- Messages
- 26
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Insulin
I have diabetes 2. I have just seen the diab specialist again. At my previous specialist appointment the dr had started me on insulin (Levemir), as the Metformin, Victoza, & Glimepiride that I had been taking till then weren't reducing my BMs sufficiently.
So I currently take: Levemir [1 injection p/d: 30 units] + Victoza [1 injection p/d: 1.2 units] + Metformin [3 tablets p/d: 800mg each tablet] + Glimepiride [1 tablet p/d: 3mg]. (Plus 1 x 80mg Simvastatin p/d, for high cholesterol.)
I have just seen the diab specialist again, who said this even this new mixture of insulin + meds weren't doing the job of reducing my BMs enough. The specialist said my pre-brek reading wasn't too good, but that my post-lunch & post-supper BMs were way too high i.e. spiking . My own diary (BM data record!) agree with this point of view.
The specialist therefore said he wants to change the type of insulin I am on (Levemir) to another type of insulin (a non-basal type called Humulin M3). Which is where the problem comes in . . .
I have been taking Levemir in the evening (bedtime), as I find that time (i) easier to fit in with my lifestyle/work routine i.e. less invasive to my schedule & (ii) easier to remember to take the injection! (I take the Victoza at the same time for the same reasons.)
The specialist has therefore suggested my starting on a different insulin; this would have to be taken twice per day. This means I would have had to increase from taking just one insulin injection p/d to two. However, that I could have handled. But unfortunately it will also have to be taken at mealtimes, which restricts my diary somewhat. Not only that, but it has to be taken not just with a meal but I would have to remember to take it just before (30 mins before) a meal. That would really mess up my diary & routine. I do NOT want this diabetes running my life any more than it does already! so I'd prefer to stick with the Levemir if at all possible rather than have to mess around with injections both pre-brek & pre-supper.
I then remembered - when I had already left the specialist appointment (isn't that ALWAYS the way! LOL! ) so I couldn't ask the specialist re this - that someone had said that Levemir works more effectively for the first 12-18 hours (of a 24-hour dosage), then wears off. (This is due to Levemir being a background/basal insulin.) Surely, then, taking Levemir at 10pm defeats the purpose of this insulin, as I eat during the day, i.e. I eat from 10 hours away from the 10pm injection time, not during the night just after the injection time!
BTW, I can't remember if the specialist is aware - i.e. if he had fully absorbed my medical record/notes - that I currently take Levemir in the evening rather than in the morning.
Is this true re Levemir working more effectively for the first 12-18 hours?? If so, then I might try changing to taking Levemir first thing in the morning. And see how that works on my day's BM readings.
Anything to avoid - without taking foolish risks of course! - having to start taking umpteen injections & at specific mealtimes every day for the next gazillion years!
Has anyone had any experience in this matter i.e. if changing the time of taking Levemir changes the level of long-term blood sugars or a specific BM reading?
So I currently take: Levemir [1 injection p/d: 30 units] + Victoza [1 injection p/d: 1.2 units] + Metformin [3 tablets p/d: 800mg each tablet] + Glimepiride [1 tablet p/d: 3mg]. (Plus 1 x 80mg Simvastatin p/d, for high cholesterol.)
I have just seen the diab specialist again, who said this even this new mixture of insulin + meds weren't doing the job of reducing my BMs enough. The specialist said my pre-brek reading wasn't too good, but that my post-lunch & post-supper BMs were way too high i.e. spiking . My own diary (BM data record!) agree with this point of view.
The specialist therefore said he wants to change the type of insulin I am on (Levemir) to another type of insulin (a non-basal type called Humulin M3). Which is where the problem comes in . . .
I have been taking Levemir in the evening (bedtime), as I find that time (i) easier to fit in with my lifestyle/work routine i.e. less invasive to my schedule & (ii) easier to remember to take the injection! (I take the Victoza at the same time for the same reasons.)
The specialist has therefore suggested my starting on a different insulin; this would have to be taken twice per day. This means I would have had to increase from taking just one insulin injection p/d to two. However, that I could have handled. But unfortunately it will also have to be taken at mealtimes, which restricts my diary somewhat. Not only that, but it has to be taken not just with a meal but I would have to remember to take it just before (30 mins before) a meal. That would really mess up my diary & routine. I do NOT want this diabetes running my life any more than it does already! so I'd prefer to stick with the Levemir if at all possible rather than have to mess around with injections both pre-brek & pre-supper.
I then remembered - when I had already left the specialist appointment (isn't that ALWAYS the way! LOL! ) so I couldn't ask the specialist re this - that someone had said that Levemir works more effectively for the first 12-18 hours (of a 24-hour dosage), then wears off. (This is due to Levemir being a background/basal insulin.) Surely, then, taking Levemir at 10pm defeats the purpose of this insulin, as I eat during the day, i.e. I eat from 10 hours away from the 10pm injection time, not during the night just after the injection time!
BTW, I can't remember if the specialist is aware - i.e. if he had fully absorbed my medical record/notes - that I currently take Levemir in the evening rather than in the morning.
Is this true re Levemir working more effectively for the first 12-18 hours?? If so, then I might try changing to taking Levemir first thing in the morning. And see how that works on my day's BM readings.
Anything to avoid - without taking foolish risks of course! - having to start taking umpteen injections & at specific mealtimes every day for the next gazillion years!
Has anyone had any experience in this matter i.e. if changing the time of taking Levemir changes the level of long-term blood sugars or a specific BM reading?
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