summer approaches as pumps are not tan friendly.. lol

[Aftiel]

Ok it's the end of day 3.

Let me just say, that for me, Lantus and Novalog is THE hot setup.

No, it doesn't sting (at least for me.)

And the Lantus is consistent allllll day long - no big peaks!!

I wish I had made this switch long ago.

I haven't noticed any side effects (as of yet.) Someone mentioned Lantus could cause depression - but I haven't experienced that at all - have been thrilled actually with the way it works.

I used to take 2 shots a day of Humilin L - now just 1 shot of Lantus does the trick without noticable peaks.

- Aftiel

[someone]

How can you not like the pen? It is 50x eisier than a syringe. Just screw on the needle, dial in the dose and you're done. Also, the needle is not dulled at all from having to go through the rubber.

[Aftiel]

Someone,

I am sure part of it is due to force of habit for so many years.

However this morning, I went to take my Lantus (using a syringe,) and when I pulled it back, the syringe filled with blood.

Had I injected without doing that, I would have been in serious hypo city fast.

Because I drive an hour each way to work, it simply makes me feel more comfortable knowing I am not injecting into a vein.

- Aftiel

[KickStart101]

Good Morning Aftiel:

Well, it sounds like you're made for Lantus. I know you know
what you're doing. That's Great to hear. Okay, except for that blood-thingy.
It's just weird that some people take it in the evening, some in the morning
and some split it morning and evening. It's supposed to work 22-24 hrs. I mean
Lente is simple once in the morning and once in the evening.
I don't think the Depression hits 'til a person is on it for awhile. Some it
doesn't hit at all. Just keep an eye out for it. Catch ya later. Thanks. ;)

[Aftiel]

I agree that it is strange. My Doctor told me Lantus was originally designed to be taken in the evening.

But the though of taking insulin and then going to sleep didn't set well with me, so she told me to take it in the morning.

So far it has worked wonderfully - and it is nice not to take a Humilin L shot at night.

I just take a bit of Novalog at dinner if I need it.

- Aftiel

[KickStart101]

I agree that it is strange. My Doctor told me Lantus was originally designed to be taken in the evening.
But the though of taking insulin and then going to sleep didn't set well with me, so she told me to take it in the morning.
So far it has worked wonderfully - and it is nice not to take a Humilin L shot at night.
I just take a bit of Novalog at dinner if I need it.
- Aftiel


Hello: LOL. Ya, I suppose they test these Insulins on crash-test
dummies and then hope they work on Real People.
Well, since it is supposed to be a low-lying and even Insulin I would
prefer to take it at night since I don't like waking up to highs or 1 shot
in the morning and one in the evening as a wrap-around.
I'm glad that you are Happy with it already, I figured it would take a
few weeks anyways to get it right for you. I'm pleased so far especially no stinging.
Good for you. :cheers: :)

[sydneya]

Does you DR always tell you how much Novolog to take at each meal? When I was on Lantus I was never told to take a certain dose of Humalog. I was always suppose to carb count then inject accordingly to the # of carbs I preferred to eat within reason. :)

I'm type II so I imagine that is the difference. I'm never told a certain dose either, but I'm suppose to inject before breakfast 6U+ sliding scale of what my BG shows now. I asked my Dr. about estimating the carbs in a meal I will eat--he said type I produce no insulin so they can do that. Type II produce different amts of insulin so they can't tell how much to use.
Is this how everyone else understands it. I am allowed a certain number of carbs at each meal and snack and that is what I have to religiously stick to. I don't do that really well. I'm getting better but ......

[sbuff28@charter]

Yeah ive decided im going to switch to lantus mainly because i want to get on the pump ASAP. I also didnt like the fact that i was dropping like crazy 4 hours after meals. CON: i was on 2-3 shots a day depending on my lunch now i guess im gonna have to take 4 shots since i can't sleep on an empty stomach and i usually go to sleep at 12-1am. Any segestions? i want to try and see if i can take extra lantus and less humalog so my bs drops constantly and im able to snack a little. Does that make sense?

