About t start injecting lantus......pretty worried but hoping for some support from this forum

[PamelaJane]

Had my diabetes appt as planned last week, went in with loads of questions, did lots of research and told them I didn't want to go with victoza or bydureaun which was an option. I have labryntitus which affects my balance, gives me vertigo, makes me feel sick, I felt these options would make things worse, luckily the specialist nurse was lovely, listened to my worries and two hours later we had agreed I should go on to insulin. Had to change from the one she wanted due to having a very allergic reaction to parabens and consultant said only one guaranteed not to have this in is lantus so this is it. One injection at night to start with. Pretty scared. I know this is a long lasting insulin but I'm worrying now that it might make my sugars drop too quickl at night, should I be?

 

[noblehead]

As you are now on insulin your Dr should prescribe test strips, just be sure to test your bg levels for a few nights until your sure that you've got the dose right, it will mean a few nights of disturbed sleep but it's worth it.

 

[PamelaJane]

I have had a monitor for a while now through my gp so that's never an issue. I have to start at ten units at night to begin.

 

[BooJewels]

I'm a T2 on insulin and am having difficulties getting even control at the moment, having done well for a year on a combination insulin. We're going to start a basal/bolus regime this week, but starting very slowly with the bolus with meals first - as I'm spiking quite high after eating. But we discussed which insulins to use and Lantus was the basal we settled on, if/when I come to that stage. I'm hoping that some rapid with meals might be enough, without it.

The reason for choosing Lantus for me was that it has a very flat profile - this means that there are no major peaks and drops in the level of activity from the insulin in your system - and one of the reasons for choosing it for that was because I'm prone to overnight hypos with the combination insulins I've used. It looks like Lantus operates very evenly over a 24 hour period, so on its own, in theory, it should just supplement your natural insulin and help reduce BG levels overall - without any obvious dip because it doesn't peak in activity.

Lantus is used extensively by T1s as a basal insulin, so if nothing else, this will bump your post so that those actually currently using it can advise from experience.