changing insulins- change infusion set?

RLK · #1 (**permalink**) 03-30-2007, 06:46 AM

My doc gave me some samples of Novolog to try in place of my Humalog. As a rule, I don't change my set and reservoir at the same time. The set gets changed every 2.5-3 days and the reservoir gets filled (~170 units after prime) and used until empty, about 5 days for me.
I need to put a new reservoir in tonight and want to try the Novolog, but I just changed my set last night. Do you think I need to change the set if I'm changing insulins? I'll probably get a better idea of how Novolog works for me if I put a new set in, but I hate to waste a set!

Lilly164 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-30-2007, 06:51 AM

I would wait until the usual change time to try the Novolog.

mcneely · #3 (**permalink**) 03-30-2007, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLK

My doc gave me some samples of Novolog to try in place of my Humalog. As a rule, I don't change my set and reservoir at the same time. The set gets changed every 2.5-3 days and the reservoir gets filled (~170 units after prime) and used until empty, about 5 days for me.
I need to put a new reservoir in tonight and want to try the Novolog, but I just changed my set last night. Do you think I need to change the set if I'm changing insulins? I'll probably get a better idea of how Novolog works for me if I put a new set in, but I hate to waste a set!

Hi, I would not mix the two. As suggested, I would wait until it is time to change out again.

Let me know what you think of the novolog as I used that originally in 80/20 form when I was first dianosed (in Brasil). It worked great. But when I came back to the states I went to humalog as my Endo prescribed.

greengirl · #4 (**permalink**) 03-30-2007, 08:05 AM

keep us updated, i think humalog isn't working so well for me and im thinking of trying novolog and apridra

RLK · #5 (**permalink**) 03-30-2007, 10:52 AM

I'm really excited to try the Novolog. Humalog still works for me, but I'm finding that it takes 20+ minutes to "kick in", which is annoying when I pre-bolus for meals. I'm hoping that Novolog will be faster for me, and clear out faster- the Humalog tail hangs around until about 6 hours post-bolus.
I think the advice I've received is good- change the set too. The Medtronic box just arrived, so what the he!!- I'm going to waste a set and switch now

RLK · #6 (**permalink**) 04-02-2007, 06:53 PM

I switched to Novolog on Friday and it's now Monday night. Based on my first impressions, I love this stuff! My post prandial numbers have been much better, except for a couple of carb-counting slip ups.
I'm still "feeling out" how it works in me. So far, it appears that it doesn't start acting any sooner than Humalog after a bolus, but it has a bigger effect sooner than Humalog did for me. Humalog didn't really peak for me until the 2-hour mark, where the Novolog seems to be peaking sooner because my 2-hour numbers have been better. Bottom line: better post-meal numbers and I may be able to reduce the amount of time I wait to eat after bolusing.
More testing is definitely needed to figure this out completely, but I can't believe I didn't make the switch sooner!

ClaireZk · #7 (**permalink**) 04-03-2007, 08:42 PM

I was just going to post a Novolog vs. Humalog question. I am curious to know what the official differences are between the two.
Humalog has never worked well for me. It won't lower my BG as a correction bolus (except in HUGE doses) and it made me gain weight like crazy. I used it for 2 years and went back to Regular.

I finally switched to Novolog last year and I LOVE it! I've had the lowest A1c's in a long time on it.

RLK · #8 (**permalink**) 04-04-2007, 05:17 AM

I'm not aware of any "official" difference. They're both fast-acting analogs, but made by different manufacturers (as is Apidra, option #3). I briefly looked on the web for insulin action curves for each insulin, but no luck. For me, they're definitely different, but I suspect that the "party line" is that they're very similar.
Others may have more info than I do....

greengirl · #9 (**permalink**) 04-04-2007, 07:54 AM

I have this problem with Humalog right now. I can't do smaller corrections or bolus for a little snack here and there. If I'm not eating a meal or doing a very large correction it doesn't work. At my next appointment Im going to ask about try some novolog or apidra.

It Ain't Over · #10 (**permalink**) 04-04-2007, 08:49 AM

My endo switched me over to Novolog two years ago, had been using Humilog for a long time prior.
He said there was some evidence that Novolog doesn't hit as hard with a bolus as Humalog does, I noticed that was true right off. Can take a larger bolus and it won't take down BG's too fast.

RLK · #11 (**permalink**) 04-04-2007, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by It Ain't Over

He said there was some evidence that Novolog doesn't hit as hard with a bolus as Humalog does, I noticed that was true right off. Can take a larger bolus and it won't take down BG's too fast.

For me, the exact opposite has been true (for the 4 days that I've been on Novolog!). Novolog hits me faster and harder than Humalog does and I'm seeing better numbers, particularly after meals, as a result.
Our bodies all react differently, I guess- that's why we experiment with different meds to find the best fit.