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Best basal insulin for type 1 diabetes?

Sweeeeeeeeeet

Sweeeeeeeeeet

Active Member
Messages
32
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
My endo put me on 40 units of Lantus, but it makes me very sick. Anybody else have trouble with Lantus? What's everyone taking? Is there one good basal insulin that doesn't make you sick, or are they basically all the same? I'm new to all this, recently diagnosed. Not sure what to do. My endo says the sick feeling will pass and won't switch me to another insulin. I'm not sure how much more of this I can take!
 
I have been on Tresiba since last Summer and find it really flat compared to Lantus (which I was on for 11 years). It's quite expensive though so you'd probably need to make a case if you wanted to try it.
 
Up until recently I was using lantus, dig your heels in and demand that the Endo changes your basal insulin if your experiencing side-effects.
 
noblehead said:
Up until recently I was using lantus, dig your heels in and demand that the Endo changes your basal insulin if your experiencing side-effects.
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I think I might have to. But, what basal insulin works best? Which one has the fewest side effects? I don't know anything about insulin; I'm trying to look it up now. I'd like to be able to know what the doctor is talking about or suggesting before I "demand" anything. Anyone here have a "favorite" basal insulin? I know I'm not using the right words; hope it all makes sense!
 
Sweeeeeeeeeet said:
I think I might have to. But, what basal insulin works best? Which one has the fewest side effects? I don't know anything about insulin; I'm trying to look it up now. I'd like to be able to know what the doctor is talking about or suggesting before I "demand" anything. Anyone here have a "favorite" basal insulin? I know I'm not using the right words; hope it all makes sense!
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I think you're asking an impossible question because what's best for one person could be worst for another. I have been using Lantus since being diagnosed in December last year and have had no problems with it at all. For me, it's a very flat profile and keeps my levels generally very stable. I have had no side effects. However, others have had huge issues with Lantus and prefer another basal insulin. It's simply a case of trying one, seeing how it works out for you, and then trying another one if you have any problems. If Lantus is making you sick give Tresiba or Levemir a try: sickness is not acceptable side-effect to endure.
 
I'm a Levemir user and one of those who had enormous issues with the way Lantus works. My consultant moved me to Levemir due to the amount of exercise I do. I originally asked for tresiba but was told that Levemir would be easier to control. This has proved to be true enough.

It's not a straightforward question to answer and there are a lot of variables to consider!
 
I'm currently on Tresiba having had a number of issues with Levemir. I quite like Tresiba and on the whole it seems to have stabilised my BG considerably.

Smidge
 
I take 11 units of Levemir at night and during the day NovoRapid, breakfast lunch and dinner. I have never used Lantus.

Best wishes RRB
 
I have been on levemir, lantus and now on Tresiba
Lantus i had real problems with but with hypos nothing more, and finding tresiba alot more stable but still getting used to it.

Its (so I was told) 4 times more expensive than others but the benefits are worth it if your consultant thinks along the same line
 
I used to be on porcine insulin and have gone back
onto Levemir insulin .
Was experiencing problems with the porcine onset time .

Sometimes we do need to change our insulin when experiencing
issues and problems .
We are all different and our bodies reactions are unique .
Some persons are okay - others need to adapt and change .
 
ive been on lantus since diagnosis and i personally have found no difference between injecting 8 - 14 units, i know people have different insulin resistances but 40 seems a bit extreme, if thats what the threshold is that doctor or DSN told you to do then I don't know what else is wrong.
 
pinewood said:
I think you're asking an impossible question because what's best for one person could be worst for another. I have been using Lantus since being diagnosed in December last year and have had no problems with it at all. For me, it's a very flat profile and keeps my levels generally very stable. I have had no side effects. However, others have had huge issues with Lantus and prefer another basal insulin. It's simply a case of trying one, seeing how it works out for you, and then trying another one if you have any problems. If Lantus is making you sick give Tresiba or Levemir a try: sickness is not acceptable side-effect to endure.
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Actually, now I'm more confused than ever. I don't know whether the Lantus is making me sick, or being pregnant is making me sick! I wish I knew the difference. Of your friends who got sick on Lantus, did they say it made them feel like they had morning sickness? I don't know what to do anymore. :-(
 
