Insulin Overdose!

[LionChild]

Today, I accidentally overdosed on Levemir this morning! Instead of my usual 3 units, I took a second lot, of 3, thus making 6 units. I clearly was not focused on what I was doing! Anyway, I sought advice from the Diabetes clinic in Birmingham QE hospital and was told not to take any Novorapid at all today, and to eat lots of carbs to ensure my glucose stayed up. I have felt the need to be extra-vigilant all day today since this error at about 08.30, and so far all is well.....MY main fear is over night tonight, and of course, the concern about hypos during my sleep. I have been advised not to take any more Levemir either tonight. So, that is my lesson learnt: ( PAY ATTENTION!!) Still rather on tenterhooks!

 

[Antje77]

Today, I accidentally overdosed on Levemir this morning! Instead of my usual 3 units, I took a second lot, of 3, thus making 6 units. I clearly was not focused on what I was doing! Anyway, I sought advice from the Diabetes clinic in Birmingham QE hospital and was told not to take any Novorapid at all today, and to eat lots of carbs to ensure my glucose stayed up. I have felt the need to be extra-vigilant all day today since this error at about 08.30, and so far all is well.....MY main fear is over night tonight, and of course, the concern about hypos during my sleep. I have been advised not to take any more Levemir either tonight. So, that is my lesson learnt: ( PAY ATTENTION!!) Still rather on tenterhooks!

Do you usually take a split dose of levemir, so morning and night?
If you do, your total dose for the day is likely close to what you usually take.
If you don't, you'll still have some more circulating insulin than you usually have, but the effect will likely taper off soon.

Do you use a CGM? If so, what about setting the low alarm a bit higher than usual to catch drops before you're hypo?

I have some nights where I expect to drop on my basal alone (often before my period, sometimes on unusually active days, sometimes after drinking, strangely always when sharing a bed with my neighbour).
On those nights I choose a fatty and carby snack to have before bed, the fats delaying the action of the carbs, keeping me more or less steady for many hours rather than the quick spike from glucose treatments.
For me, it's a perfect excuse to have a portion of crisps before bed, although I don't always judge the needed portion correctly.

Good luck, and let us know how your night went tomorrow!

 

[LionChild]

Do you usually take a split dose of levemir, so morning and night?
If you do, your total dose for the day is likely close to what you usually take.
If you don't, you'll still have some more circulating insulin than you usually have, but the effect will likely taper off soon.

Do you use a CGM? If so, what about setting the low alarm a bit higher than usual to catch drops before you're hypo?

I have some nights where I expect to drop on my basal alone (often before my period, sometimes on unusually active days, sometimes after drinking, strangely always when sharing a bed with my neighbour).
On those nights I choose a fatty and carby snack to have before bed, the fats delaying the action of the carbs, keeping me more or less steady for many hours rather than the quick spike from glucose treatments.
For me, it's a perfect excuse to have a portion of crisps before bed, although I don't always judge the needed portion correctly.

Good luck, and let us know how your night went tomorrow!

Thank you! Yes, I usually take 4 units of Levemir at night around 10 pm usually, and then 3 in the morning - so the amount is not that different.... I have the libre so I could set the alarm, although it tends to go off all the time when I am leaning on it so I do not usually use it! Yes, depending on what my blood glucose is looking out, I will probably do what you do, and give myself a treat. A good excuse!

 

[Antje77]

Unrelated to your question, but do you use a single use pen or one with penfills?
On a dose as low as you need, you might benefit from a pen that can dose half units.
The Novopen Echo and Echo plus can dose half units, and they have a memory function for last dose, perfect if you're unsure if you've injected already or not.
And they work with Levemir penfills.

 

[LionChild]

Unrelated to your question, but do you use a single use pen or one with penfills?
On a dose as low as you need, you might benefit from a pen that can dose half units.
The Novopen Echo and Echo plus can dose half units, and they have a memory function for last dose, perfect if you're unsure if you've injected already or not.
And they work with Levemir penfills.

Thanks again Antje77! yes I have the Novopen Echo, and it does that. Of course it was only afterwards that I realised.... I realised immediately. TOO LATE!!

 

[Antje77]

Yes, I usually take 4 units of Levemir at night around 10 pm usually, and then 3 in the morning - so the amount is not that different....

I'd expect you'll be all good, maybe even a little higher than usual, which is perfectly fine after a dosing mistake!
If you feel unsure, enjoy that snack and try not to overdo it.

 

[LionChild]

I'd expect you'll be all good, maybe even a little higher than usual, which is perfectly fine after a dosing mistake!
If you feel unsure, enjoy that snack and try not to overdo it.

Yes, thank you for your response Antje77. I must be good and not overindulge now!

 

[Juicyj]

Hope you were ok last night ?

It's a mistake we have all made, some a few times so put it down to experience, just goes to show how easily it can be done.

 

[searley]

ive made similar mistakes in the past.. once I took 15 units or rapid instead of Levemir.. just had to keep an eye on bg, and eat if bg started to drop

 

[LionChild]

Hope you were ok last night ?

It's a mistake we have all made, some a few times so put it down to experience, just goes to show how easily it can be done.

 

[LionChild]

Thank you Juicyj! Yes I was okay. I phoned the hospital for advice and my GPs. I was advised to not have any Novorapid at all that day, and no more Levemir at night. The result was that food I ate and the fact of no Levemir meant my sleep levels were cuddling the 10 mmol all day and all night long. I think I could have done with a bit of Novorapid for meals, but followed the advice I was given. Anyway, all was well in the end. Thank you for your support here!

 

[Juicyj]

Thank you Juicyj! Yes I was okay. I phoned the hospital for advice and my GPs. I was advised to not have any Novorapid at all that day, and no more Levemir at night. The result was that food I ate and the fact of no Levemir meant my sleep levels were cuddling the 10 mmol all day and all night long. I think I could have done with a bit of Novorapid for meals, but followed the advice I was given. Anyway, all was well in the end. Thank you for your support here!

Glad you were ok.

In these events just pick up your BG readings to gauge what needs to be done, on a CGM it's easier to see direction levels are heading in so use these as your guide, it's common sense really in regards to taking things a bit easier, more checks than usual and keeping glucose at hand at all times,