Insulin and effects

[Livvhughes7]

It’s been 3 years since I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 16, everything was going fine until last September when I went into DKA. Since then it’s not been the same, I’ve had to change from levemir to Lantus as I was having allergic reaction so for some reason. But now I’ve been noticing my legs are swelling and standing or being still for long periods of time make them hurt. As well as this my lantus injections really hurt when I do them but they’ve never affected me before. I was just wondering if anyone has any information or tips on what is happening or what I could do to stop the swelling? I have been to the doctors but they didn’t do anything.

 

[himtoo]

hi there @Livvhughes7
welcome to the forum xx

can I ask which doctors you have been to -- ?? ( GP or consultant )

i would be talking to your DSN ( diabetic nurse ) for assistance.

do keep posting
x

 

[Soapybubs87]

It’s been 3 years since I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 16, everything was going fine until last September when I went into DKA. Since then it’s not been the same, I’ve had to change from levemir to Lantus as I was having allergic reaction so for some reason. But now I’ve been noticing my legs are swelling and standing or being still for long periods of time make them hurt. As well as this my lantus injections really hurt when I do them but they’ve never affected me before. I was just wondering if anyone has any information or tips on what is happening or what I could do to stop the swelling? I have been to the doctors but they didn’t do anything.

Hiya hun i agree talk to your nurse specalist! I know some insulins contain eggs or other products it could be bossible that lantus could contain a product that doesnt agree with you (i was unaware of it containing other thing until i had a paitent with a similar issue and the consultant told me that she was sensitive to something in that particular brand (out of interest have you any sensitives? And how is your kodney function) another possibilty is the injection site it was a common occurance (myself included) that we sometimes inject incorectly which can cause lumps or pain, make sure which im sure you do you rotate your injection sights change your needle every time, or maybe change the needle size, but the best people to discuss with is the nurses

 

[Livvhughes7]

hi there @Livvhughes7
welcome to the forum xx

can I ask which doctors you have been to -- ?? ( GP or consultant )

i would be talking to your DSN ( diabetic nurse ) for assistance.

do keep posting
x

I’ve been to both my GP and diabetic consultant, they said they have never seen Lantus give any of their patients this effect before?

 

[Livvhughes7]

Hiya hun i agree talk to your nurse specalist! I know some insulins contain eggs or other products it could be bossible that lantus could contain a product that doesnt agree with you (i was unaware of it containing other thing until i had a paitent with a similar issue and the consultant told me that she was sensitive to something in that particular brand (out of interest have you any sensitives? And how is your kodney function) another possibilty is the injection site it was a common occurance (myself included) that we sometimes inject incorectly which can cause lumps or pain, make sure which im sure you do you rotate your injection sights change your needle every time, or maybe change the needle size, but the best people to discuss with is the nurses

I might have to book another appointment with my diabetic consultant then, I know that my Nan is constantly changed every so often onto different background insulin’s to ensure she doesn’t become resistant however, she is on Australian private health care so slightly different haha. I’m just finding that I have to inject more recently to bring my blood sugar down do you know of any ways to increase my sensitivity to insulin so I can lower the amount I inject?

My kidney function is fine, I mean I had a blood test not too long ago and everything was normal apart from being vitamin D deficient!

I regulate my injection sites all the time and haven’t had any lumps at all it’s more of a stinging sensation about 3 seconds into the injection and sometimes they bleed but I think the bleeding is just normal?

 

[catapillar]

I
I regulate my injection sites all the time and haven’t had any lumps at all it’s more of a stinging sensation about 3 seconds into the injection and sometimes they bleed but I think the bleeding is just normal?

It's normal for lantus to sting. It's suspended in an acidic solution, so it can and does sting. And yes, it's normal to occasionally bleed after injections if you catch the wrong bit when sticking the needle in.

If you think you are experiencing other symptoms related to lantus and you have had an allergic reaction to levemir there are plenty of other basal insulins to try. Or there's a pump which omits basal insulin entirely.

You say you want to improve your insulin sensitivity. What makes you think you have any issues with sensitivity? What is your total daily dose? What is your weight (you can figure out whether the amount you are injecting is average for a person of your weight)?

 

[Soapybubs87]

I might have to book another appointment with my diabetic consultant then, I know that my Nan is constantly changed every so often onto different background insulin’s to ensure she doesn’t become resistant however, she is on Australian private health care so slightly different haha. I’m just finding that I have to inject more recently to bring my blood sugar down do you know of any ways to increase my sensitivity to insulin so I can lower the amount I inject?

My kidney function is fine, I mean I had a blood test not too long ago and everything was normal apart from being vitamin D deficient!

I regulate my injection sites all the time and haven’t had any lumps at all it’s more of a stinging sensation about 3 seconds into the injection and sometimes they bleed but I think the bleeding is just normal?

