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Humalog/Levemir taking 4-5 hours to kick in

L

leesmall001

Newbie
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4
Hi everybody,

I have been on insulin (levemir & novarapid) for 3 years but over the past year the novarapid has been taking much longer to work, it's gone from 1 hour to 4 or 5 hours. Also the amount of
novarapid I need has also really increased without any changes to my diet or weight - I now take 50 - 60 units before each meal :cry:

I have cut nearly all carbs from my meals over the past week which has reduced the amount of insulin needed - although only by about 5 units.

I have also tried injecting in my leg first thing in the morning, not eaten anything and went for a 3 hour walk just to see if it was a circulation issue but it still took 4 hours to kick in.

My GP switched me from novarapid to humalog, I have tried injecting different sites, etc but nothing seems to work. He has referred me to the consultant at the local hospital but there is a long waiting list :(

Any ideas, suggestions, etc would be really welcome

Thanks

Lee
 
first thing that came to my mind is: maybe you need more levemir? esp if you have cut the carbs but not making much difference. You don't say how much levemir you are on, but perhaps you need a boost in that dose instead, or as well.
If your body needs more background insulin that would explain why the humalog doesn't seem to be kicking in. It's perhaps trying its best but it's coping with all the background sugar sloshing about, which ought to be the levemir's job?
 
thanks for the reply!

I am on 120 units of levemir, 60 in the morning and 60 in the evening. My pen doesn't go up any higher......

I will increase the levemir slowly and see what happens.

Would there be any issue dialling up more insulin with the needle inserted? Just don't want to have to even more injections - 5 a day is more than enough!

Thanks

Lee
 
it does sound as if you might be becoming resistant to both types of insulin. Hopefully the diabetes consultant will be able to help.

I have in the past changed my mind about the amount I'm injecting and redialled the pen without taking the needle out. BUT
- it can mean wiggling the needle about if you aren't careful, which makes a bleed more likely
- the more insulin you inject into one place, the more you are likely to get absorption issues (ie the insulin absorbed at odd times/rates). If you are injecting over 60 units at a time that's literally quite a physical pool of liquid, which may well affect absorption. Someone else on here may be able to talk with more authority on this... I'm a little out of my depth on issues with large dosages.

that's another thing actually... do you rotate your injection sites carefully? If you tend to jab the same place each time, it could be that you have absorption problems that are causing some of the issues?
 
Didn't feel comfortable with redialling the amount so I injected again with a new needle. My readings have been OK (but not fantastic...) before bed & first thing this morning (7.2 & 8.5). Thats by increasing it up to 65 units per injection.

Yes I always rotate my injection sites, in fact putting that much insulin in makes sure that you do rotate as it's quite uncomfortable for the rest of the day.

Thanks for your suggestions. I will carry on increasing the Levemir until I get figures under 7.

Fingers cross for my consultants appointment :)
 
Ended up paying for a private consultation but it was worth it!

The consultant prescribed Victoza and after 2 weeks I have lost 12 pounds and I am totally off Humalog!

I am also slowly reducing the Levemir.

:D
 
leesmall001 said:
Ended up paying for a private consultation but it was worth it!

The consultant prescribed Victoza and after 2 weeks I have lost 12 pounds and I am totally off Humalog!

I am also slowly reducing the Levemir.

:D
Click to expand...
Fabulous news!
 
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