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LANTUS USERS - PROBLEMS

Re: LANTUS PROBLEMS

Hi,
I was changed from Insulatard to Lantus about 5 years ago. I didn't like it at all. I wanted to go back to Insulatard but my Nurse said it wasn't available anymore and suggested I try Levermir,
It's not much better. I've had highs and lows on the exact same amount of insulin and the exact same food. I have stomach issues and eating problems.
It's made me hungry in the middle of the night. It's horrible.
It's supposed to be better than Insulatard in that it has no peaks and works over a 24hour period.
It doesn't. I'm sure it peaks 3 hours after I've had it. I always wake up hungry and desperate for some carbs. Sweets preferably. And I'd never eaten sweets before Lantus/Levermir. I'd never had a sweey tooth my entire life. My addiction has always been savouries.
Now, after reading all of you guys' comments, I'm seeing my GP tomorrow and asking him for my Insulatard.
Thanks.
 
Re: LANTUS PROBLEMS

HI Tekcom
You haven't said how your BG levels are, be interested to know how your daily control is. You are on a lot of insulin(analogue insulin) and Lantus is known to cause weight gain-do google search and you'll find you're not alone in this. [ snip ] If you feel the analogue insulins you're on are not working for you, ask your doc to try you on animal insulins for a while to see how you get on.

Hi Richieh,
that was my experience with Lantus, you've put it in a nutshell with that quote! Never made any sense to me, only coming off it proved that my body that was ok, but Lantus was not :evil:
If you've had a problem with Lantus, an analogue insulin, you may also be reacting badly to Levemir-it's not beyond the realms of possiblility. Digestive probs are also associated with analogue insulins. You say you've tried all insulins, how were you on animal insulin back in the day. I was diagnosed in late 80s and was never offered it.


Sufia,
As far as I'm aware, Insulatard is still available. How manipulative of your doc to tell you such porkies :evil: I've never been on Levemir, but Lantus gave me terrible "munchies". I couldn't leave the house without having something to nibble, had a sort of empty sicky feeling and lots of digestive probs, including bowel probs. Have you read this whole thread?

For anyone reading this post, please take a look at the IDDT(insulin dependent diabetes trust) website, especially the stuff about "human" and "synthetic" insulins. It's an issue that we all should be aware of and be concerned about.
best of luck
Jus x
 
Re: LANTUS PROBLEMS

kewgirl, Diabetic Veteran & anyone else who's had or having probs with Lantus should read this. Full of very recent postings from people having exactly the side-effects we suffered-when will people wake up to the dangers of this drug???
http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/lantus-ins ... ncer-4614/
Jus x
 
Re: LANTUS PROBLEMS

Greetings one and all. It is a while since I posted about my Lantus problems so here is my update. I am now Lantus free, almost 3 months now. The aches in my joints have gone, I have just spent a week in Corfu with my wife and we walked between 8 to 12 miles a day. On Lantus I could have managed about 1/2 a mile. My night hypos have gone along with the excessive sweating. I still get depressed but it is no where near as bad or as often. I have more energy and do not fall asleep all of the time. I eat less, I do not graize my way through the day as I used to. I would like to thank you all for your support especially the encouraging words from janabelle.
 
Re: LANTUS PROBLEMS


Interesting update Andy and pleased you feel much better, but can I ask if you have changed to a alternative insulin or are you now just on meds only? Thanks.

Nigel
 
Re: LANTUS PROBLEMS

Hi Nigel, I am now injecting Animal Insulin instead of the genetically modifed stuff. I am on Hypurin Porcine Isophane. I spoke with the wonderful people at the Insulin Dependant Diabetics Trust. They sent me load of information and were a grest support. You can find them at www.iddtinternational.org or you can phone them on 0160 462 2837.

Andy
 
Re: LANTUS PROBLEMS


Thanks Andy, pleased you are doing well on the pork insulin and long may it continue!

Nigel
 
Re: LANTUS PROBLEMS

Hi Andy,
Brilliant news! So glad you're feeling better and do keep us posted on your progress.
Also don't forget to report any side-effects suffered on previous insulins to the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme http://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/contact-us/ if you haven't already done so.
It's about time insulin manufacturers like Sanofi Aventis were forced to list the true side-effects of their analogue insulins, such as the ones repeatedly mentioned on this thread :evil: I'm working on that one.....
At the very least we can keep spreading the word!!!
Jus
 
Re: LANTUS PROBLEMS

Hi, After reading some of the comments by totsy and janabelle regarding Lantus/Glargine it has got me thinking of my experiences using this insulin. I have been diabetic type 1 for 38 years and was diagnosed brittle in 1976 so lantus cannot be blamed for that, but I do experience some of the symtoms suffered by you both. I thought it was just part of being a brittle diabetic I shall have to look further into this do any of you suffer with muscle wastage? One minute fine then where has it gone.
 
