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Problem with BS on pump - changing insulin tomorrow

Riri

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,174
Location
Mid Wales
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
The conservative party, people who are cruel to animals and aggressive people
Hia - just thought I'd ask is anyone else using humalog or apidra in their pumps? As they have no idea why my BSs ar so erratic/high they are switching me to one of these insulins tomorrow from Novo Rapid. I've been on novo rapid for years (injections and pump) ahiss think this change is a stab in the dark to see if it helps I think, but I'm willing to give it a try.
I don't know if anyone else has problems with Novo Rapid?
 
Hi Riri

I'm not using a pump, but have been trialling Novorapid for the past 4-5 months.

Just lately it seems to be quite erratic. I did switch back to Humalog for a few days (I had some left over) and it seemed to work as expected. Am back on the Novorapid this last month and it started well, but seems erratic again - so I might switch back to Humalog, which I had been using for well over 10 years.
 
Thanks for that information - hope I get humalog now and not apidra. It's Definately worth a try. Can I ask why we're you asked to switch?

I don't know how the hospital diabetic team chose which insulin to give patients - maybe its on a cost basis?
Thanks again. Riri
 
I asked to switch to Novorapid because I wanted to know if it would suit me better. Now I guess I know the answer, but at least I tried it... unless there's some other reason for the erratic levels. We shall see
 
I'll keep you posted on my progress :roll:
 
I use humalog in my pump with no problems..

Is it quick drops you suffering!

If they stabbing in the dark, then you'll be better trying Animal insulin instead...

Erratic BG's can be a sign that you'll don't get on with human insulin!

Animal Insulin can be used in insulin pumps actually insulin pumps were actually designed to be used with animal insulin! All you've got to do is remember, that when it comes to bolusing that you've got to start the bolus 30 min's before you eat.. And your basal may need changing to match the animal insulin profile... So a bit more thought needs to where to make the change for the time you need it to act...
 
Hia Jopar - no just days of high blood sugars and then, lo and behold, back to normal for another few days before my sugars go off into the teens again! Been on a CGM twice and no patterns emerge.
 
Hi Riri

Do your bg levels start to change when the weather pattern also changes? When the weather is warm towards being hot, I need less insulin, then when weather changes to getting cooler I need slightly more insulin. At the moment I am having to alter some of my basal rates because of the cooler weather.
 
Hia Ihs - tried looking at this but I don't think it's the weather. At the moment I'm having to increase my basal rate to 160% throughout the day - this is quite a lot of extra insulin to take on board. Are these the kind of adjustments you have to make when weather changes?
 
Hi

Are you sure that when you have the basal rates set at 100%, your bg levels are all ok when you do some fasting or haven't you done any yet cos you are waiting for more guidance from your dsn? If your fasting bg levels are above your ideal target then increasing the basal rates upto 160% will make your bg levels ok again but still wont tackle what your true basal rates really need to be.

Does that make sense at all?
 
If it days that changes, is there any relationship to set changes!

It's worth noting, what position/where you've got your infusion set to, sometimes this can make a difference in adsorption rates etc... Some people use two different types/length of infusion set for different areas..

Another one, have you tried changing to the other type of infusion set, so if you'll using Teflon try a metal set (my friend had this similar probs, doubted the change would be effective but it was)

Another one, when you BG's start to rise for a few days, is the basal increase the same or near the same, if it is then I would set these rates into a new profile so you can swap over quickly.. It could be hormone based, so your hormones shuffle around but not in a consistent flow, but when it decides it want to change.. But there might be similarities in the insulin requirements..
 
If you haven't done so some basal testing might be in order ,it could just be a slight change in pattern that needs to be addressed.
Another thing which is often over looked is the cannula. Quite often peoples shape changes as they mature in years so a different length of cannula solves the problem. If using tethlon try a steel cannula instead as well.
 
Thanks all. Gong to see my DSN later to get new prescription so I'll mention these points to her. Do you know if you can use a steel cannula with the sil serter? As regards my changes - yes it always seems to need a good 150-160% to get me down to normal rates. When I have 'normal' days the basal rates seem to be fine and I go to bed with BS ar 6/7 and wake up at 5/6. I'm always between 6/7 for dinner and suppet too so basals to seem to be ok when my body is normal. I agree about the hormones though - think it may be this which will be more difficult to control/predict.
My husband suggested this morning (in a nice way) that I have been leading a more sedentary lifestyle recently. I think he's right as I've not been going to the gym and not been walking as much - wonder if this affects things. On saying all of this - I can't understand why some days week or weeks my BSs are spot on?
 
Yes changes in exercise levels can change your needs..

As exercise can have a lag time to it, so what you do on one day can effect levels over the next 24 hours... But if being done regularly you don't notice it, but an injury etc that means you need to divert from your normal exercise routines.. Can do has you BG's are doing... Have a good couple of days when exercising, the stopping, a couple of days later hit with changes in insulin need!
 
As ever, my DSN very helpful. We have now decided to change to humalog after my period starts in 4/5 days - if I changed now it may confuse matters. If humalog makes no difference we will have a go at different cannulas. She is also going to speak to Medtronic nurse to see if she has any advice on the this. She did say that I can't switch to animal insulin as my pump doesnt accept this inuslin - it apparently sticks to the side?! I was not totally sure of my stuff so I didn't disagree with her but I thought I'd read that pumps could use animal inuslin?
 

As Jopar says the change in exercise or lack of it will make quite a difference to your basal needs. So that is pos all it is.
Obviously we can only comment on the info you give in each post as the picture builds up.

As to the animal insulin in pumps your DSN is talking a load of hogwash. You were told this because she has no idea about animal insulin and does not want to know. Shame on her is all I can say in that dept.

I use animal insulin in a pump with no problem at all as do many other people. The pump was invented before synthetic or analogue insulin's. So unless washing up liquid was used in pumps in those days.............. :crazy:
Animal insulin is infact a lot more stable than the analogues as doesn't precipitate in the tubing due to hot weather or go off !
 
Wwww thanks for that carbsRok - I will speak to her next week. Do you know if Medtronic etc. are also happy using animal insulin in their pumps as I have written to them tonight to see if they will reply in writing so I can send it to her?
 
Riri said:
Wwww thanks for that carbsRok - I will speak to her next week. Do you know if Medtronic etc. are also happy using animal insulin in their pumps as I have written to them tonight to see if they will reply in writing so I can send it to her?
Click to expand...

No idea about Medtronics answer.
Suspect they will say no as a reflex action as they have no idea. People do use animal insulin in medtronic pumps though, but then again medtronic would have no idea about this.
But I have it in writing from the insulin manufactures that it can be used in pumps :thumbup:
 
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