Recent Posts

Third Lanark said:
Guys,
Thank you both for your warm welcome to the forum and for your very helpful comments and information and also for sharing your experiences. Its much appreciated and not only has it helped given me a better understanding of retinopathy it has also made me fe a bit better about the whole thing.

Thanks again

I had a referral to my local eye clinic and it turned out not to be serious, but just because the person who did my annual eye test/check wasn't sure if what he saw was significant or not. I think it's natural to be a bit concerned when you get a referral like that, but it could well be just to check your eyes a bit more carefully like it was for me. After a few appointments just to make sure there were no changes or problems my appointments at the eye clinic have stopped.

The changes your letter mentions might just turn out to be minor and they could sort themselves out like other people have mentioned.

Just make sure you ask any questions if you're worried when you get to the clinic. The specialist i had for my first appointment barely uttered a word or explained anything until I didn't leave at the end of the appointment and started asking what was going on and what he'd seen after staring at the back of my eyes!

Jun 20, 2011

Third Lanark 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Alternative medicines

Hi guys,
I was wondering if any of you had taken any alternative medicines with ahving diabetes. Obviously the main point we always must remember is that we must continue to take our Insulin, tablets etc
What I was meaning was I was thinking about taking something like Gingko Bilbo (I think thats how you promounce it) to help boost my circulation or Bilberry fruit which I am told is good for eyesight. Was just wondering if any of you guys had tried these alternatives medicines or other ones and if you had noticed any effect on your diabetes good or bad?

Thanks guys

Jun 20, 2011

Third Lanark 3 posts

Guys,
Thank you both for your warm welcome to the forum and for your very helpful comments and information and also for sharing your experiences. Its much appreciated and not only has it helped given me a better understanding of retinopathy it has also made me fe a bit better about the whole thing.

Thanks again

Jun 20, 2011

Brum_Taffy 13 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Newer Insulins under pressure from QIPP

We seem to have gone into a blind alley, as can sometimes happen Embarassed

The only way to decide a 'Which is better?' argument is the Harry Hill method, IMO Laughing

Instead, I am still hoping to get some observations from people with type 1 diabetes in the forum: what you think, what you experience each day, how things are today, compared with how you used to use insulins previously.

In essence, Lance Armstrong famously said "It's not about the bike"- do you experiences agree? Idea

Jun 20, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,816 posts

High again, and that was with 32 units at 2230 or there abouts.................

If it was me, I would continue with this dose till Wednesday night, if still high in the mornings, add 2 units at night, repeat the process...........3 am test to confirm its working or not and to avoid hypo........

What were you on before going back to Lantus..........?

Jun 20, 2011

derekh1965 99 posts

Hi

Thanks for your replies.

I was on Lantuis for a few months and only stopped taking it maybe 3 months ago. I am pretty sure I was oin 1 injection of 32 units in the morning so I have taken my 32 this morning and will leave it until tomorrow morning to see the results.

When I was on it before my morning results were good. Stopped taking it because started feeling more tired, depressed, no energy and read sometimes lantus caused those side effects for some people. Been off it for 3 months and feel no different. Still tired and depressed lol.

My BS was 13.7 this morning.

Jun 20, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,816 posts

deanna said:
my BG starts to rise (for example, from 6.5 to 14.0 in the space of 2 hours in the morning around 7oclock). I have started waiting to take my BI as late as possible, resulting in a habit of going to sleep about midnight. This seems to be working at the moment, as my BG only rises between 3-5 points and doesnâ€™t make me feel as much like ive had a hyper in the night.

What you are describing here is the dawn phenomenon, the sharp rise over a short period of time is the hormonal response, so it may also be your BI running out combined with the DP, but even if your BI lasted past this time, this effect would still happen............taking your dose later is a good strategy, one which I adopt, and means your are giving yourself more BI at that specific time in the morning when your pancreas starts spitting out the glucagon......

I only moved it to the later time after I had upped my BI dose to the correct one, as I was not taking enough......

Jun 20, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,816 posts

The 50-50 split is always a good place to start if you are going from one dose, usually Lantus, to two doses, usually Levemir or Humulin I.......

But I think its apparent you need more at night that you do during the day, at least that's what it looks like.......Karen makes a good point though, try the dose out for 3 consecutive nights, tweak if needed, then move on to your daytime BI and QA...