Yeah sometimes it is jist a case of finding what works for you you may try 3 or 4 till you find one that works thats completely normal unfotunately i dont know too much about lantus i myself am on levemir and bovo rapid i found that levemir works better if the dose is spilt morning and evening as it only actually last 16 hours but i found that through my own research and i found my bms were alot better, however i would always say talk to your specialist before doing anything like that because you can end up with issues, it is a pain in the bum but it could just be your body isnt too keen on it, hopefully if yoir nurses are good they will get you in asap, hope you get it sorted hun and let me know what they say like i mentioned it could be yoir needle is too big when i first went on to a pen they gave me 12mm ones (i was a size 6) so it was far to big and causing me a lot of pain in the ens i was swapped to 4mm which were better as it didnt feel like i was being harpooned!

 

[Soapybubs87]

It's normal for lantus to sting. It's suspended in an acidic solution, so it can and does sting. And yes, it's normal to occasionally bleed after injections if you catch the wrong bit when sticking the needle in.

If you think you are experiencing other symptoms related to lantus and you have had an allergic reaction to levemir there are plenty of other basal insulins to try. Or there's a pump which omits basal insulin entirely.

You say you want to improve your insulin sensitivity. What makes you think you have any issues with sensitivity? What is your total daily dose? What is your weight (you can figure out whether the amount you are injecting is average for a person of your weight)?

Bleeding is a pain i used to always end up with a massive bruise on my leg especially when i had a night out and a dress planned

 

[Livvhughes7]

It's normal for lantus to sting. It's suspended in an acidic solution, so it can and does sting. And yes, it's normal to occasionally bleed after injections if you catch the wrong bit when sticking the needle in.

If you think you are experiencing other symptoms related to lantus and you have had an allergic reaction to levemir there are plenty of other basal insulins to try. Or there's a pump which omits basal insulin entirely.

You say you want to improve your insulin sensitivity. What makes you think you have any issues with sensitivity? What is your total daily dose? What is your weight (you can figure out whether the amount you are injecting is average for a person of your weight)?

Okay thankyou so much! I never knew that so it’s good to know!!! And I have been considering a pump for a while because i think it would be better for me however, because of university my eating times are irregular and I’m not 100% on how they work!?

Also I take around 30 units of my daily insulin a day (10 units at each meal) and then 25 units of Lantus before bed and I weigh 9st 7lbs

 

[Daibell]

Hi. The fact that Levemir gave you problems indicates you do have real allergy problems and I wonder whether you need to be trying one of the other Basals than Lantus or Levemir. Apart from Lantus sometimes stinging, normally these insulins cause few problems based on forum posts.

 

[catapillar]

Okay thankyou so much! I never knew that so it’s good to know!!! And I have been considering a pump for a while because i think it would be better for me however, because of university my eating times are irregular and I’m not 100% on how they work!?

Also I take around 30 units of my daily insulin a day (10 units at each meal) and then 25 units of Lantus before bed and I weigh 9st 7lbs

Pumps work the same as basal/bolus insulin in terms of meal times: there's no need for set meal times.

You do need to be able to carb count to use a pump though & on it doesn't sound as though you are carb counting.

Your 133lbs. To find average TDD muliple your weight in lbs by 0.24. 133 x 0.24 = 32. Your TDD is 55. So your a bit above average. But, who cares? There's no "too much" insulin, the right amount is whatever keeps your numbers in check.

 

[Livvhughes7]

Pumps work the same as basal/bolus insulin in terms of meal times: there's no need for set meal times.

You do need to be able to carb count to use a pump though & on it doesn't sound as though you are carb counting.

Your 133lbs. To find average TDD muliple your weight in lbs by 0.24. 133 x 0.24 = 32. Your TDD is 55. So your a bit above average. But, who cares? There's no "too much" insulin, the right amount is whatever keeps your numbers in check.

I am carb counting, but just usually my meals all have the same amount of carbs so it’s pretty much around 10 units on average!

And okay great, I mean I’d rather not have to be taking a lot of it but I know keeping my numbers in check is the main goal

 

[himtoo]

hi @Livvhughes7
as @catapillar said the formula she used is a guideline -- it doesn't matter if you are a bit above

if you are carb counting and taking a background dose -- you are doing the right things
it just sounds as though you need a tweak here and there -- remember to be kind to yourself and think in real time -- this will take
some time to figure out -- it won't happen in a few days ( really hard to remember when you don't feel right , I know )

 

[leahkian]

As himtoo says you are doing all the right things, you say you are at university do you get stressed over the work load you have because this can effect your BS as well. I would ask about a pump and see what happens and if they say no then try and sit down with the diabetic team and work out what to do next. Make sure you keep a record of your BS and see if there is any patterns in your results. As the cold weather has started you may catch a bug or a cold and this will effect your BS, this should not happen to you but it may be happening insulin works slower if you are in the cold for a long time as when you go to spain and it is hot insulin works faster. Good luck and keep on posting