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What’s everyone planning now that Levemir is going?

Ledzeptt said:
I’m now slightly concerned by the problems people have have reported with Lantus in this thread, but will monitor and ask to switch to another basal if necessary.
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Lantus is supposed to be fairly even over 24 (ish) hours, and many (most?) people are happy with it. I had some issues so ended up splitting the dose to lessen "irregularities", which did help. But in the end my clinic (in New Zealand) moved me to a pump....

To be honest I had many happy years on lantus before I started to have issues with it.
 
I went to my Diabetic Clinic this week and I have agreed to go on Lantus Flexipen instead of Levemir. I was told that I will only have to inject once a day in the morning as opposed to twice a day with Levimir. 62years T1.
 
Hi all
Just a little bump as i have a vested interest in this thread.

Tony
 
Gemma2 said:
I went to my Diabetic Clinic this week and I have agreed to go on Lantus Flexipen instead of Levemir. I was told that I will only have to inject once a day in the morning as opposed to twice a day with Levimir. 62years T1.
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That's the official line and true for many people. I found lantus a little unpredictable, which eased if I had it twice a day.
 
My DSN warned about the cessation of Levemir about a year ago, so I wasn’t surprised. I’ve been prescribed Lantus Solostar (pen) and have been using it for the past 10 days. I was advised the dosage was 1:1 equivalent, but to start with 80-90% of my normal dose for a few days and “run high” rather than risk a hypo. I used to split my Levemir and was told to continue the split on the same basis.

(Splitting is useful for me because I sometimes need to lower the evening dose to avoid an overnight hypo following substantial exercise.)

I can’t give you my precise basal units, but I learnt that the 90% dose worked fine, but the full dose lowered my BG too much, so I’m unsure about the 1:1 equivalency in my case - *may not apply to you*.

FYI I have T3c (zero functioning pancreas)

Ps. I’ve been told my Novorapid pen is going to be replaced by a refillable one at some point, but it will use the same insulin. My Contour Next One is also being replaced (I guess one with cheaper strips, although it also checks ketones), but I only use that to support my Libre so I’m not bothered.
 
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I spoke to my GP diabetes lead about the change before Xmas. He said the change wouldnt be happening until towards the end of 2026. But he took the opportunity to look at my concerns and to see if my fingerprick readings can be reduced. This is beginning to work via diet my 3m average (90days) is now 7.8 - 8.1 down from around 10. That is AbH.c of 51 down to approx 47 / 48
I am diabetes 2 , on metformin 500 x2, fingerprick test approx 7 x a day. More if a low is hit . BUT also 1 levemir pen insulin , once a.m , 20 units I weigh around 48k. Coping better but still grappling with some highs and also some lows.
 
Hi all been some time and what can i say. so ive been change to Trurapi 1:1 for novorapid, i can honestly say since the change i have see massive changes in health and wellbeing. no more pain and aches, weather its linked or not i dont know because i still have no one looking after my care or who is responsible.

Yesterday collection of insulin and Trurapi is out of stock as a national issue. they have offered me my novoraip with no choice just a simple this is all we have got. "The "Consent" Rule: While the NHS can issue Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) that allow pharmacists to substitute a prescribed medicine without going back to a GP, this is meant to be a temporary, one-off emergency measure."
"Safety Over Convenience: Repeatedly switching insulins (unplanned switches) significantly increases the risk of dosing errors and poor blood sugar control. If you have seen "massive benefits" on Trurapi, moving back to NovoRapid—which was already causing you issues—is clinically counter-productive"
i asked clearly please just let me have 2 colours of insulin and let me make the change of both thinking of the future. id like the reusable pen that i have spoken about on here. but its not the case. This is the Natinal health going privately under our feet because i am going to have to go online and pay for what i need. we are left with nothing no alternative.
"Exclusion Criteria: NHS guidance often states that patients with specific needs or those who have had poor experiences with other brands should not be forced into these "bulk" switches"

I was hoping to show the benefits with my bloods being done in 4 weeks giving 3 months on the new insulin. but its out of my control to have this as an option.

can anyone help? or have you been in this situation where do i stand.

Jamie s
 
Jamie S said:
Sorry i was hoping i was on a positive roll. back to the negative place i dont like to be.
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Hi @Jamie S i am sorry things are getting you down.
I appear to be in a better place than you because i ask my GP for what i want and i get it.
Recent example being my change from levemir to tresiba.
I chose the tresiba went to see the practice nurse who is not a DSN she is the nurse the practice advised me to see as her knowledge was better than anyone elses.
For some unknown reason i had to speak to the practice pharmacist ( he was about 12!) and he accepted i knew my diabetes care ( i bored him to death) and the levemir was replaced but but but they put me on disposable do dars.

