Hi all. I was diagnosed with T1 diabetes in Dec of 1963. I have been using a Minimed pump for about 15 years. When I first went on the pump I experienced an odd symptom in that my sites would work for ~12 hours then stop working. Moving the infusion set to a new location would correct the issue for another 12 hours. My doc prescribed Zrytec to treat some unrelated allergy symptoms (hay fever) I was having around this time and the problems with my infusion sites were resolved. I moved from Humalog to Novalog about 5 years ago. I stopped the Zrytec to see what would happen. There was no effect. The issue seemed to have been resolved.
About 1 year ago, the issue resurfaced. I tried the Zyrtec "trick" with no effect. My doc switched me to Apidra from Novalog which seemed to help a little. With Novalog, my BG would gradually rise and would be difficult to bring down even with insulin by injection and site change. Additionally, my BG would continue to rise for an hour or so. With Apidra, I get "No Delivery" alarms on my pump about the time that my BG starts to rise. This gives me a quicker response to the issue and lower highs than with Novolog.
I was spending a good deal of time fighting to bring my BG down and felt like I was completely out of control, even though my A1c was 7.1. I decided to try taking more Zyrtec to see if I could get relief. I am now taking 60mg of Zyrtec/day in 2 doses and the symptoms I was seeing have pretty much cleared. I have not discussed this dosage with my doc yet, but I will be loath to discontinue the Zyrtec unless another remedy can be offered. The only side effect I notice with the Zyrtec is a constant slight sensation of nausea which I have decided is better that the high BG nausea and general malaise without it.
Has anyone seen or heard of this reaction/symptom? Any ideas as to a solution or plan of attack?
If you didn´t have any difficulties with this before the pump it could be a reaction to the infusion sets. Have you tried the ones with steel cannulas to rule out if that could be the problem?
Perhaps you are having an allergic reaction at your sites? I'm not sure I would feel comfortable with the long term use of Zyrtec tho. You may also find that stopping Zyrtec after prolonged use results in a "rebound" reaction. Have you considered using Benadryl gel as a localized treatment instead?
No I have not tried Benadryl gel. I'll get some and try it. I should know in a couple of days as a cessation of the antihistamine results in an immediate return of the symptoms. BTW - I get no itching, redness or even a small bump at my infusion site locations, so i am somewhat doubtful that a topical gel will ease the symptoms.
Siri, I have tried most of the different set styles offered for my pump. Including 2 with stainless canulas. i have used different lengths, insertion angles, locations, etc. I have experimented with a number of site locations including upper chest (that was tough the first time), abdomen, sides of torso up to rib cage, upper arms, just above crease in arms above elbow, derrier, outer thigh, inner thigh (this is a very good site for me for absorption, although sets tend to need mastsol to keep from tearing out), just below and outside knee, just below and inside of knee, .....
Well, I finally have an answer, sort of anyway. My MD sent me to an allergist who was stumped but intrigued. She, in turn, referred me to a dermatologist to get a biopsy of a site that was not working. He was not able to provide a definitive diagnosis so he sent the tissue to the University of California. They were able to diagnose the issue as a hive that was forming in my skin tissue. Most likely it is the result of an autoimmune issue or disease with the top offender list being Lupus or RA. Some blood work will hopefully provide some answers.
wouldn't a hive mean indeed an allergic reaction. if you put a drop of insulin on your skin and break out, then you're allergic to it, although TRUE allergic reactions to analog insulins are rare, very rare. how would a hive mean RA or lupus? wouldn't you have other symptoms, joint pain, etc...?
Do you have these 'hives' at every site? couldn't it just be scar tissue and /or insulin absorption under the skin, which happens ofte. i can get lumps in my skin tissue if i use the area, even with MDI's too much, a pool of insulin. that's how this works, the insulin 'pools' under our skin then releases, etc..
Sarah, you are correct in that it is not a true allergic reaction. I have no reaction at the surface of my skin. I.E. - itching, redness or a bump. The reaction was described as a "hive" by the pathologist who analyzed a biopsy of a site that had stopped working. It occurs deeper in my skin and happens at every new site. That, coupled with the fact that anti-histamines alleviate the symptoms has led me and my healthcare team to use the term "allergy" in the broadest sense. I suppose a more correct descriptor could be "reaction". The "hive" is of a type caused by an autoimmune reaction with the 2 most likely suspects being RA and Lupus. I have other symptoms that fit with a diagnosis of RA. I should know more when my latest blood results are completed.