Re: LANTUS PROBLEMS

HI,
Welcome to the forum, sorry you're suffering similar ailments to some of us on this thread
Can you describe what you mean by muscle-wastage? People report pain and muscle weakness, is that what you mean? On Lantus my arms were in pain and felt weak, I noticed I couldn't carry shopping bags, and they weren't heavy ones either. My arms and wrists started to ache when I was cylcing and I wore a wrist support at times. It was definately a side-effect of Lantus, and not an uncommmon one either.
Be interested in hearing what problems you are experiencing.
Jus
 
Stinging sensation with Lantus

James had tears in his eyes yesterday with the Lantus stinging (more than usual last night). He has mentioned this before and I have read somewhere that it does because it is so acidic.

Because HE injects legs and tummy, he wants me to do his buttocks at night. Any ideas on how I could make it less painful for him. I keep it at room temperature and use 4mm needles which are changed every time. ANY IDEAS would be helpful
 
Re: Stinging sensation with Lantus

The other thing I wanted to ask about Lantus is the DSN put James on 16 units in the evening to start off with, then she reduced it to 14 cos he was having a few lows in the morning, now we are back up to 15 and now she has finished as DSN at the hospital.

I have read in one of the books that I sent for, that the night time insulin can be adjusted by 1-2 units but not quite sure if they mean the Lantus or Novorapid, as we are yet to inject Novorapid for supper. James tests before supper around 8p.m. has his usual supper then Lantus before bed. We do not test before bed and never have done even when on 2 injections per day.

His daily readings before supper last week were
Sun 11.6
Mon 3.9
Tue 7.7
Wed 3.7
Thur 6.4
Fri 3.7
Sat 5.0
Sun 3.8
and his readings waking up were
Mon 8.1
Tue 8.1
Wed 3.9
Thur 14.4
Fri 3.6
Sat 12.8 (football day)
Sun 7.8
Today 5.0

So do I go along with the 15 for now but adjust if I see a pattern of high readings on waking :?:

We don't have a clinic due now until 19th April which is with the dietitian and possibly new DSN.
 
Re: Stinging sensation with Lantus

Stoney,

Some do say that lantus does sting when injecting but I've not experienced this myself, take a read of the following information which is helpful with injection techniques:

http://www.bd.com/us/diabetes/page.aspx ... 01&id=7282

Your lads morning readings are a mixed bag, before adjusting again I would look at testing his bg before bed and during the night for a few nights to determine his levels, perhaps a weekend would be the best time for this. Would it not be possible for you to have a chat with the diabetes consultant at the hospital to discuss James control?

Nigel
 
Re: Stinging sensation with Lantus

I would back up what noblehead says, and also keep track of what is being eaten just before bed - sometimes a small night time snack can have quite a knock on effect. You've probably thought of that so sorry if I'm being obvious, I just know that it took me a while when I was new to it to realise that the piece of toast I was eating at about 9pm was actually the reason behind my higher morning levels. I didn't feel as if it counted because it wasn't a 'meal' and I thought my long-acting would cover it. I was wrong.
stoney said:
I have read in one of the books that I sent for, that the night time insulin can be adjusted by 1-2 units but not quite sure if they mean the Lantus or Novorapid, as we are yet to inject Novorapid for supper.
Click to expand...
I would bet they mean Lantus - but either way, I wouldn't feel you have to keep to a rule of only adjusting by a set amount of any insulin. If adjusting more works, then adjust more. Just don't adjust by too much in one go in case of hypos.
If you aren't using Novorapid for supper, what are you using - or have I totally misunderstood?

Sounds like you are doing everything right with injection technique but if he's having problems only with the Lantus is there a chance you could ask for a different long-acting insulin? there are lots, Lantus need not be his only option.
 
