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[Andrew2018]

I'm Type 1, on Levermir and Novorapid, with metformin due to insulin resistance issues years ago, 1000mg morning and evening. If I forget the metformin, insulin simply fails to kick in. Been type one for over 30 years. Been having the usual issues with levels going up and down and was put onto the Libre system a couple of months back.
All of a sudden in the last few days I have found that taking 2.5 units per 10g cho in the morning and 2 units per 10g cho for lunch and dinner simply isn't working. I seem to be rising very quickly after a meal and very slow to come back down. Last 36 hours I have had to run at 3 units per 10g to make a dent in it, and 26 units levermir, up 4 units on where I was. Yes, I need to talk to the diabetic team, if I can find their contact details, but has anyone met this?. My thinking is it looks like the novorapid simply isn't doing much all of a sudden. Can one suddenly get strong resistance to novorapid?. The Libra graph looks like the reduction is steady over a long period, suggesting the levermir is still working even if slowly. Appetite has dropped off, like today was simply a sandwich, and snacking between meals is an absolute no all of a sudden. There are other issues such as hypertension, fairly maxed out on medication for that and awaiting review by the Cardiac unit to do anything more ( awaiting as in 6 months and told very unlikely until November, possibly pulmonary hypertension. Life is seriously becoming a real chore.

 

[Antje77]

Might be you're having a bug (cold, flu, covid, gastro). Illness can raise our numbers even if we don't have many symptoms.

 

[Juicyj]

Hello @Andrew2018

When insulin isn't working there's a few things you need to consider, has the insulin gone off, try a new pen, how are your sites looking ? other things to consider are illness as Antje has mentioned as your body produces extra glucose to fight infection, also dental infections do the same, stress levels too and also a change in the weather can affect my control, hot weather improves insulin sensitivity and cooler weather increases resistance, all adds to the joy unfortunately.

 

[Hopeful34]

A change to a different insulin might well help, as sometimes particularly if you've been on Novorapid for quite a while, (or any insulin) it can become less effective.

 

[Deleted member 527103]

A change to a different insulin might well help, as sometimes particularly if you've been on Novorapid for quite a while, (or any insulin) it can become less effective.

I have never heard of this.
I was using NovoRapid for about 15 years and only changed when Fiasp became available and I starte Libr'ing so became more aware of how long I needed to pre-bolus. But NovoRapid was definitely not less effective. Likewise, Lantus has been on my prescription for years.

 

[Hopeful34]

I have never heard of this.
I was using NovoRapid for about 15 years and only changed when Fiasp became available and I starte Libr'ing so became more aware of how long I needed to pre-bolus. But NovoRapid was definitely not less effective. Likewise, Lantus has been on my prescription for years.

That's why a forum like this is so helpful, there's always new information being posted that we haven't heard of before @In Response

 

[James Higher Strength]

I tested the Freestyle Libre for a month and it was giving super high readings compared to actual blood glucose tests. For example, Libre saying 13mmol/l when BG was telling me 8mmol. I was sent a replacement unit to test, but the same problem. So I ditched the Libre and my control is excellent using BG readings.

 

[Tomatojuice]

I'm Type 1, on Levermir and Novorapid, with metformin due to insulin resistance issues years ago, 1000mg morning and evening. If I forget the metformin, insulin simply fails to kick in. Been type one for over 30 years. Been having the usual issues with levels going up and down and was put onto the Libre system a couple of months back.
All of a sudden in the last few days I have found that taking 2.5 units per 10g cho in the morning and 2 units per 10g cho for lunch and dinner simply isn't working. I seem to be rising very quickly after a meal and very slow to come back down. Last 36 hours I have had to run at 3 units per 10g to make a dent in it, and 26 units levermir, up 4 units on where I was. Yes, I need to talk to the diabetic team, if I can find their contact details, but has anyone met this?. My thinking is it looks like the novorapid simply isn't doing much all of a sudden. Can one suddenly get strong resistance to novorapid?. The Libra graph looks like the reduction is steady over a long period, suggesting the levermir is still working even if slowly. Appetite has dropped off, like today was simply a sandwich, and snacking between meals is an absolute no all of a sudden. There are other issues such as hypertension, fairly maxed out on medication for that and awaiting review by the Cardiac unit to do anything more ( awaiting as in 6 months and told very unlikely until November, possibly pulmonary hypertension. Life is seriously becoming a real chore.

Andrew,
I quite understand your concerns and offer these ramblings for consideration.
I have been Type 1 since 1964 and - thankfully - well-controlled overall. I take three Novorapid doses and one Lantus dose each day. A few years ago I had the same problem regarding 'insulin resistance' and was prescribed 1000mg Metformin twice a day as a supplement. It worked and kick-started a retune to normality. About three years ago I decided to gradually phase out Metformin and this had no adverse effect on my BG readings. I informed the diabetes clinic accordingly and they were happy. The consultant suggested that I might try to reduce my body weight by taking less insulin - starting with the Lantus - and I did this across the board just by introducing the reductions slowly. My weight came down as a consequence; not dramatically, but enough to please the team at the clinic and I felt better for it.
I use Freestyle 1 and check about 15 times a day (and act upon the results, bearing in mind that the reading has a delayed status). Over the years I have learned that:
1. Physical exercise has a swift effect on reducing BG level. I don't do gymnasium work or running the streets, more a case of sawing wood by hand and general DIY activity. After a long day of activity I will sometimes omit an insulin dose or significantly reduce it
2. Early on I was told that Actrapid/Novorapid was a swift acting insulin. This has never been the case with me and it takes a few hours before it starts to do its work. Occasionally the Novorapid has no effect at all and I have to take a second dose to stop the escalation in BG level. I guess this is due to the injection sites being worn out after all the years!
3. My Libre daily graphs frequently look like a big dipper and seem to follow the same daily theme, but the average graphs show a more settled picture and my official HbA1c readings at clinic are generally 6+, which the experts seem to be happy with. I don't need glasses. I have lows as well as highs but luckily the lows are not disabling and I can manage them very easily with fruit juice or chocolate raisins.
4. I have always borne in mind the recommended carbohydrate figures I was given in 1964, suggesting certain amounts of carbs for each meal and I never eat or drink anything without doing a swift analysis of its properties. Learned quite a bit from the DAFNE course but whereas others there seemed to want to eat whatever they fancied - and adjust their insulin accordingly - I decided to stick with my old-fashioned way of eating to suit the BG level at the time. The trick is to enjoy good meat and fish, together with green vegetables and fresh fruit and forget about desserts, cakes and takeaways - particularly the latter as they are poor in nutritional value. Someone once said "you are what you eat" and my dear wife eats the same as I.
5. At the moment, I have COVID and everything has gone haywire, with wild readings throughout the day and night. The readings are generally 14+ no matter how much additional insulin I take (sometimes 50%) and it causes me some concern. However, today I have just had a session of DIY in the garden and my BG has dropped to 4.5 for the first time in a week. When I stop it will probably rise again until the effects of the virus have gone. Being totally inactive for the past few days made me realise how important it is to keep moving!

 

[Andrew2018]

A change to a different insulin might well help, as sometimes particularly if you've been on Novorapid for quite a while, (or any insulin) it can become less effective.

I was told when it got changed that Novorapid and Levermir was the best regime to use. Think I have been through at least three insulin changes over the years.

 

[Yoga Tam]

I find that if I eat high fat the day before, I get insulin resistant the next day - just stubbornly high blood sugars that won't come down. I've had to drastically decrease fat intake and increase whole food carbs such as vegetables and fruit to get back on track. Have a look at

which explains more about this.