And if the DP does cause you problems in the morning, giving your 22 dose when you wake is best...........its not a 12-12 hours split, but Lantus and Levemir last longer than this in the majority of people.....

Look forward to seeing this weeks results..............your doing well.......... Very Happy

Jun 20, 2011

Karen Westwood 38 posts

You may find that as it is a different insulin that you will need different doses anyway and only time will tell.

I have found that splitting 50/50 has worked for me but you will probably have to do a few alterations before you find the dose that is right for you.

My main advice would be to change one thing at a time and then give it about 3/4 days to look at your results and then decide what may need changing next. It took me months to finally get my lantus at the correct levels so don't worry about things not happening over night. When you do get there all the hard work will eventually pay off. It might be worth speaking to your diabetic nurse to discuss what levels of lantus you should start off on after the change from Isophane. Did they not tell you this when they changed you over to lantus?

Karen x Smile

Jun 19, 2011

derekh1965 99 posts

Hi Karen

Thanks for your input. I was taking 30 units Isophane in the evening and 22 12 hrs later (10:30 am and pm}. Total of 52 BI. Do you think splitting it I should take 26 units each time? I have taken my 32 tonight and will see what my BS is tomorrow morning and take it from there.

Jun 19, 2011

Karen Westwood 38 posts

Hi there, just been reading your posts and thought I would just mention that when you make changes with Lantus it can take (from my experience) upto 3 days for the changes to actually work fully so don't worry about highs in the meantime, just give the lantus a few days to settle.

I too used to take all my Lantus in the evening and then I tried splitting it 50/50 morning and night. I take it at 8.30 in the morning and again at 8.30 in the evening. I have an alarm set on my mobile phone to remind me!!!

Personally I have found this has worked really well.

Hope this helps Smile

Karen x

Jun 19, 2011

deanna 8 posts

Novorapidboi26 â€“ the burning under the skin comes from my QA insulin, considerably less often from my BI. I have tried novorapid, humulinS and im now on humalog. I am unsure about what causes my physical symptoms at the moment, as my average BG is around 7-8 I donâ€™t know if this is just too high for my body. I have seen my doctors frequently, but they keep trying to put me on anti-depressants to help deal with my mood, headaches and pain-receptors. I am still unsure.

Athena â€“ I didnâ€™t realise that your honeymoon period could still be going on even after 2 years, although my diabetes was caught very early, so this could be true in my case.

Those with the dawn phenomena, have you tried testing to see if your split dose of BI is lasting the correct amount of time over night, as I myself am unsure if I am experiencing the dawn phenomenon or if my BI is running out to soon. I have tested and recorded my BG over many months now and my BI, Levemir, seems to only last 6-7 hours during the night before my BG starts to rise (for example, from 6.5 to 14.0 in the space of 2 hours in the morning around 7oclock). I have started waiting to take my BI as late as possible, resulting in a habit of going to sleep about midnight. This seems to be working at the moment, as my BG only rises between 3-5 points and doesnâ€™t make me feel as much like ive had a hyper in the night.

Welshmapleleaf I think that if you are having difficulties with your BI, in my personal opinion it would probably be worth changing to a split dose BI (even if its just to see how effective it works for you) as it is easier to control and adjust so you can get the dosage right, without having to deal with the consequences for too long if you accidently get the dose wrong, i.e. 10-12hrs instead of 20-24. x

Jun 19, 2011

deanna 8 posts

Welshmapleleaf said:
Burning under the skin must be a pain, is that both types of insulin?I know Levemir is slightly acidic and can sting and give rashes

I know the pH of Lantus is slightly acidic (4.5 ish) which can create a slight sting, whereas Novorapid, for example, is nearer pH 7 so is more neutral to the body.
That may explain why it hurts when the insulin is physically injected rather than the needle being inserted into the skin.

The reason why the BI s have to be slightly acidic is because when they are injected, the body reacts to raise the pH nearer to 7, releasing the insulin in a more stable and prolonged way - a process that's not needed in the QA insulins.

