Long Acting Insulin

[Desbrina]

Anyone else have issues with their long acting insulin. I'm on my 4th brand now.

Started on Lantus - Had horrible burning sensation at injection site, and sites were always sore
Moved to Levimir - Started off alright but ended up with itching, to the point where I would scratch to it bled
Moved to Humalin I - Got told it wasn't strong enough
Currently on Tresiba - Getting pain at the injection site for 20-30 minutes after injection

Its not a reaction to the needles as my novoraipid is fine

 

[EllieM]

No (luckily), but could you move to a pump?

 

[Desbrina]

No (luckily), but could you move to a pump?

I've enquired about it but got told that even if I wanted to self fund I've got no chance

 

[EllieM]

I've enquired about it but got told that even if I wanted to self fund I've got no chance

That seems bad. Did they give a reason for this? I would have naively thought that not tolerating basal insulin would be an excellent reason for a pump! Is there anything additional you can do to qualify?

 

[Desbrina]

That seems bad. Did they give a reason for this? I would have naively thought that not tolerating basal insulin would be an excellent reason for a pump! Is there anything additional you can do to qualify?

The main reason, they class me as type 2 so they won't fund it.
I've been trying to get an appointment with the pump specialist for at least 2 years now but keep getting told that I'm unlikely to get it as pump companies will be reluctant let you have it as you'll have no support on self funding

 

[Seacrow]

Yes. Almost exactly the same, Lantus produced a bright red rash, Levemir produced unbearable itching. My consultant did some looking into the manufacture to find out if it was a particular preservative chemical or the pH of the liquid and couldn't come to a definite conclusion.

This was before tresiba, so my only options were going without a basal or going on the pump. I think I qualified for the pump because I was classed as ' insulin dependent' rather than type 1 and 2.

 

[edan]

I haven’t had this issue, have you tried a mixed insulin, or maybe it’s worth trying the humilin anyway if none of the others are agreeing with you? Or are there any lifestyle changes to diet/exercise/weight you could make, or non-insulin meds such as victoza etc that might mean you could reduce the dose or reduce the need for long acting insulin? Although some type 2s need long acting insulin others can get away with just bolus or other meds

 

[Desbrina]

I've tried victoza, bydureon and another one, all of which made me ill.
I have been loosing weight slowly which is helping.

I was moved to a mixed one point, but I was having constantly hight sugars so they decided that separate was best.

I'm currently on 42 units of tresiba.


They had originally classed me as type 1 as when I had the tests done it was borderline. The tests were redone several months later which resulted in the type 2 diagnosis. I was also tested for MODY as I'm the 5th generation to be known to have diabetes

 

[EllieM]

They had originally classed me as type 1 as when I had the tests done it was borderline. The tests were redone several months later which resulted in the type 2 diagnosis. I was also tested for MODY as I'm the 5th generation to be known to have diabetes

I'm failing to understand why it matters whether you're T1 or T2 once you're on insulin. Seems like a pretty arbitrary denial to me. They won't make a special case for you? Or just class you as insulin dependant like @Seacrow?

 

[Desbrina]

I'm failing to understand why it matters whether you're T1 or T2 once you're on insulin. Seems like a pretty arbitrary denial to me. They won't make a special case for you? Or just class you as insulin dependant like @Seacrow?

Just giving some background in case it made a difference.

In my area it’s basically unless your type 1 or a child you don’t get anything.

My depression has been really bad lately and the help I get from my consultant was basically there’s nothing available if your an adult. This is depression that’s affecting my diabetes as I feel like I can’t be bothered anymore