Re: Stinging sensation with Lantus

Thanks Snodger in answer to your question, James does not have any insulin to cover carbs for supper only the Lantus before bed. The DSN at the time said he need not cover a small supper, but on saying that he usually has banana, cereal and toast. Most mornings he has a good Bg but this morning it was 14.4. Why is it he can get away with it sometimes and not others :?:

I think I will have to do something about this supper, depending on his BG and adjust ( I have nothing but numbers rolling around my head all the time :roll: )

Why is it he can get away with it sometimes and not others. :?:

Also we used a technique with the Lantus last night that someone suggested, by placing needle in then slowly releasing the insulin. He did say that it was better but had the sting at the very end (Bless)
 
Re: Stinging sensation with Lantus

Banana cereal and toast would certainly put my bgs into the sky if I didn't inject to cover it. Why it's sometimes ok and not others, though, I don't know. Definitely worth checking before bed if you can.
I was reading your other post about high readings before footie, though, and wondered if he has very responsive reaction to stress? It need not be bad stress. Personally I react to stress by going hypo (everyone's different!) and often just the thought that I'll be doings something out of the ordinary - even if I'm looking forward to it - can set me off. Can you spot any similar stress-linked things on the mornings when he's high?
 
possible lantus problems

hi im new here .i have recently been put on insulin for my type 2 on a basal/bolus regimen of lantus once a day at night and novorapid before meals ..its only been two weeks since i started insulin but i am starting to feel nausea and dizziness and sweats now and again and also loss of sleep or restless nights ..i talked to my diabetes nurse today and she thought i may have to go on to levimir instead of lantus..to be honest after doing a lot of reading on lantus and the effects it has on some people im thinking that levimir maybe the best option ..but after learning that lantus and levimir are both sinthetic insulins im wonering if there was a human or bovine or pork insulin that would be better for me and do the job of the other 2 sinthetic alternatives and would my practice nurse even concider prescribing them to me ..is it possible to get human or animal insulin that is long lasting anymore? as i have heard it is not as available as it used to be and some PCT's will not issue it :shock:
 
Re: possible lantus problems

Hi Mightyflames,
Welcome to the forum!
How are your BG levels and how often are you checking? Just wondered if any of the problems you're experiencing could be related to hypos or the opposite.
While many people get on fine with sythetic human and synthetic analogue insulins, there are a significant number that have very serious problems on them; poor BG control and side-effects.
It's a sad fact that most doctors do not recognise of acknowledge such problems and to most insulin is just insulin, which is a shame for people suffering problems and others who haven't yet made the link between their medication and ill health. Here's a link which shows some problems that patients have reported on Lantus http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/lantus-ins ... /#comments

Animal insulins and synthetic "human" insulins are widely used and available in the UK,no PCT will refuse their use. However some doctors can be reluctant to prescibe something they have little knowledge or experience of, which is why patients can face resistance particularly when requesting a change to porcine or bovine insulin. Maybe you could take some info along and educate your diabetes team- if you need a hand getting links let me know.

I've been on porcine (pork) insulin fr nearly 3 yrs following 4 appalling years on Lantus. I'd been on synthetic human insulins for 15 yrs prior, but changing to Lantus was the worst decision I've ever made in my life, it poisoned me and didn't control my blood sugar at all. I now have good stable control of my BGs and feel better than I've felt in all my yrs as a type-1, I feel cheated that I was never offered it when I was diagnosed as I believe my quality of life would have been so much better.

You should contact the IDDT a fab organisation who are well versed on the kind of problems and concerns you have. They will help you loads! Here's a link to their contact details and website http://www.iddt.org/here-to-help/contact-us/
hope that helps
Jus
 
Re: possible lantus problems

hi janabelle
my BG levels are always around the 11.0mmol mark in the mornings and 17mmol at night im currently on 28units of lantus at night and 10 units of novorapid before meals...also im not impressed with the flimsy cr*ppy disposable pens that you get your insulin in so im going to ask if i can go over to cartridge and more solid dependable pen system .
 
Re: possible lantus problems

The re-useable Novopen 4s are a lot nicer looking than the novorapid disposable pens, they aren't bright orange for a start! They feel a lot more 'solid' too.

If it's only been two weeks since you started insulin, it might just be your body reacting to the lower blood sugar levels. This can cause 'false hypos', if your blood sugar is lower than it is usually.

Wait until your blood sugars are lower, and your body has got time to adjust, and you are able to adjust the amount of insulin depending on what you eat. Then see if you still have problems.

The nurse is suggesting levemir because it has a different 'profile' eg it lasts a different amount of time, and peaks differently, to lantus.
 
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