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Is it possible that my new Rapid Insulin Pen is dodgy ?

M

Mark14400

Well-Known Member
Messages
88
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi,
For the last 5 Months or so I've had good control of BS. At 4.00pm when I drive home I test and it's always been in the 6-7 mmol/l range...The last 3 days I was surprised that my 4pm reading was below 5 (4.8, 4.6, 4.8) which for me is 3 hours after meal. The other 5 readings during the day have been lower than usual also. I now have to eat carbs before bed which I didn't need to do. . So following DVLA rules (5 to drive) I have to eat carbs even though not hungry. Is it possible I have a dodgy NovoRapid Pen which is giving me too much Insulin...which coincidentally I started to use about 5 days ago....My diet hasn't changed at all as I go with what works and having the same meals don't bother me...injection site the same....the DSN is suggesting reducing the Lunch insulin dose by 1 unit to a measly 2 units and basal by 2 units to 16 units...has anyone had similar problems?....appreciated....Mark
 
I've never had pen issues but I've always used pens that are non-disposable.

If this all started when you began that pen, then perhaps it is worth changing to a new pen to see if it continues.

Remember too that sugars can be erratic during the honeymoon period anyway.
 
Mark14400 hi the only time I've had trouble with Novo rapid insulin was when i had a dodgy pre filled pen as azure said just try a new pen maybe it got damaged before you received it just guessing all the best
 
Hi @Mark14400 ,

To test your pen is giving the right dose. After an "airshot". Fire 20 units into the needle cap the flu it level should fill the cap upto where it starts to flute out to cover the screw part of the needle..

I notice your also on Lantus? Have you recently changed to/opened a new pen or cartridge..??
It's just that your "low" times sort of strike a "resonance" with me sometimes regarding a fresh Lantus batch... ;)
 
Jaylee said:
Hi @Mark14400 ,

To test your pen is giving the right dose. After an "airshot". Fire 20 units into the needle cap the flu it level should fill the cap upto where it starts to flute out to cover the screw part of the needle..

I notice your also on Lantus? Have you recently changed to/opened a new pen or cartridge..??
It's just that your "low" times sort of strike a "resonance" with me sometimes regarding a fresh Lantus batch... ;)
Click to expand...
How did you know. ?...yes...I started a new Lantus pen a few days ago. I thought as it's long acting it will have minimum effect during the day...I do basal dose at 9.00pm ?
 
Mark14400 said:
How did you know. ?...yes...I started a new Lantus pen a few days ago. I thought as it's long acting it will have minimum effect during the day...I do basal dose at 9.00pm ?
Click to expand...

You tend to suss this stuff out... I do mine about 11pm. But your post seemed to "strike a chord" regarding the average working day on a new cartridge..
I would follow your DSN's advice cutting your basal by the "2units." Your nurse is right there.!
But you may need to be prepared to up it again (by the "2.")as the cartridge gets half way to 2/3rds down?? Lantus in my experience can sort of loose its "potency."
 
Mark14400 said:
The last 3 days I was surprised that my 4pm reading was below 5 (4.8, 4.6, 4.8) which for me is 3 hours after meal. The other 5 readings during the day have been lower than usual also. I now have to eat carbs before bed which I didn't need to do. . So following DVLA rules (5 to drive) I have to eat carbs even though not hungry. Is it possible I have a dodgy NovoRapid Pen which is giving me too much Insulin...which coincidentally I started to use about 5 days ago....
Click to expand...

Can't say with any certainty but I doubt you've got a dodgy pen.

Some of us find we need less basal insulin when the weather gets warmer, so what I would do is do some basal testing to see if your basal dose is set at the right dose, if all is well with that then you can look at your insulin-to-carb ratio's.
 
Lantus is meant to be flat but I often notice a drop on libre a couple of hours afterwards.

There's a graph which shows a brief peak effect, but I can't trace where it came from so can't attach much weight to it:

download (2).jpg
 
Hi. It's unlikely to be the pen. Do you carb count i.e. adjust your rapid for the food at each meal? This is essential to have good control of blood sugar. Ask the doc/nurse to explain or come back here.
 
If you've got another pen why not try it? Will quickly and the question. Good luck
 
Thanks for all the advice....greatly appreciated

Well, I reduced my basal dose by 2 units to 16 units and pre-meal to 2 units from 3 units and I'm writing this having just treated a hypo (2 Hrs after Dinner). BS now 4.1 and shakes have stopped. Think this will be a long night :-(
 
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Mark14400 said:
Thanks for all the advice....greatly appreciated

Well, I reduced my basal dose by 2 units to 16 units and pre-meal to 2 units from 3 units and I'm writing this having just treated a hypo (2 Hrs after Dinner). BS now 4.1 and shakes have stopped. Think this will be a long night :-(
Click to expand...

Basal testing is a pain in the bum but worth the effort IMHO, why not start from scratch and see how you get on, hypo's are draining and can be avoided to some extent if the basics are covered.
 
Well today has been a big success...Up 6.9, before Lunch 5.7, before Eve Meal 5.8 and just now 7.2....and more importantly no hypos...Sugars through night were in the 6 range. I think I have found my new dosage levels (for now). Exhausted.....and l'm not sure why the last 4 days have been weird but it's been a weird 5 months if I'm honest :) ....Thanks guys .....appreciated....Mark
 
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Scott-C said:
Lantus is meant to be flat but I often notice a drop on libre a couple of hours afterwards.

There's a graph which shows a brief peak effect, but I can't trace where it came from so can't attach much weight to it:

View attachment 22397
Click to expand...

Hi Scott,

To be fair, that's pretty much the working profile of Lantus to a tee.. (From the old blurb I was given when prescribed it many years back.) But I'd say there was a steady tail off (fade out.) around the 22 hour mark.
 
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