I saw my GP and she explained they were cheaper than the penfill ones which i struggled to understand.
Anyhoo i had my novopen about my person and showed her the memory function and as soon as i did she twigged and changed the prescription .

I accept some need specialists and DSNs but i don't and i think its that which helps me get to where i want to be and a hba1c of 39 or 5.7 backs up the way i do things.

I haven't started the tresiba just yet as i'm still using up my levemir but as sure as onions are onions i will get plenty in ready for the change as shortages across the chemists is happening.
As i type i have been waiting 2 weeks for my libre which is unusual.

I wish you well and do forgive the ramble.

Tony
 
The Gp looking after my care has opted for Humuli quik pen. I've read the online insruction but don't know much about in.
This GP has diabetes himself and is lead for diabetes in our practice. He's been assisting me of late. Re diet anomalies and hypos
 
Humbling 1 is going ok. My instructions have been .
Stop Levemir. Start Humilin 1 at 6.45 a.m with 10 units ( half the amount used for Levemir). Use 10 for 4 days.
The important reading is 6pm . Aiming for 5 _8 reading. Until 5_8 is achieved at 6 pm I raise the Humilin by 2 units a.m every 4 days for Diabetes 2 with 1 insulin a day.
When I get 5 - 8 for 4 days at 6 pm then I contact the Doc , sending in all the readings for this introduction period. And await his comment and his OK. Any concerns are sorted by online message.
 
Lily21 said:
Hi @Jamie S,

I'm a type 1 diabetic currently on a Levemir split dose and I'll be switching to a new basal insulin once I've seen my diabetes consultant in July next year. My last appointment with my diabetes consultant was in July this year and I mentioned the Levemir discontinuation at the time. Interestingly, my consultant did not bring it up. I had to bring it up with them!

At that time, my diabetes consultant was unable to switch me over to a new basal insulin due to restrictions that were in place regarding switching. These restrictions are no longer in place but I won't be seeing my diabetes consultant again until next year so I won't be able to switch over to a new basal insulin until then.

When I asked my diabetes consultant about the possible options regarding the switch, I was advised to look into Tresiba and Toujeo. I wasn't offered any other choices.

I've been using Levemir for over 16 years and my split dose is very uneven (a large amount in the morning and just a unit or two before bed). I have good blood glucose control with it so I'm apprehensive about the switch.

Prior to going on Levemir, I was on Lantus (a glargine insulin) and based on that experience, I wouldn't want to use a glargine insulin again. On Lantus, I experienced quite sudden and dramatic lows as well as redness, stinging, burning and swelling around my injection sites (I think due to the acidity of the glargine insulin). I note that Toujeo is also a glargine insulin. Therefore, it seems my only real option is Tresiba.

I'm currently using NovoRapid as my bolus and this insulin has worked well for me for many years. I believe I'll be staying on NovoRapid and just changing the basal insulin only.
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Hi Lilly! This is really similar to me, I currently take 20 units of Levemir in the morning and only 1 or 2 at night. I'm really worried about switching to Tresiba ( which is what my consultant has prescribed). I'm waiting for an appointment with my dietician to hopefully get a transition plan.
Would love to hear if you've made the switch now?
 
Hello Im a type 2 , metformin, plus i had been on levemir pen at 20 units.
When I last wrote in May the local diabetic lead GP was working with me. Its now 31 July. Doc & I have never met , only one call . but lots Internet to=ing and fro_ing of messages and readings etc which brought about this .

*My diet routine was tweaked a bit , lowering the readings to nearer 6-10.
*Humulin 1 , pen, introduced in late June @ early a.m. Start dose at 10 units for 5 days.
*I was permitted to go up to 12 when i felt a larger dose was needed.
*then 14 for 4 days each, if my readings improved. Lots of readings per day to verify the progress. These being sent to the Doc @ each change of dose. I went down back and up to 16
* @ 16 both of us thought the readings were more like 5-8, with lots of 7s ,
So 16 units of Humulin pen it is ,to use as norm . taking daily readings only 2 or 4 hours after meals .
I am happy with myself ,:-a better diet , better readings , this week 4 - 8

Let me know if this is too wordy or doesnt read well Im senior citizen and typing is tricky. I need to know
 
PS I was very lucky to get signposted to the Lead diabetes Doc . I realise this a scary time for many especially type 1s. Best wishes . I don't have a consultant tho wanted to see one as my diabetes seemed a bit odd especially as type 2 and only weigh 44kg which isnt stable. Hope you get your help everyone. Levemir Im told is around until the end of 2026
 
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