[jen_slc]

Yeah ive decided im going to switch to lantus mainly because i want to get on the pump ASAP. I also didnt like the fact that i was dropping like crazy 4 hours after meals. CON: i was on 2-3 shots a day depending on my lunch now i guess im gonna have to take 4 shots since i can't sleep on an empty stomach and i usually go to sleep at 12-1am. Any segestions? i want to try and see if i can take extra lantus and less humalog so my bs drops constantly and im able to snack a little. Does that make sense?Feeding your insulin is not something I would recommend, from personal experience. I was on double the dose I am just now and found that I could snack without a Humalog bolus. Most of the time I didn't want to snack though, and if I didn't, I'd drop low and I really hated the situation I was in. Could be risky if you consistently take more Lantus than you need to keep your basal levels stable.... would you honestly consider altering your Lantus dose day-by-day according to how much snacking you think you'd do? :dontknow:

[Erin]

I agree that it is strange. My Doctor told me Lantus was originally designed to be taken in the evening.
But the though of taking insulin and then going to sleep didn't set well with me, so she told me to take it in the morning.
So far it has worked wonderfully - and it is nice not to take a Humilin L shot at night.
I just take a bit of Novalog at dinner if I need it.
- Aftiel

Well, the benefit of taking Lantus at night is that you don't have to wake up at a specific time to take more (yay sleeping in!) and also as Lantus is more effective during the first 16 hours after injection (in most people), it's nice to have the remaining 8 hours overlap with your rapid boluses, rather than having your numbers drift upward during the night.

But if the morning works for you... go with it. I'm glad things are working out so well for you!

[Erin]

Yeah ive decided im going to switch to lantus mainly because i want to get on the pump ASAP. I also didnt like the fact that i was dropping like crazy 4 hours after meals. CON: i was on 2-3 shots a day depending on my lunch now i guess im gonna have to take 4 shots since i can't sleep on an empty stomach and i usually go to sleep at 12-1am. Any segestions? i want to try and see if i can take extra lantus and less humalog so my bs drops constantly and im able to snack a little. Does that make sense?

I wouldn't do it. If I take even 2 too many units lantus I go way low overnight and wake up at 30 or below EVERY morning. If you took too much lantus you'd have to snack continuously for 24 hours, or push your number up way high, and then let it drop, neither of which are fun. It's also really limiting to feel like you HAVE to eat. I would suggest just having humalog boluses with every meal, and large snack. You can also supplement with "free" snacks if the idea of 5 shots a day does not appeal to you. A salad, cheese, sugar free jello, tuna fish, nuts, beef, chicken, anything without carbs is fair game. My favorites are salad with tuna and cheddar or a three egg omelet with broccoli and cheddar. Both require 0 bolus.

[Aftiel]

The benefit of changing to Lantus (for me) was immediate. And now almost a week later, I REALLY wish I had made the switch a long time ago.

The biggest factor has been consistency. I used to take 2 Humilin L shots a day, which I really had to time correctly.

I took my second shot while driving home from work - which I now do not have to do.

It is truly awesome. And my BG levels are lower (because I feel more comfortable,) as well as more consistent.

- Aftiel

[sbuff28@charter]

Day 3 on lantus and I've already decided this is 100% better than NPH, Yesterday, just my second day on lantus I didnt have a spike above 175 and stayed above 80 the whole time.... WITH a workout also! On NPH i was having to get my BS up above 300 before a workout and have a snack in between just to stay above 70 after my workout. Im much more consistant throughout the day and I still can even still snack (mixed nuts rock).I just have to watch the carbs and keep it nder 20g. Plus i dont feel like I have to snack just to keep from passing out. Which helps me sleep better and longer at night.

Thnx Erin... good advice

[Goldrun]

Hi Everyone!
I just switched from Novolog 70/30 to Lantus and Novolog bolusing (is that the right lingo?) before meals as needed. I was diagnosed in June of 05, and the doctor didn't type me at that point. So, I went to an endo in December and he indicated the tests aren't terribly conclusive. So, I tried Glimepiride (pills), which had me greater than 200 most days...he told me I presented as a Type 1, but needed to convince myself that the pills wouldn't work in order to fully commit to the insulin regime over the course of my lifetime (I'm 38). So, I guess that makes me officially a Type 1, as it appears my pancreas ain't working anymore!

So far, the Lantus (12 units at night) and Novolog have worked really well. I feel much more in control than with the 70/30 (which basically had me eating when I didn't want to, just to avoid the low).

But, now I've read a few posts in this thread that indicate depression as a possible side effect from Lantus. Can anyone comment on that? I'd be interested to hear your experiences.
thanks!

[Ailsa]

Yeah,
I thought about that so I could skip the novorapid shots since I only use 2-3 units each meal, however the lantus dose works perfectly all night, so that kind of rules it out.

Have to say I am very pleased with Lantus after 10 months.
I take it in the morning. It seems to tail off after breakfast & kicks in again about 11am, so have had to increase my am short acting to cover, but that's pretty easy. wouldn't consider taking it at night unless it wasn't going the distance

I get a small peak about 4pm so have a snack then

[Ailsa]

(But, now I've read a few posts in this thread that indicate depression as a possible side effect from Lantus. Can anyone comment on that? I'd be interested to hear your experiences.
thanks![/QUOTE]

Never heard of that before I got on this board