[shiftzor]

I have been considering changing from Novorapid to Apidra. Really I want people’s opinions as to if I am making the right move. Novorapid has been great so far however I receive a lot of spikes from eating meals containing 100g of carbs or more. Yes one answer is reducing my consumption which I have done, however doesn't make the spikes go away instead I just get smaller spikes. I try to stick away from simple carbs, choosing complex carbs has helped but isn't the answer.

I am usually very active and need a good supply of energy to keep me going which is why I don't believe a low carb/ultra low carb diet is suited to my needs. I consume approximately 120g carbs, 20g in the morning, 50g for lunch and 50g for dinner however this will go up as I will be becoming more active. I know Apidra is much faster acting than Novorapid which will make bolusing for high fat meals difficult but I can split the dose.

[Gary_W]

Apidra really helped me with my post-meal spikes. It is not forgiving of pizzas and high fat meals, and you are right that you will have to dual bolus. Hypos at hour 3-4 are also lessened as it tends to have done its stuff by then and the tail has less of a sting than Novo.

Go careful at first; I had an evil hypo shortly after starting it due to pre-bolusing and the insulin beating the breakfast by a country mile...

Gary

[DanG]

Originally Posted by Gary_W

Go careful at first; I had an evil hypo shortly after starting it due to pre-bolusing and the insulin beating the breakfast by a country mile...Gary

What a language we develop to speak of our diabetes that we deal with continuously.
If someone that knows nothing about diabetes were to read your sentence, they would have no idea what you just said.
I've been diabetic since age 22 34 years ago and I know exactly what you just said, except for the fancy term "bolus" which I have learned here at df.

[sweetsarabear]

I was on Humalog then went to Apidra. With the humalog I could not tell when my blood sugar was getting low or high but with the Apidra I can now tell when my sugar is low.
I just love it !

[jen_slc]

I had the same problem with Humalog and then Novolog. Apidra definitely helps me with post-meal BG levels, but you're right, the higher fat meals are a problem... for me anyway. Without a split dose, I will go low due to Apidra's fast action and then high. Splitting my doses keeps me on a more even keel; I split for every single meal eaten at a restaurant or those prepared by me that contain more fat than usual. Meals I prepare are mostly higher carb/higher fiber and lower fat, but even sometimes those healthy meals need a split dose as well. It's annoying, but I'd never go back to Humalog or Novolog and have my BG sit at 250 for 4 hours after eating!

[shiftzor]

Ye i half meant post-meal as well, I understand pre-meal spikes tend to be due to a lack of pre-thought for a meal. Usually I am busy with things and don’t tend to think about what I am about to eat. Really I am getting a double whammy spike mid meal and then being left high at the two hour mark. Yes it’s different depending on the food. I think I will give it ago, at least if it doesn't work or suite me i can always go backwards. Is there anything I should know about the mapping from Novorapid to Apidra or am I going to have to relearn all of my I:C ratios?

[jen_slc]

You may have to play with your I:C ratios. When I first switched from Novolog to Apidra, I had to cut down a little bit - it was potent stuff! But now, after a year or so, my I:C ratios are pretty much what they were with Novolog. It's interesting how the body reacts and adapts.