Anyone using half unit Novorapid pen?

[lollyann1]

I have just been prescribed a Novorapid half unit pen. Does anyone on this Forum use one, and, if so, how do you get on with it?

 

[Heathenlass]

In my opinion, they are great ! I use the Novopen Echo, and half units give greater flexibility towards getting the dose right. Sometimes a full unit up or down is too much or two little

Signy

 

[asyarlk]

I completely agree. The half pen is excellent and feels more sturdy. It clicks straight down for a quick dose and the digital end is very helpful too. I would highly recommend!!

 

[lollyann1]

I completely agree. The half pen is excellent and feels more sturdy. It clicks straight down for a quick dose and the digital end is very helpful too. I would highly recommend!!

Thanks for your replies. Do you still use a Novorapid 1 unit pen as well when you need a higher dose? I find I have to monitor my sugars very often and my surgery are reducing the amount of lancets available on the NHS. I know a lot of technology is used in producing lancets but they are very expensive to buy.

 

[Heathenlass]

No, same pen for all doses. If you need a full unit dial up to that number, but remember there are twice as many clicks due to the half dose increments.

Are you Type 1 ? If so your surgery should not be restricting your lancets, strips or anything else. They are essential for your care. If you are seeing a consultant or Diabetic Specialist Nurse at your hospital, contact them and explain what is happening. They will write or phone the surgery to correct this. Otherwise, ask to speak to your practice manager and explain why you need to have the amount you need. Sadly, the prescription managers are fairly clueless about what is involved, but are usually happy to amend prescription quantities where there is a genuine need.

Good luck !

Signy

 

[Heathenlass]

Doh ! I just noticed this was the Type 1 forum ! Sorry !

Signy

 

[lollyann1]

Doh ! I just noticed this was the Type 1 forum ! Sorry !

Signy

I am T1! I did speak to my Diabetes Doctor (who also works at my local GP surgery). She told me on the 'phone that I could have 1 extra tube of Lancets but I will still have to buy some

 

[Heathenlass]

Is your doctor your consultant, or the doctor that deals with diabetics within the practice ? If so, there is a conflict of interest going on there and possibly insufficient knowledge about your condition. I see on another thread that you have had your pancreas removed, so should be under the care of a consultant endocrinologist . That is who you should contact.

There is NO way you should be needing to buy your own test strips or anything else.

Signy
.

 

[totsy]

I have one,im quite sensitive to insulin so found this to be of excellent use

 

[SamJB]

Ditto! I use the Echo and it's brilliant!

 

[Robinredbreast]

I have just been prescribed a Novorapid half unit pen. Does anyone on this Forum use one, and, if so, how do you get on with it?

I have had my 1/2 unit NovoRapid pen for about 2 years now ? and it's a god send at times, thumbs up from me

 

[AndyS]

I've been on the NovoPen Demi for a couple years now and also find that having that half unit allows for much greater accuracy, not pump precision but better than nothing.

 

[lollyann1]

Is your doctor your consultant, or the doctor that deals with diabetics within the practice ? If so, there is a conflict of interest going on there and possibly insufficient knowledge about your condition. I see on another thread that you have had your pancreas removed, so should be under the care of a consultant endocrinologist . That is who you should contact.

There is NO way you should be needing to buy your own test strips or anything else.

Signy
.

Hi signy That is the problem - my Pancreatic (HPB) consultant only deals with my loss of Pancreatic function as regards any pain is concerned. The Hospital is miles away and as I am now on suitable medication for my pain he has no need to see me. He has arranged CT scans in the past, in other words, he is a surgeon who did/does my follow up appointments. He has no involvement in my Diabetic treatment.

I had a Ketoacidosis episode just before I was diagnosed with T2. Ended up in Hospital to have fluids ect IV. Went home next day. Even then I was not put on Insulin, have never understood that because trying to control T2 in my case with diet and exercise alone proved impossible. Have never seen my Diabetic Hospital Consultant, she was the one who maintained I was T2 not T1. When my sugars went up then down very rapidly my GP Diabetic Physician finally put me on Insulin. Saw Diabetic Nurses about 4 times. One of the told me she only had experiece of one other patient besides me who had virtuallly no Pancras, said it is hard to treat. In other words, since I was diagnosed as T1 2 years ago (I am 63) I have titrated the doses of Novo and Lantus myselff. Therefore came to the eventual conclusion by regular testing my bloods I need more lancets and a NovoRapid pen! Reading this now I feel confused myself!!!!