Jaylee said:
Hi, what are your symptoms..?
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Well, for the most part, I'm nauseous and agitated. And I have a fast heartbeat. And my skin is crawling, it itches all over. It's a feeling like I can punch a wall. I'm not sure if that's the Lantus or the pregnancy. I've never taken Lantus before, and this is my first time being pregnant. I'm confused about the whole thing!
 
nmr1991 said:
ive been on lantus since diagnosis and i personally have found no difference between injecting 8 - 14 units, i know people have different insulin resistances but 40 seems a bit extreme, if thats what the threshold is that doctor or DSN told you to do then I don't know what else is wrong.
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If everyone's taking so little, then why did he put me on so much?! It's gotten so bad, you can't even trust a doctor anymore!
 
Sweeeeeeeeeet said:
If everyone's taking so little, then why did he put me on so much?! It's gotten so bad, you can't even trust a doctor anymore!
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I wouldn't worry about your dose. If you are eating a normal diet and not doing vast amounts of exercise, 40u is not an unusual amount. Prior to eating lower carb, doing A lot of exercise and losing 25lbs, I was on 45u per day and had been for the best part of ten years.

As long as you aren't suffering loads of hypos it is nothing to worry about. The key principle is to use what works and not spend too much time comparing yourself to others.
 
Sweeeeeeeeeet said:
Well, for the most part, I'm nauseous and agitated. And I have a fast heartbeat. And my skin is crawling, it itches all over. It's a feeling like I can punch a wall. I'm not sure if that's the Lantus or the pregnancy. I've never taken Lantus before, and this is my first time being pregnant. I'm confused about the whole thing!
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What are your blood sugar levels running like when you have these symptoms.. High?? Did you just mention your pregnant?
 
Sweeeeeeeeeet said:
If everyone's taking so little, then why did he put me on so much?! It's gotten so bad, you can't even trust a doctor anymore!
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Hiya! Changes in hormones can affect the effectiveness of insulin - many Type 1 women will tell you that we have to change doses during our cycle - often more in the lead up to the period and then less once it is underway. I have no idea why this is the case, but given that it is, I would assume early-stage pregnancy would cause all sorts of challenges for insulin dosing and what you are experiencing now might change drastically during and after your pregnancy.

Congratulations by the way!

Smidge
 
Hello and welcome,
let me just say your body is going through a lot of changes right now, if you are pregnant, there are a few things that you may need to understand and talk to you specialist about, but let me say this right at the start obviously i am male, but my daughter is also a type 1 and has had 4 children, the first thing her doctor did was take her of Lantus and put her on [protophane insulin ] but she had been a diabetic for many years, this insulin is much better for the developing baby, according to her specialist, but this is where it becomes more difficult for you, is your diabetes because you are Pregnant?.. Or going through a continuous, pancreas decline? Most type 1 that have been diabetics for some time either use 2 insulin's one being slow acting and the other a fast acting, and now there is also one insulin that has both of these mixed together. This being said i feel that your doctor has put you on lantus because you are still developing some insulin yourself [known as the honeymoon period, Lantus is a long acting insulin although this insulin did not suit me because i did not know or get any feeling of HYPOs so they changed me to Levemir which has been fine but i use Nova rapid as my fast acting insulin. After all my daughters children 2 boys and 2 girls she is now on Lantus and having no problems, and this is what has already been said do not be afraid of askingif i have helped in someway questions after all it is your life, your well being and you need as much info as you are able.
I hope this may have helped you, just to let you know i have been a type 1 for 54 years this year and my daughter for 23 years.

Best Regards
Toby.]
 
Levemir appears to be the Basal of choice based on effectiveness and cost. Tresiba appears to be better in some ways but is new and expensive. NICE now shows Levemir as the preferred Basal but many find Lantus is fine and does last 24 hours whereas Levemir doesn't
 
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