Anyone had reactions to basal insulin only?

[Vectian]

At diagnosis I was given Abasaglar which made me feel terrible so I stopped it after a week, continued with fast acting only which was no problem. Over a year later, I have recently started to try Tresiba, starting with 2 units which was fine and had a good effect. By 2 weeks the effect was wearing off and almost back to how it was before, then I increased to 3 units and had a constant slight headache, sore eyes and just feeling rough for a few days.

This slowly passed and after a few days I tried one unit more to 4 and getting this reaction again. Anyone else had this? Maybe it's a sensitivity to the preservatives or something in basal specifically as I am fine with fast acting. I read that they are discontinuing Levemir now, so Abasaglar and Tresiba represent the only 2 types available. I can't imagine what would happen if I needed 20 units, if 3 or 4 already have this effect!

 

[Mark Rawlinson]

I have 40 u a day of Trujeo as a Basal and 5 u Trurapi 4 times a day been on them for 5 months from 10 u and 2 u respectively

 

[Vectian]

I have 40 u a day of Trujeo as a Basal and 5 u Trurapi 4 times a day been on them for 5 months from 10 u and 2 u respectively

Toujeo is the same type as Abasaglar, seems like there are only 2 types of basal available now, so if you can't tolerate either you're in trouble...

 

[EllieM]

Toujeo is the same type as Abasaglar, seems like there are only 2 types of basal available now, so if you can't tolerate either you're in trouble...

Maybe that would be justification for the NHS to supply a pump???

 

[Vectian]

Maybe that would be justification for the NHS to supply a pump???

I only need quite small doses now (I am LADA) so don't think I am up to that yet, but yes that would be an option if the basal insulin continues to be a problem.

 

[Fairygodmother]

Try Semglee?

 

[Jaylee]

… Or even Lantus?

 

[Antje77]

Try Semglee?

Semglee is another insulin glargine, like Abasaglar, Toujeo, and Lantus. Still, slight differences between them so worth a try.

 

[Mark Rawlinson]

How did it make you feel when you say terrible ?
I am curious

 

[Vectian]

How did it make you feel when you say terrible ?
I am curious

It's really hard to describe, but like a zombie, within a couple of minutes of injecting. Just felt drugged all the time, sleepy, heavy head, I could hardly do anything, just slumped in a chair all day.

 

[Mark Rawlinson]

It's really hard to describe, but like a zombie, within a couple of minutes of injecting. Just felt drugged all the time, sleepy, heavy head, I could hardly do anything, just slumped in a chair all day.

The only thing I felt or feel is a strange headache within a minute of injecting that is with the rapid acting one though, it soon goes. What happens if you go for a day without injecting ?

 

[Vectian]

The only thing I felt or feel is a strange headache within a minute of injecting that is with the rapid acting one though, it soon goes. What happens if you go for a day without injecting ?

I don't know I haven't tried, Tresiba stays in your body a long time as well up to 40 hours. I have nothing at all from the fast acting.

 

[EllieM]

Hmm, looking at the ingredients list

https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/tresiba-epar-product-information_en.pdf

The other ingredients are glycerol, metacresol, phenol, zinc acetate, hydrochloric acid and
sodium hydroxide (for pH adjusment) and water for injections

What fast acting are you using? Is there a preservative in the tresiba that isn't in your fast acting?

 

[grantg]

I don't know I haven't tried, Tresiba stays in your body a long time as well up to 40 hours. I have nothing at all from the fast acting.

how are you with intermediate insulins like twice a day designed for the 'long acting; ? premixed twice once in the morning and one in evening meal maybe doable with fast only at lunchtime?

 

[Vectian]

Hmm, looking at the ingredients list

https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/tresiba-epar-product-information_en.pdf

The other ingredients are glycerol, metacresol, phenol, zinc acetate, hydrochloric acid and
sodium hydroxide (for pH adjusment) and water for injections

What fast acting are you using? Is there a preservative in the tresiba that isn't in your fast acting?

Fast acting is lyumjev, which I have no issues with. It's also that the insulin molecule is different in long acting

 

[grantg]

a little further detail from prior suggestion:
Humulin I & Insulatard

About intermediate-acting insulin

NHS medicines information on intermediate-acting insulin – what it's used for and key facts.

www.nhs.uk

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/8194/smpc#gref

if your dsn/endo changes you over to that to try ensure you mix well before injecting.

you may want to update your treatment type info, currently states Diet only.

imo above is perhaps worth a try. levemir should be enough stock if your ok with that til late 2026 so gives around a year before you would have to switch during that time hopefully there will be an alternative solution for you

novaecho6 pen allows half unit dosages, i spotted you had said small amounts only. maybe a few extra injections at half unit a time could help to some degree although would be frustrating i guess.