Also saw Pancreatic Specialist Dietician at the same Hospital as my Pancreatic (HPB) surgeon. Of course, she only deals with diet.

 

[LucySW]

I don't understand this Lollyann. If you have hardly any pancreas, you'll have a stiff case of T1 and therefore need not only the full kit, but the full care that all full-blown T1s need.

With kit and supplies like the Libre and no bad luck, one can actually DIY better than following medical advice. But you might not choose that path. (I prefer it.).

 

[lollyann1]

I don't understand this Lollyann. If you have hardly any pancreas, you'll have a stiff case of T1 and therefore need not only the full kit, but the full care that all full-blown T1s need.

With kit and supplies like the Libre and no bad luck, one can actually DIY better than following medical advice. But you might not choose that path. (I prefer it.).

You are right not to understand, I was nearly tearing my hair out when I left Hospital after Ketoacidosis, no-one seemed to be able to agree with all the other medics involved in my case as to what treatment path to follow. I just found it incredible, all the signs were there that I was T1. I had just had a Keto episode. All I did know was that I was not being treated correctly. Luckily, for want of a better word, as I have already written in one post, one of the Diabetic Nurses knew of one other case like mine where the patient had Pancreatic surgery and she recognized the different needs that people without a Pancreas have.

I have now received my NovoPen echo, which was delivered to me but on Monday I am going to have to call my surgery so I can speak to the Practice Nurse because I have not got the correct needles or correct spare insulin cartridges. All this is making my head spin and I cannot think straight anymore. I will also try to contact one of the Diabetic Nurses but I only used to be able to leave a message for one of them to call me back and sometimes it took days to make contact. If there is ever a really urgent problem now I just ring the surgery and ask for one of the GP's to call me back. They are quite good and always respond. If only the Diabetic Team here had less cutbacks imposed on them recently I am sure they would help!

 

[Heathenlass]

Exactly what @LucySW said .... if you have had your pancreas removed or partially removed, then you should be treated and cared for as a Type1 because you are producing no or very little insulin. Type 2 is treated differently, because it caused in a whole other way .

I have to say that I think you have been treated very shoddily, and to arm you with insulin then expect you to figure it out for yourself without support, advice and resources is frankly appalling . The cost of giving you this support and adequate kit is far less than it would cost them if things went pear shaped because of their lack ? Well done you, for having got this far !

You do need some additional help, and I would suggest making an appointment with your GP specifically to discuss this . FYI, the absolute minimum a Type 1 on basal bolus needs to test is five times a day, on waking, before each meal, and before bed. In reality, it's likely that most will test more, for example two hours after meals. It's also essential to test before driving, and during long journeys when driving. Also when feeling unwell for any reason, to avoid hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia . In your case too, you are trying to get to a destination with inadequate kit and without a map and compass, so yes, you will need to test more

I don't know how well you have managed to titrate your doses, or how much you know about adjusting insulin ratios, matching carbs to units or adjusting your basal , but there are some decent resources and information bits and bobs available : I just realised I don't have the links available, so I'm going to tag @jack412 and ask him if he will provide the links to BDEC and the Scottish info booklets on insulin management ( if you don't mind, Jack, please )

Signy

 

[Heathenlass]

Forgot to say , re the GP appointment, it really is worth asking to be referred to the diabetic clinic at your local hospital, especially as your case is not that usual. I really think you do need specialist support .

Signy

 

[lollyann1]

Exactly what @LucySW said .... if you have had your pancreas removed or partially removed, then you should be treated and cared for as a Type1 because you are producing no or very little insulin. Type 2 is treated differently, because it caused in a whole other way .

I have to say that I think you have been treated very shoddily, and to arm you with insulin then expect you to figure it out for yourself without support, advice and resources is frankly appalling . The cost of giving you this support and adequate kit is far less than it would cost them if things went pear shaped because of their lack ? Well done you, for having got this far !

