Ver Frustrated here!!!!!!!!

bilye1981 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 03:03 PM

I am so frustrated right now with this new insulin.I know it's only been 2 days since switching,but my gosh after 19 yrs of the same thing this is a real pain in the arse!

Some back info:I have been on Humulin R and N for 19 yrs.Tuesday I was switched to Lantus and Novolog to gear up for getting the pump.Since then it has been nothing but a headache literally.For instence last night at about midnight I went to bed with a bloodsugar of 97.When I was on my old insulin I would have dropped on my face in a matter of minutes.But with this new regimine I woke up at about 8am with a sugar of 208!!!!!!! Then I took a nap with my daughter today.I went to sleep with it being 116 and then woke up 2 hrs later and it was 48.I had a decent lunch.What happened?I thought this stuff got out of your system faster than my old insulin.Sorry if this is a rambling whine fest.Just frustrated.Thanks for listening.

grace girl · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 03:17 PM

I've never been on the other insulins you were on, but I've been on Lantus with Humalog for about 6 months now, and I think I can at least shed a little light on it for you.
It's supposed to be a 24 hour insulin. That can vary with some people (between 20-26 hours I've read), but you won't know how long it's lasting for you this early.
It takes 3 full days to see the full results of what it's doing. This is also true for any adjustments you make to your dose.
It has a peak at around 4-6 hours. They say it is a slight peak, but it's more noticable for some people.
Since you just started taking it, I would imagine it's going to take some adjusting to get the dose exactly right.
I totally understand your frustration, I went through quite a bit of it myself until everything was right. It will get better!

bilye1981 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 03:25 PM

Wow,you guys respond quickly on here.That's wonderful! I know it will take time.It just gets really old sometimes.It's by far not the worst thing to have wrong with you,but at the same time it is what I've been dealt so I do have moments of oh woe is me.I guess I feel like I'm being sized up by any new doc if my bloodsugars aren't what they're supposed to be.That has me worried.I don't want to hear"what have you been eating to make this happen" you know?I've been with my same doc since '96, but he is a general prac so I had to go see an endo to get ready for the pump.I have not had a lot of great experiences with them.In the 19 yrs since being diagnosed I have only seen 3 and each time have ended up in the hospital b/c they switching everything so drastically.Hopefully this will all work out.I think my woe is me moment is over for now.Thanks again!

grace girl · #4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 04:25 PM

You should stick around. I've learned quite a bit about Lantus and MDI in general in the past 6 months, and I've learned most of it right here!

Cyborg · #5 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 04:29 PM

The Novolog peaks in about 1 to 1 1/2 hours and only lasts about 4 hours. Sounds like you may have to figure out what your insulin to carb ratio is for the Novolog.

Not sure what's up with the Lantus. Either the dose is too small, or you may be experiencing DP. If DP, wonder why you never had it before.

Good luck, pumping is easier, IMO...

rzrbks · #6 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 04:35 PM

I think, the reaction time of the synthetics is faster than the older insulins.

I'm on Lantus and Novolog/NovoRapid.

Target for bedtime is between 90/5 and 110/6.1. But I always have something to eat about an hoour before going to bed. Quite often it is enough that I have to inject Novolog. 15-45 carbs.

It took a while to get the right basal amount when I switched to Lantus, but once I did, I haven't varied by more than 8-15(.4- .8) when I do my basal checks.

Keep in mind that the Novolog lasts for about 4 hours, so if you're running a bit low at 2 hrs postprandial, then you'll probably be lower later.

Right now, and for the last 2 1/2 years, I love MDI with Lantus and Novolog and don't plan on changing anytime in the near/far future.

TenderVittleS · #7 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 10:28 PM

Yeah the first few days are really rough, but hang in there, even when you think you got the hang of it, stuff always pops up so I'm still learning everyday about control, no 2 days are the same with this disease.

Geoff · #8 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 03:03 AM

To get your lantus dose right, your bs should be between 100-105 first thing in the morning. That is if you are taken it around 22:00, before you go to sleep. This is the best time for most people. If it is lower than 100, reduce you dosage by 2units, if it is higher than 105, increase your dosage by 2units.

The first time that you use Lantus, it takes 3-7 days to find the right number of units for you.

For more info on useing Lantus, take a look at this site: Lantus notes

BlueSky · #9 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff

To get your lantus dose right, your bs should be between 100-105 first thing in the morning. ....

It doesn't work that way for all of us. My experience was that Lantus simply couldn't stop my BG rising overnight, no matter how much I injected. I eventually realised that I have a very strong DP effect, which I was completely unaware of. I used to inject most of my NPH before bed, and it peaked when the DP was strongest. So switching to Lantus immediately resulted in very high morning BG levels. The only way to deal with this was to re-introduce some NPH before bed.

seacomp · #10 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 12:44 PM

Switching both insulins at the same time is a bad idea in my opinion. Try and get the Lantus (basal) dose correct first, then it will be easier getting the bolus correct.
Do you really test when you first get up, or just before you eat? It can make a big difference if you have DP. To ensure the correct Lantus dose it should be immediately on rising.

seacomp · #11 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueSky

The only way to deal with this was to re-introduce some NPH before bed.

Do you experience the DP starting when you wake or does it begin when you are still asleep?
For me, it's after I get up. I test then and depending on readings take from half to 2 units of rapid acting (Humalog). This works pretty well and I don't have to have a third insulin around. There is an extra injection, but you have one also with the nightly NPH.
Of course, if what you are doing works and you are successful and happy with it there's no reason to experiment.

BlueSky · #12 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seacomp

... I test then and depending on readings take from half to 2 units of rapid acting (Humalog) ......

I also tried this technique. And I was disappointed that it didn't work.

The DP seems to start at 3-4am. And by the time I get up, it is in full flight. Which is why I have to inject the NPH before going to bed.