Animal Insulin, Human Insulin or pump?

Hi GlucoseKnight,

I'd definitely recommend trying a split dose of Lantus first off.

If you're really not getting on with Lantus, Levemir would be the next thing to trial. The switchover from Lantus is usually fairly straight forward for most people. If Levemir doesn't cut it, then it'll be time to try something else, like the pump.

Regards,
timo.

Glucoseknight,

I think it may be worth your while having a meeting with both your dsn and diabetes consultant. A hba1c of 13 is very high, I am surprised they have not called you in to discuss this with you. I know that people who have uncontrolled diabetes can be candidates for a insulin pump, so this be a option for you.

As you are thinking of starting a family, I think its best that you do seek professional advice, I think your high hba1c has more to do with your overall control than just your lantus.

Regards

Nigel

y

GlucoseKnight said:

I am currently looking into different types of Insulin and whether I would be better off on the insulin pump? My HbA1c is currently at 13.0, I have high blood sugars normally in the afternoon and evening and have tried increasing my Lantus but it then causes early morning hypo's. I am considering asking to be put on Levimir so that I can split the doseage and see if that works for me.
I used to be on Pig insulin as a child and my blood sugar levels seemed to be stable, however, I was taken off it due to having pits in my injection sites on my legs. This may not happen now and since using human insulin, I have had poor control over the last 10 years.
I would really like to start a family and I cant whilst my blood sugar levels are so high.
Any advice would be gratefully received ....

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Hi

I was in a similar predicament using lantus but through testing frequently, got round the high blood sugar levels in the afternoon by increasing my bolus insulin at lunchtime. This seemed to do the trick to a certain extent although I wasn't using insulin to carb ratios at the time; just quess work.

I would suggest that you follow Timo's advice first of all if you want to see what splitting your Lantus will do and if no good, then think about maybe using Levemir. You should be able to get some sort of control testing 6 times a day, writing all your levels down in a record diary together with the insulin doses and most importantly - the amount of carbohydrate you eat at each meal including a snack. It will be by looking at the results that you will be able to work out what your insulin to carb ratios need to be. You can then start to fine tune your insulin and inject half units if need be.

Hi,
If I were you I'd go back on to what worked for you previously, animal insulin. It is highly purified now, and you prob won't have the problems you suffered with your skiin when you were a child.
Get off Lantus, it's not worth the risk BG wise, or health-wise. Even if you consider a pump, go with animal insulin, it's tried, tested and safe for over 80 years, and it IS insulin. I dread to think what state insulin-dependents will be in, on analogues after 80 years :cry:
Please look at the thread "LANTUS PROBLEMS" in the "diabetes medications & drugs", if you need any more persuading to get off Lantus. We all can't be wrong :evil:
Jus
ps; the problems associated with Lantus have been reported for years as this link shows:
http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Health/d ... Url=Lantus
The comments on this page make interesting reading- http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/lantus-ins ... ncer-4614/

If you decide to go back on animal insulin you may be told that it cannot be used in pumps. This is the wrong information which is given to doctors and nurses by some drug companies. If you decide to go back onto Animal Insulin then contact Jenny Hirst at the IDDT ( Independant Diabetes Trust) she will give you the info you need.

Whatever you decide I wish you all the best