You do need some additional help, and I would suggest making an appointment with your GP specifically to discuss this . FYI, the absolute minimum a Type 1 on basal bolus needs to test is five times a day, on waking, before each meal, and before bed. In reality, it's likely that most will test more, for example two hours after meals. It's also essential to test before driving, and during long journeys when driving. Also when feeling unwell for any reason, to avoid hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia . In your case too, you are trying to get to a destination with inadequate kit and without a map and compass, so yes, you will need to test more

I don't know how well you have managed to titrate your doses, or how much you know about adjusting insulin ratios, matching carbs to units or adjusting your basal , but there are some decent resources and information bits and bobs available : I just realised I don't have the links available, so I'm going to tag @jack412 and ask him if he will provide the links to BDEC and the Scottish info booklets on insulin management ( if you don't mind, Jack, please )

Signy

Thank you. I am having problems with the carbs because of no Pancreatic function, which of course means diet is difficult to say the least. Having just got over a nasty virus I am finding it very difficult to concentrate so would really appreciate some advice. I now understand via Diabetes UK support that the type of Diabetes I have is not even termed as T1 - it is a minefield.

 

[jack412]

You are right not to understand, I was nearly tearing my hair out when I left Hospital after Ketoacidosis, no-one seemed to be able to agree with all the other medics involved in my case as to what treatment path to follow. I just found it incredible, all the signs were there that I was T1. I had just had a Keto episode. All I did know was that I was not being treated correctly. Luckily, for want of a better word, as I have already written in one post, one of the Diabetic Nurses knew of one other case like mine where the patient had Pancreatic surgery and she recognized the different needs that people without a Pancreas have.

I have now received my NovoPen echo, which was delivered to me but on Monday I am going to have to call my surgery so I can speak to the Practice Nurse because I have not got the correct needles or correct spare insulin cartridges. All this is making my head spin and I cannot think straight anymore. I will also try to contact one of the Diabetic Nurses but I only used to be able to leave a message for one of them to call me back and sometimes it took days to make contact. If there is ever a really urgent problem now I just ring the surgery and ask for one of the GP's to call me back. They are quite good and always respond. If only the Diabetic Team here had less cutbacks imposed on them recently I am sure they would help!

As @Heathenlass said, you really need to be under the care of a hospital endo diabetic team.

I don't know how well you have managed to titrate your doses, or how much you know about adjusting insulin ratios, matching carbs to units or adjusting your basal , but there are some decent resources and information bits and bobs available : I just realised I don't have the links available, so I'm going to tag @jack412 and ask him if he will provide the links to BDEC and the Scottish info booklets on insulin management ( if you don't mind, Jack, please )

Signy

as per requested I have been asked not to post these as a large group normally

There is an online course for background and an idea to it. Free to register
http://www.bdec-e-learning.com/

This set of workbooks are worth reading. Don't change dose without nurse approval lollyann
Overview of Carbohydrate Counting and Intensive Insulin Therapy for Paediatric Diabetes , An Introduction to Carbohydrate Counting , Carbohydrate Counting – The Next Steps Carbohydrate Tables , Carbohydrate and Blood Glucose Diary


Sick day rules like these may be given too, it's better to have a plan in place.
https://www.ispad.org/sites/default...pad_guidelines_2009_-_sick_day_management.pdf
http://www.leicestershirediabetes.org.uk/uploads//documents/Type1 Sick_day_rules_InsulinV3.pdf

 

[Heathenlass]

Thank you @jack412 And I did request them from you

@lollyann1 , yes, the terminology is confusing typically Type 1 is auto immune, but in your case the cause is different, the experience and treatment is the same though. Sometimes it's just simpler to be a "Type 1" or " Insulin dependant diabetic " than try to explain a rarer variant And if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck ....Simple is better

Sorry about your virus, and hope you're feeling better soon Oh and do keep asking questions, you will find lots of help and support on here . I know there are other people who have had their pancreas removed on here too, and hopefully they will be able to help you too. Actually, it may be a good idea for you to start another thread with pancreas removal in the title, so they know you are here ?

Signy