Okay i understand what you mean. However in my case it is the QA insulin not the BI that cause me these problems, so if these facts are true what could be the cause. It doesnt make sense does it really aha x

Jun 19, 2011

deanna 8 posts

Garry said:
Almost certainly sickness affecting your Diabetes.
On your exercise query:
on the opening Forum page - use the search facility to search for Exercise. Brings up about six threads to have a look at.
These have helped me better understand the sometimes puzzling effect of exercise and BGs.
Regards
Garry

Thank you Garry for the advice on exercise i'll look into it Smile

Jun 19, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,816 posts

The most significant peak that I have used is humulin I, both Lantus and Levemir don't have any noticeable peak, but everyone is different.............

It will make your BG drop if the dose it too much defo.........

Could you take your daytime dose with your breakfast, this might drop down your breakfast ratio as well..............

Jun 19, 2011

HelenP 218 posts

Hi,
I have been a diabetic now for 33 years and had my first experience with a minor retinal bleed about 20+ years ago. The opthamologist recommended laser and I was so terrified of losing my sight that I readily agreed. I have since had three additional treatments (so a total of two on each eye) over the last 20 years. I have a check up every second year or so and no further treatment has been deemed necessary. I dislike the procedure but the outcome is very good. My vision is good and I still drive without glasses. Wear them for reading but can almost read the newspaper without them. My daughter-in-law believes my colour perception is shot. I put navy socks on my grandson when his mother thought I ought have sort out brown. I thought his pants were a funny grey but she insisted they were brown! I can live with that!

Up until I did Dafne my control was less than satisfactory but since Dafne it is much more regular. The opthamologist believes the tighter control is at least in part responsible for the lack of further damage/deterioration.

I have a friend who has also been a long term diabetic and she had a less than satisfactory experience with laser and was off work for quite some time. I literally had it done, waited until my pupils were reactive to light and then went back to work that afternoon. Did get a black eye after one episode though.

The technology must have come a long way in twenty years. For memory my last lot of laser was 10-12 years ago.

Helen

Jun 18, 2011

derekh1965 99 posts

Yes I'm going t stick with the 32 at 22:30 and maybe take 22 at 10:30. The trouble I was having with the Isophane was the peak was making my BS go low. Although they will tell you BI doesn't lower your BS it clearly does. n An example is Tuesday 3am test I was 5.6 then at 8:30 I was 14.7!!

Isophane peaks between 4 to 6 hrs.

Lantus (Glargine) has a much less defined peak than Isophane.

Never mind, one of these days I'll be hunkey dorey.

Jun 18, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,816 posts

Hey, welcome to the forum.............

From the stories I have heard laser treatment is successful in stemming any minor leaks, there may be minor leaks around the outside but its ones near the middle that may effect the sight.............I have had it for 12 years, diabetes that is, and I have background retinopathy, its normal I suppose after so long..............

being referred doesn't mean you will have to get the laser, just means some more in depth investigation is needed, but if you do, don't worry, it will help......................and remember retinopathy can improve if you can lower your BG levels nice and slowly........

I am sure someone with more first hand experience will be along soon.........

Jun 18, 2011

Third Lanark 3 posts

Having had diabetes for 13 years have thankfully not had any problems with my eyesight. However just got a letter sent from the eye screening unit that there have been changes to my eyesight because of diabetes and that I am being referred to an eye specialist.

Been a bit of a fright to say the least and am now seriously worried about my vision, dont get me wrong I havent noticed any changes but thats the thing you dont until it can be very late.

The information sheet provided with the letter states that laser surgery can be used to treat retinopathy. Does anyone know how successful this type of treatment is? Been getting quite worried about it

Jun 18, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,816 posts

I don't know it all, just using what I have learned....................but I like helping if I can............

are you talking about splitting the evening dose, before bed and then in the morning..........that's a new one to me...........

I think the 32 before bed is the best option, its seems to have given you a good result, so if this continues you know your have the right dose..................I think taking less before bed is just reducing your chance of waking on target......

on the wed night you were 9.0, so assuming the QA was right, then it looks as if the 30 was just short of what you needed.............

So my non professional advice would be to take the 32 at 22:30, the your 22 when you get up, so the chances of waking in single figures is greatest and then your giving yourself more BI to stop any rise from breakfast to lunch..............

what has your team been saying...........

Jun 18, 2011

Peter 103 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Newer Insulins under pressure from QIPP

Mark, Don't forget, as Carolin said, that the second part of the message given at the DAFNE Collaborative was "ANY type of BI taken twice daily was better than analogue taken just once daily".

Jun 18, 2011

derekh1965 99 posts